Last week I wrote about Kenya. This week I have to write about RVA. Although RVA is in Kenya and is influenced by Kenya, it is not really Kenyan. And it is a unique experience to live here. The following are interesting facts about living and working at RVA based on real events in the lives of real people (us) this term:

1. The only fist fight I had to break up as a dorm parent of 5th grade boys was because Boy B spit out his toothpaste into the clean sink that Boy A had just cleaned.
2. I have never before spoken so freely, casually, and frequently to people about my upper and lower digestive tract health. It’s a favorite missionary conversation topic.
3. I am now used to dogs being in all public buildings without even blinking an eye-unless it is our dog Jessie and she is in the cafeteria.
4. Just this week I experienced the rare camaraderie of sharing war stories. (The particular war being discussed was the latest stomach virus that hit campus this week. It was a really tough war and all battles fought on the dorm front happened between midnight and 2 am. The worst casualties were bed linens, and those who cared for the linens (aka ME).
5. I have discovered that 8 band instruments can be practiced at the same time in the same house. The results are interesting, but you can get used to it and tune it out. I’m still sane and that is proof.
6. I have learned that the fact that a child will always call for the female parent when they need something, even if the male parent is closer, is an international truth.
7. I have grown to love the unsolicited hugs I get from kids.
8. RVA is a dusty place. We have black covers on our sofa cushions, but I cannot tell you how many times I have dusted off and beaten out reddish-brown bottom prints!
9. At RVA you can still find high school girls climbing trees-and doing it well.
10. Pinewood Derby is an annual event of huge proportions here. It has been going on for years and years and is an all day event since there are 260 or so entrants. Winning the Pinewood Derby is quite a feather in your cap. I know you already know that JT was the student champ. People are still asking us and him how he managed to get that little car to go so fast! We can only answer that God helped him, because we certainly didn’t! It really was a special blessing for us all.
11. At RVA you celebrate Christmas very early, like the 18th of November (because the kids go home on November 24). So, I need to end this and finish preparations for the earliest Christmas party of the 1999 season!

Of note, the rains have continued for almost a week! Thanks for praying! There are hopes of getting some crops to grow now, but the harvest is 3 months away. Please continue to pray for these folks and for us in having wisdom on when and how to help.

Blessings on all of you.

Nancy