End Well

Our days in Kenya are quickly coming to a close. We are in a whirlwind of activities helping everyone here to "end well." People use that expression in their prayers and we've even had a seminar to help us do just that.

Our good-byes started with a touching afternoon chai break during which the one hundred African nationals who work here at RVA were honored. Those having reached milestones of twenty-five or thirty years were given a sofa and chair, a new stove, and a tank (large storage tank for water). These were the gifts that they had chosen. Unfortunately, this was sprung upon us so I didn't have my camera.

On the Fourth of July the morning service was a baptismal service held outdoors in the amphitheater setting behind the gym. Our neighbor, Jim Holt, did two of the baptisms and here you see him baptizing one of his students. Each student could chose whom he or she wanted to do it. Some of our younger students played Zacchaeus and spent the two hours in a near-by tree. The student's testimonies of their faith in Christ were very touching and encouraging.

That afternoon all Americans were invited to a Fourth of July picnic at the basketball court right behind our house. You can tell by the clothing that the weather was not what we are used to on the Fourth of July. Yes, those are gloves that one lady is wearing!

On Monday after school, a reception was held in honor of those leaving. The superintendent said nice things about everyone (some are leaving for good and some will be returning after a year furlough). We, along with others leaving, received a card that people had written paragraphs in and signed. Thirty people wrote in our card - a precious keepsake.


Yesterday we attended our first African wedding. The bride was the daughter of the man we have hired to drive us away from campus all year. This is Elisha, our driver, and his wife, Esther, coming into the church together. We were at the church for three hours! We did not have time to stay for the reception but it was a wonderful African culture experience.

Our grades our in, we have two and a half more days of classes. Packing, returning items we've rented or borrowed for the year, and saying good-bye will be our main activities until we get on the plane July 20. We trust we will end well but a section of our hearts will remain in Kenya. We thank God for a life-changing year.