Starting The New Year

Term break is over and school is full swing again.  We were blessed to have Christine, Omar and the grandsons here for about three weeks. We went on safari with them for about 8 days and saw the  "Big Five" as well as the "Big Seven" which many times is hard to do.  The "Big Seven" include elephants, Cape Buffalo, Rhino, hippo, lion, leopard, and cheetah.  Of course we saw many other animals also including some snakes. Towards the end of the safari we visited the elephant orphanage where the boys were able to be up close to the young elephants and touch them, and then stayed at the Giraffe Manor, where the giraffes joined us for breakfast.  I have included a few pictures.

We were glad that Christine, Omar and the boys were here after the students came back as well so they got to see RVA in action and meet the dorm girls.

Christine and Omar's church raised almost twelve hundred dollars to help the St. Edwin's Orphanage in nearby Kimende. This is an orphanage to 25 girls and 2 boys that a Kenyan couple have started. The money was used to purchase shoes for school and to help with school fees which every Kenyan child must pay to attend school.  In addition, our grandsons' schools donated school supply packets and personal hygiene packets for the children and Omar's office donated stuffed animals and soccer balls for the orphanage.  Other articles were donated to a local IDP camp which they attended with me.

The students returned to school Wednesday the second of January, and immediately things started off with a bang. Friday night we had 7th graders at our dorm for Caring Community night where we played the game of "Mafia" and had treats. Our grandsons were able to join in. The following night was Dorm Night, where the girls of our dorm got together for a time of fellowship, movies, and yes, treats. We made pizza and sweets for them.

Christine and the boys left on the Monday the 7th.  We missed them immediately, but praise the Lord for the time we were able to spend with them, and for keeping everyone well during their visit.

Today was outreach day, where the students get a chance to do ministry in the surrounding communities.  I along with two other staff, I led a group of several students to the IDP camp to visit with the people in their homes, pray with them,  and play with the children. RVA  was able to supply several of the families with some flour to help with their meals. Home for many of these people is simply a small makeshift tent made of scraps of plastic and cloth. Many of the children are malnourished with little food to eat. Employment is hard to find and many have no source of income. In spite of their difficulties, it is humbling to hear many of them praise the Lord for what they have. They have been meeting under a tree each Sunday for church in rain or shine. This week they have started the foundation for a church. Continue to pray for them as they try to find the funds to complete the church and to supply the basics necessities of life.

We also ask that you continue to pray for us as we look to spend an additional year here.  Ten days ago Debbie fell down some steps on a hillside while we were returning from a visit from another couple's house.  She hit her head and back, and sustained a slight concussion and injured her back.  She has been in pain for the past ten days and is slow in recovering.  Please pray that she will completely recover and no longer experience back pain. She continues to teach in spite of her problems.

Several pictures of our dorm girls and the IDP outreach with the students follow.

The following picture is the beginning foundation for the new church at the IDP camp.