The theme for the day? ONE. ONE WORLD; ONE COMMUNITY; ONE UNDER CHRIST. MANY CULTURES; ONE WORLD. Needless to say, it was an emotional day for the Nielsens–with three countries represented within our family alone! As the country of Kenya was announced, the crowd roared–the place truly erupted in a celebration for the country that brought us all together as one body! The tears could be held back no longer! They gave way to a thankfulness to the Lord for bringing us to this amazing place! I’ve never experienced anything like it in my life. I learned by day’s end that this is, by far, everyone’s most favorite day of first term–and possibly, the whole year. For one, there is no school (it is a Kenyan national holiday). And next, we get to play games all morning (all the staff and students are divided into teams), enjoy a BBQ lunch, watch Maasai dancers, and then relax for the remainder of the day (I’m writing relax with tongue in cheek–does one really “relax” when one has 12 children?!).

We realize anew what an awesome privilege it is to be able to meet the needs of these students while their parents are ministering in various capacities throughout Africa! Serving in this way has filled a void and passion that has been in our hearts for many years!

Samuel Kiolo, one of our Maasai guards, with the kids.

Many have asked us questions about our responsibilities at RVA. There seems to be a similar pattern to those questions so we thought it might be a good time to share those answers. If you think of more, send them our way.

A. We have a dorm dinner together on Tuesday evenings. We have enjoyed tacos, chicken curry, pasta with meat/tomato sauce, BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, taco soup, Thai chicken wraps, pizza, and more. Their favorite of this term seems to be taco soup with corn bread and taco chips. We also feed the boys breakfast every Saturday and Sunday mornings.

A flat of eggs is the equivalent of 30 eggs here in Kenya. We can easily go through at least two flats of eggs in a weekend. The rest of the boys’ meals are taken in the cafeteria. We also provide a snack for them each evening just before our devotions. This can range from cookies to a spring roll to a muffin, or brownies and ice cream. Patti tries to be creative.

A. Travis is teaching Computer Information and Technology (CIT) to two classes and Graphic Design. He is also involved in helping the high school students prepare the year book, which is a huge undertaking. At first, Travis was overwhelmed with teaching a computer course with which he had no knowledge (He is a Mac man!), but now he is comfortable with his students and enjoys teaching them. He gets to have contact with the high school students–something Patti misses out on!

A. No. In fact, every Monday morning before school, our boys load up their big blue laundry bags and put their socks and “chupes” (you guess!) in velcro bags and drag them down the dorm steps onto the front porch. Our national staff in the laundry department drive over in a van and pick them up. By the time school is finished, our boys’ clothes are washed, dried, nicely folded, put back into their laundry bags, and returned to our front porch. When the boys are finished with school for the day, they haul the bags up to their dorm rooms and put their clothes away (in theory!). Laundry for 6 is enough to keep Patti hopping! Laundry for 14 would be CRAZY!

A. Not one that can be completely defined. Moms of preschoolers usually don’t take on official “jobs.” Patti was offered to take a position in the Guidance Office for 15-20 hours per week. The Titchie (or elementary) dorm supervisors discouraged her from doing so since it will be Levi’s last year at home with mom. So, with that in mind, Patti spends many hours in the kitchen, planning and preparing meals; many hours in Nairobi (with Levi when he is not in preschool) re-stocking her cupboards; many hours trying to make our house a home (it takes so long to get settled here–without a local Walmart); and many hours running errands for our extended family (the dentist, Student Health Services, and a myriad of other things). Patti is also involved in a women’s Bible study, teaches Sunday School to first graders, and helps out in the kids’ classrooms for special activities.

A. Thankfully, we have very qualified staff who run Student Health Services (or the infirmary). They care for every aspect of our students’ health: immunizations, vision, dental, injuries, and all illnesses. When our kids get sick, they go to SHS to be carefully examined. If they have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea (a huge part of living in Africa!), they are relocated to the infirmary so as to try to prevent the spreading of illnesses to others in the dorm. A major virus went through the school during the first half of this term and some dorms were hit really hard. Thankfully, only 2 of our guys got sick; there were several injuries, but not many sicknesses. We take time to visit our guys when they have to stay overnight at SHS as we know it’s not their favorite place to be!

A. Maybe not “friends” as much as growing close relationships with our guys. We channel all of our time and energy into them (and our kids) during the school term. There really aren’t enough hours in a day to work on personal connections outside of the dorm. It’s a sacrifice that we are so willing to make! We have grown to love our guys in a way that we never dreamed possible in just 9 weeks! They are precious and we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them, feed them, laugh with them, and occasionally rebuke them in love. We cannot wait to see what God will do in our dorm during the remainder of this term and throughout the school year!

We cannot thank YOU enough for your constant prayers and giving so that we can be a part of these students’ lives! We are reminded EVERY day that it would not be possible for us to be here without God using YOU in OUR lives! We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, concern, and faithful giving that is graciously offered to us. Asante sana! Many thanks!

Joyfully,