The Five Most Frightening Words a Father of Four Year Old Twins Can Hear

March 29, 2006 by Steve Peifer

When Nancy asked me about going to Uganda, I told her that I thought it was a great opportunity and that she should go for it. Ben was a little more reluctant.
Ben: How will we eat when Momma is gone?
Katie: Daddy will order pizza!
I had to remind Katie that the pizza man didn’t deliver in Kenya, and so more practical measures were called for. The staff at RVA has a prayer meeting every school day, and when it was time...

Sometimes, it just takes a little rain

March 12, 2006 by Steve Peifer

Today was the last day of behind the wheel driving for the term. To say it was the happiest day of my life would be an overstatement, but not as much of one as perhaps it should be. If you have ever felt like your outdoor trash can is rude or has an attitude and you want to teach it a lesson, I have got just the class to do it for you.
ALL of the outside trash cans at RVA...

Fast Update

March 5, 2006 by Steve Peifer

1. Regarding Michael from the head of security at RVA: Well. The trial for the 16 (increased by 1 last month) began this morning. The first witness for the prosecution was a bust and had no support for the prosecution’s case. He couldn’t identify any of the accused as people he saw the night the police sub-station was burned.
However, 2 Administrative Policemen failed to show up today as witnesses. So, after a brief delay to see if they would appear,...

The Dying of the Light/ A Death in the Family

February 25, 2006 by Steve Peifer

The biggest and most honored tradition at RVA is the Senior Banquet. The junior class writes a play, builds the sets, puts together the music, cooks the food and serves it. It is a massive undertaking, and we have never been a part of it before this year. It was a wonderful success, not so much in the play and the food but in the unity that occurred in the class.
Perhaps the greatest part of it is how people ask...

Michael’s Update

February 5, 2006 by Steve Peifer

So many of you have written to tell us that you are praying for Michael, Theresa and their daughter Maureen as he sits unjustly in a jail in Nairobi. Thank you, thank you. It is an encouragement and blessing to us, but it has been an incredible blessing and strength to Theresa. Some of you have sent Scriptures and I’ve printed those out and given them to Theresa who then gives them to Michael. Many times...

The potato crop has failed

January 22, 2006 by Steve Peifer

I needed something to help my prayer life go to the next level. I had all sorts of plans and scenarios to make this happen, but God provided a better solution.
I’m teaching driving again.
Long time readers may remember that I taught driver’s ed at RVA in 1999, and that I got closer to Jesus that I ever thought I could. This time seems even MORE tailor-made for me.
Them: What should I do?
Me: To start with, don’t hit that bus.
Them: What...

When it hits you and won’t let you go

December 23, 2005 by Steve Peifer

When your father is the college guidance counselor, you hear lots and lots about different universities. It can make an impact, even if you are only four years old. During a bubble bath, Ben and Kate told me:
Ben: I’m going to Harvard.
Me: Why Harvard?
Ben: I already know how to spell it.
Katie: I’m going to Harvard too.
Me: Why Harvard?
Katie: I already have the shirt.
I marvel at their clarity, and can’t WAIT to read their application essays.
This has been a hard year...