From Nancy

November 10, 1999 by Steve Peifer

I’m in Kenya, not just RVA. Sometimes it’s hard to remember because we get so busy here. But this past week I’ve had several opportunities to be in Kenya more than RVA, and I loved them all.
First, our dorm went to deliver food to widows in the area. We didn’t have to go far off campus at all to get to the homes of widows in need. The homes were very small. The last one we visited was one small...

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Completely

November 8, 1999 by Steve Peifer

Jim Hoeksema is leaving Africa next week.
You’ve never heard of him. When he returns to the states, no one will be waiting for him at the gate with posters and no band will play. He wouldn’t want anybody to do that anyway. But he is a true hero, and I wanted someone to know that besides me.
Jim is from Iowa, and looks it. You would never know that he is a Ph.D. in Applied Sciences and a professor at a...

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Last week’s fun and realizations

November 3, 1999 by Steve Peifer

After writing an update, Steve and I always wonder if we are finally going to start running out of things to write about, but each weeks brings new fun and new realizations.
The fun last week was the Titchie Talent Night. I know Steve wrote about it, but I can’t help but say something. It was too…too…too! First, let me brag on OUR boys who really did have GOOD acts! Matthew played piano and did very well, although Jessie, the dog,...

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Titchie Torture Night

October 31, 1999 by Steve Peifer

Titchies are the first through sixth grade students at RVA. And from the first day I arrived in Africa, I had been warned about this night. The real title of the evening is called `Titchie Talent Night’ but different staff members had renamed it Titchie Torture Night.’ 37 different acts from the small fry set.
And as in much in Africa, I was naive. Surely it would not be as bad as everyone had said. Surely there would be delightful acts....

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Steve’s eye is fine!

October 26, 1999 by Steve Peifer

Thanks so much for your prayers. God touched Steve’s eye and the doctor found nothing to be concerned about!
Here are the details. Steve woke up this morning with lights flashing in his right eye (not the one with the problem last Nov.). We knew this to be a warning sign of a retina tear or detachment so we notified the medical folks here at Kijabe. They got an appointment at Aga Kahn Hospital in Nairobi for 2:00 and took us...

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Urgent prayer request

by Steve Peifer

Dear friends and family:
Steve, as most of you know, had a retina detachment last November. This morning he woke up with some of the same symptoms in his other eye. Please pray. We are trusting the father, but covet your support in this. Kenya is not Dallas in terms of retina specialists. But Jesus is the Great Physician. The medical folks here in Kijabe are looking into someone in Nairobi to take him to. We’ll keep you posted. Our love...

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A sunny Sunday in Kijabe…

October 25, 1999 by Steve Peifer

Just 4 weeks left to this first term of school. Time flies here in Africa too! I’m finding I have mixed feelings about how quickly the time is going here. On the one hand I miss all of you, my dear friends and family. On the other hand, I really can’t imagine leaving here. Now don’t worry, we MUST come home after a year because of our status as volunteers and tax issues, so we will be home. Grace and...

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WE CAN’T TAKE A BATH!!!!

October 23, 1999 by Steve Peifer

It would be hard to find the bright side of having no water, but never underestimate the power of a ten-year-old boy. On Tuesday, we had no water; the drought is making it tough for everyone. Everyone but ten year old boys. Slowly, the revelation struck them, and the euphoria swept through the dorm like a fire:
WE CAN’T TAKE A BATH!!!!
I am sure I have seen more rapturous joy before, but where escapes me at the moment. It was as...

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