Happy New Year from our Crazy Crew!

As we ended our first school term at the very end of November, we welcomed over 200 AIM members who live and minister in Kenya and Tanzania to campus for our Spiritual Life Conference. WHY do we gather together each year? We’re glad you asked! We gather to be rooted in Christ, renewed for service, so that we may return to our areas of ministry with fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, empowered to bring transformative impact to the lives and communities we serve, for the glory of God. During our times of teaching, were challenged from the Book of Daniel as we reflected on the theme of Heartfelt Mission in a Hostile World. What a wonderfully encouraging time of worship and fellowship.

After conference, we packed our bags and headed to winter weather in Pennsylvania where we spent time with each of our grown children, their spouses, and two grandsons, along with extended family, friends, and several church groups. What a blessing to have this gift of time together. We even got to enjoy some SNOW! ❄️

After an unexpected airport adventure from Washington to Lagos (Nigeria), then Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), we arrived back in Nairobi (Kenya), only three hours later than our original flight through Brussels (Belgium). Thankfully, our four pieces of checked baggage kept up with our new itinerary and arrived with us! It was so good to be home! 🇰🇪

Five days later, life and excitement returned to campus as we welcomed students back from all around the world for the start of our second school term. Our boys were happy to see their friends and quickly unpacked and settled back into dorm life. As we ended week three, all our K-6^th grade students enjoyed a water-themed field day! Below the equator, we are happily enjoying sunny days and temperatures in the mid-70’s! Visitors welcome! 😉

Here are some ways to PRAY for us this term:

• CAMPING TRIP: We’ll be taking our Titchie dorms camping this weekend! It’s always a fun time getting our seven guys and six girls off campus. PRAY for good health, safety, and fun as we make new memories together.
• AP CLASSES: These next twelve weeks of teaching and learning are critical as our students prepare to take their AP exams, which will happen in early May at the beginning of our third school term. PRAY for Brian and all our AP teachers as they teach and work with students to help them feel ready for these exams.
• MUSIC TOUR: This year’s three-day high school choir and band ministry tour will travel to schools in Nairobi at the end of February. The theme, Light in the Darkness, is focused on John 1:5 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” PRAY for the students and directors, as well as Missy (choir accompanist), through these weeks of learning music and finalizing tour details.

As we gathered together in preparation for the term ahead, the liturgy below was read as a prayer over our staff, those who have been called to live and serve together in this school community that sits high above the Great Rift Valley in Kenya.

A Liturgy for Labors of Community
Every Moment Holy, Volume 1, written by Douglas McKelvey

Our lives are so small, O Lord,
Our vision so limited,
Our courage so frail,
Our hours so fleeting.
Therefore give us grace and guidance
for the journey ahead.

We are gathered here because we believe
that we are called together into a work
we cannot yet know the fullness of.
Still, we trust the voice of
the One who has called us.

And so we offer to you, O God, these things:
Our dreams, our plans, our vision.
Shape them as You will.
Our moments and our gifts.
May they be invested
toward bright, eternal ends.

Richly bless the work before us, Father.
Shepherd us well lest we grow enamored
of our own accomplishment
or entrenched in old habit.
Instead let us listen for Your voice,
our hearts ever open to the quiet beckonings
of Your Spirit in this endeavor.
Let us in true humility and poverty of
spirit remain ever ready to move at the
impulse of your love in paths of your design.

You alone, O God,
by your gracious and life-giving Spirit
have power to knit our imperfect hearts,
our weaknesses, our strengths,
our stories, and our gifts, one to another.
Unite Your people and multiply
our meager offerings, O Lord,
that all might resound to Your glory.

May our acts of service and creation,
frail and wanting as they are,
be met and multiplied by the mysterious
workings of Your Spirit
who weaves all things together
toward a redemption more good and glorious
than we yet have eyes to see,
or courage to hope for.
May our love and our labors
now echo your love and
your labors, O Lord.

Let all that we do here,
in these our brief lives,
in this our brief moment to love,
in this the work you have ordained
for this community,
flower in winsome
and beautiful foretaste
of greater glories yet to come.

O Spirit of God,
now shape our hearts.
O Spirit of God,
now guide our hands.
O Spirit of God,
now build Your kingdom among us.

Amen.

May this be your prayer, too, in whatever community the Lord has you planted at the beginning of this New Year.

With our love and thanks,

Brian and Missy

Greetings from warm and sunny Kijabe! The sun is shining, the grass is freshly mowed, parrots are migrating through the campus, and colobus monkeys are playing in our trees while eating the succulent leaves. In the past two weeks, we have had several vivid reminders of why we do what we do.

Student Baptisms

Just 10 days ago we had the privilege of hearing the testimonies of eight students who chose to be baptized! Each student shared their testimony and their personal, heartfelt story of discovering who God is and how much he loves them. Many had hard experiences and had to wrestle with God, ultimately surrendering to his love and redemption found only in Jesus. This is a good reminder of why we do what we what we do!

Connections with Alumni and Parents

Just a few days ago, we had lunch with a Korean couple who are retiring after 40 years of ministry in Africa. As they shared some of their story, they asked if we remembered their children. Brian had taught both of their children, who graduated in 2000 and 2002! We are the only staff members still at RVA from those years and these dear parents were so excited to connect with us. Both of their children are married and involved in ministry around the world. We’ve also recently connected with other alumni who are now serving as missionaries in East Africa. More reminders of why we do what we do!

AIM Spiritual Life Conference

As our students departed on Saturday morning, AIM missionaries from Kenya and Tanzania began arriving at RVA. We were excited that RVA was again hosting the conference, for the first time since 2017. The speaker, a Kenyan pastor at a church in Nairobi, shared from the Books of Daniel and Revelation, reminding us why we do what we do. We were challenged to be different from the world, to dwell on the sovereignty of God, and to recognize that missions is the fruit of worship. One quote that stood out was that modern Christianity often says to God, “I will follow you because you make my life better”; but biblical Christianity says, “I will follow you because YOU are better than life!”

Lots of thought-provoking questions from our speaker:

• Will we choose obedience over deliverance?
• Will we worship even if it kills us?
• Will we weep for those facing a Christ-less eternity?
• Will we keep Christ at the center of our lives?
• Will we partner with God in turning rebels into worshippers?

And…we’re off!

Tonight, we are flying to the US to spend a few weeks of our school break with family. We are looking forward to seeing our three children, their spouses, and our grandchildren, along with extended family and friends. Pray for safe travels and rich times full of blessings with those we love so dearly.

You are appreciated, as you continue to support us through faithful prayer and giving. Without you, we would not have the privilege of being able to do what we do for so many years as we serve and support many families and their children from across Africa and beyond.

In His Service and for His Glory,

Brian and Missy

Our midterm break begins TODAY as we finish out our 6^th week of school! PRAY that all students and staff would have a restful and fun few days.

When our students return from midterm, we’ll begin our annual Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW) – five days of focused worship and teaching from God’s Word. This year’s theme, From Conformity to Transformation, comes from Romans 12:1-2.

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Nigel and Jessie Paul, our speakers for this year, are the founders and directors of a ministry called MoveIn Global, which encourages and supports Christians who prayerfully and intentionally move into unreached, urban poor neighborhoods around the globe (https://movein.global). There are 81 teams of approximately 400 “MoveIn’ers” in 53 cities, 14 countries worldwide, who know about 20,000 people by name in the communities where they live.

Here’s a short video introducing their ministry: Watch the video here

YOUR PRAYERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!

PRAY for powerful times of worship led by a team from Nairobi Chapel.

PRAY for freedom from guilt, fear, distraction, and discouragement.

PRAY for a deeper understanding of God’s love through teaching from His Word.

PRAY for renewed and transformed hearts and minds.

PRAY for the Holy Spirit to be at work on our campus.

In His Service,

Brian and Missy

A LOT has happened since our last update in June!! Here’s the latest news!!

AP Calculus: It’s been 16 years since Brian was first invited by the College Board to score Advanced Placement Calculus exams. He spent nearly two weeks in June first collaborating with other teachers to refine scoring standards for the free response questions and then leading his table group as they evaluated tens of thousands of individual questions over the course of seven days. Brian thoroughly enjoys the annual opportunity to network with so many teachers, always returning with fresh ideas for the Calculus courses and the math curriculum here at RVA.

During the final day of scoring exam questions, just 30 minutes from the conference center, our 2^nd grandbaby was born to Rachel & Luke!!

JUDAH BENJAMIN arrived on June 17^th, making Cayden a BIG brother! What an incredible blessing that our grandson came a few days early, giving Brian three days to enjoy newborn baby snuggles before returning to Kenya! Micah & Lynnsi had already planned to be in the area at this same time, so they all enjoyed celebrating this precious new addition to our family together.

Coming HOME: During our last week of school, just two weeks after Brian returned to Kenya, Hannah & Jamie arrived back home for a visit! As our “Tribe of 9” finished the school year, we celebrated with a Mexican Fiesta, complete with a taco extravaganza, the Mexican Hat dance, and a pinata stuffed full of candy!

On the last day of school, the 6^th grade class crossed the stage, receiving a Bible and certificate for successfully completing the course of study required to move on to grade 7. Our boys all finished strong, having grown both academically and spiritually throughout the year. We are SO PROUD of their perseverance through hard and challenging things; and there may have been more than a few tears shed as they moved out of our home later that day. We will miss our 6^th graders as they move to another dorm and are thankful for the energy, laughter, and fun they brought to our home!

Alumni Weekend brought many former students back to campus to “walk down memory lane” with friends and staff from their years at RVA. We always enjoy watching sports games played between alumni and the current varsity teams. So much fun to cheer for Jamie as he scored a try in the rugby game and then watch both Hannah and Jamie as they played in the alumni field hockey game!

It encouraged our hearts tremendously to have long conversations with alumni we had in our dorms and classrooms years ago (some are now in their 30’s and 40’s), or those who were members of the classes we sponsored. What a joy to hear how God has been faithfully at work in their hearts and lives since they graduated from RVA. How grateful we are to have been part of their stories.

Kazakhstan & USA: After bidding farewell to the graduated Class of 2025 and spending a wonderfully relaxing time at the Kenyan coast as family, Brian was off to Kazakhstan to lead an AP Calc workshop for teachers. During the last year, he has had the privilege of teaching several online and in-person workshops, sharing best teaching practices for AP Calc which he has learned over 35 years of experience! While Brian was deep in conversation about limits, integrals, and derivatives, I was off to meet 6-week-old, Judah, and make new memories with big brother, Cayden. Before heading back to Kenya (which turned into an unexpected nearly 3-day European airport adventure!), I enjoyed a few days in PA with Micah, Lynnsi, and extended family.

MORE New Arrivals: With the start of a new school year, we welcomed many new staff, including a new school superintendent, along with 91 new students! Six of those new students are part of our dorm family this year, along with our one continuing from last year. We are excited to love, care for, and walk alongside this group of 4^th through 6^th grade boys!

This week we received a prayer letter from AIM’s new South America director. In the letter, he asked, “Why does God entrust us with tasks that go beyond our capacity to carry them out?” He went on to share, “The answer we’ve found is simple and profound: so that God may be exalted. The truth is, it wasn’t Moses who delivered the people from Egypt (Exodus 14:13–14), nor David who defeated the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17:45–47), nor Esther who saved her people from death (Esther 4:14; 7:3–4). So, who accomplished all these wondrous deeds? The answer: it was God! He is the true deliverer, the invincible warrior, and the defender of His people. Moses, David, and Esther were merely fragile instruments, available in His hands, used by Him to reveal His power and fulfill His eternal purposes. And the same is true for us: if God uses us, it is by His grace and for His glory.”

Your prayers are a blessing as we step into a new school year:

Prayer Requests

• New Arrivals!!
  • New school year – A new school year brings many new staff to our campus. PRAY for quick adjustments to life in Kenya and RVA, strength and energy to meet the responsibilities of each day, and time to rest and recharge each week as we head into a 13-week school term.New students – SIX brand new 4^th-6^th grade boys in our dorm (out of 7), and 91 new students to RVA (~400 total enrollment). PRAY that each new student will feel loved, welcomed, and accepted as they transition to life at RVA.
  • New Superintendent – Our new superintendent, William Ripley, and his family arrived with many other new staff members in August. Relocating from Texas to the mission field is huge! PRAY that William will learn the rhythms and values of RVA as he seeks to provide vision and leadership going forward.
• PRAY for our 7 dorm boys to feel secure, loved, and “at home” as we care for them this year.
• PRAY for good balance as we serve students and families in a variety of roles both in and out of the dorm.

May God be exalted in all He’s asked us to do, by His grace and for His glory. Amen.

Brian & Missy

Crazy to think that we are half-way through the final term of this school year! Here’s what we’ve been up to since our last update.

African Field Studies in Cape Town – During our week-long school trip with seven juniors and seniors, we learned about the history of South Africa from early settlers to the end of apartheid, marveled at the diverse natural history and neighborhoods in and around Cape Town, experienced current ministries going on in the area, and were challenged by the complexity of contemporary issues facing South Africa and ways those issues are being addressed. We also thoroughly enjoyed tasting traditional South African cuisine!

Term Break Blessings – We had two glorious weeks of heart-filling joy, laughter, and fun with our grandson (& his parents), Micah & Lynnsi, as well as dear friends and RVA alumni at a marriage celebration! We returned to Kenya with tired bodies, thankful hearts, and special memories from our time together.

Third Term, Part 1 – Here are some of the highlights from the first half of this term!

Ways to Pray

• Brian is currently Stateside scoring AP Calculus exams while Missy is single parenting our nine boys as RVA heads into the final stretch of the school year. PRAY for good health, strength, and restful nights at the end of long days.
• The senior class is experiencing their *lasts* with graduation just five short weeks away. PRAY for good closure as they make final memories together and excitement as they look ahead to where God is leading them next.
• In the same way, current RVA staff will be leaving while new staff are preparing to come. As we look toward starting a new school year in August, there are still needs for teachers, dorm parents, and support staff. PRAY that God will graciously fill these needs with the right people at the right time.

Family News

• Rachel & Luke (along with Bibi & Babu) are anxiously awaiting the birth of their second baby (grandbaby) any day now! PRAY for a safe delivery and that this sweet addition to the family would arrive in plenty of time to receive love and snuggles from Babu before his return trip to Kenya. PRAY for a healthy baby and a smooth transition to a family of four.
• Along with grad school classes and church commitments, Hannah & Jamie are preparing for a long-awaited trip back to their childhood homes in Kenya! They’re looking forward to arriving in time for RVA’s alumni weekend, spending time with both sets of parents, visiting special people and places, and vacationing together at the Indian Ocean. PRAY for good health and safety in travels, along with making fun new memories together.
• Micah successfully finished his second year of teaching middle school math & Lynnsi is fully funded and excited to begin her new role as a TCK Specialist with Interaction International! Check out her website to learn more: https://lynnsiwagnertckspecialist.my.canva.site. PRAY for all they have going on this summer between grad school courses, week-long camps for TCKs in transition, and preparations for changes in their jobs.

We’re so grateful for an amazing team of prayer warriors over many years of life and ministry at RVA. You are a blessing!

Brian & Missy