In Christ
Having the opportunity to preach in Colossians at RVA and teach through the book of Romans at Moffat has got me thinking of the amazing, often overlooked doctrine of our union with Jesus. Through faith, not only do we have our Savior walking by our side, he has taken up residence within us! I mean, how crazy is that! I would encourage you to dwell on that truth for awhile today and also consider how it should affect how you deal with the rest of your day.
Christ is the redeemed man’s new environment. He has been lifted out of the cramping restrictions of his earthly lot into a totally different sphere, the sphere of Christ. He has been transplanted into a new soil and a new climate, and both soil and climate are Christ. His spirit is breathing a nobler element. He is moving on a loftier plane.
Scottish Pastor James Stewart on union with Christ
Continuing Covid
Covid is still wreaking havoc in our lives here at RVA. We thought this term was the term we were going to be able to get more back to normal. And while we have been able to ease several of our restrictions, we are still masking inside for classes, and doing almost all of our other activities outside.
The reason is, that despite low numbers in Kenya, RVA has been experiencing its first real wave of Covid through the school, among both students and staff. This is the most we’ve had to use a “Covid Dorm” to isolate boarding students who test positive.
We even had the Kenyan Ministry of Health visit our campus in order to ensure that we were doing everything we could to minimize and contain it from spreading outside our gates! Fortunately, we haven’t had any severe cases, numbers are going down, and we’ve been able to continue many of our activities through this time.
Banquet
Some of you remember us writing about Banquet from previous years. This year’s Banquet is next Thursday (outside of course!). Banquet is put on for the senior class by the juniors. So this year Sophie’s class is building a set, cooking a meal, decorating tables, and putting on entertainment for Josh’s class – though both classes get to enjoy the evening. As senior sponsors, we get to dress up and be part of the special evening too!
About forty boarding parents are expected to come and work alongside the juniors – coming from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Djibouti, Burundi, South Sudan & two countries in North Africa – which is a definite highlight for all involved!
Moffat
I, Jonathan, am teaching through Romans again this term at Moffat. Added to my 9 certificate level students are 9 more third year students who wanted to take this class before they graduate in July. This is still a highlight of my week, and I can’t believe I get to be reminded of the amazing truths of this most important book again and again. It never gets old!
Midterm
For the first time since the start of Covid in 2020, students will get to leave campus during Midterm, from June 3-6. Unfortunately, they can’t leave the country, but many will get to spend time with their parents or guardians away from RVA.
Thankfully Pray
- Thankful we received a glowing report from the Kenyan Ministry of Health and can continue school
- Thankful to be able to do a few more things this term like traveling sports teams, and off-campus midterm
- Thankful for much needed rain
- Pray for Lilli and the rest of the Student Health staff that have been tremendously busy dealing with Covid and other sicknesses.
- Pray that Kenya would renew Lilli’s visa soon so that she can also get her Kenyan nursing license renewed. We’ve been waiting for five months so far. Until then she is limited on what she is allowed to do in Student Health.
- Pray for a successful Banquet and unity among the junior class as they put it together this next week.
- Pray for safe travel for our students and time together with family over Midterm, and for those who will be with guardians instead of parents.
Snapshots
