RVA

It is a 15 minute walk up the hill and A LOT of steps from where I am staying to the campus of Rift Valley Academy (RVA- A Christian boarding school started by African Inland Mission, over 100 years ago). Despite having walked this route for 2 weeks at least twice a day, at almost 7,000 ft I am STILL huffing and puffing by the time I get to school (but finally warm... warm enough to take off the top of my 3 layers). Just before I round the corner to ascend the last flights of stairs, I change out of my tennis shoes, into something a little more professional, but my calloused feet that have been wearing nothing but flip flops for almost two years protest as they squeezed into the second hand shoes I had bought at the market. But I felt like I fit the part... I actually look like a teacher.

For the past two weeks I have been substitute teaching for Ryan Dahlman, as he was in the US for his sister’s wedding. It has been great fun to be back in a traditional classroom with 105 student in my 9th and 10th grade World History and 11th and 12th US Government, going to ball games, hanging out with other teachers... even grading papers. These kids, having ethnicities from all around the world and homes all over East Africa and beyond, form a culture all their own. Something that has stood about them is their attitudes of gratefulness. Every day I have multiple students who on their way out the door from class say, “Thank you”... and not in a teachers pet, suck up kind of way. Just simple thanks. Saturday was an outreach day where students went out to serve and love people in the surrounding communities doing everything from planting trees and painting murals to playing soccer in prisons and visiting orphanages. In chapel on Monday during open mic time, student after student stood up expressing how their experiences (among other things) made their hearts thankful for the blessing of God in their lives.

Another thing that has struck me about this place is a commitment to prayer. Once a week there is an optional 15 minute prayer chapel... that a good number of kids actually choose to come to. I sat with 2 middles school girls as they prayed for unity among the students at their school various other things. Also every day the staff meets for Chai and Prayer. Yes warm, sugary, spiced, milky, delicious tea... (and snacks). I could for sure get used to this! But over this refreshment staff share prayer requests for the school, specific students, etc. And we pray!

I am thankful for this place and how it has impacted and continues to shape the lives of missionaries and future missionaries. It has been a blessing to be here!