Fall Schedule

Dear Praying Friends,

It’s hard to believe that we are now settled and into our second week of a new school year having only been in the U.S. for just 7 weeks! We appreciate your prayers during our re-adjustment time. It’s surprising how long it takes to figure out how to live in our “home” country!

The day after Rachel’s 14^th birthday, we sent our kids off to school for their first day. We are thankful, after a few rough days, that they have each made new friends and seem to be settling into their new routine. Rachel enjoys being involved in the Penn Manor Marching Unit and looked sharp in her uniform as the band performed during half-time at the first football game of the season last Friday evening. We are looking forward to watching the band at the Friday night football games and Saturday competitions this Fall. Hannah is happy as a 5^th grader and enjoys her new class and teacher at Eshleman Elementary School. She has had several opportunities to share about life in Kenya which has brought a variety of responses and questions! She is looking forward to singing in the 5^th/6^th grade chorus at school this year. Micah has been most surprising in his excitement toward school! During our last furlough, he struggled tremendously with leaving mom and dad to attend preschool. This time, we have a totally different little boy. He is a cheerful 3^rd grader as he leaves for school each morning! Micah is most excited about learning how to play the recorder in music class and joining a local Cub Scout Troup. It has been interesting to listen as he asks questions like: “Why don’t I have Bible class in my school? If we don’t have Bible class in school, where will the kids learn about God?” We do thank you for your prayers, especially for our dear children, as they are constantly put into new situations. We would ask you to continue to PRAY that they would make good friends this year and, above all, that they would represent Christ in their words and actions. PRAY for protection against the evil one, who would like nothing better than to see them stumble and fall.

Missy has also gone back to school as she looks toward finishing her ESL certification during our Home Assignment. She will be taking two classes this semester at Millersville University, just a 10 minute walk from our house. Once she completes all the requirements next Spring, she will be certified to teach in an ESL program, grades K-12. With over 22 nationalities represented at RVA, she hopes to be a great resource and help for classroom teachers as they welcome these ELLs (English Language Learners) into their classrooms. Please PRAY that Missy would stay organized and have the time needed to focus on these classes this semester.

Brian has not been able to secure a teaching position for this Fall, but will “keep his ears open” for the Spring. In the meantime, he has spent a lot of time sorting through things we have in storage here and preparing for a yard sale later this month. He has also been busy preparing messages for churches we will be sharing with this Fall. Please PRAY that we would effectively communicate the ministry of RVA and the exciting things the Lord has been doing throughout Africa. Below you will find our schedule for the next few months. YOU ARE WELCOME to join us at any speaking engagement. Write or call for specific times and/or directions. Our schedule is also available on our website, which has been updated quite a bit in the last few weeks. Please check it out here.

Along with sharing the ministry of RVA with churches, we will use our “Home Assignment” to connect with family, friends and financial and prayer supporters. We will also make preparations to return to Kenya in August 2010. Part of that process is making sure we have the necessary financial support needed to carry us through our next term of service. While we have not always been fully supported over the last few years, we have watched God faithfully provide for all our needs! However, in order to be cleared to return to the field, we need to raise approximately $600 per month (plus some extra one time gifts to eliminate the shortage that has accumulated over the past two years). If you would like more information on our specific support needs, please contact us or check out the “Partner with Us” section of our website.

*** We would love other opportunities to share the ministry of RVA! Please let us know if you would like to invite us to YOUR small group, Sunday school, or church! ***

THANK YOU for being faithful in your prayers for our family. As you pray, remember to lift up this year’s staff and students at RVA as they, too, begin a new year. Quite a number of staff families were not able to raise the financial support needed to leave for Kenya in August. As a result, RVA begins another year with a staff that will be stretched immensely. We know God is in control and HE will give them the strength needed to daily love those precious MKs, as they teach and nurture them in the Lord. PRAY that the staff would be totally reliant on HIM for all things!!!

We will look forward to sharing with many of you this Fall!

To HIM be the Glory,

Brian, Missy, Rachel, Hannah and Micah