Back Row:- Solomon//Dennis/Seven/Lubembe/Stanley/David/Stanley/Bethuel/Dan/Joseph/Victor/Hesketh

Front Row:-Daryl/ Joseph/John/David/Mica/Samuel/John/Mike/Jacinta/Esther/Alice/Eunice/Mary/Senge/Doris/Alice

HERE IS AN UP TO DATE PHOTO of all those who faithfully, day after day, work together for Testimony Faith Homes.      Without them we could not cope adequately with all the necessary care needed to bring up more than 130 children in four family homes, occupying some seven acres of recreational,  vegetable and floral grounds surrounding them, plus the Dairy, the Poultry Project, and the Bakery.    SO much to do.     Oh!  And I forgot!  Most accountable of all, all those working in our Finance and Reception Offices -  Accountants, Statisticians, and Executives all.     

We have not included in the photo our School Staff since they are NOT on our pay-role!     The School Principle, and Teachers are all paid from School income derived specifically from Fees from external  members of the public seeking places for their children in the School.     The School belongs to TFH, and is Managed by TFH, but financially, it runs independently of the Children's Homes.      However, SOME of  the Homes Staff also double up to assist the School - such as those in our Finance Office.       Later, when I share more about the School (not today), I will put up a photo of our School Staff - and you will see, also, the faces of those in THIS photo, who also help the School, additionally to their duties with the Homes. 

Our House-parents (currently) are Hesketh and Alice Muli, in Drakely Cottage, John and Doris Chumba in Jacaranda Cottage, and Mica and Senge Yego in Tyndale Cottage, with Eunice Lahol as our Relief Parent - all residential on campus.     Additinually John and Esther also stay on the compound in their 'Retirement Cottage'.      Everyone else, including Daryl,  live outside, coming in on a daily basis.

The Homes share the use and expertise  Mary Atieno - Social Worker;   Joseph Okoth, Dan Natto, Solomon Ngunah Accountants, with the School.

Others such as John Mtumbwe, Stanley Koech, Lubembe Mutanyi, Steven Waithaka, (and Vincent Alusa, NOT in the photo) work in Maintenance Team which services the Home AND the School.

In all ways we see out Staff, as a Team, and part of the Family of TESTIMONY, with all the Children.

We seek to be concerned for each other, and responsible to encourage one another in our Christian Faith.      We are often tempted away from this  'togetherness' but it is the fundamental and continual  aim, to progressively achieve - day by day.

Currently the cost of Salaries for The Four Homes averages at Ksh.450,000/- monthly.  (pounds,

3.000 Sterling .       

SOME may consider this too much to spend on 130 children's care.  I am sure it is much less than in the 1st world Countries,  and Kenya Government has laid down requirements for the staffing of Homes such as ours.     BUT we try to  do what we can to reduce the need for even more staff.

For Example we do not employ chefs or cleaners for the HOMES.    The House Mother in each house is responsible to cook, although she is able to draw on the assistance of those children with her, who are old and capable enough to be of help.      Generally the children are expected to make their own beds, and to clean the rooms they inhabit.     It is part of the inter family responsibility to each other and themselves,

And just to emphasise a Mother's cooking, here is an old photo of my dear Esther, a little warm from the kitchen with the Christmas Turkey......Aah!   there's nothing like Mum's cooking!!!!!  say her children.    And they still remember it, and days she  - with their help - brought  to the table meal after meal.

Pray us all in TESTIMONY - 'Opposition' is at work.

Pray for us all, as a Family, in each of our Family Homes, together also with all those who with, and for us, in our two compounds here in Eldoret in Kenya.

PRAY that we shall continue to work at BEING FAMILY,  and providing evidence of the importance of family in a world slowly losing it's understanding of how to live with, and bare, each other, in patience, at all times - 'for better, or for worse'.      Each of our Family Homes should be a place that witnesses to a settled, stable, warm refuge,  to each member; where all can find forgiveness, acceptance, and loving kindness, however far one may have strayed,  or however close one  may have stayed.     We should all be able to say 'This is my home, my family, and I can find a welcome always in their arms'.

God Bless you all, my dear family and friends.

John Green

Testimony Faith Homes.  Eldoret.   Kenya.  East Africa

TESTIMONY FAMILY

THESE YOUNGSTERS,  ARE THE LATEST members of The Family, and make up a total Family number of 300 others who came before them, and have now gone on to independently begin their own lives and families  - 423 altogether.     A LARGE family.   The Testimony Family, born out of a God inspired vision to provide home and family to children who had for some reason been deprived of both.

TO US

'FAMILY MEANS

having someone to love you unconditionally,

in spite of you, and your shortcomings.

Family is loving, and supporting, one another,

even when it's not easy to do so.

It's being the best person you could be,

so that you might inspire others.

Family doesn't see colour, race, creed or culture,

it sees heart.

Family isn't always being connected biologically,

but sees all members as equal in value and quality

Family is a secure, reliable refuge,  and acceptance.

Family isn't just important, it is most important.

(Marvin Lazenbury)

We are Four Families in ONE

Testimony House, Jacaranda Cottage,

Drakeley Cottage, and Tyndale Cottage.

(The Testimony Faith Homes Family)

                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                            FOUR FAMILIES TOGETHER AS ONE

Four Homes, four families of some 30 boys and girls,

aged from 0 to whatever. each with a mature man and wife,

totally integrated as Mum and Dad, together with their own children if any'

as a Family in each House.   Each House a Family and a Home.

**********************************************************

IN 1981 we started up

TESTIMONY SCHOOL

We began with Nursery, then in 1983 we opened

Class 1 to 3 of Primary.

Then in 1987 we opened Class 4 to 8

And finally in 1994 -96 Form 1 to 4 of High School

The School was started to assist the children from our Family Homes, many of whom had been deprived of education and were without any prospects.     We felt a need to have our own school where our children would not be looked down upon, or conversely picked upon because of their orphan status, and also where we could offer a stable education within the 8-4-4 System.    To DO this we had to Register the School privately in order to be in a position to choose our own Staff, and avoid Government 'postings'.      Of course this meant WE had to pay for the Teaching Staff.       Thus we had to offer places in the School to the general public on a Fee Paying Basis; these Fees to cover the full cost of the School's running cost, AND free places for our Homes' children.       Parents are aware that part of all fees paid include a percentage given to the cost of OUR children's education. The School is non-profit making and does not contribute in any other way than previously mentioned to the upkeep or well bring of the Children's Homes children or Staff.       For THEIR costs we make no Appeals, or even advertise our needs, but share them in faith,  that our all seeing God and Father in Heaven will see and hear our Prayer in Jesus Name, and provide.       HE is our only security.    We have never been let down, or made to be ashamed.   We have not become rich, but moderately content and satisfied in His Grace and Mercy.  

********************************************************

THIS IS THE FIRST BLOG OF THE YEAR

There are a number of reasons for this

GENERALLY, since the advent of the Covid Pandemic in Kenya in March 2020 life has slowed down for us in many ways.     Many necessary changes and innovations to contend with, and many challenges to our original Vision.    BEFORE Covid arrived, we were feeling the way we operate was in danger of being derailed by new Government changes in the way they view the whole matter of homeless, and destitute, children in Kenya;   this has not only affected TFH but other Charitable Children,s Ministries across the Country.     I have covered most of this in previous Blogs from 2010 to last year, when finally  OUR Registration as a CCI with Children's Services was finally renewed for a further THREE years, after a wait of almost five years since our previous Registration expired in 2017.       We are still open for business.     BUT with reservations.     

We are advised Children will not be committed to our care for longer than is needed to get them Fostered into the care of individual families.      This will virtually mean that we will become a Temporary Reception & Placement Centre, with a constant turnover of children in and out.  The government believes that it can get ALL orphan and destitute children in Kenya either Adopted or Fostered to Kenyan families.     The have been declaring for years now, that by  2020 ALL residential homes for orphans will be shut, and all needy, homeless, children will have been fostered or adopted.

BUT it hasn't happened yet.   Still approximately 400,000 (minimally) unsheltered children in Kenya.    Without help we do not see the Government seeing its plans materialise for some time.

Our original Vision was to take in children without home or available parents of their own, and make them part of our very own family - john and Esther's family.     As part of our family we would treat treat them all as own own offspring, seeing them through childhood, teenage schooling, and on to College or University.  All this through thick and thin times, regardless of how they developed until the day came that having completed education as far as possible, they would find a job and leave us for an independent life.      We wanted to be their home and family full stop.   God did not always send us 'little angels' and we had to learn Patience, and even long suffering with it.    BUT Patience is a perfect work.

it trains true 'love' and love never actually fails to achieve.

It HAS worked out, even to having added three more similar Family Minded homes to our own.

But now, also, Government says Those reaching 18 years must leave Children's Homes - even if they have not completed their education, even without the means to fend for themselves.    They say  that under 18s are at risk of abuse from those who are over that age, and should be separated.     So 'unnatural'.    BUT we tried it out, putting ove18s from each of our Families into Hostels.    It did JOT work out, and we saw these young people drop in their School grades immediately and even turn to drugs and depression.      We put them back into their Families, and saw them pick up and go on!

SO far we remain as we began, (but now with 4 Family Homes catering for up to 30 children and young people, each, as we have carried on these 52 years.     A few HAVE left us.  Some decided  to just GO 'throwing over their traces'  onto the Streets when they reached 18.      We seem to be in a situation of almost 'Touch and Go'.   Much against us, but much still for us.       We have not given up seeking talks with Kenya Government, to see if we can persuade them that our ministry in Testimony Faith Homes, proves that we have much greater success than a good many Foster Placements in civilian families.      Currently, from the four families; we have 4 in university, 27 in College, and 100 in Nursery to Form 1V.       NONE of our children or staff have contracted Covid 19 since it arrived in Kenya, or before, except for two of our staff who contracted a mild Omicron variation, and were quickly returned to duty fully recovered.     God's Favour remains with us.

AND SO HERE WE ARE IN FEBRUARY

2022

Current Covid 19 Statistics

as at 27/2/22

New Cases today    24   Positive out of 4,459  Tested 

Total Cases      322,930   Positive out  of 3,368,063 Tested so far 

 R = 0.5%         Cumulative Deaths  5,639   

 Masks are still to be worn in all public places,

including Schools

Spacing seems to be generally relaxed.

 

AND NOW, AT LAST, 

after letting the School use it as a Boarding House,

our flagship family home

TESTIMONY HOUSE

will be 'home' once more at the end of March

WE know that many of our Family Members, who felt sad to see their old home 'occupied' by the School, and will be more than glad to see it return to what they remembered as a child.      Many attending our 50th Anniversary in 2019 complained that by using the House as anything other than a home (their home), they were left with no 'home to come back to' in their mind's eye.     Well it is back, just as it was, and soon to be spruced up again to be the family home it always has been,

Due to changes in School Terms and also Syllalbus, Vacations have also changed, so that temporarily our normal LONG holiday of 6-7 weeks happens about now instead of in November    So, this year we close on the 4th March, and open on 25th April.

The Form 1Vs are now commencing National Exams for their Finals instead of later in the year, and  Primary School Class V11 V111 will both conclude this year; and then in 2023 this year's Primary Class V1 will go on to be (without any EXAM) 1st Year of Junior High School which will continue through three years and continue three more years as Senior High School  before continuing to University or College as opportunity might provide.   Quite a change over.   From 8-4-4- we seem to have 6-3-3 now.

I want to finish here - for the moment.

We send to you all,  who know us, pray for us, and keep us in your hearts, out sincere and very Thankful hearts and Love in the Name of Jesus..

John, Esther and Daryl Green, and all our staff, and all the children or many 'sons and  daughters' whose lives and loving care you all share with us.

  

 

 

THE REAL SUBSTANCE OF THE DAY!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING  soon  !!

SKY NEWS  a few weeks back was bemoaning the fact that Christmas this year, for the Brits, would be a lean one, with Few 'if any' Turkeys gracing the dinner table.     It seems now that the 'fear' of having to suffer serious food shortages is passing, and that all the expected traditional fare will, after all, find its way to the shops and supermarkets.   At the time, SKY made it sound a major crisis - as if a meatless Christmas would be worse than death. 

Here, in Kenya, probably less than 1% ever get to see turkey.      It is amazing just how much you can live and do without, and still be happy, and even content.      Perhaps there might also be a GAP in what one part of the population can afford to put on their tables, compared to others.  There is little doubt that 'one man's meat can be another's poison', when it comes to being able to afford it.     BUT, food seems to be a BIG part of Christmas to those with enough in their pockets, AND even to those who are poorer.

'Food, wonderful food

what is there more handsome?

Gulped, swallowed, or chewed,

still worth a King's ransom.'

But to listen to SKY NEWS the English are made to seem greedy gluttons, who put FOOD in front of LIFE.    I hope I  am right in thinking that this is not entirely the picture.     But, really, what IS Christmas all about, and who, among us all, take it to heart, and let it make a difference to our life and hope for the future?    WE, here in Testimony, do some of our shopping, weekly, at a Supermarket not very far from us and known as ' Chandarana,  FOOD PLUS' with the rider, as part of their name, adding '....more than just food!'      I like this, for it correctly makes food to take a back seat when it comes to the MORE that lies beyond the food.      And this is also so true of  Christmas.      Christmas can include the idea of exceptional FOOD, but it is NOT about JUST food.     There is MUCH MORE to Christmas than turkey and tinsel, Father Christmas, and fairy lights.

CHRISTMAS is the Commemoration of the Birth of JESUS CHRIST, the MESSIAH, the Promised one of God,  Who came from Heaven to Save us from ourselves, and show us the Way to GOD.      The early Christian Church did not officially institute this until 332 A.D. when they declared 25th December a FEAST day,  the Birthday of Christ.       BEFORE that there is no record of it being especially observed at any particular time, or day in the calender.     BUT, surely His Birth IS recorded in Scripture, and in detail, and there can be no doubt that those Who believed in Him, would have remembered about His Birth in Bethlehem.     It would have meant then, as it should now,  so much MORE than knowing, exactly,  which day it truly was.      In the Fulness of TIME, at the right time in history and time, GOD put Christ into the World, to SAVE it; all those who live on and in it.     All those who would trust in Him and commit their lives to Him.     He was born in Bethlehem of Judea in Israel at the time of the Census of the Roman Emperor Augustus.    It was the BEGINNING of God's Plan to bring all men to Himself.   It was the  Beginning of a NEW Age and Era; an age worse than any that had gone before, worse than that of Noah, when God looked down and 'saw that wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that the imagination of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually;  the earth was currupt before God, and filled with violence, for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth. (Genesis 6v5-13)  And God said, I will destroy them with the earth.

JESUS Himself commented on this Age that we live in, and said ' it will get worse, and worse.'  He said that if He, Himself, did not return quickly he would find none alive.     All the world is in upheaval.    War, revolution, civil strife engulfs our world.   The very earth erupts more and more, as our climate changes, and nature is turned upon itself.   the FEAR of an end  of all things, GRIPS the people everywhere, and the world seems without leadership, unstable, unsettled, whilst the ROAR of the nations gathers more and more in anxious apprehension..........   Is there HOPE for the world?     ONLY if the One whose Birth we remember at Christmas, comes back to SAVE us.    BUT the world REJECTED Him ------will they RECEIVE HIM today,  this Christmas time

OR will we all be found looking to our own self-centered enjoyment as we take advantage from a Day provided for us to Remember GOD's LOVE to us, stick our heads in the sand, and pretend all is well with us?

Here in Testimony Faith Homes, and School we love Christmas.    It is a Family time, and we ever hope to see family members visiting, and reconnecting relationships at home with us all.   I time of reaching out to each other,     A time also of reaching out to others, not members of the family, alone, uncared for, unloved.     A time of peaceful happiness and security ......ALL of this drawing our thoughts and hearts to GOD, who sent Jesus to SHOW us what Family  IS, and how those without family can be loved IN to our own home and family, just as God sent Jesus to bring us back in our own original Family, into its Warmth, its Strength, its Confidence without divisions of any kind.

This year the School Holiday will be short - just ten days.

We will see decorations, even a Tree, appear in our four homes.    Christmas Cards will shine out again, saved from years before,    Each day nearer to THE day, joyful excitement among the children grow, until on Christmas Eve we all come together, as usual, in front of Testimony House, our first family home,  to sing carols, share our thoughts about the Night, and to partake of a hot drink,  and a bun, all under a night sky glittering with millions of stars.      Suddenly we will all find ourselves, old and young, together, conscious of the Night, this Holy Night, that was so long ago the moment the Saviour of us all, was BORN, with the Shout of the Angel, and the Praises of the Angelic Host, and the proclamation to the World.

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!

Let Earth receive her King;

let every heart prepare Him room,

and Heaven and Nature, SING!

THIS is the FOCUS of our thoughts as Christmas nears once more.

The World may be staggering in its course, and Nature trembling on the brink - look to God, in Jesus Name, to COME more clearly and really into our lives, to steady us, to make us ready, to ensure our faces reflect no fear or terror but only our confident, and assured, JOYFULNESS that God  is with us. And, that if He IS with us, then who, and what, have we to FEAR.

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

OUR WALL, ALL 23 METERS OF IT, REBUILT

It is now stronger, and better, with new metal strengthened posts

every two meters.   Still a little to clear up but otherwise perfect.

This week we have had the first member of our BIG family, visiting for Christmas, though he may not actually be here to Celebrate, as he has to return to the U.S.A. where he will continue to now minister God's Word, having successfully completed his Doctorate.     This is our dear son in Jesus, the Reverend Doctor Sammy Kirui.   It has been real delight to have him stay with us in Green Cottage; very happy fellowship indeed.    Sam was last with us FIVE years back, and has been in the U.S.A. for about 15 years, but he has always kept in touch, and is very close to us all.      He also surprised us with a Love Gift for the Family - provision for ALL, for the next two weeks, and at a time when all our cupboards were bare!!     God is so loving, and loves to see family loving each other.   Thank you Sam,  you are ever an inspiration and encouragement.

Sam also to too us all out to  lunch this week, something we usually cannot do, and we enjoyed a change of scene, and really good fellowship.   In the photo, right to left can be seen Daryl Green, Eunice Lahol, Senge Yego, Esther Green, Alice Muli, Hesketh Muli, Mica Yego, Pastor Mike Kyalo, and Jacinta Kyalo, Sammy, and Me.

Right now the weather here is good,   Much blue sky, and warm sunshine, tempered with a cool breeze and occassional cloud and showers, mainly in the evenings.     The School has just concluded a brief half term break, and are are now back until 23rd December, when they will have TEN days holiday before commencing 2022 on 3rd January.

TODAY  we had news of further Love from friends and family in the UK via AENON Trust.   We had the news at Breakfast, with Daryl, and we once more found ourselves rejoicing, as our waiting was rewarded by the outpouring of LOVE for  us all.     Truly our hearts were warmed and comforted in knowing how many there are together with us, and with the children.    Thank you and Bless you all.

ALSO today we have heard that what is being called the Botswana strain of C.19 is making itself felt in Europe, and that the U.K has put South Africa, Botswana and other nearby States on their RED list.    So far Kenya remains OFF - but for how long we do not know.      We are wondering now if Steven will be still feel able to risk coming out to us in December - that is if he will not in any case be prevented.

UPDATE on KENYA c.19  Cases as on 25th November

New Cases 46        Newly Tested 4,913    R. 0.9%

Total Tested   2,816,173

Total Positive   254,862

Total Recov      248,070

Total Deaths         5,333

 The Government  is also  trying to make it compulsory for everyone travelling from one County to the other, within Kenya, to be Vaccinated.      MASKS continue to be word in public places.

The LORD or God be with you all.

With our united Love in Him, as we pray with and for you all daily.

John, Esther, Daryl, and all our co workers, and the children here in Testimony Homes.

ON THE 7TH AUGUST THIS YEAR I wrote about A LEANING WALL.

We had wanted to bring it down BEFORE it fell, but were unable to avoid paying a heavy License to the County Council.    The Bye Law says that we cannot erect any structure, even a temporary one, and even if it is to assist us repair our own wall, at our own expense, if the said structure stands on  County land.     We had no choice but to hang on.

Days and month went by and the Wall,  continued to lean, progressively outwards.

THIS SATURDAY, it FELL.     23 meters of it.    It  collapsed totally, the whole span of it at once - and with a THUD that shook Green Cottage.

Fortunately it did not reach the road, and more fortunately, no one was walking by, on the grass verge.

We are already on the way to clearing the area, and have already built a Screen to protect our back yard (now exposed to all and sundry).      We have built the screen on our land, inside of the fallen wall.  The length of wall fallen stretches as I said above some twenty three meters, from the back of our house right up to the Director's Officer.

The Wall was build in 1987, just 34 years ago.    We hope that the rebuild will last much longer.  At least we trust the builders will make sure it will stand, and not just do a quick job without honour or care.

The original builder did not ensure the footing, or foundation, of the wall was properly laid.    It is  of the utmost importance that our foundations are strong, and well founded.     The Bible tells, for example, that there is only ONE foundation for any one person to build his or her life upon.     That Foundation is JESUS.    If HE is in your heart and mind, you will NEVER fall.      There is a cost!

There is a COST to everything.      A cost to stay on course, and apply oneself to keeping ones integrity.  Not a very popular occupation, since 'integrity' is best noticed under stress and challenge.    One cannot but wonder how many Heads of State, and Government, attending the Glasgow Summit will keep their integrity, or even if any of them possess it.      We are told the World will DIE if WE do not DO something.     IT is a life and death issue.      But look at the Coal issue for example, and the Brazilian Rain Forest.      Some states have determined to do nothing NOW, but have hinted they 'might' do something by 2050 or even '70.      Perhaps by then they are hoping to have gone on a trip to Mars or the Moon and thus escape what the rest of us will be enduring by then - IF the planet can even support us by  then.     Their REASONS for doing nothing, are purely economic;     They cannot do without COAL in their Country, without a major inconvenience, and a very expensive one, that will cause everyone in their Country to suffer.     Well, surely, we will ALL suffer - even if we all together DO something - the Answer WILL cost us all, born and unborn.      After all whose fault is it that the Planet has been ruined and exploited?    It is surely the fault of ADAM, the Race that was handed the Responsibility of CARING and TENDING this 'Garden' of Earth.       Man has ever been SELFISH.

The Brazilian President, seeking his own comfort and esteem has 'promised' to stop cutting the Forest down by 2030  -    BUT how much of it will be left BY THEN?       HE is no better than NERO playing his lyre as ROME burned in front of him.     It is a sad and bitter thing to be alive in these days.

It may be the World IS dying.     What then?    The Judgement.     So many times Man has kidded himself that he can do anything......HE. like the devil of old, wants to run things on his own.   But did Man make the Earth on which he stands?   Does he now control its very stability as it circles the Sun, spinning on its own axis?      And will he, CAN he, really put himself out to GO WITHOUT his own comfort to  even TRY to restore and heal what he himself has brought to such a pass?

AND will the CREATOR wink at THIS for ever.?

And if not then maybe NOTHING can be done, and we will all face the music.

 

GOD Bless, Strength, and comfort you all, and help you through all the storm and typhoons of life that Satan my have permission to throw at you - Remember, 'he' is not allowed to touch the lives of those who have God in their heart, and God will not expose us to satan's vileness without knowing us, and that we will keep our integrity, as Job did.     We are trusted, and believed in.    And the King of Life walks with us, and will always deliver us.       WE are all well, and thankful to be alive in the world at this time and in this age.     Our love to you all always.

John Esther and Daryl Green, and all here in Testimony Faith Homes and School

     

 

IN THE BOOK OF ISAIAH 32 and verse 2, it is written -

 A MAN

shall be as a Hiding Place

from the wind, a shelter from the storm

The illustration, shown here to the left, best describes how these words make me feel.

It is so very apt for all we have been led to do, and accomplish here in the last fifty or so years.   To tenderly and strongly take up children in need of care and protection and to give them the shielding, and care of loving hearts; to hide them in a secure and safe environment, enfolded in God's Love, from all that may in any way have disrupted or endangered their previous lives.

To the reader of Isaiah 32v2 it may look as if we are being told that a man - any man - should be a hiding place, and a refuge to those around him, who are in need of protection and safety.

We might even persuade ourselves that this is certainly something that we could apply ourselves to accomplish in our own lives as human beings.   Social Welfare, world wide, underlines the fact that men and women on their own can be motivated, and moved to do just that.     But with Man on his own, there will always be a 'shortfall' in the motive that drives him, unless he is driven by a still 'greater' Love or Concern for his neighbour - young or old.

I BELIEVE that it is the Christian - the one who has come to trust in JESUS, his death and resurrection, and in His Spiritual Presense to be now dwelling in him/her self, - who CAN be 'a Man able to hide, those who come seeking refuge and shelter from the travails and traumas of this life.    THEY carry within them THE MAN Who make EVERY effort to find and save all those who come to Him lost and astray, and endangered in our World.         His LOVE will never fail, and where you or I might fail to let that love fail or dilute, HE will make a way; force a way, against every negative, to ENSURE the one at risk is lovingly assured that all is well, and is safely founded on the Rock of His Good Will, and hidden under His wings, in the Secret place of God Himself.

ALL those who have been part of Testimony Faith Homes with us have believed this to be an integral ingredient of their  service and fellowship with us.

But, of course, none of us have yet been separated from our human nature - there is a constant pull to 'see', and even DO, things OUR way.    To succeed we have constantly to ask ourselves - as we face those we say we are reaching out to - is it ME, or JESUS that is giving this help.     Am I the one setting out the 'conditions' on which I will help or hide this one needing to be hid?    Or am I setting my conditions aside in preference to the unconditional  readiness of JESUS to hide WHOEVER it is needing to be hid, by the Covering Up  of His Love for them?         WE ARE, after all just flesh and blood.      We may not every minute be 'aware' of JESUS living in us.      Sometimes we may still find ourselves slipping out of gear with HIS WAY, and giving place to our own understanding.      BUT if we persevere we shall improve.

If we progressively endeavor to let HIS will and purpose, over-ride ours - then we shall be more and more LIKE |Him, and we may expect to see greater things being done all around US, than He himself saw Himself in His Day.

Of course whatever we strive to do in building the strong tower of a Family here with those who have been deprived of family of their very own, can never be  quite as satisfying as the real thing.   But if the effort is wholehearted it can produce real and lasting results.

This is a photo of the Kanneh-Mason Family

(the 7 children of Stuart and Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason)

            Stuart & Kadiatu

Sheku Kanneh-Mason, center with the Cello, played at Harry and Meghan's Wedding.   But I came across him just this week.   He was playing Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto at the Albert Hall.  I was so surprised - the more so because of the excellence of  his performance; it was brilliantly inspirational.  It was then I looked him up on the Net, and discovered a whole lot about his family also with many videos on the family too.    An amazing Family.    And their testimony, as a family, I found to be so praise-worthy, though they shared nothing concerning their faith, apart from their faith in themselves and in one another - but the Togetherness, the Confidence, the Security, and Joy they all evidenced in what each said and did was quite exhilarating.      THIS is a Family indeed.      A family as it CAN be, and perhaps should be.      Did they do it all on their own.      It is more than possible.    But if they did  I could not detect where God's Presence with them seemed absent.       Their testimonies of their lives together made me cry, laugh, and rejoice all together.  I Thanked God for them;   for their Witness to all of us of every race and colour.   

====================== 

All for today!

In future I might be publishing ANY day

as and when I might feel led.

A time of Change!

John, Esther  and Daryl 

Testimony Faith Homes. 

NO SMOKE WITHOUT FIRE!

A LOT OF KIDS SMOKE IN KENYA TODAY!  This little man in the picture is being forced to try a smoke by his peers.     TOBACCO has its place today in Kenya, with the many other Substances taken into the lives and bodies of our young people.

Way Back in 2003 I Broadcast on Radio Sayare here in Eldoret.  I had been prompted by a reported case in the DAILY  NATION's Saturday Magazine.  The article described how Eston Irungu Gakunga had lost a leg due to a smoking habit.

He told the reporter - 'I started smoking when I was 16, after I succumbed to peer pressure.  My friends who were smokers made fun of me, calling me a 'woman' just because I didn't smoke!   I finally gave in; I mean who wants to lose their friends.   NOW when I look at my leg, I wish I had lost my friends instead.'    

SMOKING in Kenya has diminished among the adult population since 2003, but young people are still increasingly Users.       I said, in 2003, in my radio broadcast  -  (edited)

'  A good deal of the Western World is now actively waging war against the use of Tobacco.  This has  seriously affected the industry so that they have been forced to seek alternative markets for their products.   They have increasingly turned to the third world.    10 million people annually can expect to die of Tobacco related diseases (circa 2003) - 70% of them from the Third World, and many of them will have begun to smoke in their teenage.    The bottom line is that the Industry wants to SELL Cigarettes, and they do not regard or care how many smokers eventually end up MAIMED, CRIPPLIED, OR DEAD from becoming addicted to their cigarettes.

Listen, this is the Truth about Cigarette Smoking;  these are just SOME of the results that come from this habit.    -     Diminished or extinguished sense of smell and taste;  frequent colds; smokers cough; Gastric Ulcers; Chronic Bronchitis; Increased Blood Pressure; Congestion of the Lungs; Heart Disease; Strokes; CANCER of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, lungs, pancreas, cervix, uterus, and bladder...AND this can lead to other complications such as Gakunga's loss of a LEG!     Cigarette smoking is, perhaps

the most devastating, preventable, cause of disease and premature death.   Cigarettes are highly ADDICTIVE.   One Third of young people who 'try one' end up being addicted, by the time they are 20, or even before.    TOBACCO smoke is as dangerous a substance with more than 500 known poisons.  Every time a smoker lights up he, or  she, is risking self injury by inhaling these poisons.

Many will know the Brand name of MARLBOROUGH CIGARETTES.  Our own Kenya Safari Rally used to be sponsored by them.   I wonder if you remember the man on the horse, depicted on every packet?   He was real person, an Actor named Wayn McLaren.   He died in 1992, aged 51.   At the beginning of his advertising career, he used to brag that he smoked at least 15 cigarettes daily.  Later on he refused to smoke at all!...Just before his death he went from a Meeting of the Shareholders of Marlborough Cigarette Company, and asked them to limit their Advertising.  He was then near to death with Cancer of the lung, and fully believed it was tobacco related.    They did not listen to him.

MANY TURN TO CIGARETTES to bolster their own ego, or to give themselves self-confidence.    A cigarette is said to comfort and calm the nerves and banish isolation or loneliness.  One Brand used  to advertise itself with a picture of a man walking alone down a dark street, in the rain; and putting a cigarette, with a glowing end, to his lips.   The caption read 'You'll never be alone with a Strand Cigarette.'   But the Truth is that the smoking of tobacco releases Epinephrine, a hormone which creates physiological stress in the smoker, rather than relaxation.   Tobacco IS poisonous, and CAN progressively damage, and eventually take you life.     Tobacco is a false crutch that will let you down.   There is no ultimate happiness in Smoking; no lasting comfort, or  profit.

I used to smoke cigarettes - about ten a day.   I had begun when I was about 16, due to peer pressure just like Mzee Gakunga.    One day when I was 22, I was travelling seated in an empty compartment of a train on the way to work in the London City, in England.   I had my Bible with me, and was reading in the New Testament in the Epistle to the Romans chapter 12 v1 ' Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable, unto God, which is your reasonable service, and be not conformed to the world around you.'  A noise made me look up, and through the window saw that we were passing an industrial area with tall blackened factory chimneys belching out even denser smoke, which was spreading itself over the entire locality.     I was actually smoking a pipe of tobacco as i gazed at the passing scene.    Immediately, I seemed to hear clearly in my mind a voice quietly commenting ' You are as one of those chimneys.  You are corrupting yourself, and all around you, with what you are putting within you.     Suddenly my spiritual eyes saw it clearly.     I opened the window and taking  my pipe from my mouth threw it out and away, quickly followed by a leather pouch full of tabacco that I carried with me, AND a packet of cigarettes as well.       From that day I have never smoked.    I suddenly felt CLEAN.

GOD  wants us to LIVE and not to DIE.    He wants us to be filled with HEALTH and not SICKNESS.

Remember Mzee Gakunga once more.     He  smoked to make himself acceptable to his friends, and he finally sacrificed his leg, his mobility, his wholeness.    Looking back he wished he had sacrificed pleasing his friends instead.       Beware of being Man Pleasers at the expense of your LIFE.

HOPE you will all have a A SMOKE FREE WEEK.     God Bless you all, and every one, and prove to you that He Loves you thoroughly and  completely,   with all  His Heart.

SAY NO to DRUGS of any kind, and SAY YES to the REALLITY of the ONE GOD who loves you truly.

Sincerely,   John, Esther, and Daryl Green

and all at Testimony Faith |Homes and School