There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord… but few of us are willing to do little things.
– D. L. Moody

As we absorbed the fellow dorm dad’s words, we realized that we could not be more content in the calling which God has placed us. Not a day goes by that we don’t thank the Lord for the opportunity to be at Rift Valley Academy. To love our dorm boys and educate these students is such an amazing privilege. Though we are willing to do “great” things for the Lord, we are content in flipping pancakes (MANY!), bandaging wounds, keeping track of instrumental practices & homework, cheering our guys on at tennis baseball games, reminding them of table manners, and instilling spiritual truths into their young lives. We find true JOY in these things.

One of our amazing sources of contentment is Jin Haeng Lee. Jin Haeng is the oldest of our brood and was born in Korea in September of 1999 (in the Korean culture, birth order or age is very important). At the ripe age of twelve, he has lived in the country of Madagascar since he was seven. He came to Rift Valley Academy during the second term of the 2009-2010 school year–just last year. He has a brother in grade eleven and a sister in grade nine. They both also attend RVA. His father is a surgeon with Africa Inland Mission who travels throughout Madagascar doing everything from pulling teeth to removing cancerous tumors to amputating legs. He often leads medical mission teams around the country. Jin Haeng’s mother is an induction coordinator who helps long-term missionaries get settled in Africa. She is a psychologist who tends to the emotional needs of the people in the capital of Antananarivo where they live. She also arranges for the medical mission teams to come to Africa, for their trips to the bush, and for the medications they will need on those trips. She sometimes even assists her husband during surgery.

Jin Haeng’s favorite thing about RVA is: “You can do a lot of sports. You have a lot of friends. And the education is good. And it’s a Christian school.”

Jin Haeng’s favorite sport is soccer. He plays the trumpet and is a very bright student. Jin Haeng brings a whole new dimension to our devotional time each evening. He is an amazingly deep thinker who loves the Lord and wants to serve Him as a missionary one day. We believe that God will use him no matter where he is in the world. He has a heart for the lost and desires to see them come to Christ. We have grown to love Jin Haeng and thank the Lord for bringing him to our dorm. We are reminded that without RVA, his parents would be unable to do what God has called them to in Madagascar.

Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.
– Benjamin Franklin

Our next source of contentment and joy is Danny Lo. Danny is Malaysian and was born in Malaysia in October of 1999 (this can OFTEN differ with missionary kids who have several countries attributed to them). Many think he is Chinese but he is quick to correct them and inform them of his Malaysian descent. Danny’s family moved to Antananarivo, Madagascar in January of 2009. Grade five was taken in a South African school. This is Danny’s first year at RVA and we love having him. His sister, who is in grade nine, also attends our school. Danny’s father is a pastor with the Lutheran Mission who goes to shops in the capital and invites nationals to attend their church, which resides in the same apartment building as their home. His father’s ministry is definitely one of friendship evangelism and caring for his flock. Danny’s mother is also a pastor but her work is more behind the scenes. She helps out with church-related ministries such as children’s programs and the library.

Danny’s favorite thing about RVA is: “I like that my friends live with me.” (he is a young man of few words!)

Danny plays the trombone & violin and really likes playing ping pong. He has come so far in the dorm this year. He was so reserved first term but eventually found Davis Dorm to be a safe place to “let his hair down.” He brings much life, laughter, academics (he is quite gifted), and music to our lives. We thank the Lord for him and for the plans He has for Danny’s life!

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.
– John Piper

Yet another blessing in our lives is that of Benjamin Andersen. Ben was born in Kijabe, Kenya on the first of January in 1999. His father Andy was also born in Kijabe ~ MANY years earlier! This family has a rich heritage of missions as Ben’s mother Margaret came to Kenya in 1990 and Andy was a missionary kid who attended RVA as early as second grade while his parents were missionaries in Africa. Then he became a missionary back in 1993. Ben came to RVA when he was in third grade. He has an older sister in grade eight and a younger brother who is in grade four (he will be one of our dorm boys next year!). They have attended RVA for several years.

The Andersens live in Kahunda, Tanzania, which is a peninsula jutting into Lake Victoria. Seasoned missionaries with Africa Inland Mission, their ministry is one of church planting and establishing biblical foundations for laity. They have founded eight churches on seven different islands within a three hour radius (by rowing a boat!). Andy assists & encourages the elders/evangelists to meet and grow spiritually by using seminars and small groups. Their goal is that each church will start three new churches in the near future.

Margaret is the founder and manager for Lake Victoria Christian Academy (LVCA), which exists for island pastors’ children. She teaches the faculty and students and manages the school finances. Margaret has a full time job just running the school, in addition to the many other responsibilities involved with assisting Andy. Once again, we are thankful that we can be here to help educate Ben so that the gospel can go forth in the area surrounding Kahunda, Tanzania.

How you can pray for the Andersens: Please pray for balance in their lives; for a qualified local Tanzanian to step forward to manage the school (LVCA) before their upcoming home assignment; and for good leadership to take responsibility for the area churches (2 Timothy 2:2).

Ben’s favorite thing about RVA: “They do fun activities for us ~ makes life here a little more interesting; makes you have something to look forward to.”

Ben plays the clarinet and his favorite sport is rugby. His longevity at RVA is a stabilizer in our dorm. He knows the routine and he’s good at helping others see the positive aspects of living in a boarding school setting. Another bright student, Ben often has his nose in a book. He LOVES to read! Ben loves to play the game Settlers of Catan when the opportunity arises. We enjoy that!! It has been a complete joy to get to know and love Ben this year. He brings laughter, a kind word, and displays a quiet leadership quality that we feel sure the Lord will use in an amazing way one day.

We have found such joy and contentment in serving and loving these guys! We’ll introduce you to more Davis Dudes in the future!

We are thankful for God’s provision through so many of you! Thank you for your faithful gifts which are a “fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Phil. 4:18b) We are learning to find satisfaction with little (and with much). “… for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Phil. 4:11b). We are learning the secret of being content, not like Paul in every situation, but being here at RVA has taught our family that we have all that we need to “abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8b)

Contentedly,

The Nielsen 6