John Green's notes from Kenya: December 2023

WHERE WAS MOSES, WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT?

IN THE DARK !!

RECENTLY, here in Eldoret, all our LIGHTS went out, and did not quickly return, and the next day we learned that the whole of KENYA had been without power for the entire night, causing instances of mayhem all over the State. And this was not the first time in the current year but the 3rd. The longest in three years having occurred in August this year - a national Outage of some 20 hours The increase in these irregular, but frequent 'outages', is causing considerable inconvenience, and also anxiety as to the possible cause or causes of occurrences. It has even been suggested that possible 'sabotage' is the reason. However, it may also have is roots in ageing transmission lines and other equipment, or the fact that the need for Electricity has hugely increased since Independence. When I first arrived in Kenya in late 1968 the given population was put at 10,ooo,ooo Today, December 2023, it is put at 55,ooo,ooo, The ever increasing pressure, and demands, put upon the Kenya Power & Lighting Company is considerable, and may not always have been given as much assistance from Government as might have been required. Is the Company in financial trouble behind the scenes; is their a competitive struggle form newly arising competitors? Right now nobody is prepared to say.

And so the future seems a little insecure - with Christmas looming and the increased demand on the

Power System expected to surge - might we all end up in the DARK? We hope not... BUT you never know.....

FOR MY PART, having now lived in Kenya for more than 54 Christmases, and experienced countless sudden power outages at all times of the day and night, I just 'take my hat off', to all the men and women that work day and night to keep power flowing into our homes, offices, schools, hospitals and industry. Especially those in the Power and Lighting Emergency Services. On Duty and Call day and night, they unfailingly, in fair or foul weather, risk life and limb to keep us all connected. I admire them greatly. None of them, at least, are to blame for any Outage. God Keep you all safe this Christmas, and give you all warmth and happiness.

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TO-DAY, 16th December 2023 is the Wedding day of one of our 'daughters' Pauline Nekesa'. Pauline and her husband, Evans, are both fully trained and qualified nurses, and working for Jesus in a Medical Mission near to the Coast in Kenya. They will marry some distance away from Eldoret, and Esther and I will not be attending. One of very few 'Family Weddings' that we have missed. Generally, when the Wedding is local, we have tried to be their, and especially if it has been one of 'our' sons or daughters getting married - such as the photo above. of Faith Kavithi (actually we were NOT the parents in this case, but Joshua and Miriam; we were close 'grandparents'. And so many others, many more than I am able to print photos here. Nevertheless, Marriage is something wonderful for us to see, and be part of, when it is one of many 'children', from one of our four Homes that is marrying. A good, strong, and settled step in life, and a JOYUL statement of finally feeling secure enough to start a family of their own, and with Christ with them, Saviour and Friend.

To the left is another of our daughters, Betty Wanjiru, marrying one of our accounts clerks ( Betty was also an accountant,) We were very glad to see them come together, loving the Lord, and wanting to use their lives to serve Him. We had felt that Our own family should be able to encourage others to have what we had, TOGETHER,; and, indeed, by God's Grace and Mercy we believe it has.

YES, we obviously do advocate MARRIAGE, and all that goes with it that will build and make a strong FAMILY. Right from the beginning TFH's Vision was to CREATE not just one Family, but MANY more.

AND we believe that, as the Writer of the Letter to the Hebrews,.13v4

says, in the New Testament of the Bible - 'Marriage is honourable |(esteemed worthy, precious, of great price, and especially dear) in all, and bed undefiled (kept undishonoured) BECAUSE whoremongers (unchaste, (all guilty of sexual vice), and adulterers (unfaithful) God will judge and punish. (mix of King James and Amplified Bible translations.)

LASTLY, one of our many 'sons' getting married, probably the tallest as well; Molem Piera, a lab. technician. We are Thankful, always, when we see one and another stepping into Marriage, and making the effort, and even at times , sacrifice, to keep that family together in JESUS. It has been a real privilege to see their families increase, and grow. God is Good and Faithful, AND, of course, we have been blessed to see our very own children also come to this place of having their very own families, sharing with us.

I am writing this since we have just been visited once again with a Representative of the Kenya Children's Services to encourage us to prepare to CLOSE our 4 Children's Homes by the end of 2032. They say this without any sign of appreciation for doing our best in seeing more than 400 boys and girls grow up, and go on helping Kenya to grow; no apparent awareness that we have, for 52 years provided what they SAY they will replace with something more successful - something that has failed elsewhere. Well,

we are not CLOSED yet, and the children that we have continue to stay with us. By 2032 most will have left us - just one or two left to become of age at 18. AND and so, for the moment, we still have time to give them the assurance and faith of a caring base, in the Families they have become part of. THINGS might well CHANGE before 2032 dawns, it is all in God's Hands, who called it all into existence. We are CONFIDENT that He continues to walk with us, upholding us, Who will yet Uphold us with the Prayer and Help of all those who Love Him and who have loved us.

Where WAS Moses, with the Light went out?

HE REMAINED IN THE LIGHT

and WITH the Light

For the LIGHT was in Him

and IN that Light

ALL DARKNESS had to RECEED and DEPART