Update

SATURDAY, 17TH MAY, 2008

Another BEAUTIFUL day, brilliant with colour, but atmospherically HEAVY and very HOT.     The Rains have yet again reduced and almost dried up as farmland wilts with unwatered crops, and rivers and dams subside.      WATER is now being rationed.      A problem for the School - for the toilets rely on 'flush sanitation' which relies on gravity tanks which cannot now be filled due to lack of water pressure in the supply pipes, due to reduced flow.        But at least there is still SOME water to be had.     Some places have even less or none at all - others have too much.    Are you still WATCHING?    I hope so.    Since my letter of 26th April we have had so many 'happenings' - the Chilean Volcano, the Chinese and Japanese Earthquakes and the Burmese Storm!     One is reduced to wondering 'WHAT NEXT'.     It seems as if everything is speeding up on every hand, to say nothing of the continued world recession and its repercussions.   Keep looking UP,  keep in prayer for yourselves as we also do here.     I will not apologies for being 'alarmist'   I will BLOW THE TRUMPET and deliver my soul.       Ezekiel 33.

 

A missionary friend living in our area and also working with children wrote to me this week with a rather strange enquiry.   He and his wife have not been long here, and have already taken some infant orphan girls into their own home as a prelude to building premises to house a large community - He wrote -

 

'My wife was talking to M the other day, who had been talking to A.M.

He had said that there was a (Kenyan)

law stating that Westerners and or Europeans

cannot live on the same compound as the (Kenyan) children!

Is this a new law, an old law, or no law at all?

 

Well, of course it is currently NO LAW at all.    Since Independence Kenya has a Constitution which guarantees equal rights to all races and ethnic groups within the Nation.    It would be inconceivable for a law to be permitted that would introduce any form of racial segregation or apartheid.      

BUT BEFORE Independence there were quite a few laws which sought to segregate and separate the 'black' from the 'white'.     Friend A.M. had probably been told about one of these laws.        In support of this I can personally site the following, taken from a Title Deed issued in 1928 and re-issued in 1935 relating to the compound on which Jacaranda Cottage built in 1935 stands, plus two other Children's Homes built in the last two years, where it is written and upheld under the Schedule written on 6th January 1928 (Schedule (a) 5 -

 

The Purchaser is not to use or suffer to be used

and dwelling house or building on the premises hereby assured or any part thereof as a place of residence or occupation

for any Asiatic African, or other person not of pure European descent

 

and (a)10 of the same

 

The Purchaser may not at any time hereafter sell assign lease part with the possession of or grant a power of attorney over

the premises hereby assured or any part thereof or any dwelling house or other building which now or hereafter may be erected thereon

 to any Asiatic African or other person not of pure European descent

nor to any company or corporation any shareholder or member thereof who is of African Asiatic or not of pure European descent,

 

Thus right up to 1963 our Elgonview Estate, remaining under British Colonial Government continued to be a very WHITE area apart from domestic servants.      A big change in less than 50 years.     I wonder what the then 'officials' would now think to see so many groups mixed.       WE have proved that different races CAN live together not only in peace, but in understanding and appreciation of each other.    It is a question of having a right attitude and determination to be equal in one's dealings at every level with all comers.         Perhaps without GOD in the Equation this is impossible for it is only IN Christ ( in His LIFE and LIVING) that there is no difference between any race or tribe.        To this Testimony Faith Homes reveals the TRUTH.

 

Our Father in Heaven keep you all safe and secure

 

John and Esther

 

 

 

 

 

UPDATE

SATURDAY, 10TH MAY 2008

2.4 MILLION ORPHANS RISK NEGLECT

SAYS MINISTER

(Daily Nation, Friday 9th May2008

 

It is estimated that there are 18 million children in Kenya at this time.  The Government is currently carrying on a cash transfer programme in 37 Districts in order to provide "regular and predictable" transfers of cast to families living with orphans and vulnerable children.    The Gender & Children's Affairs Minister, Esther Mathenge has stated that there are 13,280 households in Kenya caring for orphans.

 

APPARENTLY these are households receiving 'cash transfers' as an inducement for them to CARE.  "This" she said, "will encourage the families to foster and retain the children."       The Minister also said that in the African Traditional Society orphans were taken care of by the extended family, but lamented that the socio-cultural and economic changes have weakened family ties.

The Cash Transfer Programme was started last year and is the brain child of the previous Vice President,  Hon. Moody Awori, whose main interest was in our Prisons.      It is he who said that by 2020 we shall not be in need of Children's Homes because there will be no orphans on the street - they will all by then be fostered by existing families.       It sounds good doesn't it?

In 1968 when I first arrived in Kenya the traditional custom of the 'Extended Family' was still very much in view in the rural areas of Kenya - but increasingly diminishing as practice in the urban areas...... Traditionally if any child in the village was rendered an orphan another relative or even a neighbour immediately took the child into their own family, thus 'extending' it.         THIS is what I had in mind when TFH began - and we have always considered each of our Homes as they have come into being, as an Extended Family.      It has worked well.

There is no doubt that there are far MORE families in Kenya than the stated 13,280 families that have  -  WITHOUT GOVERNMENT AID - taken orphaned children from their community into their homes, even though this has caused them considerable economic sacrifice.     AND those children have stayed with them in far greater numbers than we are now hearing are staying on with those PAID to have them under their roof.       FAR from clearing the country of orphans by 2020 it now seems likely we shall have even MORE orphans with nowhere to go.     Indeed of late we are hearing that already numbers of these 'fostered' children are back on the street, having run off from their extended families - WHY, I wonder.      Might it be because their new found 'parents' are more interested in the extra cash coming in (about £16 per month per child) than in the needs and care of the children given to them to look after?

When this Programme was first muted there were quite a number of comments flying around,     The KENYA NEWS DESK asked -

'WHAT MEASURES have we taken to ensure such children will be

better off in foster homes than in institutions?   How is the Government going to monitor the millions of children involved, considering that right now the Children's Department is almost moribund?     Whilst we would not try to second guess the Government on the issue, it appears to us as if the Vice President is shooting from the hip.     Even in developed Countries they have found it difficult to monitor just how orphaned children are being treated in foster homes.    So how will the government ensure that the children it has farmed out to foster homes in Kenya are not turned into slave labourers?   How will it guarantee they will  not fall into the clutches of pedophiles?

 

WE AGREED with the drift of this article.      We also felt that support for Children in Children's Homes might tail off if donors got the idea they were a thing of the past.  We felt the Vice President had gone of half cocked, and spoken too soon and too dogmatically.     We wrote to him sharing our view and suggesting he could make a further statement of a less discouraging tone for those involved in residential child care and its support in the country.     Writing on behalf of the U.G. Children's Services Forum to the V.P. I said -

'During the May 2007 monthly meeting of this Forum concern was voiced by all Members - more than 30 representatives of Charitable Children's Homes and Government Officials concerned with Children's Services in the District - about exactly what impression such statements cited above, will have on current stakeholders (those propagating, managing, and financing the building, extension, and daily support of new and existing works.

Uasin Gishu District has more than 80,000 orphans needing assistance.   We all realise that the complete answer is not in Children's Homes - we world need a totally unrealistic number of them.    We realise that the plan to encourage our own countrymen to foster and adopt is a truly beneficial and sensible one.    It is a concept that has much to recommend it both socially and culturally.

HOWEVER, the consensus of opinion within the forum has been that this plan may hit snags such as sustainability both financially and supervisorally.    It is felt that it is too soon to say 'We shall not need any Children's Homes by 2020.'   Indeed it is felt , rather, that however unfortunate it may be for us to face, we shall still NEED such Institutions well beyond 2020 and into the future.

CONSIDERING THIS ISSUE,

it was felt that in making this statement without any mitigation whatsoever, donors and developers in Children's Services will be caused to consider pulling back, if not completely OUT, from future capital development in relation to the residential care of children in Kenya.    Members feel that to promulgate such an attitude is to endanger the effective implementation of an important and relevant part of the answer to the present pressing National need,.      THEY would humbly present this opinion to you in the hope that you might be able to present some clarification that might remove what appears a strong negative position regarding Residential Child Care in the Country.

If investment ceases or slows down in support of such a provision in Kenya for destitute and needy children, and if the expectation or proper implementation of foster care stumbles or misfires, then bow great will be the collective suffering.    It is felt that a further Statement is needed to reassure those who might yet assist us in the ongoing provision of Residential Child Care facilities.'

 

No reply or acknowledgment was received.- but now we begin to see how hollow his statements were, and how realistic the comment of the Kenya News Desk was.       This has been accentuated by the troubles that arose for the nation in January, and which have seriously de-stabilised our economy.

 

SCHOOL OPENED ON SCHEDULE!!

570 Primary Students and about 120 High Schoolers plus 110 Pre School students.

Quit a CROWD, but so good to see them back to school, and ALL of our children with them, and our College Students away back on their Courses.

MUMPS seems to have spent itself and passed on to some other playground.   Everyone looks healthy.

Next Week last years Form 1Vs will be commencing Courses to prepare them for independent life.

FESTUS SIMIYU, STEPHAN WAITHAKA, ISAAC AYUMBA & NATHANIEL KENYANJUI, 

will go to the Rift Valley Technical Institute for two year courses in

Mechanical Engineering, Motor Mechanics, Electrical Wiring,

MARADONA THOMAS

To ALPHAX COLLEGE to do Computer Engineering

JONAH KIBET

to KCA UNIVERSITY

&  EDWIN NGOBIA to CPC UNIVERSITY

both to do B.Com.

They, together with TEN already having commenced their Courses and continuing, have spent an unprecedented Ksh.200,000/ (£1,666) since May began - TWICE as much as our food bill for the same period!

But we are always glad and Thankful to see them busy on their way to an independent and we trust secure future.     We thank you all too for all your prayer and support to make it happen in Jesus Name.

 

WELL, that's about all for this time round.    Except to say that we have a colony of Pipistrelle BATS in our sitting room chimney.    It has been so warm that we have not lit a fire for some time now, and on Monday Esther and I were sitting talking and 'PLOP' something fell into the fireplace - it looked like a small blob of soot.   Then it shuffled itself to the wall and began to climb a little way before taking off on a tour of our sitting and dining.     After that Esther lost her cool, and together with Helen left the scene to me.      I eventually got it to take its leave through the front door.      Another one visited on Thursday as well, and this time our friend David Brook who was visiting briefly from Huddersfield did the honours.     All in a days work -  I definitely prefer bats to snakes!           TOMORROW is my 68th Birthday - one of Esther's nieces who is visiting us this weekend with her sister and brother in law thinks I look 88! - She may be right, cheeky child.    I thank God for His Faithfulness to me day by day.     He is IS my Strength.

 

Lovingly to you all

 

John and Esther

Update

SATURDAY, 3RD MAY 2008

SCHOOL FEES

SET TO GO UP!!

Technically Government Primary Education in Kenya is FREE.      Tuition costs are not charged generally speaking, and Schools are discouraged from loading charges on parents.    BUT this ideological idea has been dogged by troubles - mainly because the Government really cannot afford it.      Usually these 'promises' go hand in hand with pre-election gimmicks to win votes.      Primary School has been 'free' for some time now - but on the other hand one might not immediately realise it.      All Schools require a student to wear UNIFORM and this must be supplied and paid for by the parent as a necessity.

In many school even the DESK, and books have to be supplied and paid for by the parent, together with other 'extra' levies for this and that in order to assist the school run.       The Government in fact has only promised to pay the teachers salaries - NOTHING ELSE.       Cleaners, ground-staff etc., have to be paid by the School itself +++

Free Tuition was recently extended to Government Secondary Schools as well.

NOW as the 2nd School Term is about to open, the Government is saying SORRY you may have to spend more on your child -  WHY?

'Because of the rise in prices of food,

AND the delays by the Government in disbursing free tuition money.'

'ALSO electricity charges are going up'

 

'The announcement by School Principals to increase the fees means parents,

most of whom are reeling under the burden of high inflation (since January)

will have to dig deeper into their pockets to keep their children in school.'

 

A FEW DAYS AGO it was announced that the cost of running the new government for the next TWO months would exceed thirty three billion shillings.     As I shared way back Ministers and their Assistants - and even MPs are paid well in excess of £10,000 a month in cash and perks.      When it was suggested they might take a reduction of these remunerations, they voted (predictably) against it.      On LABOUR DAY a mass Rally was held in Nairobi attended by the President, Prime-minister and many other Government Elite.    The President, addressed by the Head of the Labour Union urged the President to there and then  increase the basic wage nationally.      He said nothing in return, and many just walked away so disgusted they felt.  And well they might when working harder and for longer hours for something in the region of £40 a month, if factory workers, labourers, or domestic staff.     Even Teachers are lucky to find a job paying as much as £165 per month.       What possible understanding or appreciation can there be between the Ruling Class and the People ruled?        One might wonder how long the mass will be content enough to say and do nothing.

TESTIMONY SCHOOL, employs and pays Government Teachers.    Averagely their salaries range from £150-£200 per month depending on their seniority.    The School has some 45 teachers spread from Pre-School to Secondary Form 4 level.    This expense has to be met by the parents of those wishing to attend the School.    

In addition, to pay for the materials, utility costs of Electricity, water, transport, and upkeep, the School needs to find almost as much again - and this also has be found by the parents.     THUS our School is HIGH COST,     Each student must pay in Primary something in the region of £130, and in Secondary £163 per Term (3 terms in a school year).        The children we care for in our HOMES all attend school totally free - their cost included in the Fee charged to those from outside.

MANY HAVE FELT that we should trust God for the School and NOT charge Fees to anyone, thus opening up chances to EVERYONE and especially the poor.    And we have indeed put this to the LORD but it seems that He has not been ready to do this.

HOWEVER we DO give FREE places to those whose academic performance is good but who are too poor to find the smaller Fee necessary to attend even a Government School.     The School carries almost 50 such places in excess to our own children, but the cost of this is paid out from TFH itself, .

 

WE are NOT going to increase OUR fee structure at this time.    Our Term opens on Monday.  I gave another FREE place away yesterday to a Secondary scholar whose parents both died of AIDS last term, and his remaining family dispossessed in the recent Troubles.             It will be a 'squeeze' on our resources, but although we run the School on the basis of a Fee-paying venture, we also rest - at base - on Faith in the Lord to secure us and to still permit us to WITNESS to His goodness and to His Keeping Power.        The School is well known and with a good testimony.    Our parents from outside all very encouraging, supporting, and committed to trusting God with us for the safety and blessing of their children    -     We PRAISE THE LORD.

AND ARE THANKFUL that because of our School we do not have to worry about the cost of sending any of our 115 children to school as from Pre-primary through to Form 4.

After Form 4  - though it is a different matter for each young person wishing to go on to College or further.     He or she has to trust the Lord to provide as we present the need at the Throne of Grace.    We have 21 in College and 4 in University currently at an individual cost of between £320 and £1,230 per term or semester.         It is always strange to us that the Lord seems so willing to provide against this enormous need, whilst NOT permitting us to do the same at the lower spectrum.     Quite a poser, but in all - at all levels - we still see that in Education and its provision He declares and demonstrates His Care and Power to undertake.

 

To bring this session to a close let me include another item found in the DAILY NATION today!

HOSPITAL DETAINS MAN'S HAND

OVER     Ksh.106,000/- 

Mr. David Sanguli's hand was chopped off by a machine he was operating

on 7th May 2007

It was taken to the MORTUARY of the local hospital

as a police exhibit in the case that followed.

Recently the 33 year old father of four

went to collect his limb for burial.

He was told by the hospital management that he would have to pay

for storage and preservation of the limb for the period.

A cost of Ksh.106,000/- or £870!!

 

For me I think I would have left the hand where it was.     I certainly would not have thought of giving it a funeral!     God will know where to find it and is able to link it up with me.       Many will be dust when He Comes YET that dust will be reconstituted to be a recognisable body on that Day.       I remember once when I was 24 I was having some dentil work done.     My mouth was propped open by some device and I could not speak or even move my mouth as the surgeon dug up a molar which he then dropped into a sanitary bucket - 'There!' he exclaimed with a satisfied air, 'That's a part of you that won't be with you in the Resurrection!'          I was amazed to hear such words, and immediately felt within me that wherever that molar ended up it would not be beyond finding and being returning to me if it was needed on the Last Day.    I told my dentist so when at last he gave my jaw back to me.

 

 

God bless and Be with you all.

 

John and Esther

 

 

   

 

 

Update

SATURDAY, 26TH APRIL 2008

 

WATCH, ....

for you do not know what hour your Lord shall come!

Matthew 24v42

 

TODAY has dawned with splendour; the splendour of a cloudless sky filled with the sun's golden radiance that touches everything, intensifying the brightness of colour and texture of tree, grass and flower.    I am writing this on the veranda of Green Cottage looking out upon the lawns.    There is a light breeze whispering in the trees, laughter and the joy of small children coming and going in play.     It is such a day of quiet contentment......a day apart, a day easy to make one quite forget the fact that it is, in itself, one of the LAST DAYS....     How easy to forget; how easy to think this day could go on for ever.   How easy to grow drowsy and fall asleep!       But there IS the other side of the coin.

The International Science Congress

has continued to maintain over the last six years

that by 2048 life on this planet will be unable to continue as we know it today.

 

They say that the continuing depreciation of the world's ecology cannot be reversed. Food shortages becoming worse and worse at the source.    Even this week I have heard that the world BEE population is under threat - millions of bees in America and Europe apparently disappearing from their hives without a trace.   This has been going on for some years, but still increasingly!      Without bees to pollinate them, tree and plant life will be themselves at risk of failure and even extinction.     Science thinks the cause could be viral, or pollution of some kind - they don't know.    We live on a planet that WE have made sick.        But then we are sick ourselves, and without applying the cure we are helpless to stop the rot.

 

World Recession?

World news is full of rumour - yea sometimes the very fact - of financial collapse and economic chaos.    So many pressures causing costs and prices to spiral upwards.  And here in Kenya, as I have said previously, things seem to be falling apart economically with the outlook seeming bleak to say the least.    YET Jesus Himself told us to EXPECT such things.     Wars. rumours of wars; national and international strife were to announce ecological deterioration with resultant pestilences, food shortages and increase in seismic and other elemental activity.   This is the very stuff the Last Days are made of - and YES we are living in them.       And in the midst of all this there is to be expected 'A great falling away'   of those committed to Christ and Christian principles.      NOT NECESSARILY empty churches, but because of false prophets and an increase in iniquity, people will turn from God, rejecting His Word.     Whole societies and nations that were once known as 'Christian' are ignorant of GOD today.    This is a post christian world.

Yes things are to wax (to get) worse and worse.!    And the REAL Christian will become more and more a minority if not a 'remnant'.

The sun is still shining, and I can feel its warmth, and am bathed in its deliciousness.   A Wedding is going on not far away; I can hear the rejoicings and singing........BUT all is not well on Planet Earth!

 

Some years ago when I was still on this theme we lost quite a few friends who thought I should not comment on world affairs, or dwell on the negative side of life and living.  They said they had enough day to day problems without being made to see that the world was falling apart, and would continue to do so.       I wonder if any of us can afford to stick our heads in the sand and refuse to SEE where we are all going, and even more I wonder how many of us can afford to SAY NOTHING about it.      The King IS coming, and with Him will come Righteousness, but BEFORE He comes we will continue to see the World and its society SINK into a morass of iniquity and ensuing chaos.     Man himself will not prevent this from happening.     It will take the Return of Christ with His Saints to come and achieve it - by force.

 

WE ARE A PLASTIC CULTURE, and many of us are mixed up in a plastic church as well, were nothing needs to be STRONG or FIRM or UNCOMPROMISING.   We are far from the first brothers and sister of our Lord who laid their lives on the line in order to unequivocally WITNESS to what they believed.      This sunny day is the day that the Lord has made - He made it for us to SERVE Him in.         This does not destroy the fact that we can enjoy the god given joys of the day but we are not, even in the midst of that, to forget that we are to SERVE Him - all the time - by witnessing to Who, What, and HOW He is in and through our being here in this world at this time.

HOW AWFUL to have been a church goer, even a preacher, or sensational evangelist, and then to end up being told that the Lord has never known us, and to be refused as a member of His family - because we never actually LIVED OUT the Life / did not DO the Will of God / refused the WORD of God to be seen and heard in all we are!

MANY SECRET Christians / Empty Christians are without His Spirit within them to make them bold and courageous.    Many compromising Christians are  afraid to stand out and be different. 

 

WAKE UP brothers and sisters.     This is the TIME to be seen and heard.  NOW is the time to be noticed and not be OVERWHELMED by the world around us.   Talk about what you know and have experienced of the Goodness of God.   WITNESS to His Power in a NEW LIFE, no matter how unpopular this might make you in your society / circle of relatives, friends and business associates. 

WAKE UP - For He Who is to come, MUST come, and at a time when we THINK not.      Do not count the cost but be faithful to your heavenly calling.   We need not to be taken by surprise when Jesus Returns.  Neither should we draw back from WANTING Him to return - even before that personal event we  are looking forward to, or the human ambition that lures us always away from wanting to PRAY for His return.       YES my brethren we need to PRAY for His return, and to WATCH for that prayer to be ANSWERED in such a way that WE will ourselves ever be on tip toe with expectancy, and in tip top condition for MEETING with Him when He comes.     This should be a constant daily occupation.

AND at this point the time when REAL Christians will be PERSECUTED will not be far away.      The world is not wanting to be confronted by the TRUTH in us.      Eventually it may seek to suppress the Truth in us.

Do I make you uneasy at such a prospect?         When Jesus comes finally upon the earth to be KING He will come to a world totally antagonistic to Himself.      Hopefully we shall be with Him on that Day - and SOME of those with Him will have been KILLED already for their allegiance to Him and to His Authority.

 

ELDORET

found the BIG THREE in the Town this week.

They were here to promote PEACE.

AND to encourage those who are still displaced from their homes to return and settle down, assuring them of their safety.

 

HOWEVER, when everyone is talking about PEACE, PEACE, there often is no peace!      This may well be true in our situation here in Kenya.     Although we have a Coalition Government of all major parties, the three main movers are not at ease with each other in actual fact.     There remains an effort on all sides to be more than the other in pride of place and position.     This is often publicly demonstrated in ways that shows bad feeling between them all.     NOT very encouraging to the multitude, who may still wonder WHO has the influence on their lives, and who indeed is truly anxious for peace.      I would say that at least in our area the majority of the people are tired of conflict and want peace to reign - but there are others who may well still be for WAR - if only in an undercover manner.       

THERE ARE STILL more than 150,000 Kenyans who have been displaced nationally.          Most of them remain unpersuaded that they will be safe if they return to where they previously lived.     One man from our locality decided that he would at least return to plant his land with seed on a daily basis, as a prelude to considering rebuilding his life there again.     On the second day he was shot by a poison arrow and died.   No one was arrested.    No one has come forward with information.     NOT encouraging for others watching to see how this man would fare whilst considering what they themselves might feel safe to attempt.

 

AT THE HOMES we are coming to the end of the April Holiday and soon our visiting College and University sons and daughters will be queuing up to return to their studies.      The 2nd School Term will start 5th May and we will have embarked on the second quarter of a year that seems to be even faster than any previous one so far lived.       This will end in July with our Open Day.      The rains are continuing, intermittently, and the temperature will slowly cool.      I quite like this time of year in fact.       MUMPS is going around the Homes just now, hitting in particular, and perhaps fortunately, the infant end of our age group.     It does not seem to have diminished their general energy and joy in being alive.       I am still swamped by them all whenever I visit them - lovely little kids.

We have two boys - one in Jacaranda Cottage and one in Tyndale - Reuben and John.     They about 9 years old and a little backward educationally.   Lovely kids.     We have started them off on some remedial studies in addition to their School work, and it seems to be paying off well.    But John has a problem with hearing and we are in the process of trying to discover where to obtain some assistance to get hearing aids fitted for him.  Please pray for us to get the right guidance.  John is a loving and affectionate child, and has a delightful disposition.      He was picked up from the street and taken to the Rescue Centre when he was only five.    He came to us from there, but nothing has ever been discovered about his background.

Watched an old Black and White film about a Catholic Priest called Father Flannigan who founded Boys Town in USA years ago.     He testified that there was no boy that was intrinsically BAD.    His book entitled Boys Town, and the film of the same name demonstrated this 'fact' so that there was not one story of failure.            Well I cannot say the same.     We have had our share of apparent failure and heartbreak and seen some of our kids leave without a saving knowledge of Christ, and without a great deal of change in their nature.     SOME of them have returned later to testify to the TRUTH they heard when they were with us,    But many are STILL away and in need.  Onee or two are currently in prison.     I want to make it clear that we do not have an angelic society here.     Our children are NOT all angels - but we believe they CAN be, even when we might not actually have the evidence to hand to prove it right now.        What CAN change each one?     Your prayers for their salvation.

 

Let's get together and confront the Enemy on every front.      We are strengthened by your Love in Jesus, and we want to Strengthen YOU too.

 

God Bless you all

 

John and Esther

 

 

Update

SATURDAY 19TH APRIL 2008

 

ELDORET was accorded a visit by the Deputy British High Commissioner this week.

She called all Brits to meet with her and a consular official at the Sikh Union in West Eldoret at 6,30p.m. on Thursday evening.     Esther and I together with Daryl went.

The venue was within the compound of the Sikh Union which is a large Community Centre put up by the Sikh Community.    We met in their huge multi sports hall as large as a cathedral, but less attractive.        A couple of hundred Asians formed the majority and about a dozen very elderly expatriates.       We all sat at one end of the room with the Commission's delegation facing us behind a table.    No microphones, and the two lady representatives with voices more fit for intimate conversation than public address.       It seemed they had come to find out how many British were inhabiting our little town.    There are apparently more than 25,oooo British Citizens scattered throughout Kenya - and after the January upheavals it was thought wise to discover exactly where they are and to assure them of the interest and care of the British Government.

The Deputy Commissioner went to great pains to say that she was not proficient to answer questions of any depth or particular detail, but she WAS open to questions!   She had leaflets which would be distributed.         Many wanted to know that if trouble were to strike again would the High Commission be prepared to organize a rescue operation?       Oh YES, of course Her Majesty's Government would do all they could;

They would give advice and in SOME cases might even arrange and organize for people to be physically taken to a place of safety - in other parts of Kenya, Uganda or Tanzania - BUT no one would be flown to the UK!       And of course it needed to be realised that in such cases individuals so helped would be Billed with the COST thereof.    WOW!         All in all it was NOT a very impressive meeting.    Twenty years ago ALL British Citizens (it was then KNOWN who and where they were) were invited officially to a Reception at a select and informal gathering in one of the Hotels for light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the High Commissioner.     Jackets and ties required!       Courtesy and Personal Interest were very apparent in those days, and one felt somehow SAFE with the (slowly fading) power of the British Crown watching over us.         A BIG change since those days.      All the SUBSTANCE has gone.

We left early - in any case it was of little concern to us since we knew that whatever might happen in the future we would not need to ring the High Commission since we would not be in a position to leave.     Not our scenario.

It is good to know that the Power and Authority of the Kingdom of Heaven, our real home, and where our true Citizenship is known and registered, is well aware of where each of us is, and more than able to secure us  no matter what might happen to us.  How wonderful to have such confidence and peace in one's situation and condition.

HALLELUJAH.

 

TYNDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

in South Australia

will be visiting us again, God Willing and Enabling, as from 5th July for twelve days..

We are very excited about this as it has always been such a joy for the children to get to know others and to form friendships.     We are expecting that they will stay in our NEW Hostel which will be completed by the end of May..       In a way they will be able to Christen it as the first to stay in it.

 

ANNOUNCED to day is a NEW Labour Act.  

The MAIN innovation is in that Women are to be allowed THREE to FOUR months maternity leave without having to forego their Annual Leave!      Most of our teachers are women, and of course we have women in all parts of the work here.    The thought of having to pay them when they go on maternity leave AND also pay their temporary replacement is quite shocking.    Men are also to be given two weeks paternity leave!!   Kenya already (including Annual Leave) has more than 140 paid holiday days in a year. It is always surprising to me that the general trend is towards getting people to work less for more.        Why pay for nothing?      This will undoubtedly make life more expensive and the nation less productive.    I think this is just another Government ploy.    On our side we may have to consider only employing elderly ladies in the future!!

 

APRIL continues to be rainy, but daytime it is also humid and rather steamy.   At least the sun shines for a good part of the day.      It is also holiday time for Schools and colleges, and so the most of our twenty in College and University are home with us to swell the numbers.      Just a few short weeks and all will be waiting to go back again, hopefully with the next term's fees.     Quite an alarming prospect every time.

 

BONIFACE MUHATI, who was one of our boys when Esther and I parented Testimony House way back in the 70's visited us this week.     He is now Head Chef in a very prestigious Tourist Luxury Camp Site in the Masai Mara Game Reserve here in Kenya  The family that run the Camp began it in 1919, and it is now managed by the great grandson of the original owner.     He loves his job, and was telling us that he averagely works 12 hours a day with little time for his own private social life.      Having a few days leave he decided to travel up to see us - he also brought a sizeable donation for the children.    Looking at him, and seeing and hearing how the Lord has blessed and led him, was a great joy and encouragement.   He is now in his late thirties.        

 

At the end of April quite a few will be leaving the shelter of the Homes to commence their own individual lives.     Thomas has found a job in Information technology in Town;    Dorcas has found a job in a local Salon as a Hair stylist;     Solomon (the eldest of a family of seven whose parents both died of AIDS - all now with us) is working as an Accounts Clerk also in town.      They have all completed three months employment and will now leave home - with a little help from us in setting them up with necessities.      They will of course continue to be touch, and no doubt be visiting often for this remains home and family.      Still a bit scary for some, and a challenge for all.

 

It is almost 5pm - the sun has gone, and the clouds have rolled in.    There is slight wind getting up - it will likely rain about 8 or 9 this evening.   The children are still playing in the garden, and I can hear their laughter and little voices no far away.    Manu has returned to University just thirty minutes ago having spent yesterday with us.    He is busy with 'last things' as he refers to them - he will Graduate in October.

Daryl is away today on business in Kisumu, Carol is at home having taught a little in the morning (we have some special classes for extra tuition still going on) and their three children playing with Testimony kids.        Esther has just gone off to see her Mum who is still lost in her own world, but seemingly happy and quiet.    A few moments quietness for me as I finish this update.     We all do need you to pray for us and to remember us.     All our comfort comes from believing that you are lifting us up to the Father as His Spirit prompts you. 

 

God Bless and keep you.     

 

John and Esther

 

     

UPDATE

SATURDAY 12TH APRIL 2008

 

SKY NEWS was interestingly reporting MORE VIOLENCE in Kenya today with the usual disquieting pictures of unemployed youths on the rampage in Nairobi.

This kind of stuff doesn't help Kenya of course - just provides further cause for world depression in regard to world unrest and social disintegration.      One of the most disquieting images on TV is this so called 'Eternal Flame' being taken on a multi million trip round the world in the face of racial antagonism and aggression.    Does it do anything for TIBET?     I think it doubtful.      It does come across as a bit of totally over hyped publicity that virtually makes the TORCH a god to be worshipped.    As such I have never felt very sympathetic about it - even when at best it is explained as a symbol of Peace and International Unity.      Considering the COST of protecting it, carrying it from Country to Country, repairing the damage caused by rioting protestors, and general mayhem one could think of more appropriate ways to symbolize PEACE and international Goodwill.

 

THIS WORLD needs Good News, but has no awareness of the BEST News of all.     In fact turns its face from it AND from Him who proclaims it.

 

ON FRIDAY I FOUND MYSELF SITTING IN ALMOST TOTAL DARKNESS whilst a blazing sun burned the scorched earth outside!         Daryl and I had decided to investigate the home of a 15 year old orphaned boy who had been sent by an African pastor for us to assist.    The boy's name is DAVID, and he is from the north of Kenya.   He is member of the TURKANA tribe.       He had been an inmate of some kind of Orphanage in Nakuru Town (about 160 kilometers away from Eldoret) when it closed down, and he returned to the home of his grandmother.

Daryl was driving and I was just observing.     We drove to the West of Eldoret and out into one of the encircling slums or shanty towns called Kamakunji.     It is a sprawling place, and we wove our way through it via winding earthen lanes littered thickly with every kind of garbage thrown or blown about by the wind from amongst the multitudinous mud huts and dwellings.     They stretched far into the distance on every side in squalid poverty surrounded and embellished by endless children.   SO MANY children; thousands of them, ragged, dirty, unattended.    As they caught sight of the rarity of a motor vehicle in this unvisited area and a white face within, they all ran after us shouting 'How are you?' at the tops of their voices.       It was progressively, as we drove on and on, a devastating vista of human degradation, depressingly overcrowded and seemingly hopeless.     We wound our way amidst it all, avoiding packs of dogs, cows, goats and other livestock that shared the infested earth.       Finally we reached our destination - though I do not think I would recognize it again - it was just a continuation of where we had begun - just further in..... a one room cell made of mud and cow dung, windowless, with a gaping, rotting wooden door.      David went to hunt for his grandmother as curious neighbours, bystanders, both adult and juvenile began to crowd around to see what a mazungu (a white man) wanted in their world.   David re-appeared with a tiny, paper think old lady, wrapped up in rags, and wrinkles.   She did not smile, but ushered me and Steven Stuma who had accompanied us from Testimony, into her house - her one and only room.     She shut the door and suddenly there was NO light.    The air suffocatingly hot from the tin roof.     Slowly I began to make out the interior from little shafts of light let in from the cracks of the door.   Still dark.     Piles of rags around the walls - probably sleeping material.    A timber table piled with pans, dirty pots and pans, and scraps of food half eaten,   Nothing else.  No comfort, nothing to either delight the eye or the senses.     Here this woman lived alone with her two grandchildren - David has a brother a year young than himself.    There mother is the grandmother's daughter.      She and husband ran off and left the two boys then both infants of few years, and has never returned.        The crowd outside increased whilst we talked inside, and on leaving I was followed by a multitude to the car where Daryl was waiting, guarding it from an even greater hoard of children who wanted to touch it, admire it, and just generally let their curiosity run free.   Daryl had an interesting time with them all as he waited for us.       There was laughter and fun in all their faces, and they were glad I think of an unusual event to break up the day.

We drove off..........back to our select neighbourhood in Elgonview Estate far away from this ghetto of perhaps a hundred thousand or more living without water or drainage, perhaps also without food................Our pastor friend's church is reaching out with material aid to 19 families  --------  just a drop in the bucket!     And in Nairobi no one cares.     In Nairobi our Leaders are at ease.

 

David will stay in Tyndale Cottage with Steven and Emily Stuma.     He will attend Testimony School,    Perhaps later we will also take his brother in.      

 

The RAINS have returned again with a vengeance.    Torrents of the stuff .... Cholera has broken out in 16 districts of Kenya.     The world worries about its universal economy.

In the THIRD world things could become very bad very quickly; much worse then they are now even in the worst governed countries.        Governments are not concerned for the suffering masses.    They do not have a well planned or maintained social service policy.          Without charitable and missionary assistance hundreds of thousands of people would be homeless, helpless and without the means to survive.      If the economy of the FIRST world crumbles then the peoples of Africa and other similar places will suffer utter devastation.       People will die.    PEOPLE will DIE.

 

BUT - 'OUR HEART IS FIXED O GOD!  Our heart is fixed!   

I will sing and give praise' - Psalm 57v7

 

Our son MANU will be 24 next Tuesday but since he is home from University for the weekend we are having a party for him tonight.         He was a 'Throw Away baby, but now he is a MAN.    God is Faithful and True.

 

God be with you all as you face a changing world fraught with so many fears and dangers.     We are with you in prayer.     We are all of us in the same boat on the stormy lake - but He Who keeps Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps - He is watching over us, and will take care of us.

 

Lovingly

 

John and Esther

 

 

UPDATE

SATURDAY 5TH APRIL 2008

 

CABINET BREAKTHROUGH! - Kibaki and Raila agree to form 40 Member Cabinet. 

KIBAKI AND RAILA HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!

 

THE QUESTION is WHAT have they done?     On the face of it, it looks as if they have completely ignored the plight of the general population in favour of enriching themselves and their immediate supporters in the Government.     A Cabinet of 40 Ministers will need about 60 Assistant Ministers in support!     A MEGA Cabinet indeed.     I include a few Press comments in bold type from the Daily Nationn of yesterday.

 

Employers reject 40 member Cabinet

as opposition mounts!

 

KENYANS TO PAY HUGE AMOUNT!

Kenyan taxpayers will have to cough up huge figures to sustain the grand coalition Government

A MINISTER  EARNS ABOUT Sh,850,000/- as an MP in addition to Sh.200,000/- in Allowances, adding up to Sh.1,050,000 in a single month.   Say £8,600 or $16,900 a month at current values.     40 Ministers will therefore be costing the Country approximately 42 million shillings from public coffers.  Sh.504 million a year.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS will take home Sh.950,000/- a month each.

 

Kenyans have been calling loudly - even desperately - for a LEAN Cabinet of some 20 - 24 members that would cost in the region of 50% less than the current concept.  BUT NOW our TWO wonderful leaders have gone for the MORE, and of course both of them are going to earn even more than an ordinary minister.    AND ALL THIS in a 3rd World Country heavily reliant on foreign financial aid and support, already nearing economic collapse.     

This is certainly a far cry from President J.F. Kennedy's cry of 'Don't ask what your Country can do for you but what you can do for your Country!     Well obviously this is not in the minds of our Leaders who are leading their people to starvation.

WANTED;  PEOPLE IN POWER

CAPABLE OF FEELING SHAME!

MEN AND WOMEN OF HONOUR!

 

But instead what we seemingly have are insensitive, selfish materialists prepared to bleed the man in the street dry - worse than any Shepherd of any flock of sheep anywhere.    The word of God to the false shepherds of Israel recorded in Ezekiel 34 apply surely to people like these in ANY Country.

WOE to the shepherds that do feed themselves!

Should not the shepherds feed the flock  (prosper it)?

Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool,

ye kill them that are fed; but ye feed not the flock!

The diseased have ye not strengthened

neither have ye healed that which was sick

neither have ye bound up that which was broken..........

 

It is worth reading and meditating upon the whole chapter, for God is not mocked when those made in His Image are so mistreated for the enrichment of others amongst them.      Such Government cannot be considered SAFE government.   PRAYER might still turn their hearts and minds around - or at least find ways to induce such change...........

 

BUT Kenyans are very peaceful people.   I have said this before, even in the face of recent events.    In forty years I have seen and understood this, and even now they have believed for peace - at any price.....    They will take the load put upon them for the sake of that peace.     It will be a heavy load with the cost of living already up by something in the region now of 40% on basic commodities since the beginning of January.       AND of course there is the growing threat of World Recession.

 

BECAUSE OF THIS

I can say almost without doubt

Kenya and its People will rise above it all

and continue to make their nation one of the best.

 

There have ever been factional infights in localised regions, and these come basically from ignorance of lack of education.     It is slowly being eradicated, and will cease in the end.    GENERALLY Kenya is still a Sunny, Welcoming place to come to, with much to see and to experience, and a place to make many good friends that will warm your heart and do you good.     PRAY for her, and believe in her in Jesus Name.

 

ooooooooooooooo

 

FINANCE reached the Homes just in time at the beginning of the week.    Just in time - sounds as if we were near death!     Well not far off since EACH DAY finance is on the move out of here in one way or another;  it flows until it is gone.   No way of stopping it unless God Himself stops it, and there are times when it looks as if He HAS stopped it since we have less then a day in hand at times.      BUT the words 'JUST in time' also suggest that they were IN TIME, and of course we know that GOD has the TIMES in His hand.          AENON Trust is about the ONLY source of our income except for a few individual friends in Australia and America - not more than three or four.    AENON is a Trust that accepts donations on our behalf from anyone that wants to send.   Gifts arrive at different times and then Allan Nicholls arranges a Transfer sometime in a month.   WE are unable to know how much might have come in until it arrives, and we cannot tell WHEN it will arrive - BUT it is always just in time!    It IS a miracle to us.

It is truly WONDERFUL in our eyes.

 

Tonight we have just seen off one of our senior boys from Testimony House - Edwin Ngovia.   He is admitted to a Ugandan University to take a Bachelors Degree in Commerce.   He is very excited about it.       He is traveling overnight and will start his first Semester on Monday.      It has cost us £1000 to get everything together for him.

Another reason that Transfer from ANEON was JUST in time.      Wonderful to be able to look back and SEE the deliverance of God - as the Psalmist wrote

If it had not been the lord who was on our side,

now may Israel say..

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side

..then the waters had overwhelmed us

and the stream would have gone over our soul

...........................

Our help is in the name of the LORD

who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124

 

But we feel guilty sometimes since WE get to see the JOY and the FRUIT of His Providence which YOU have been used to give to us.   You often do not even know about it.     We will try to rectify this from time to time as we have opportunity.

 

TODAY was School Sports Day.     Esther was very busy of course with the 800 odd children from the Homes and locality.    Started at 8a.m. and finished at 2p.m.    Crowds of parents from outside attended, and the day was fine, and a great and joyful success.     The event was held in our rather rough School Field, and all the parents cars were parked all over the lawns of Testimony House - an amazing sight.   All our Teachers of course present, and most of our Homes staff as well.   Daryl was also busy doing what he likes best - messing about with electronics for the public address system.

 

BUT I was not there.      I had been booked to open a Christian Industrial Workshop and to also give the Address.     It was the brain child of a Danish Family that we are close to.     He fabricates 'Steel Frame Churches' and this last year built more than 200 for congregations all over Kenya, Tanzania and now into the Sudan.   Dozens of missionaries, pastors and church workers attended.    A wonderful witness to the Glory of God.     So I was away till mid afternoon, and found everyone gone home.

 

It has been a busy week with many extraneous meetings.    Days flash by with increasing speed, so that I can hardly believe tomorrow is SUNDAY AGAIN- the last one was surely only yesterday!ll

 

BUT one of our 13 year old boys from Tyndaly Cottage disappeared on Thursday morning during break.   No one saw him leave, and we have been unable so far to trace him.    Had to notify the Police yesterday.     He is an intelligent, God fearing boy, and we have had many a good time talking about the Word of god.    We are all in prayer that he may be restored to us.   His name is Stephan OUMA.          In almost 40 years we have only had one other actually disappear.     Runaways are not our scene.

 

Our son Michael is leaving Kenya tomorrow after a two week stay,    We ourselves only saw him for a few short days, but nevertheless it is a great and happy joy for us to know that he is now Engaged to be Married to a young Christian Kikuyu lady.  They have known each other since their teenage.       Wow!      He is 34 a little older than I was when I met and fell in love with another beautiful Kikuyu young lady called Esther.  We hope they will be as happy as we have ever been.

 

ENOUGH for this time.    We love and pray for you all.   God Bless you

 

 

John and Esther