SOON!   Yes Soon ALL exams will be over,  BUT many have completed, and will soon be able to relax!

The Last time I  wrote I included photos of our Primary Candidates, who had finally completed their National Primary Examinations which are the Entrance into High School.

TODAY,  I want to add photos of OUR High School Graduates, who having completed their National Examinations, are now having to wait and see where their labours will lead them - University, College, or other Training,    It has been quite a gruelling and demanding time for them all, and I am sure the majority will feel great relief in just FINSHING.     In the photo we see the High School block built in 2013,  To the left, out of sight is the Swimming Pool, and behind the camera are the Science labs, where our 4th Year students have just completed their Practicals. 

The Labs are all fairly spacious, airy, and well lit. The work benches were presented to us by Sir. John Johnson, British High Commissioner, on behalf of the Commission when we opened Form 1 and 2 in 1994.    The timber used for the bench tops is a special hard wood from Uganda.  They have worn well.   The School has Labs., for Physics, Biology, Home Science and Computer.    Generally the students have behaved themselves well, and with sobriety, and still having to observe the need to wear masks, and for spacing  in and out of Class.    Also some are not local, and have homes as far away as Mombasa, Nairobi and Nakuru.  Thus they have had to BOARD with us during the period of the examinations.     Currently Nairobi and Nakuru are locked down, and no one can travel in or out.  This may make a problem for those living in those areas to immediately return.   We are waiting on word from the Ministry to let us know.    Currently daily Positive C.19 cases remains as at 2o/100 .  

The top photo is of the Form 4 Class of 2020 who are now currently taking their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education

 prior to selection for University.    Below is a group photo of the same with 11 members of Staff.

=================================

Well since writing on the 1st April, Esther and I have heard that our 2nd JAB will be on the 24th May, and there now seems no hang up on Vaccinations being available.   Most of our staff have now all been vaccinated.      Momentary crisis when 'Blood Clots' caused an initial furor of anxiety all over the Country, but this seems to have been satisfactorily  dealt with, and people are seem now quite willing to take advantage of it.     None of us have had ANY discomfort or other problem after being vaccinated.

DARYL is now out of his self imposed Isolation, and is back in circulation refreshed and quite well in every way.    We Thank God for His Care of each one of us all.

MANU has now quite recovered from his operation, and is now considering  getting his EYE operation within the next month - he will attend his Clinic next MONDAY for their assessment.    He very much would like to get it all over with as soon as he can,     The cost - approximately 80,000/= - is hoped to be carried by the Kenya Hospital Insurance.     We are grateful to see him up and about so speedily.

ESTHER's family in Nairobi are all now out of danger, and at home safe and sound.    Thus we are encouraged on all sides, and inspired to pray more and more believing in the Mercy, and Lovingkindness of our Father in Heaven, in Jesus Name.

Enough for this week.      We are hoping to find ways of expanding knowledge of our little Witness here in Testimony Faith Homes - especially as it seem not to be the Lord's will for any of us to travel and visit loved ones and other friends - our circle of is in fact shrinking little by little, and this has only underlined to us the Wonderful Faithfulness and Ability of God to PROVIDE for our needs, and at such a time.        We - I - am endeavouring to attend to correspondence with more alacrity and regularity, so please do feel welcome to be in touch.

God Bless and continuing to KEEP you all safe and confident in JESUS.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

 TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES 

& SCHOOLS

BELIEVES IN THIS GOOD NEWS

AND IT IS EASTER AGAIN

THIS is the TIME to look BACK and see the Moment in History when God, in Jesus Christ, DIED; taking upon Himself the Punishment for the SINS - the  wrongdoing - of each and every one of us, past present and future, and taking our condemnation upon Himself so that we might be forgiven.

THIS is the time to make an honest appraisal of our lives, and recognizing our shortcomings before God,  seek His Mercy, and New Life in  the Name of JESUS CHRIST

HERE,  on THURSDAY, our FOUR Family Homes will remember the  Last Supper, shared by Jesus and his friends in the upper room.    A supper where he  plainly tried to convey to His friends that the next day He would lay down His Life for them, and for all who might believe it for themselves.  He told them -

This is my body, my life, given for many

for the remission of their sins;

EAT and DRINK in remembrance of this, as often as you will.

In each of our Family homes, they will REMEMBER as they share their evening meal together, one and another sharing in taking part in telling the story of that night.

ON GOOD FRIDAY we all wake up to a Morning Service where we trace through 6 Bible Readings with a brief three minute thought on each by different members of the congregation, interspersed with items rendered by  the Choir, and finally summed by a short Word from our Pastor.

On SUNDAY it  will be Resurrection Morning and what is always a wonderfully joyful Meeting  together where we all REJOICE as we once more rehearse the TRUTH of  Christ's rising from the Tomb, and the FACT of his ongoing and very present LIFE available to everyone who Believes in                                                                                                                       

ON SATURDAY of last week, the day after I sent the Update, we heard that Kenya had opened up Vaccinations of Astra Zeneca for those over 58.    SO on Monday Esther and I, plus Manu and some of our office staff, took off to be jabbed.   Manu because he is  diabetic and our other staff because they work among vulnerable children.  We actually booked in advance on Saturday, but when we arrived at 9 a.m. on Monday they told the had run out of doses and directed us on to another hospital about 7 kilometers away.     On arrival we found it crowded out. I was checked in at number 97, and the rest behind me.    Everything was so well ordered, quick and enjoyable!   We were all through in 30 minutes, and on the way home again.      So far no ill effects of any kind........BUT sorrowful news that Kenya's source may be drying up, and our 2nd dose may be delayed.......?     And,  what is worse, the new suggestions by German scientist researchers, that 'blood clots' ARE connected to our vaccine. and that some Countries have banned.      WELL,  Thank God, we have a RISEN and ALIVE and PRESENT Saviour;  our trust is in HIM, and HIM alone.          We agreed with our Doctor in this, BUT we did not think it right not to help  the millions without faith not be helped to grasp some hope to offer life - and so we have acted in accordance with what we feel Father would have had us do, and got vaccinated.  HE dosn't want anyone to die - not even the greatest sinner.  It is good that we do not encourage any one to do so - by every means.

     TWO more group photos of Primary Graduate boys and girls just before they all left. We shall miss them after 8 years of seeing them all over the place.       Secondary photos still to come later.

All for now.    Be Blessed, be ENCOURAGED, be filled with HOPE

John, Esther, and Daryl ( he is now up and about again, and feel good. Hallelujah)

    

 

END OF A TESTING TIME.....

WELL HERE WE after quite a number of weeks, at the END of the 3rd School term of 2020!!   Yes, quite confusing at times it has been!     And here I am to the left, at the students Prayer Day for top Class of Primary School (Standard V111) AND  the top Form of Secondary School ( Form 4 ) just a week ago.  To day St.V111 have completed three days of National Examinations marking the END of their Primary Education.    It should all  have been happening at the end of 2020, but due to COVID and Shut Down,  it couldn't be accommodated.    The same of course for our Graduates
for Form 4, 2020 - they will start their exams next week and continue into April.     THUS for the first time ever both Classes find themselves Graduating  at the Beginning of the Year instead of the end, and attempting National Exams set for 2020 in 2021

And above is a not too clear panoramic view of the School Hall on the Day we had these National Candidates come together with their parents in the School Hall on 6th March.    Daryl and I are sitting on the front row, right.      It was a squash, and we more than filled the hall with more than 450 attending.     At the end of Prayer, Testimonies and Praise, the students were specially prayed for and and commended to God for His Blessing.

Opening in January, the School faced considerable constraints and problems.     We had spent a lot of money converting previously unused rooms and spaces for School use, so as to cater for our usual population of students all spaced out and taking twice their usual floor area.     We had  to find extra teachers, and all this without knowing if our parents would trust their children to return to Class after a long Lockdown, and with continuing cases of Covid across the Country increasing.        ALL our previous population returned!    Truly NOW, my Testimony Faith Home say - if it had not been for the LORD being on our side....!   YES we would have suffered an overwhelming flood - BUT we escaped.    And the School has remained open and full, and Teachers have worked with a willing and generous heart to make sure that our students, long OUT of the classroom for  most of 2020, have been able to catch up and FINALLY attempt their hijacked Examinations of last October/November.       It has been SUCH an experience.  And, whilst the threat of a 3rd Wave of Covid is threatening all of Kenya, WE have only seen ONE positive Case here in our school, and he, a standard 4 Primary boy, was met at the School gate, and on being tested there, before he could enter, was sent home.     He was made to self isolate at his parents home, and completing his days was finally returned to us fully recovered.

AND to day our Standard 8 Primary top Class Finished their exam, and Graduated.  Actually two Classes of 28 and 27 respectively.   In the photos some of the teachers can be seen sitting on the front rows.   We hope many of them will decide to return to us for their Secondary Education, but many may choose other Schools of their own, or their parents choice.

NO PHOTO to hand of the Secondary School candidates.    This will become available some time in April before they complete their Exam.     just wanted you too see a glimpse of our JOY.    We will make sure more photos will appear in April / May.       Schools in Kenya are so far remaining OPEN, and although from today until 10th May we shall all be on Vacation, we all expect to open as scheduled.\

COVID UPDATE

ESTHERS, sister and brother in law, plus their sons Mark and Tony, all recently tested Positive for C.19. but have managed to pull through, and are now mending well.     A worrying time for all of us, but the Lord has been Merciful.      So far no further Positive Cases have been found amongst any of us here, although there ARE increasing numbers of cases cropping up in our County (45 more today (24/3/21) but none in our immediate area.     

Generally, Positive Cases are on the rise again, in what is said to be a Third Wave.    Altogether since March 12th 2020 to date Kenya has discovered 123,167 Positive cases out of a total tested of 1,425,377.     Out of these Positive Cases 90,586 have recovered, and 2,048 have died.     Vaccinations have begun of some 1.5 million out of a population of approximately 52 million.

JAMES 'Manu' our son, has been having a challenging, and rather difficult year.    Some of you may have heard about it directly from him, but Many more will be unaware.     Anyway he has for some years been having problems with his eyes, beginning about three years back, with Glaucoma in both eyes.  He has been under monthly treatment ever since.  During treatment he finally lost sight altogether in one eye, and the other has continued to defy every effort to stop the advance of infection.    About three weeks ago he was told he needed an 'urgent' operation to save the eye.     Regretfully before he was able to take up the appointment he experienced an unexpected accident while travelling to his digs by motorcycle.    During the crash he found himself somehow caught between his legs, and had to be taken to a Doctor in severe pain.      Eventually he was taken to hospital where he went through a painful operation.      He is recovering now, at home with us, and seems to be mending well, but not without damage.      He still needs to get his Eye seen to, and  he is worried about  the delay, but God knows, and it will all be taken care of, we know.       Manu also has Diabetes and during last year began to experience seizures, which have turned out to be the onset of Epilepsy!    The doctors think that this might have been encouraged by over anxiety, and also the  cumulative effect of all the different medicines he has been having to take.    So, altogether, he has progressively found himself with more and more physical problem.

Esther and I personally want to thank all those, who rallied to help him with the expense involved in this latest challenge, and who lovingly sent in gifts to assist in paying his costs, showing their family care for him.    The Hospital charges alone were more than a Ksh.100,000/=, and of course he has remained unemployed, and in no current position to help himself.    Thank you all for your kind and very generous response.     I know it has deeply touched Manu himself, and we ourselves have been greatly moved, and do sincerely appreciate this demonstration of 'family' .    God Bless you all.    We would lovingly ask you all to intercede for his sight.

Our Love in Jesus to you all, and every one.

John, Esther and Daryl Green

HOW LITTLE TIMES CHANGE.......

In the photo above a man is displaying a bottle of 'bootlegged' whisky, which he found consealed in the wall of an old house in Virginia. U.S.A.    Whisky was illegal at the time (1920s) and had to be SMUGGLED from an illegal distillary to whoever wanted it.   If you were found with a bottle in your possession you were in real trouble.    People really loved their Liquor in those days - AND they do NOW, to an even greater degree and from earlier and earlier ages!!  Its use actually begins at home with parents, and so, of course, we now have to be ready to find it being brought into School - especially by Boarders, who may be missing it the more.

And indeed we have already, in the last month, found Whisky on the School premises.    Did I hear gasps of horror!  - or maybe just a yawn or two?    After all, all over the world this is the kind of thing that has been cropping up in School life everywhere; especially High School, College, and University.      It would be much cheaper, for  parents, if kids were to just stay at home and drink - after all what kind of academic mind is going to emerge from a primal soup of mental fire and brimstone.

DARYL, as director over all, feels he has a duty to walk about every day to keep himself aware of how the School and Homes are enduring the wear and tear of so many children.    One morning he entered  one of the Schools Boy's Toilet blocks.    He found three Cisterns unable to flush, and always ready to investigate, took a screwdriver out of his pocket and took off the lid of all three of the cisterns.  In EACH ONE he found a bottle of Whisky - and it had not been put there a hundred years before, but very recently.    Each bottle had been wedged in the cistern in such a way that it prevented the flushing handle to work.        But how did they get there.     The Toilet Attendant is beyond reproach and had no reason to hide whisky in one of his own toilet cisterns.    It had to be one or more students.    Ah, how very disappointing, and after the School has been running so well and happily since it opened again fully in January.    A week later a further bottle was found, also in a toilet cistern, and this time with a wad of Marijuana as well.......Well, but this is a well organised, well disciplined School!   A Christian School!  How can such students be involved in alcohol and drugs.    Well no school is a prison and students come in and out every day, and at home and abroad, even close to the school, are places both of the desired commodities can be obtained ....!         The BIG problem is to control it, and to successfully steer young people away from them.         Did we discover our Whisky smugglers?    Oh yes, and necessary action has been taken to prevent it happening again - but it WILL.     Where there is a MIND, a way will be found to obtain what is wanted.       AND then what?    After discipline, correction, even serious effort to rehabilitate - YET no change of mind is seen, THEN finally we have to see someone LEAVE the School - and even leave the HOMES.     It is heartbreaking, but is happens.    

Alcohol and Drugs Kill.

At the least they damage and impair life permanently

++++++++++++++++++

ALL OUR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY students, from the Homes, have joined their Courses.   God Provided for each and every one and each one gave all the Praise and Thanksgiving to Jesus.    Our Father is so Gracious, and so very kind.       BUT one of our young men, who had joined University last year has been unable to return.      His name is Mark, and he has been part of Jacaranda Cottage Family since he was 9.     His family have never been traced.     He grew up well, and did well in School.    However, on joining University, he discovered Bhangi (Marijuana) and eventually - un-expectantly - arrived home very unwell.   He had to be hospitalized.     He recovered, but was put on medication.  The University willingly received him for his 2nd Semester but AGAIN he became quite wild, and behaved in a very unacceptable manner so that he was again sent back to us.    HE was again hospitalized, an currently he is still needing care.        His latest medical diagnosis is that he is Schizophrenic.    Mark gave himself to Jesus before he started at University,      He is not violent, but of quiet and peaceful nature - BUT during his recent 'episodes' he has in fact turned violent, showing a quite different nature. This is basically what is understood by Schizophrenia - a duel personality.     Jesus would have just seen it differently.      We have prayed, and continue to pray for him, that he might be delivered from this  attack on his life.      He IS intelligent, and has wanted to be a Teacher.    He longs to rejoin his University, but there seems little chance for the time being.      And it is in the University that the greatest incidence of alcoholic and drug addiction is highest.      So much so that we are seriously considering encouraging our children in the Homes to bypass University and apply to local day College foundations instead.

THE WEATHER HERE IN ELDORET, has been better than usual, and the normal DRY  season is currently being noticed.     Temperatures are lower that we remember  30 years ago, but still in the mid 70fs.     But already water is reducing in the tap.     Eldoret has almost doubled in size in the last three to four years - from 300,000 to 1,600,000!    Rainfall has reduced during the period, and the few reservoirs that feed the down are not enough, and soon reduce at the slightest reduction in rainfall - as now when it has not rained for for eight weeks.      AGAIN Daryl has been using his head to seek ways and means to improve water supply to the School and four Homes, but the problem in PRESSURE so that we cannot get water into our storage tanks.     Daryl is putting mini pumps into the system to offset this, but now the Town is rationing water.   Drilling for water is also a considefation.   Well, it keeps us all looking unto Jesus.

THE CURRENT COVID 19 VIRUS SITUATION   -   In our area not much has changed.    An average of 1 case a day; sometimes none at all are reported for our County.      We are entering the 6th week of the School, with daily comings and goings from more than 500 families, and all seems very normal.     The latest reported figures are as below-

TOTAL TESTED   1,206,161

TOTAL POSITIVE  101,534   RECOVERED 84,268    DEATH  1,776

Yesterday  5859 were Tested out of which 195 were found positive.   No  deaths.

BUT  it seems to us that we are FAR from overcoming it, or even knowing the TRUE picture.

schools remain open.   Masks must still be worn in all public places.    Distancing still observed.

=======================================================================                         

ESTHER and I are well.     Busy here and there,  with days passing very fast.     My LEG has more or less mended - just an occasional twinge, and am walking almost normally again, thank God!  I have not returned to the doctor.     I am sure he will not mind since the poor man is marooned in his surgery with his enormous waiting room crammed more and more - though it cannot be with Covid cases.  

Daryl has been VERY glad to receive letters from so many, and I do thank you as well, since it has really helped Daryl to believe in a future without US -  not that we look like dying just yet, but you know what I mean, I hope.     And it has now meant we can see each other's situation without being in each other's way - and I will be able to be more prompt with letter writing. 

We have been asked to consider going ZOOM and connecting to Christians in the UK.   We are looking into it this coming Monday, and if it seems viable we could think of linking up with other groups.  Any offers?

And I think I will break off here till next time.    We are praying with, and for you all.   We follow the news especially for the U.K. and Europe  in general in particular.      The Weather!!  The political climate that seeks to divide instead of unite!    The continued privations and rebellions caused by Covid 19 with all the innuendo, rumours, and HYPE still.     BUT in the last FEW DAYS there have been just a FEW glimmers of more positive and HAPPY announcements and comments - a BIT of a change from all the negative, and apprehensive words of doom and ever increasing negativity.         HANG ON to your Faith dear ones.  Look simply back to the Cross, and to Jesus.      I watched a Film on U-tube recently entitled SHEFFEY.    It is a true film about an itinerate Circuit Preacher in an American outback in the 1830s onwards.    Well acted and well produced.     A Very SIMPLE UNADORNED story that portrayed the very simple TRUTH of a very simple and uncomplicated peace of Good News.    Something that was not welcome even by Christians in the 1830s.      I liked it.      Look out for SHEFFEY and spend a quiet hour and a half re-considering your life with Jesus by your side - not just in the church.

Love to you all in His Wonderful Name

John and Esther  Green

    

                                                                                                  

TESTIMONY SCHOOLS ARE OPEN!

Praise the Lord our God !!  It has not been easy to effect Government Directives that had to be achieved in order to open again.   The fact that students could no long sit together without space of at least 1 meter between them posed the biggest problem.    We closed with 800 students, and all classes full.   Could we now cope with putting them all at a distance from each other.    And if not, and if we could not achieve the population at which we closed, would the school be able to cover it's cost;  we had always operated as a non profit making School, wanting to offer education without too great a cost to those who needed it.     We did not have funds to build new classrooms, and hardly enough to consider conversions and alterations to what we already had.    We looked to the Lord, and carried on through the months from March 2020 to December.   

God alone has been our provision and stay.  And He, alone, has given the wisdom and strength of mind and body  to Daryl, enabling him to face, almost single handed, the daily planning and headache.   He took on the whole responsibility, with only a handful of untrained support to deal with all the labour involved.  Planning how to re-arrange existing classes and other rooms to accommodate almost double the existing space needed; , physical conversion of many such rooms, repair and refurbishment of desks, chairs, and tables (Some existing desks made for TWO had to be cut in half and made into two single desks).  Paint work, redecoration, extra plumbing, and electrical wiring.   Digging drains and cementing paths.     It seemed an impossible work to be accomplished in time - and with no reserve of finance to hand.      INITIALLY the Government had intimated that they would assist private schools with some of the related costs in labour and material, but they were unable to fulfil these intimations.   But they DID issue more than 75 typed pages of detailed Instructions of what each school must provide and make arrangements for, before Permission to open and operate would be granted.    WE have been ONE of a few that so far has been granted that Permission.       And ALL of our students have returned to Class.  

DARYL began the work in September last year after we opened, partially, to just THREE classes on a kind of trial basis.    He began with provision of extra Hand Washing stations.   Very simple constructions, but still took time to put together with basic plastic bowels hanging in  an angle iron frame, with its own tap and water supply, and soap dispenser.   At least FIVE rows of these were put at five different points around the school.      These were in ADDITION to the already Boys and Girls Toilet & Ablutions installations.  Children AND staff are all expected to FREQUENTLY wash their hands as they move in and out of Class and around the Compound generally.

Some walls had to be knocked down in order to enlarge some rooms previously not used for classrooms, and that were too small to accommodate a reasonable Class Population of 25.  It has not been easy to see the utter mess and chaos caused by change and re-arrangement of what had been a very well organized School, with clear divisions between Pre-School, Primary and Secondary Departments.      Will we ever be able to see a return to normal, and original order in the Schools re-established?  Today it looks far away.

BUT our situation is far removed, just now, from the CRISIS we see in Europe and the UK now facing up to, to say nothing of the U.S.A!!

However, testing seems to have flagged a little, and it is difficult to gauge if things are as encouraging as they may, on the surface look.......As of 7th January.     Total tested 5424   -    Positive Cases Perceived 335   //  Total tested positive since March 2020  -  97,459  The Total Recovered over same period - 80,671

Total Deaths..............................................   1,703

RETURNING TO OUR comments regarding changes we have had to go through over the last 6 months.

First a few photos of our Pre- School Unit                       

WE have allowed all classes but one to remain where they were - the youngest however have been relocated to what was the Secondary Girls Boarding Hostel.     The big problem was the lack of tables and even chairs, which in the end had to be fabricated just a few days before we were to open!     But we managed, and we have been able to accommodate almost the total number of students we had before.

Pre-School students are probably the most difficult to distance from each other, since they are totally abandoned to BEING together in everything, and especially at Breaks are ever rushing around together and playing games that seem to demand 'touch' and close chatter.  They reman a great joy, just to see their happiness and freedom from a any kind of fear or anxiety - even WITH having to wear masks all day.  But their teachers find it hard work to enforce the Rule of Law - and insist on spacing out of the classsroom. 

I am a little frustrated with my Blogger.   They have been constantly changing (improving) themselves and thus making what was easy and straightforward, for an old duffer like me, totally awkward and ,a nuisance.     These days I am unable to find out how each progressive page I create is actually looking and I must apologise if finally it prints out with page gaps,  and so on.    I have tried communicating with them but they seem very unhelpful.     But it does make every blog a labour.     Even difficult to put a phot where you want it without a hassle. 

To continue - here are some photos of various Classrooms - old and 'new'.

The recommended spacing of desks precribed by Governmend in Kenya is 1 meter only.   We had to remove and relocate 16 desks from the Classroom on the left which has space now only for 20 rather than the previous 36.    The photo to the right shows where the the 16 were relocated - to a converted Senior Boys Dormitory!  This had to have a wall taken down halfway down the length, and to the right a new partition put in.   The Boys Dorm was re-sited to another building.

Below to the left is a view of one of the junior primary classes where double desk needed to be divided into two singles so that we could use them still.   It was a lot of work but well done.    Two of or senior boys helped with the welding.   The result is really 'stop-gap' and we  hope,  eventually, to provide a less stark desk for this Grade, once things return to normal.   This Blog cannot do real justice to the work that has had to be done.     Additionally even some of our Staff have had to be re-located into difficult circumstances, and as said before, the School has had to see different departments encroach upon another for the time being.     Less convenient to students and teachers alike.     Also for the 600 or so day students arriving each morning it is NOT easy to see everyone individually TESTED, temperature taken, and sanitated all by hand BEFORE entry;   it takes time and patience.

BUT the SCHOOL is OPEN.      And, to some extent the HOMES remain open also.    We currently have 125 children and young people resident in our four family homes.     So far so good.   In the Beginning of my time in Kenya the LORD spoke and A  Family began, was sustained, and made to grow and prosper for fifty years.       We accepted whoever came to the Door, and still  do so.   The Government refers to each of them as 'OUR' children, as Wards of the State, but they do not in any way provide a shilling for their keep; their food, health, education, and general wellbeing.      It is God who opened the Door and it is God who Provided all each one was to need.        WE see them all as His children - and OURS as well, in His Name.       Since 2008 we have been under threat of Closure by the Government.   Twelve years have passed.      The Threat remains.     We also remain.     Fear NOT, says the LORD to our spirit.     Sing Praises, Stand and do nothing, and SEE the Salvation of the LORD.

And this is where we continue to be.        Thank you all who have likewise stood together with us, and been the channels of His Blessing day by day and moment by moment.

TEN of our College students (4 in University one doing I.T. and the others Teaching) and the other 6 doing Nursing, Secretarial, Accounts, I.T., Business Management, and Theology!   4 Girls and 6 boys. Ten more waiting to join their Colleges.   Some will Graduate this year, and others will hope to START their Course.    SO already many are believing the  LORD to find WORK......and this is much harder than it was with Covid 19 adding to the to difficulty.

Esther and I still carrying on from our little retirement cottage as honourary 'grandparents, with many opportunities to share in daily chores, and especially in praying for and finding time to relate to the children as chance is given.    We feel it a privilege to still be allowed a share in this ministry at our time of life.     We are both well.     I am still Diabetic, but well.     Have what my doc thinks might be a bit of arthritis in my left leg, but am mobile and still get about.   Esther too is generally well, and still busy with everything and everyone, as well as her hobby of Quilting!            A group of our Old Boys and Girls ('sons and daughters') sent us monetary gift just before Christmas.     We were very moved, and thank God for their care of us.       And, of course, Daryl is ever in and out every day, sharing all the news and so on, and does his best to bare with us, and take physical care of us.    We are Thankful.

I am not sure how regular my Blogs will be this year.      I am feeling slower, and frailer.   But I will try to share when I can.      I am encouraging Daryl to do his best, now, to be in touch with everyone.

God Bless you all, most of you we are supposing, still in Lock down.      Open your eyes, and SEE the very real fact _  if you are Believing in Jesus _ that beyond our carnal vision are ranged all the Forces and Power of God to protect us and ward us off from all the powers of the Enemy directed on us.   We are NEVER alone, and never out of His Hand.

Lovingly in Him

John, Esther, Daryl, and all the staff and children here with us.

] 

 

 

 

GOD'S WAYS ARE NOT MAN'S

 SURPRISE !?

WELL, It must have seemed a surprise to many at the time.   I only came across it yesterday, and I was very Surprised indeed.      I discovered that in June 2019 the Kenya Senate had moved a Bill for the Establishment of CHILDREN'S HOMES in Kenya!

And it WAS a surprise, since 2008 the Government has been threatening the closure of ALL Children's Homes by 2020.    Also the Mover of the Bill, Senator Agnes Zani  (see photo right) seemed to be ignorant of the fact that Children's Homes had already been established in Kenya since well before 1963,  and that the 
Regulations for Children C.C.I (Charitable Children's Homes) 2005 were, as far as I can see very similar, for the most part, to this 2019 Senate Bill.    Were the Senators properly informed of what the Government had already established through the Department of  Children's Services, or were they quite ignorant of such matters?   Had the Senate, in addition, not taken notice of the Government plan to dismantle, and disestablish Children's Homes?      OR was the Senate, knowing the whole subject inside out, of a decidedly different opinion?   On the face of it the Senates proposed Bill seemed like a slap in the face for Government.

The SENATE Bill was moved on the 20th June 2019, and on 26th September of the same year, we were to read the Headline  "KENYA TAKES STEPS TO REPLACE CHILDREN'S HOME WITH FAMILY CARE"  ............And the Senate Bill never went further than the 1st Reading.    It was stopped dead in its tracks.      VERY SURPRISING - The difference of opinion, I mean.

MY QUESTION NOW would be 'Does the Government merely DICTATE Policy to the People, rather than making sure the Voice of all the people is, in fact heard?     When the Government called a Meeting here in Eldoret, our civic center, to present the Government's determination to close all C.C.I.'s by the end of 2021, those attending were told that there would be no ground for argument.  The matter was settled.     Not very democratic.    And not very appreciative of more than 50 years of private investment in alleviating the Government's responsibility in caring for it's own needy children.    INSTEAD we are being TOLD that 'ALL Children's Homes are unhealthy and bad, and in the best interest of children must be closed.'    Willy Nilly.    A decision made without any regard to the available evidence that not ALL Children's Homes are bad, and many are providing exactly what the Government is saying  children need most - a stable home and family; and they provide it free of cost to Government.    

All in the midst of Covid 19's destabilising fears, and social upheaval,  rising death rates, rising economic challenge,  increasing unemployment, and general discontent. 

    

What are we doing in Testimony Faith Homes and Schools?     We have been told to work hard to discover how we should re-tool from caring for orphans to whatever..!

Well this is what we are trying to work out -

1. To Repatriate - This is first of the Governments reqirements.    We do not have very many children who CAN be repatriated, since they were either abandoned without traceable family, or they are victims of tribal clashes which annihilated their homes and families.     The twenty or so our of our 130 who may have family were originally brought to us, with few exceptions, by the Children Department who felt sure it was necessary in order to ensure the safety and best interest of the child.     Each case will now we re-assessed.     Any case were a Relation is found to exist. and be wanting the take a their child, and if the child is also found willing and happy to be reunited, and if the material sistuation proves satisfactory, it will be further investigated.    Where all seems safe and satisfactory in such a case, the child will leave us.

2. What next..... The Government wants to arrange Adoption or Fostering..    But we are already fostering ourselves in our four Cottage Home.     Children have grown up  with us, and are currently settled, and attending School.     Each Home runs as a family, and the 4 Homes see each other as a wider or expanded Family.      We  will do all that we can to seek  ways and means that there might be for us to be permitted to allow those left with us, after 'reptriatrion', to remain with us until they complete education, and find employment.       Thereafter, however long it takes, the premises being used for HOMES will most likely be used for the expansion of the School, which it is hoped will continue for many years to provide Christian Education.

If we are allowed to keep the residue of our  children, as suggested above, we could perhaps treat them as Boarders in the School, and though still staying with the Family, so to speak, would not come under the designation of  orphan in a 'home'.

We began with a real desire to help the needy children of Kenya.     We have ever tried to have a good working relationship with Government, and I believe we have.   We would want to do all possible to continue to do so.

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We, all remain WELL, and Thanking God in our hearts for all His Care of us all.    All is continuing!

I personally have not been too well for about three weeks.   It started with a pain in my left hip joint. The doctor has diagnosed it as a trapped nerve, but it has not improved, and now the whole of my left left is a bit painful -  not constantly, but on and off, and once or twice has just given way and I have fallen.   I have not finished the course of drugs prescribed and next week I may go in for a Scan.  Otherwise I am well, and quite occupied.     God Bless you all -  I will be dropping a word from time to time, right up to Christmas.    We are with you all in Prayer.    All our Love in Jesus

John. Esther, and Daryl Green, and all Testimony

mony

 

HELLO EVERYONE !   On the left is the badge of The United Kingdom of Great Britain, representing the Nations of England Scotland, and Ireland.    Wales is also included under the flag of England of which it is a principality.      SOME ARE SAYING it may soon have to change it's name!     How very sad that will be.

The FLAG of this Nation has not only stood for political unity but for the Christian Faith.   The National Flag, adopted in1707, displays the crosses of St. George of England, St. Andrew of Scotland, and St. Patrick of Ireland, and in doing so has stood for all that Christianity stands for; the proclamation of Salvation of all mankind in and through Christ the Saviour, and the advancement of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Wales does not appear on the emblazened shield, for  it is counted as being part of England itself.  It is Not a Flag that should be laid up and lost to sight.  The world needs to know how sinful it is, and how in need of forgiveness it is, and how GOD in His Mercy has given a Saviour, to SAVE all those who  will believe in Him, before He comes as KING over all the Earth, to Rule with all Authority, according to God's Pure Holy Way, instead of ours.      BUT, AND IF THIS POWERFUL FLAG should falter and fail, then it must be that the KING of all the Earth is soon to appear with His own Banner, more glorious then any other, to take control, and enforce God's Will.    We should take care we are ready to receive HIM.         

I was born in England, so you should understand my sentimental affection for its flag.   I was brought up to admire and value those men and women in our history who demonstrated courage, honour, and morality; our National hero's such as King Alfred the Great,  Sir Francis Drake, Isaac Newton,  Florence Nightingale, Admiral Lord Nelson, to name but a few; people and characters stood out and revealed special qualities one could look up to, and aspire after.     And, as Shakespeare wrote so often, in love and pride of England's scenic beauty, and human courage and  bravery -  'THIS ENGLAND, this royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle, This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars; this other Eden, demi-paradise, this fortress built by       
nature for herself against infection, and the hand of war.  This happy  breed of men, this little  world, set in a silver sea  .........This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England!......this ENVY of less happier lands.'  Was England like this in 1359, the year it was written about in the play?   Was it even true in 1597,  two hundred years later, when Shakespeare wrote the play, and put the words in John of Gaunts mouth as he died...?    I think it was !

'  

BUT NOW,   420 years further on, tis  becoming less of all that...........THAT ENGLAND, that was wont to conquer others, has made a shameful  conquest of itself'     

And this is not entirely due to the Virus, Covid 19!  What was and IS England, is being repudiated by strangers who know nothing of our history, or how we, through hundreds of passing years, struggled in peace and in war to LEARN, by the Grace of GOD, how to attain what now is near to be pulled down.      But does it matter?   Is the glory of the earth more than the Coming back again of its true King?      If HE should return tomorrow then yesterday will be forgotten anyway, and totally obliterated by the glorious brilliance of His Coming.     Sometimes we are deceived into hanging on to what is past or passing, and in doing so are made to MISS OUR WAY, and even to cease in going forward at all, as we travel on this 'pilgrim Way', for we ARE all pilgrims on this journey of life, as we continue onwards on our way to worse or greater things.    I often find this in myself, and get up  and shake myself, and open my eyes to SEE where I am, and to consider once again WHERE, and with WHOME I am going.      Will it be Biden?     Will it be Johnson?   Will it be GOD?     I must wake and put God first, for I am supposed to be heading Home, back to my true and meant roots, and God must be ahead of me, my Guide and the one Who will welcome me on  my arrival.      Yes we need to take great care that no-one and nothing, cheats us or prevents us, from getting there, and achieving our Crown of Life.

===================================== 
HERE IN KENYA
We persevere with Government Rules, Covid 19, unseasonable weather, three quarters of our School still closed until January 2021.   I have also been made lame with my left leg.   Mr. Doc says it is trapped nerve in the vicinity of my left hip.   Previously, last, year he said it was a kidney stone!   Well he gave me some drugs, and after almost a week my leg is a little better.   I am believing it will soon be healed.     I have the same     occurrence with the same leg three times in the last few years.   I guess it just might be a nerve.

COVID 19 continues to be almost the only news.    According our Health Department numbers continue to rise, and the Nation still fairly shut down, Hotels, cafes, sand bars, shut down but Churches can hold services with no more than 100 per meeting.     School will remain shut till January, except for the 4 Classes that have already returned to School.

AS ON 10/11.20  we have 63,44 Confirmed Cases // 42,658 Recoveries // 855 Deaths

Hot Spots Today  -   Nairobi 371 //  Mombasa 82 // Kiambu 52 // Busia 35 // Uasin Gishu 34 

The weather has continued to give forth rain.   This is not usual for this time of year when wheat and maize needs to D R Y on the stalk in order to have a good harvest.    Not this year, and it looks like it will be quite a hard year next year altogether.     WE have not planted cereal crops but we have planted other vegetables in our plots, and they have yielded, and continue to yield bountifully.    But no doubt we shall have to pay heavily for MAIZE which we use to make a staple basic food - Ugali  

We our selves are still living in 'Green Cottage' opposite Testimony House were we began fifty years ago It is a bit like a shop, with so much coming and going.   All the milk and bread comes to us from the Dairy, to be shared out to the four family homes,  and then the children are always dropping in to see Grandpa and Grandma.   Old boys and girls also suddenly appear, and this week we had a surprise visit from MELVIS Oduor, who came to us in 2000, aged ten years, together with his elder brother and two sisters.

He completed his education with us and found a job in Uganda, since when we have never seen or heard of him - but he was at home with us today - and we were very glad and happy to see him grown up, and

trusting in God.      It is really great when our children droop back in after leaving here, and many do so. We feel did manage in a small way to build a home and family where there was none.

Christmas is soon to be, and and out of school our children from the Homes are preparing for our usual Christmas Concert, which is open to the public on the 23rd December, and our Carol Service during the evening of Christmas Eve on the 24th; we have that in front of Testimony House.    School will have closed of course, and we shall all come together for our Christmas Morning Service on the 25th.   This year we shall be repeating our Nativity Play for the Concert night; it was well received last year, and we are thinking of making it an annual event.

The year seems to gone quickly for us.   Always so much to think and pray about, AND to actually be involved in still.   Esther and I are still involved in management and have places on the Board of Management as well as the Bi-weekly Finance Committee.     But it is still to the LORD we look for Guidance, and for all our needs.     Without His Holy Spirit in our midst, our human efforts would come to nothing.

May all our Friends and Readers recieve our Love and Greeting in Jesus Name, and know that our prayers ascend to God each day, in love for Family of Friends, and for all those in the world beside, that you may be blessed and protected from all harm.

John, Esther and Daryl Green, and all at Testimony Faith Homes