A Midterm Journey
Our recent Midterm weekend was filled with school busses descending down small misty mountains, careening off narrow muddy roads, swimming in hippo infested waters, and tightrope walking over a colony of marching carnivorous ants.
A normal RVA Midterm is a break that happens over a long weekend six weeks into the term. Students travel back to be with parents if they’re close enough, otherwise they spend the time with a guardian/friend of the family who lives near RVA. This year, while we still took two days off from classes, students were unable to return to their families.
Despite the initial disappointment, most of the kids really appreciated the opportunity to spend Midterm on campus with this community in activities, day trips, rest, and just getting to know other students and staff on a deeper level. The theme of this term is “Growing Together in Community” and so staff offered activities that invited students into their own faith/life journeys. These involved anything from hikes, game nights, to coffee roasting, worship/sharing times, and even waffle or wood-fired pizza making!
As Junior sponsors, we traveled with the class about an hour away near Naivasha for a special class day away. An added adventure was the busses getting stuck in the mud on the way. You’ll notice in the pictures we did not lack guys ready and willing to push!
One of the things we were praying for at the beginning of the term was that God would give the students a heart of thankfulness despite all the changes that had to be made. It’s been amazing to see the ways God has answered this prayer. Many of the students we’ve talked to have such a new perspective on the importance of being in community with others. They are just so grateful to be here together, they don’t mind that things have to be different.
And by the way, our campus is still COVID free! We’ve now moved to yellow on the protocols chart – still a lot of restrictions – but it’s progress!
Hopefully you’ve had a chance to read our recent guest posts on first hand experiences of the value of Rift Valley Academy over the years. We’re excited to soon share another post by our friends, Chris and Rebekah, on God raising up African missionaries to share the gospel to the unreached areas of their own continent.
Finally, we’ve been so encouraged recently in our worship by the song, May Christ Be All, by Grace Worship. I (Jonathan) have been making this my prayer each morning – as I get my soul happy in God.
Praise & Prayer
- We thank God we are able to be here with these students and for their positive attitude despite the restrictions.
- Praise that our campus remains COVID free!
- Pray that we all would love well and grow in unity and harmony as we seek to live in community with each other.
- Pray for the Junior class as they plan Banquet for next term, which is kind of a big deal at RVA. It’s a great experience for the students and a lot of work over several months.
- Pray for several health concerns in our immediate and extended family. Lilli’s mom, Kathie was just diagnosed with lung cancer. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance as they meet with doctors and determine what’s next on this new journey – and a strong sense of God’s presence and comfort and healing.
Foto Flashback
Our day away with the Junior class
Wow, sorry to hear about Lilli’s mom’s diagnosis. Praying for grace and God’s special touch of healing.
Hope to see you guys next month at RVA as we say our goodbyes.
Kim
Thank you so much for your prayers, Kim! So grateful! Yes, we are looking forward to seeing you guys soon! 🙂
Continued prayers for you all and your mission! We will add Kathie to our prayers. We know the cancer battle well on Matt’s side. Love hearing your updates and pictures.❤
God’s continued blessings for you all! ~Candace Johnson
Thank you so much, Candace! We are so grateful for your prayers and so thankful for your communicating with us. We always love your encouraging comments. Thank you for keeping in touch! We appreciate you so much! 🙂
As parents of 3 boys at RVA, we cannot begin to thank you all (and the rest of the RVA staff) enough for all you have done. Growing in community is definitely happening this term from what we hear from our boys. Though we were sad to not see them at mid-term, we are thankful to the staff for graciously giving up their own need of rest to make the break a wonderful one for all the kids! Our kids are growing and maturing in their faith, thanks to you all and the rest of the staff. Thank you so much for loving and serving so generously!!
It is our great privilege and JOY! 🙂 Oh, how we love your boys and all these kids! And we are excited that you get to have them home soon, and very soon!! Woo hoo!
God is so good!