Archive for September, 2008

Good news and sad news…

No Comments » Written on September 29th, 2008 by Rusty & Brooks
Categories: General

First the good news!  Rusty’s mom came through surgery wonderfully!!!  We got a call last night saying that everything went well and they are hoping that she will be released from the hospital by Thursday!   Please continue to pray for quick healing and a speedy recovery.

The sad news… a dear man, John Barnett died this morning.  His family has been missionaries to Africa for most of their lives.  Personally, he had been around RVA for at least 1/2 of the 102 years that it has existed.  He’s been battling re-occurring cancer for the last year.  Two weeks ago he got an infection that resulted in hospitalization.  He had been getting better the last few days.  I don’t know what happen this morning beyond that he died and was welcomed by his Creator in heaven.   His impact in the community and country is already evident by the amount of grieve and sense of loss that is permeating our campus and community.   Please pray for his family and the rest of us as we grieve the loss of this great man.

Posted in General

Prayer Request

2 comments Written on September 29th, 2008 by Rusty & Brooks
Categories: Family, Journal, Prayers, Updates

Wow, two posts in one day!  Now for the request.

My mother is having surgery today (Monday, September 29th) on her knee.  If you could keep her in your prayers and pray for a safe operation and quick, speedy recovery, we would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

-Rusty

Posted in Family, Journal, Prayers, Updates

Interlude and Other Fun Things

4 comments Written on September 29th, 2008 by Rusty & Brooks
Categories: E-Mail, Family, Journal, Prayers, RVA, Updates

Ok, so I know I promised pictures of Titchie Field day, but the Internet here in Africa is crazy bad.  Imagine the slowest dial-up connection in the United States, and then you might get a glimpse of what we deal with every day.  There are times when it does speed up, but for the most part, getting anything done on the Internet takes hours.  With that being said, I have managed to get a few pictures up on the website.  About 8 or 9 to be exact in the last 2 days.  The interesting part is that none of them are from Titchie field day, so that will have to be in the next post, hence the title Interlude.

So, here are some pictures that have managed to make it so far with comments about them.:

This one has an interesting story behind it.  About a week and a half ago, Micah was playing in the front yard and found this horned lizard and decided he was going to try and pick it up with a stick.  He did manage to get it onto the stick and I was able to take this picture of the lizard.  As time went on and the lizard moved up and down the stick trying desperately to find a way to get off, it kind of got mad and then this next picture was taken.

NOT A HAPPY LIZARD!!!!!!!!

So then Micah decided that it would be fun to show our inside worker Rose the lizard.  He proceeded to go into the front door and into the dining room where she was working.  Rose, then said, NO, NO, NO, stay away and headed for the kitchen to get away.  Apparently, she does not like lizards or creepy crawly things.  Micah had fun though.

Our workers have become an integral part of our family and we could not get everything done that we need to without their help.  Sometimes, Kayla likes to help them with their jobs, especially when it involves helping Rose bake.

There are many other stories and pictures that we would love to share, and as time and the Internet connection allow, we will be posting more stories.

I would like to leave you with one last thought for today though.  As we have been here in Africa, we have realized that God is an every present help in time of need.  Many of the students and staff here at this school have had to rely on God every day to help them make it through.  There are times when the going get rough and you feel like you have nothing left to give.  It is those times that I personally have had to turn to God and say please give me the strength to go on, and somehow God continues to show up and give me the perseverance that I need to stay strong and to run the race.  Teaching 7th and 8th Grade computers has really stretched me and helped me with speaking in public.  I am slowly gaining confidence in my own ability as a communicator, teacher, and a surrogate father.  There are times when I have to do things that I may not always like to do, but God has been my help and has given me patience and understanding when it comes to dealing with my students and the dorm boys.  I would ask that you continue to pray for us as we continue through this first term here at RVA.  Pray that God would continually strength us as individuals and as a family.  I would appreciate it if you would keep my wife in your prayers as she has a very bad sprained ankle and knee and is having to wear a supportive boot for the next few weeks.  Pray that they would continue to heal and that they would be strong and that her every step would be firm.

I also would like to take this opportunity to remind you that our dorm boys pray for every prayer request that gets sent to us whether it be by mail, e-mail, telephone call, or this website.  So please make sure that you let us know how we can be praying for you and your ministries.  You can do this by visiting our Contact Page and submitting a Prayer Request.

Again, thank you all for everything you do.

-RM-

Posted in E-Mail, Family, Journal, Prayers, RVA, Updates

Titchie Weekend

4 comments Written on September 22nd, 2008 by Rusty & Brooks
Categories: Family, RVA, Updates

As I was looking at the website, I noticed that it has almost been 3 weeks since we posted our last update.  Sorry!  We are finally adjusting to life here in Africa and now have a fairly set schedule, so updates should be more frequent now.  We will try to update the site at least once a week, if not more.  Now on to the fun stuff.

This past weekend was Titchie Weekend.  Tichie Swot is the name of the Elementary school at RVA.  Both names come from old English out of Britian.  Titchie, meaning small person and Swot meaning to study.  So essentially, Titchie Swot means small studies.  What makes Titchie Weekend so special is that this was a weekend dedicated to fun and games just for Titchies and their families.  Many families came to visit their sons or daughters who are boarding right here with us at RVA.  On Saturday, they had a fun morning from 9-11 a.m. filled with carnival style games on the Titchie Soccer Field.  This year, they were all centered around pirates.  Walk the plank, Find the buried treasure, Swab the Deck, etc.  All of our 5th ad 6th grade boys had a blast.  After this there was time to hang out with friends and go to Studie and the Senior Store for lunch with parents, dorm parents, and staff.  Lots of good food, more games and fun.  To top it all of at 6:45 p.m. there was a Big Brother/Big Sister Movie Night.  All of the Titchies are assigned a big brother or sister from the High School and Junior High.  They got to sit with their big brothers and sisters out on the soccer field and watch the Movie: Ice Age “The Meltdown”.  Everyone had fun and there was even bags of popcorn and hot chocolate for everyone.  We do have some pictures of the activities and once I get them online I will make another post for everyone to see.

Thank you for all your prayers and support.

-RM-

Posted in Family, RVA, Updates

First days…

1 Comment » Written on September 3rd, 2008 by Rusty & Brooks
Categories: Family, Journal, Kenya, RVA

We have spent years preparing to come to Africa. The last couple weeks being crammed with new information about how life at RVA really works. Yet, nothing really prepared me for the reality of life when the kids arrive. I had heard that the students bring life into the campus when they are here. It is SO true. Our quiet, peaceful piece of Kenya has been invaded my squeals of delight as old friend see each other again, rings of laughter as kids play on the playground, yells of both ecstasy and fear as they soar down the zip line. Quiet only happen when they are all sleeping – maybe.

The sounds of kids were only the beginning. Meeting the parents and students who were mere names on paper days before and now were entrusting their children into our care – becoming extending family for at least the next year, probably longer. My first encounter with the new students was Sunday morning at a Chapel service we had on campus. Staff donning their red or black staff t-shirts supposedly knowing answers to any possible question (more than once did I overheard a question and ask myself, did we really cover that in orientation!? ) Suddenly, here they were piling out of a welcome meeting into the Chapel. Faces of every color and age. Emotions already ringing close through their eyes. The dreaded good-byes were near. I sat a few rows behind a family – father, mother, son – who spent the whole time with their arms intertwined around each others back in a permanent hug while they all worshiped God together. Watching families loving each other while loving God.

Later that day we got to meet some of our families. Oh what a thrill it was to finally meet them! The reality of what we were doing really sunk in as we listened to their parents, answered questions, and heard the hearts and stories behind what brought them to RVA. Ministries all over the continent – from all over the world, converging into our home.

Monday was moving in day. 10 of our 12 boys arrived that day. A few being reunited with friends, all making new ones. I am amazed and shocked at the incredible group that we have! For example: yesterday was the first day of school (pictures to come soon!). Last night we had one of our late boys arrive right before we covered high-low lights of the day. At least 3 of our boys mentioned that their “highs” of the day was the arrival of our new boy. His, after only being their about a hour, was how great he felt to be in the dorm and for all of his new friends! It was spontanious and quite amazing to me! They have taken him and helped him up to speed. Tonight they prayed for John, who will not arrive until this weekend. Prayers for safe travel and for him to come soon “so our dorm family can finally be complete”. Yes, we truly have great kids!

Back to move in day… I think one of the hardest (and humbling) moments is when one of our moms hugged my neck really tight as she was leaving and said “Now your his mom now. Please take care of mine and your son.” The magnitude of what we are doing hit me hard right then. Our boys reactions varied from “okay, bye! See you later!” to lingering hugs and tears as they said good-bye. I found myself emotional quite often throughout the day – and I was not the one leaving a child! I have gained 11 so far though!

I had doubts and wonders of “what in the world am I doing!?!” off and on this last week. They have all faded away as the boys arrived and even more as we have interacted with them these past couple days. I have no doubt that we are where we are supposed to be! True, its hard to be away from our family, but we can also relate to what the boys are feeling right now too. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this year.

We had our first dorm dinner tonight. It was fabulous! I definitely have to find some fun food to serve! We had Koren Beef, broccoli and rice tonight. We went through almost a kilo of rice, 1.5 kilos of beef and a head of broccoli!!! (If you have any great recipes that will feed 14 growing kids, let me know!) We had a great time telling stories and laughing… I have laughed SO much since the boys have come. They really do bring joy wherever they go!

Oh… two other things that arrival day brought with it: RAIN! Much, much needed rain. It was the first big rain that we had seen since we arrived! As well as ELEPHANTS! Rusty even saw them – unfortunately, I did not. They were going up the road on the other side of the school fence. They were headed up the mountain right through town. We heard that they went through the small tunnel (barely big enough for a car!) and chased one of the guards up the road! Yes, we truly are in Africa and life really never is predictable!

~Brooks

Posted in Family, Journal, Kenya, RVA