To say that time has gone by fast since our last update is an understatement.  We finished out first term by celebrating  Christmas early with our Caring Community and our dorm.  Almost 100 buckeyes were made along with a variety of cut-out  sugar cookies and, of course,  chocolate covered Oreos.  The guys in our dorm enthusiastically decorated  gingerbread houses made out of chai cookies and candy we found in Nairobi.  (They were competing for a bag of M&M’s from the States.) The dorm Christmas party also consisted of Yankee Swap and watching Home Alone 3 like we did last year.   It was a great way to finish the term by having so much fun with the guys before they travelled many miles to spend the holidays with their families.

As many of you know we were blessed to be able to spend Ava’s first Christmas with our family while RVA was on break.  We looked forward to introducing Ava to her aunts, uncles and our friends.  Thank you for all that prayed for safety in our travels and for Ava to travel well.  We were encouraged to share personally with so many of you what God has been doing here at RVA.  Thank you all for your faithful support.  It was a wonderful trip for us in many ways which we are grateful for. 

We were anxious to resume our ministry here with our dorm kids.  Already our boys have had several tests, papers and projects that have been due.  In addition to them getting back into their studies our guys have:

·         Enjoyed a  Dorm Night with minimal injuries from pillow-sumo-wrestling and all the chips and salsa that they could eat
·         Started basketball season while others have started training for rugby season
·         Participated in RVA’s Outreach—some of our guys went with Todd to a school where a staff member has a feeding program and computer center
·         Prepared for Valentine’s Sales—several will be doing singing valentines while others will be selling cookies or roses 

 

This term is extremely busy at RVA.  Please continue to lift us and RVA in your prayers.  We rely on them.  Please pray that God will clearly lead and direct us in how we minister here as well as give us direction for our future.