Greetings from Kenya!
WHERE WE’VE BEEN:
The last month of 2022 was FULL! Our nine boys finished first term well and headed off to be with their families for five weeks. Six days after they left – with house decorated, cookies baked, and bags packed – we were on a plane headed north to visit Micah, who was student teaching in Amman. What fun it was to see him thrive in a new culture, meet the staff at his school, and watch him teach math to his 7th grade class. We enjoyed walking in the wilderness, bobbing in the Dead Sea, gazing at the Promised Land, exploring Petra, sleeping at a Bedouin camp in the desert at Wadi Rum, diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea, and exploring the ruins of ancient cities. We were back home in Kenya for five days when Luke and Rachel arrived for Christmas! Our time together was short, but so very sweet. We finished the year with thankful hearts for the gift and blessing of quality time with our precious family.
WHERE WE ARE:
The day after our 14th annual New Year’s Day Pennsylvania Dutch Pork and Sauerkraut Extravaganza, we welcomed our boys and jumped back into the school routine. We’ve worked through some nights of homesickness along with coughs, colds, and tummy troubles. Brian began the term teaching a third AP class and supporting a new teacher in the math department. This is a busy time of year for Missy in the admissions office as applications are reviewed and decisions are made for accepting new students to start in August. After the school day, it’s back home for “chow time” with the boys, instrument and sports practice, study time, dorm devos, snack and bed. We’re grateful for a good start to the term and know you are praying for strength, good health, wisdom, and discernment as we walk through each day.
Three weeks into each term is a weekend focused on our Titchies (elementary students). Some parents were able to come for Open House on Friday to attend school with their children. Sadly, others live too far away. Since we are enjoying warm temperatures and sunshine here below the equator, this term’s field day was filled with WATER GAMES! Of course, the water slide is always loads of fun! Many of our kids had part in our Titchie Sunday service – leading worship, playing an instrument, sharing about and praying for their class UPG (unreached people group), and singing special songs in different languages.
WHERE WE’RE GOING:
As we head into the second half of this school term, we’re excited about our upcoming dorm trip, a night out at an Italian-themed restaurant put on by the sophomore class, music concerts, junior high drama, and more! At the end of this term (in addition to dorm clean-up and getting our boys packed and ready to leave), Brian will be leading a group of juniors on a Scuba interim trip to the Kenyan coast and Missy will begin accepting and enrolling new students in preparation for the next school year.
A LITTLE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD:
It won’t be long before we are headed back to PA for a few short weeks in May to celebrate the end of one season and the beginning of another! Micah and his fiancé, Lynnsi, will soon be walking across the stage to receive their undergraduate degrees from Messiah University; and three weeks later, will be walking down the aisle together as husband and wife! And, just like that – three years, three kids, three weddings, and three spouses, who we are blessed to have as part of our family. Rejoice and give thanks with us for God’s faithfulness as seasons change!
URGENT NEED FOR THIRD TERM:
As part of the ongoing cycle of changing teachers in the math department this year, we need a Precalculus teacher for third term. This is from the end of April to early July. We may even be able to work with someone who could cover this for just 6 weeks from the beginning of June until early July. Please reach out soon if you or someone you know might be able to help fill this critical need. The good news is that it looks like the math department will be back to being fully staffed next school year!
Ways to Pray!
- PRAY for Micah and Lynnsi as they continue through their final college semester, apply for jobs, search for a place to live, and prepare their hearts for marriage.
- Brian continues to lead RVA through this cycle of accreditation. PRAY that our school community would seek the Lord for the ways HE wants us to grow as a school.
- We are heading into a few months of significant travel. In addition to family celebrations in May, Brian was asked to be in a leadership role for this year’s AP Calc grading in Kansas City this June. PRAY for reasonable flights and a host of logistical details that need to be figured out for our time stateside.
- Our next home assignment will be from Dec 2023 – Aug 2024. PRAY that the Lord will begin to show us what this time of rest and renewal should look like.
- These are exciting times for us and our growing family. PRAY that God will give us complete knowledge of his will and give us spiritual wisdom and understanding. PRAY that the way we live will always honor and please the Lord and that our lives will produce every kind of good fruit. PRAY that we will grow as we learn to know God better and better. PRAY that we will be strengthened with all his glorious power so we will have all the endurance and patience we need. PRAY that we will be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. (Colossians 1:9-11)
We know you are praying for us. Let us know how we can be praying for you.
In His Service,
Brian & Missy
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