July 26, 2018
Jambo Friends!
We sat down to eat the other night and a friend of ours asked Ruthie what she wanted to be when she grew up. John spoke up and said, “You want to be a doctor, don’t you Ruthie?” She said, “No.” Becky said, “Do you want to be a teacher, Ruthie, like Daddy and Mommy?” Again she responded, “No.” “Then what do you want to be when you grow up?” our guest ask again. “A Unicorn!” Ruthie responded. We enjoyed the seriousness of her comment and talked of how much fun that would be.
Our girls are children, and as such, they think about childish things. Their imaginations are growing, and the idea of growing up to become a unicorn seems very real to them at this time. It will not always be so. As Paul says, “When I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I gave up childish ways.” (1Corinthians 13:11) Let me encourage you to put away the childish things and take seriously your growth in the faith.
Third term is completed here at RVA, and it has been another busy, successful term. Campus is now empty with the students enjoying a well-deserved break from school. Graduation was on July 12th and most of the seniors departed Africa within a few days. Graduation is always a major change in a young person’s life, but here it seems even more dramatic as the students not only move from high school to University, but also leave their homes in Africa for “home countries”, where the people and cultures are often unfamiliar.
Becky found herself quite busy at the start of the term, balancing the demands of being a mother of twins along with helping with the 5th and 6th grade musical, performed the fourth weekend of the term. The children did a fantastic job of presenting the love of Christ in their musical. Becky was pleased with the depth of the students’ desires to present the gospel well, and for people to understand the message.
Becky’s business continued as she helped guide the 8th graders through the planning and execution of their 8th grade celebration. Eighth grade celebration is a formal dinner including decorations and entertainment planned and presented by the eighth graders, with parent support in the cooking. Each of the committees completed their tasks well and everyone enjoyed the 8th Grade Celebration.
John completed his assignment as geometry and 8th grade math teacher. John enjoyed working with the 8th, 9th and 10th graders, and being able to invest in their lives. Sharing the Love of Christ and the word of God while teaching math was both a challenge and a joy.
John had the opportunity to drive for the Mai Mahiu Sunday School Outreach. The Sunday School Outreach is a program John led for years before returning to the states in 2011. The program is continuing in much the same fashion as it has for years. RVA students and Adult leaders go to Mai Mahiu on Sunday Mornings with a tarp, some soccer balls, Frisbees, jump ropes, and with Peter, our faithful interpreter. The RVA students then walk through the streets, where children come and gather in an empty lot to play games, sing songs, and hear stories from God’s word. It was a joy to see the 50 or so RVA and street children playing and worshiping together.
Break has begun and our schedule has been full. We enjoyed a visit from one of Becky’s dearest friends, Carrie. We enjoyed showing her around our little part of Africa and catching up on news face to face. We invited students over for tea and cookies to celebrate the beginning of vac and Carrie had an opportunity to meet students, hear about life at RVA, and the work their families are doing across Africa.
Becky and Carrie enjoyed a two-night stay at the Maasi Mara and saw a variety of animals while on safari, including two leopards. We also moved houses during the visit, making for a busy start to our break. Our new house is bigger with a nice yard, which will be good for us as a family.
As a family, we are looking forward to the arrival of John’s twin brother and his family, Becky’s Dad and John’s mom. The grandparents will be visiting for a month and the others will be serving at RVA this next school year. John and James will both be teaching in the elementary next year, with their rooms side by side. John will be returning to teach sixth grade, a position he held for seven years at RVA in the past. We are thankful for the visitors and family we will have living close to us our second year here.
As you pray for us over the next several moths, please pray for the following:
1. Seniors as they adjust to their new homes away from home
2. New staff as they prepare to serve at RVA for the 2018-19 school year
3. John as he adjusts to teaching 6th grade after teaching at the high school
4. Our family as we find ways to rest and prepare for the students arriving August 24 and 5
5. Praise for our vehicle, purchased with funds from supporters. Our vehicle has been reliable while taking students and adults to various activities.
Thank you for your prayers and support. We appreciate the encouraging emails and mail we receive. Please let us know how we can pray for you!
In the love the Savior we serve,
John, Becky, Ruthie, and Gracie
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| Becky buying produce from the Veggie Ladies in Kijabe |
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| Standing on the equator with our friends Carrie and Rachel |
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| Visiting Hell's Gate |
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| John cleaning up his HS classroom. |
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| Celebrating the end of term 3. Can you see Ruthie practicing to be a unicorn? |
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| Carrie, Ruthie, and Becky at Thompson Falls |
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| Showing Carrie around Kijabe (Thanks Carrie for sharing your pics) |
