THE STATE TO PHASE OUT

CHILDREN'S HOMES,

RESETTLE ORPHANS

(today's Standard Newspaper 10th June 2022)

ONCE MORE KENYA UNSETTLES THE LIVES OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN.   NOT ONLY DO THEY DESTABILISE DOZENS OF LONG STANDING STABLE RESIDENTIAL HOMES FOR CHILDREN IN THE  COUNTRY, BUT THEY ALSO PUT THE CHILDREN WHO RESIDE SAFELY WITHIN THESE HOMES INTO A STATE OF TOTAL INSECURITY, WITHOUT ANY PLACE TO RUN TO FOR HELP.

 

THIS is a photo of a Wedding; the Wedding of our son Steven and Anjela Green, taken way back in 1996 when Testimony Faith Homes was already 33 years old as a Home for Children.    Children who had grown up with our own children in the same house as ONE family - young and old - all came together, as one family, on that day, to continue to demonstrate that we were ONE FAMILY.         They STILL meet together, and support one anther, and consider each other 'family'  even now, twenty six years later.       A very good example of how Children are able to find Home and Family in a Residential Care Home.

AND THIS HOME

Testimony Faith Homes & School

Has survived for 53 years without state support and without appealing for help

from the general public.

A Christian Family Home and School

Dependant upon God 

AT THIS PRESENT TIME

Testimony Faith Homes still has a resident population of 130 children and young people aged between 3 and 18 years, boys and girls.   All reside in FOUR family Homes,

here in Elgonview Estate, Eldoret.

And these children have been brought up in divergent family homes 

of thirty in number, including the house parents, Dad and Mum, with 

their own children, totally integrated as a family in each of the four houses.

THESE CHILDREN

HAVE COME FROM MANY DIFFERENTS BACKGROUNDS.

It IS true that SOME of them do have one parent, and some may even have two.

BUT when they were brought to us, it was not a matter of poverty 

that brought them to us.   And some, where it became possible,

were able to return to their own home and family, but not many.

Only those who we were sure would be loved and cared for by

loving and caring parents.

A Home & Family must be having Love & Care

in it, in order to make it work.

WE also believe it needs GOD in it.

The latter is not a generally accepted necessity, 

but we beleieve it is.

WE, THE MANAGEMENT, 

OF TESTIMONY FAITH HOMES

have enjoyed fifty three years of endeavoring

to assist children from all over Kenya, hand in hand with Government.

We will always Thank the Government for the opportunity.

BUT WE DISAGREE

with this latest 

Government Policy,

and have done so, since it's inception more tnan 20 year ago.

We do not accept that ALL Homes should be Closed.

WE BELIEVE THERE IS STILL A NEED

for US to continue on.

Our children are settled.

They are loved and cared for.

They do well in School.

They are well behaved.

They value each other as Kenyans, and as human beings.

IF HOMES OF OUR STANDING,

AND THE CHILDREN THEY CONTAIN, ARE SCATTERED

BACK TO THEIR RESPECTIVE ROOTS, WE BEELIEVE

MUCH DAMAGE, PHYCOLOGICALY, AS WELL AS

PHYCALLY, WILL RESULT.

So many of our children where brought to us in need

 of Care and Protection, from the very Parents and Environment, 

they they will now be returned to. 

To do this will, without doubt, bring serious repurcusions.

It will set lives back years, and bring to useless waste

innumerable years of careful nurture, and even education.

We NOTE that the application of this Policy is to take a proposed TEN years, but the sense of instability and insecurity that will immediately be felt, will already begin to achieve a great deal of damage.  It can be said that children in Care Homes over the last 20 years have already been forced to consider being uprooted once again, and this time more apprehensively than ever.

The Reverend Doctor Samuel Kirui, in his early Fifties, is no longer with us on earth, but with the Lord.   But I am not jealous for him, now;  for I know that he will not be there with Jesus BEFORE I am, or even before ANY who right now believe in the Gospel here on earth, or even before any who may have died in the Faith before us.  The Bible says this in 1. Thessalonians 4v`4-18F                  hi

The Bible says that all those who die in faith, believing and trusting in the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, will in fact SLEEP.        We shall ALL sleep.     We are quite unconscious of 'time', whilst sleeping, and when we wake it seems as if we just set our head upon the pillow.    And so it will be 'in some mysterious way' that all Believers will find themselves, on leaving their body, immediately present with the LORD, and with all those who have died, or who are WAITING, still alive, for their time to come.     What an AMAZING moment that will be, and very especially for those who were, without realising it. asleep - to wake up and find themselves unaware that time has passed.  We WILL all 'seem' to 'arrive' TOGETHER - What a day of REJOICING that will be.     But, for us still bound to time on Earth, we must from time to time, suffer the separation  that physical death brings.  BUT, for the 'Believer', as for our dear departed brother Sam,  it will, and must be, that seemingly, in a blink of the eye, as they even 'hear' the sound of the Trumpet, they find themselves with us who they left behind.      No one will SEE the lord BEFORE another.    We shall ALL see Him together.   It is a mystery, but it will happen.

Sam had begun a ministry called Barnabas Leadership Ministries.     He had a real passion and desire to stir up young men and women to places of leadership in he Kingdom.     So sad if it has to close or be discontinued, just because Sam has gone.     We do pray for those who encouraged Sam in this work, Mike and LeeAnn McGee and family,  that they might also pray and see if the Lord might provide for another 'Leader' to keep BLM alive and active.

Sam was not WITH us physically for a long time.    He came when he was approximately 15 as a boy who needed help; his family had suddenly ceased to finance his education, and he was left stranded and alone.    It  so happened that we met each other on that day, and he came home with me to spend the night.    The next day we sent him back to school, and he remained boarding with us.   This was in 1965 and he boarded with us for eighteen months, after which we only saw him during vacation times whilst he was in College, and less frequently after 1969 when he began pastoral work.   Then after he left Kenya for U.S.A. we saw him physically less and less.    He became more engrossed in furthering his Education, and we cannot say that we know a great deal about his many years, until now, that he has spent there.    But he persevered and obtained his ambition, and finally achieved his Doctorate, in May 2021.    But he kept closely in touch, and he himself became a real part of the Testimony Family; very much loved, respected and appreciated.    We cannot help but miss him. 

We would like to remember all those in California who have helped and encouraged, and generally interacted in Sam's life over the years.    Thank you all for loving and encouraging and assisting to guide and council him.      We know you did it In the LORD, but we also thank you for your open heartedness and grace. 

one last photo

To the left is Moses Ongonga, now Pastor of AIC Fellowship Church,

Eldoret, will be burying Sam on Wednesday.  They were both

students at Kenya  Highlands Bible College in 1968/9

Esther and I were grateful to have them as 'sons' in Testimony House.

I am in the middle

And SAM on the right, Graduating.

TOMORROW  is Tuesday7th June, and at 1p.m. our time, at the AIC Fellowship Church in Eldoret there will be a MEMORIAL SERVICE for Sam.     Please do come if you can.      THEN on Wednesday Sam will be buried at Equator where his brothers and sisters live.    Sam has always kept in touch with them down the years, and neve fails to visit them when in Kenya;  he had planned to visit them at the end of this week in fact.      More than a bus load will be attending from the Homes.

Thank you all who have been in prayer for us, and for the family, and who have visited, phoned, e-mailed and written with their sympathy encouragement.    Bless you all.  

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

 IT IS WITH GREAT SORROW

THAT WE MUST SHARE THE SUDDEN

CALLING AWAY TO OUR LORD JESUS, 

DURING THE NIGHT,

OF OUR BELOVED SON 

Samuel  Kirui

Sam arrived here on the 30th May, having already been  ministering in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda.    He was SO happy to arrive here with us here at Green Cottage, always his home when travelling in Kenya.      But he was looking very tired, and after his first day of planned ministry here in A.I.C Fellowship Church, he just ate a good supper, and immediately retired to bed to sleep.  It was about 7.20p.m. our time.    It is thought that he left us to be with the Lord about midnight.   He seemed to have just GONE.    His body lay peacefully on the bed, quite undisturbed, his eyes closed.

His Master called, and he at once obeyed that Heavenly Voice, and was gone.    We who are left behind must do without him for a while.     But he lives still, and we shall rejoice together in the future, just as if no interruption to our fellowship and relationship ever occurred.

All of Sam's Family

Testimony House, Testimony Faith Homes

'IN TIMES LIKE THESE'

THIS MIGHT WELL BE ME, taking stock of diminishing 'water' in our little stream of Provision

Certainly it could be Elijah, as he took stock of his own little stream slowly drying up.

BUT Elijah - though he may have been praying about it - showed no sign of that he was preparing to leave, even with the situation worsening daily with minimal food and less and less life giving WATER.

God had told him to STAY, put you see, and Elijah was obedient.

I am thinking, of course, of the narrative found in the Old Testament of the Bible in the Book of  First Kings chapter 17.    Elijah hung on and did nothing.     THEN, out of the blue, so to speak, God spoke to him.    God told him to get up, and go to Zeraphath, where he would find a widow woman who would sustain him.     AND  SO, Elijah just got up to go away from the brook Cherith, and the Ravens, to find the Widow Woman, and a new life.     Would this be good for him?  Would he be more 'comfortable' there?

Well Elijah did as God told him.    He found the Widow Woman, gathering a few sticks for her fire.

"Hello there!  I say, sister, bring me a little water in a cup."  and as she turned to do  his bidding, he called after her saying "Oh, and while you are getting the water, please do bring me a little bread in your hand."   Elijah did not know this woman; had never seen her before, but expected her to do all he asked quickly and willingly.       BUT, this woman was facing death.    Her little 'Cherith' had already dried up, and she was at the end of her rope.   She had just been gathering a few sticks to light a last little fire, to cook the last little meal for herself and her little boy, before they both laid downs to die.    She had nothing; she could not even sustain herself and child, let alone Elijah -  but it was still more than Elijah had at that moment.

What was HE thinking, as she share here calamity with him?    Humanly it must have seemed as if he had been tossed out of the frying pan and into the fire.   BUT GOD had spoken and told him to come, and that this despairing, destitute woman would sustain him!!     How could GOD lead him deeper into Want and NEED?    Why not just let him die where he was?    It does seem, at times, as if God piles on the agony instead of relieving us of our distress.

ELIJAH, tired and dusty, and weak, from his journey, let the Widow finish her complaint, and then says again to her  - "Don't fear, but just go and do as I have asked you, for Thus says the Lord God of Israel, your flour and oil will not fail you, till the rain come again upon the earth."    THEN  the widow turned and went to do as he asked, and they together with her son ate many days.......

IF ELIJAH had not regarded the word God spoke to him, and obeyed it, acting upon it, then neither he nor the Widow of Zeraphath would have lived, or found themselves experiencing the 'very present help of God in time of trouble' in new and ever expanding ways.  

Later in this narrative we find the son of the Widow woman fallen sick, and she in distress, blames Elijah and his God,    And he silently enters the room where the child lay dead, and praying he 'stretched' himself three times upon the boy, still praying as he did so, and the child revived, so that he carried him down to his mother alive and well.       THEN did the Woman cry out with joy and faith..

This was an enormous leap forward for Elijah.      There is no record that he had ever before prayed and seen the dead raised up.   It was a 'first' for him.      And for the Woman it was to be the seal upon her faith, and she found her self established and grounded in the knowledge of the One and Only God, where before she had doubted.   God is never satisfied to leave us where we are, at any time, He requires us to continue to grow up into the full knowledge of Himself, and will for ever stir us up to move on in newness, and into wider pastures and vaster vistas.

SO, what will be our response I wonder.     Now that our little stream is seeming to be struggling to maintain its spate, and we face our very existence challenged as we seek to keep our four Family Homes together as ONE Family.     Not that we are failing in our our common joy or happiness.     But we are all straightened, yet still in the hands of our God and Saviour, and thus safe, and able to STAND against all our enemy's fiery darts, and even against the ever rising tide of iniquity that seeks to overwhelm and even cover up every Memorial to Righteousness around us.

YES, in one aspect nothing will change.    The Principle remains -  our faith in GOD to sustain us, without out help.     Just a few days ago the Lion's Club of Eldoret once more visited us unexpectedly and brought us donation of many needed and basic items that were all immediately needed and looked for.  Thank you Lions.   God has used you at many crucial moments to feed our hungry kids.

Such a great provision, that has helped us feed our 130 family members in our four homes through the week.     The Lions did not know our need.     But God prompted there coming.    And thus they were, unknown to themselves the vehicle of our Blessing in God.      What can we say......'He who watches over His People neither slumbers nor sleeps', and we can be sure He will care for us as we continue to trust only in Him.   

  ****************************

ON THURSDAY, Esther, seen in the photograph with Manu, had her first cycle of Chemotherapy.      I was with her, for the two and half hours that it took, and also Daryl and Senge were with us.    It all went very well, with no apparent ill effects, and until today she has continued to feel well and happy.   She sleeps well.   However  she is feeling more tired during the day, than before, and today says she has no appetite for food.     We expected this, and we shall see what can be done to help her, since she has to keep  up her strength.    But on the whole she is looking and feeling well.     She has three weeks until the next cycle which will be on the 16th June.     She has eight altogether.

The photo was taken just before.   Manu has been in Tenwek for his monthly eye check up, and then went up to Nairobi to look into the 'ins and outs' of learning Braille, and related matters; it seems now a real possibility that he will become totally blind by the end of the year, or soon afterwards.    A big disappointment , but as usual he has taken it in his stride, and with his usual optimism.

This week the School is on Half term, so all to the children are at home, enjoying themselves.  The weather is a bit mixed, with thunderstorms at night, but sunshine in the daytime.    Not bad at all.

DARYL's eldest child Jesse was 24 last Monday, and he is near to Graduate from his Engineering degree course.     He seems  to have been doing well.    I seem to have dangled him on my knee just yesterday!

Rev. Dr, Sam Kirui will be with us as from Monday this coming week, for about a week.   We are looking forward to seeing him again.    He will be coming to us via The Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda where he has been ministering and attending Meetings.

AND out son Michael and grandson Liam have now returned to England after a fortnight with us.  Liam actually attended Testimony School whilst he was he, in the 4th Grade.   It was so good to see and have them both; we had not met in the flesh for seven years, and now Liam is nine years old.    

We have again had gifts via AENON come to us and we Thank, with all our hearts, each and every one who sent to us.    God will bless ever shilling, and make it count.   And we are also praying for you all in Uk especially at this time of escalating costs on every front.    Truly God has to be our Salvation and Help.    May He be close to all of us, our HOPE and expectation.

Lovingly in His Name

John, Esther, and Daryl Green

LET'S BEGIN WITH AN UPDATE all about Esther.    You will remember she went in to Mediheal Hospital here in Eldoret, for an operation to remove a small lump in her left breast on 22nd March.    It proved to be a 'small' round, unattached, cancerous tumor.   It determined, on further investigation, of the tumor after it was removed, that Esther had Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

HOWEVER,  her Surgeon, Dr. Seno Saruni  said the op went well, and that the tumor was taken out cleanly with no sign of any residual Cancer evident ANYWHERE.     BUT, he also told us that the particular type of cancer was vigorous and might seek to resurface without Chemotherapy.

Esther was not initially keen to consider this, but after seeking the Lord, and listening to much advice, she has finally decided to go ahead with Chemo, probably commencing in two  weeks time.      She is fine in herself, and very much  'out and about'  in the Homes and feeling 100%.      Our sons Steven and Michael both living in the U.K. have been able to visit, and be with us both, (Steve during the time of the operation, and Mike just this past week.)     So many dear friends have also been visiting and keeping an eye on us, bringing great encouragement and comfort.   Our love and Thanks to each and every one, including those writing and phoning in with greetings and good wishes.

Yesterday, 20th May, we said farewell to our son Michael and his son, our 9 year old grandson, LIAM., after a two week visit.   They were going down to Nairobi for a few days to be with Mike's Mother in law and family, before flying back to England.   Mike's wife Janet had had to remain at home in U.K. currently bedridden.      In this photo - left to right - can be seen our daughter Helen, our son Michael,  with our son James (Manu) looking in from behind my wife Esther with her hand on Liam's shoulder.  Then me, John Green and finally our son Daryl.   AND life goes on for all of us, by the Grace and Mercy of God.

EARLIER in the month, on the 11th May we celebrated my 82nd Birthday, and it was a joy to have our 'daughter' Hendricka Natal Moors with us from the USA where she lives.   The had come over shortly just to be with Esther and me by way of encouragement.  Our son Steve was also with us at that time.

============================ 

COVID continues to recede from the social consciousness, as almost all restrictions have now been lifted, and what a BIG cloud has been lifted from all our lives, although in truth Kenya seems to have got of lightly compared to other places on the Continent.      Yet as THIS cloud recedes, others loom around us that already bring even greater fears and restraints.   

RECENTLY, as the price of Petrol and basic Commodities explode, the President warned the Nation that HARD TIMES were coming - virtually an understatement since they are already with us, and being FELT by the majority,        This economic dive is, as usual, part of the scene here, at the run up to National Elections.    They are scheduled to take place in Kenya in August this year, and the Press is full, every day, of the political ebb and flow of parliamentary 'hopefulls' as they rush around the Country seeking Votes and Support.      Virtually NOTHING is to be read concerning the lack of daily bread for the majority who are being squeezed to support the so often empty promises of the potential leaders.    But some comments leak through from time to time such as - 'This war in UKRAINE is the reason OIL prices are SO high', and more recently still ' There will be a REAL shortage of WHEAT because of the War in Ukraine, and because of the Heatwave in India'.      'Smokescreens' put up to obscure the reality that the TRUTH would topple any Government.       OF COURSE, we might understand that EUROPE and AMERICA might legitimately blame their expenditures on the War in Ukraine  as a reason for their own current problems at home, economically.    AND no doubt the Third World will suffer a handing on of their problem by going without what they usually feel free to hand out to us.                                        ALL around we are ALL more and more entering into an ERA where we can EXPECT worse and worse.    AND now MONKEYPOX !!    Surely all this is quickly demonstrating a World in trouble  -  Wars, and rumours of war... nation shall rise up against nation, kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes in different places.  And this is just the Beginning - Matthew 24v6-8.     '...mens hearts failing them for fear, and for looking at what is coming on the earth......   THEN they (the inhabitants of the Earth) will see the Son of Man (JESUS) coming in a cloud with power and great glory!      When you see this things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads for your Redemption (rescue) is at hand.'   |Luke 21v25-36    

GREAT THINGS are moving in the universe, and we are caught up in them.      LET US not give in to despair and defeat - but LOOK up expectantly, for our deliverance, and for a NEW EARTH.

============================= 

WE HAVE HEARD today that Funds are on the way to us from AENON ( from our friends)   We Thank you again, with all our hearts, for we know it is God's Love to and for us, that has moved the heart of so many to be His Channel of Blessing.      We have been much in prayer.     We have watched what has been at hand progressively dwindle, as Elijah did by the little stream he lived near.     We have not gone hungry yet, and we have not been weakened in our health or our Faith.    HE has brought us through, sharing our estate, and expanding our experience and knowledge of His Love.      Continue, even so, to pray for us, as we do for you,     This is a time when we need to hold each others hands, and we also all together hold on to His.    God Bless you all so much.

Michael, John, and James (Manu) Green

Only a shorty this time, but it comes with our love as we hold out here with our 23 brothers and sisters who labour on with us, and the 130 children abiding in our four Homes;   we are under siege right now, together with many other brethren -  all of us put the the test, but all our lives SAFE in the Hand of our Father in Heaven.     God be with you all

John, Esther, and Daryl Green

                                               A VERY HAPPY EASTER

            TO YOU ALL

LUKE 7V12-14

'And he that was dead,

sat up and began to speak!

THE BOY in this event was DEAD.    His spirit had fled from the body; there was NO life in him, YET, Jesus was able to call him back into the body.    The BODY was DEAD, but the SOUL was yet AIVE IN some place that was REACHABLE.

Remember Lazarus?    HE was four days DEAD!  In the tomb, his body cold and lifeless.   YET, still Jesus could call Lazarus (the souls within the body) back into that body.    From WHERE did Jesus call him?   If not dead within that dead and lifeless body of flesh and bone - WHERE was he?

In both of these incidents we see proof that when our body dies, and is buried, we who inhabited it are NOT dead, as the body is, but we still continue to exist!

In another Scripture Jesus tell of a place where those who have died on Earth go to; a place He called Abraham's Bosom.  A place divided from Hades where the wicked go when their body dies.  JESUS tells of another Lazarus, a beggar, who dies and goes to Abraham's Bosom - and THERE see one who is in Hades crying out in despair.

JESUS was pointing out, strongly, that IS life and existence, after the death of the body.

AND JESUS DIED.   HE had told his disciples that he WOULD die ( meaning his body)   AND he also told them that on thee 3rd day His body would RISE UP from the grave.  Had they  forgotten?    His Enemies had not and they made sure his tomb was sealed and guarded....

Mary Magdalen and Salome,  and that other Mary, all went to the tomb hoping to properly embalm His body.    Maybe they had not known about the tomb being sealed and guarded, but I wonder how they thought they could move the great stone in front of the tomb's entrance.

Imagine their amazement and shock to find the STONE was rolled away to the side, exposing the entrance.    Even more shocked to find a young man in a long white garment, sitting on a rock nearby nearby, who said 'FEAR NOT!   Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified, IS RISEN - HE IS NOT HERE.'     The WHERE was He?   The tomb was empty - the dead and wounded body vanished, leaving it 'grave clothes' neatly folded.

JESUS SAID - 'The Father loves me because I lay down my own life, in order to take it up (continue it).    No one takes mu life from me.  I give it up volintarily - AND I have power to take it back again.   This is something the Father has tole me to do' - John10v17-18

WAS THIS TO DEMONSTRATE EVEN MORE FULLY THAT LIFE CAN CONTIUE FOR EVER?

The Apostle Paul, reminds us in 1.Corinmthians 15v3-8

Jesus DIED for our sins, iniquities, (Rebellion against God's Law)

HE (HIS BODY) was buried, as being DEAD.     He descended into Hell to preach to the dead.

He ROSE up, in his body, on the 3rd day.

He was SEEN by more than 500 people including all the disciples.

HE IS ALIVE, NOT DEAD - He is ALIVE even today.

Just before he was killed on the Cross Jesus told his friends, his disciples (those who followed him, and took note of His teaching) that he was going to prepare a place for them where they could be with Him, and that He would Himself come to take them there.  -  John14v1-3    NOT everyone!  Just those who BELIEVED in Him, and who would trust in His Words.

There IS another place from Heaven, where those who have NOT believed in Jesus, or His Father Who sent him to us all.   It is known as HELL.    There is no joy, peace, or happiness there; no health or lack of pain there.  It is place without LIGHT or Security.   A place so dark that no one will be able to discover a way out.

TODAY this Jesus says to ALL  ' HERE I AM!   I AM ALIVE!    and, BECAUSE I LIVE, I will make you to live, even though your body dies, and to be with Me where I am!'

JOB, writing long before Jesus was even born in Bethlehem, said 

'I KNOW that my Redeemer LIVES,

and that He shall stand, at the last day, on the Earth.

Whom I shall SEE for myself;\and my eyes shall behold and not anothers.

JOB 19V25-27

let JESUS be LIFE to and for you

EVEN NOW, and FOREVER

FEAR NOT, He says.

For if you will Trust my Words, then you your spiritual SELF

that dwells within your body, will NEVER die.

'MARANTHA'

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

As I write the RAIN beats upon or roof tops.    WHAT Joyful Relief, after such long doubt.

One can just FEEL Life springing up in the ground, and in the trees and plants.   the morning will be full of the Praise of Birds - How truly Wondrous and Merciful is our God.

This IS just an Easter Greeting.     And perhaps a reminder not to let the Enemy use our earthly tabernacle in which we shelter to bring you to despondency or even FEAR enough to FORGET the Saving Power and Everlasting LIFE available to us in the Name of Jesus Christ.    The BODY with all its physical decay and emotional deception is dying from birth, but our Very Self is renewed constantly to LIFE.     We only need be sure WHERE we are headed to - Home or HELL.

Esther, my darling wife, if well.    She has regained her appetite, and sense of Wellbeing, her wound is healed, and she feels ALIVE.     Blessed be the LORD our Life and our Health.    And Thanks to all those of our Children, and friends who so lovingly reached out to bear our sudden burden and anxiety -  your loving kindness truly has been, and remains a balm from Heaven.

ALL PRAISE to HIM who works in each one of the LOVE of God.

With our hearts full of thankfulness to Him and to you all, in His Name

John and Esther Gree 

 

The Valley of The shadow of Death

ESTHER WANJIRU, the little light of my life, my Very Special Gift from God,  mother of our children, and of ALL the children that Jesus brought into our hearts and family over these fifty one years.       She will be 78, this coming August and, apart from when giving birth to our three children, she never spent a day in Hospital until recently..  That's my hand on her shoulder, but she has been my strength all these years; a true handmaiden of the Lord to me.     I cannot imagine ever having to do without her.

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

Towards the beginning of November last year Esther discovered for the first time, what felt like a small spongy marble like cyst in her left breast.    It did not seem to be rooted in one place, but could be moved around freely.    She decided to see her doctor, and he sent her to another place for a few tests.  They told her not to worry.    This was not a cancerous growth, but an entirely harmless cyst.   She came home relieved.

In late February,  she came and shared again, that the 'harmless cyst' was growing bigger.    A little worried wrinkle appeared.     'Let's go straight to the root of the matter', I said.    'Let's go to The International Cancer Institute, in Eldoret.'    This very efficient, clean, and competent Clinic immediately demonstrated both knowledge and understanding.    Taking all the information we had, including scans and other tests of all kinds, they re-ordered further tests, and finally sat us down to clearly advise us that the tumor in Esther's breast WAS cancerous, and dangerous.    HOWEVER the tumor was not in any way attached to the breast, and in an early stage of development.     hey recommended Surgery that would not need to remove the breast, but to merely remove the tumor.     

Mediheal Hospital Eldoret

We left and made our way to nearby Mediheal Hospital where Dr. Seno Saruni, was waiting to meet us.  He already had heard from the Clinic we had just left.    He assured us that although Cancer had to be taken seriously, in our case the conditions all looked very hopeful, in every.   He recommended the Surgery be done there in Mediheal, and suggested a date a week or so away on the 22nd March.      We left satisfied that we had a finally clear and safe Diagnosis, and knew how to pray.  Esther entered Mediheal in Eldoret, on Monday, 21st, and surgery was performed at 12 noon on Tuesday the 22nd.    All went well, and the tumor was safely removed without leaving any indication of Cancer still remaining in the breast or its environs.    The Surgeon was delighted and happy with the way it had gone.                                             

Dr. Ivan Seno & family

He immediately gave permission for Esther to return home the next day, Wednesday 22nd March.   I had been kindly allowed to stay with Esther in the Ward throughout her stay.     We both have to say that we were impressed by the kindness and diligent care of the nursing staff, and indeed for all those who had to do with our stay, especially those in Theatre.    We shall ever be appreciative for the calm confidence of Dr. Seno Saruni, who conducted the surgery, and encouraged us to see things positively all the time, even after the operation.      If this is how Mediheal take care of their patients, then they are combining to help the sick to be healed.  

The Operation had taken only one hour, but Esther had been given a General Anesthetic.    In all, she had spent  two days and two nights in hospital.    After waking up after the surgery, Esther seemed as bright, and alert as could be, and no pain disturbed her at all.    Surely Prayer was answered for her, and indeed hundreds who had heard of her challenge to health and future, HAD been in prayer.    More than 100 thronged the hospital whilst she was there, just to wish her well, and demonstrate their love and concern for her - well over 50 of our children, all now grown up,  plus a similar number of local friends and acquaintances.      Some, unable to be actually let in to see her in the Hospital, followed her home.

Such a wonderful response.     Letters and phone calls also poured in.      Thank you, each and every one of you, sons and  daughters, and brothers and sisters in Christ, and many others... Thank you with all our hearts, for you kindness, love and care of my dear wife, your Mum and Friend.      We feel the LORD has delivered us.

All the cost of the Treatment and Expense in and out of the Hospital relative to the whole matter was put into our hands by the hearts and hands of countless others.     We have no words to express our very real and deep appreciation.         The verses I want to now quote have been used before.   They remain apt and relative again  to day in relation to what has happened.     Certainly the very thought of Cancer darkens the world we live in, and weigh heavily upon our spirit like a thick gloom.   I think we did, all together, find ourselves IN the valley of the shadow of death.   

2.Corinthians 1v8-11

We would not brethren, have you ignorant

of the trouble that came upon us....

...........we had, (as it were) the sentence of death upon ourselves,

in order that we should not trust in ourselves, but in GOD,

who raises the dead!

Who delivered us from so  great a death, and DOES deliver;

in Whom we trust will trust that He will yet deliver us.

 YOU ALSO HELPING  together by prayer for us;

that for the gift bestowed upon us,

by the means of many persons,

Thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Since returning home, Esther has been up and about every day.    Initially she felt a bit sleepy, and at times a little nausiated, but we had been warned that the effects of the Anesthesia might be felt for a few days afterwards, in this way.....Right now she is feeling much as her old self.

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

TODAY the sun is shining, but threatened by thundery looking clouds and temperature of 25c!

Might rain later if we are lucky.    Everything very DRY and hot.       All the children, except for a few are now out playing with our dogs - five of them - or some kind of ball game.    The FEW are still completing their National Secondary School examinations.

The National Primary School Results came out yesterday.    Not a bad result at all, but not any better than last years.    We are not satisfied with this, and there will be considerable effort to bring better results next year - although this 'exam' will soon be extinct.     But we are not especially concerned with our national standing as a School.      We ARE concerned that the least promising students will be able to improve themselves and their skills whilst they are with us.     So far this is working, and our parents are happy to see hope for their children all the way.

We are happy to share that one of our boys will be Graduating from Theological College next Sunday, and will commence his practical training as a Pastor, in the field.       We are very glad and happy to see yet another of our children going into God's Service, this time with the Africa Inland Church.

NEXT WEEK  Testimony House will be empty and Daryl and his team will be moving in to clean, repair and make ready for its return to a Family Home.

AND ANOTHER MONTH has almost ended, and as usual we have found ourselves running dry financially, and getting short of this and that !    BUT, as usual, God continues to assure us that He hears our Prayers even though we continue NOT to publicise our material needs in any way;  pinning all our hope in HIM, that He WILL hear, AND answer - and DOES.      We thank, through Him, all those who have contributed to our need in one way and another, during this current month, and for the one ahead.    God Bless you all, and hope and believe e that your prayers  are answered with ours.

Our much love to  you all in Jesus Name!

John, Esther, Daryl, and all the Testimony Family