Out Of Africa

Welcome to RVA, where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average.

Becky came at the end of October for a 3 week rotation at Kijabe Hospital.  Collin and Ellen joined for a week when she finished.  We managed our responsibilities and took short trips with the kids when we could. We had a great time! The kids were so appreciative of our new surroundings and managed to travel and see some of the attractions where we live. All of us went on Safari to the Mara and saw things that we had seen only in movies and pictures. It was glorious! Even Nala gorging on Pumba was awesome!

It is not well known that Jane was a contract holdout. She was all set to go anywhere she was asked to go as long as she got to see our grandkids at least a couple of times a year. Being second career people with AIM and the fact that RVA by it's nature has longish brakes between each term, it was a fairly short negotiation. So here we are, back in the USA, and enjoying our first big break.  We got to spend 5 days with the kids and grandkids out in Utah and it was the best. A great time of connection and learning the bends of these beautiful children. Ari already knows that Nana can be trusted and Papa is silly. Jay has stopped crying everytime he sees us which is a big improvement. In fact, he awoke to us after a nap while we were babysitting and giving Ben and Christina a date night and, after a quick room check for Christina, he was off and playing and doing fine. Ben took two days off from work to hang out with us. So wonderful!

We have been away from Grand Haven for 155 days or so our computer tells us. We backed up our computers just before we left Michigan so we've been informed by them of the last back up. We will do that again as soon as we get back home. There is that word, home. Our place in Kenya seems like home. Our niece and her son, our great nephew (and he is great) are doing a wonderful job at the house on Lakeshore. It just is so much less like home than it was back in July. As our mission at RVA grows and our affinity for the people grow, our feeling of being at home in Kenya grows too. Not sure how that will change over the next 18 months, but looking forward to reflecting on it.

These blogs have been meant to track our feelings and emotions as we navigate, for us, what is a pretty big change. Thank you so much for traveling this journey with us.  We treasure your support and prayers.

We celebrate the birth of our saviour with you!  Have a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year! 

Things to Avoid in Kenya

Now that we have been in Kenya over two months, we are pretty much experts at all things cultural, environmental and...well, everything.  Our friends, Andy and Laura, are ministering in Hilton Head, SC, and everybody says "When can we visit?"   Very few of our friends (like none) have said,  "When can we visit?"  Even so, we thought it would be good to let you know what you may want to avoid if you jump on a jet for the short flight over. Our extensive experience has taught us much and we feel duty bound to share.

There is an insect here called the Nairobi Eye. What a nasty little rascal he is. About as thick as a piece of spaghetti and 15 mm long, (been here so long we use metrics). This guy is little but insidious. So what happens is, if you find one of these tiny creastures on a part of your body and if you accidentally crush them and get their bodily fluid on you, it literally gives you a chemical burn. For days you have an infected sore that is unsightly and painful. We have seen two in our apartment.  With great skill and daring we eradiated them. We crushed them with a paper towel. One of our dorm girls has a burn both above and below her knee from one of these sinister creatures. At this point we could post a shot of a red weeping sore that has been bandaged twice a day for about a week now, but does anyone really want to see that? Nairobi eyes, avoid them!

We have had much less luck dodging the next menace, the long prayer. While this species is not confined to Kenya we do have, it seems, our fair share (rampant among missionary folk).  Pretty sure that neither of us would be defined as big talkers nor long prayers. So, when we talk to God, we get to the point. He already knows all the specifics anyway.  The trick during these long prayers is to keep the eyes closed (although a peek occasionally to see other short prayer prayer warriors like you can be reassuring), heads bowed in reverence (trying not to nod off), and not to cheer out loud when you hear "In Jesus name we pray, Amen!"

 If given the choice of facing a long prayer or a Nairobi Eye we would probably take the prayer. It would be a close call though.  It might depend if we have any paper towel handy?

On the other end of the spectrum, is the elusive zip-lock bag.  These bad boys are banned in Kenya.  If you are lucky enough to find yourself in the possession of one, DO NOT SHARE!  You will never see it again! Treat it with care, washing carefully, until it no longer zips nor locks.  A proper burial may be needed upon its demise for closure.

Oh, the hardships we endure!!

Last night, at our Dorm Devotions, the girls shared about “their people”, what ministry their families were in and where they had served.  Talk about sacrifices and hardships!  Many have experienced several moves amongst several countries across the globe.  Some have been kicked out of countries because of wars, some fleeing during gun battles.  Many have lived in remote villages where the amenities of life are nonexistent.  Most have a hard time identifying where “home” the place is.  That is true sacrifice and hardship. But is it?  All the girls were able to identify the feeling of “home”, the area where God has called their family to serve, whether in one place for all their lives or many different places.  They have grasped the concept that where God wants us is where we should be.  They have lived this way of life, they have seen it modeled by their families, and they have been blessed.  What an inspiration!  Simple concept, complex in its implementation.  Is it a true sacrifice (consider what Christ sacrificed), is it a true hardship (consider what Christ endured) when we are following God’s lead?  Maybe an earthly inconvenience, maybe uncomfortable, but nothing when compared to Christ!  And the blessings promised us are beyond measure!  These young ladies have taught us a great lesson in following Christ.  We need to get out of the way and let him lead!

Now, if they could just grasp the concept that their bed needs to be made each morning. ..

Homework in our apartment.

Cloudy days

Who would have believed it? We just spent our coldest August of our lives and we are on the equator. Altitude will do that. Our school is at 7300 ft and almost all of our days have had varing degrees of clouds. In fact, last Saturday we were out early for prayer and a walk and not a cloud in the sky. By the time we finshed breakfast, it had clouded over and the clouds remained for the rest of the day. It was July when we left Michigan and we were going to Africa. So we made some packing mistakes. We were warned that it's winter over here now, but our brains just wouldn't let us reach for the sweaters. Oh well, we just wear our long sleeved stuff... alot!

As for our spirits? Mostly we have had sunny days. There is so much here to rejoice in. The kids are great. The staff is caring and supportive. The mission is clear and important. Yet we still let ourselves lose focus and have cloudy days at times. Jeff's was Sunday. He was frustrated with some detailed forms he had to fill out. This was compounded with the fact that the college football season had started and Michigan laid an egg. Somehow he thinks if he could have watched the game, the outcome would have been different.  That's a lot of pressure on one man!

For Jane, Mondays are hard. She still misses her little guys coming and filling her house, heart and arms. Mondays are the times she thinks most about what our kids are doing in the states and distance and time zones make the seperation hard to bridge.

Not complaints, just sharing. Last night before we went to sleep after a long day, we rolled over and asked each other "Are we making a difference?". Too soon to tell?  But it sure helps to clarify the tasks. Cloudy days or not, our "audience" stays the same. Col. 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  Our theme for the dorm this year is "An Audience of One".  We are trying to instill in our girls that they are to live their lives for the Lord, not for others attention or approval.  The same goes for us. We are here because Christ asked us to come. That really simplifies things. That clears away the clouds.

Sacrifices

The students have arrived, the staff is prepared, and yesterday we had our first worship service together.  As I stood among the students while we sang, I was overcome with emotion. To hear 400+ young people lift up their voices together worshipping our Lord was so powerful and beautiful, an amazing choir!  Then I thought of their parents and how they were worshipping at that moment.  Some were under a tree with no walls around their songs.  Some were worshipping with new church plants singing praises to God for new believers and praying for other hearts to receive the Good News.  Some were meeting in secret knowing God hears their quiet calls to worship.  I prayed that God would let these parents know that their children were celebrating and basking in the Savior’s love!  I prayed that these parents would know that their children would be taken care of to the best of our ability spiritually, emotionally and physically.

Saying goodbye was hard for the girls and their parents.  My heart broke for them.  Thinking about the beginning of school back in Grand Haven and not having my daycare kiddos back in my home and Jeff not being at Lakeshore Middle School, broke our hearts.  But I know God’s tender love and care will cover sacrifices made when answering his call.

The chapel at RVA

Goodbye LMS, hello RVA
Jeff's first day of teaching 8th grade math in Kenya

Ed

We have been in Africa a bit over a month. Things are going well if you ignore the fact that Jane has packed the wrong shoes. "What was I thinking!" is a direct quote. Jeff has jumped from adventure to adventure, first drinking coffee and now bookmarking his favorite zucchini bread recipe (lemon poppy seed is next). Our home is pretty much settled except for those darn bathroom towels that don't match. The dorm is close to being ready. Jeff has his class lists for his 2 sections of 8th grade math and we finally found a printer that we could get to work. We both feel like it is the calm before the storm.

Our dorm has 15 ninth grade girls from 6 different countries with 6 of the girls being brand new to RVA. The schedule starting next Friday is packed like a a missionary's suitcase heading to Africa for 2 years.  The setting here is amazing and the people are better. Tonight we were heading out to get lost on campus. We do this every night, the getting lost part.  It's dark at 7:00 and the campus is on a mountain side. Finding your way for the newbies can be pretty confusing.  As we were walking, we ran into the art teacher, Ed.  Ed has been here for 18 years. We mentioned we were feeling a bit overwhelmed. He empathized, smiled and nodded. Then he said, "If you can remember to find time for Jesus and each other you will do great."

The exact right thing at the right time. Thanks God! Sure there are times when God is silent and we feel alone. But the majority of the time, when we are open to Him, he shows up with skin on. Sometimes we are the ones reflecting God's love. Tonight it was Ed.  Thanks Ed!

When Do I Get An Aid?

When Jeff was a small boy, each Sunday morning the family would pile into a four door, blue, Impala and head to church. At some point they would count how many people were in the car and often the number was 12 1/2 (2 parents, 8.5 kids and the Jeager twins - Jeff was always counted as the half).  This Sunday we rode to church in a white Toyota suv with the steering wheel on the wrong side and 12 1/2 people in the car (this time the 1/2 being Lincoln, not Jeff).   What are the odds?

This was the second time for this 40 minute trip and things were already looking familiar. As we left the asphalt and continued on the narrow dirt road, we had an excellent view of the rural community. Wash being done in the river, papayas being sold, cattle herded, business being carried out and cell phones.... a very diverse picture. It dawned on us that this was a typical day for them. For us being transported by our ABO leaders, it was a cross between, learning, worship, community, all of it very new.

6 1/2 of us were dropped at the church where we were to worship and teach.  It was a wonderful 2+ hours of sharing and worshipping God. For the second Sunday in a row, way too much wonderful food was made for us. It was humbling, also uncomfortable,  how we were held in such high honor. After lunch we had time to talk with Janet, who is the pastor's wife, and serves in ministry in the church. She is an amazing humble servant of God. She is Mary and Martha all rolled into one. Relational with a servant's heart.

Janet teaches 5 year olds at the school where the church meets. She has 38 students in her class. We were stunned, that's a lot of fidgeting!  This lovely, hospitable, gracious, mother and wife is so excited to serve Jesus and advance the kingdom. It is mind boggling to be in the presence of one that is so high capacity and draws absolutely no attention to herself. We are in awe of the grace God has granted her! The Holy Spirit is active in Nakuru.

Jane and Janet outside the school.

Polepole We Learn

Hello from Kenya!!

We are in Nakuru attending our three week Africian Based Orientation. 

So it turns out that it is impossible to function without caffeine. Jeff has been trying to get the monkey of Diet Mt. Dew off his back going cold turkey here in Kenya. He made it one week. We are in "class" 8:30-5:00 each day and he was constantly falling asleep. So he joined the Starbucks generation. Another new thing we learned is it's nearly impossible to figure out how old single women on the mission field are. Also, we met a unicorn - a single, attractive male serving in missions. Very rare!

Our training is very interesting and the learning curve is steep. So far we have been particularly engaged with how to approach learning about a culture. If we ask how, when, or who instead of why, we are much less likely to put someone on the defensive. A phrase to remember is, "Just because it's different doesn't mean it's wrong".

The diversity of those called to serve in Africa is impressive - doctor, ex drug addict, dairy farmer from Minnesota, Ethiopian physics teacher, blond California girl, someone living with a brain tumor that just couldn't wait anymore to spread the good news.  We are particularly inspired by the families that are choosing to pick up and move 9 time zones with their children.  One family with three children ages 7 and under have chosen to chip polepole (slowly in Swahili) away at the enormous number of tribes that have never heard of Jesus. They are going to Northern Kenya to a boarding school that teaches students from 8 nomadic tribes in the region. That blows our minds.  We have become even more convicted with the calling God has placed before us, loving on the children of those serving in the field.  We are so excited to support those missionaries by giving them the knowledge and confidence that their children are safe and being loved while at Rift Valley Academy and in our care.

We thought we would not need to learn Swahili because English was spoken at the school. If we want to engage with any national, it will be far more effective if we make an attempt to talk in something besides English. Almost every national we have met speaks at least three languages, their tribe's, Swahili and English. It makes the most sense to learn Swahili if we want to reach others. Pray that our six decade old brains pick it up fast. For now it's polepole.

Shopping in Nakuru.  It looks like we are going to be OK!

Ready, Aim.... THANKS!

When making a decision the normal process is Ready, Aim, Fire. We made the decision to retire and go to Africa with AIM (Africa Inland Mission) in January, 2017. So it has seemed to us like we have been aiming for 18 months. Obviously, we were not ready to leave 18 months ago and the process has been refining, growing and, among other things, a blessing. We were preparing our hearts and getting our ducks and finding their rows. Our new adventure became common knowledge in our community in October of 2017. The delayed firing (or leaving) led to people seeing us at Meijers and saying, "I thought you were going to Africa?", or, "Are you home already?" Yeah, it seems like we have been aiming for a long time.

Mostly, this time of transition has been filled with counting and crying. We have been counting our blessings and, living in Grand Haven for the last 31 years, there are many. We were welcomed in 1987 so warmly by the schools and the football family that had been created. We were loved by daycare familes that have become a part of our own family. We joined a new group of believers that became our church who came alongside of us and loved us instantly. The blessing of Grand Havenites carried through until the last minute when we were driven to the airport by such dear friends and the crying came again. Being called "a big fat part" of a young friend's family brought tears.  (We think he was trying to be inclusive but Jeff has been eating a lot of cake lately:) Many blessings to count leads to many times of crying!

As we have reached the Fire part of our journey, we are just so thankful to have been a part of Grand Haven. Thanks! That surely is not enough! THANKS! No, not yet! Hmm...I know! A BIG FAT THANKS!

Turning the Page

Yesterday was our last day of work at our first careers. Jeff was asked how it felt, "I'm 90% happy and excited and 80% sad and nostalgic". For a couple that doesn't consider themselves overly emotional, these last few days have been filled with emotion more than 100% of the time.  Just as every coin has two sides, great positives have powerful negatives. We have been blessed to work with amazing people. People that love us and care for us and bring out the best in us. Saying "See you later" to these kinds of people is hard.

Jane has been having a particularly hard time saying goodbye to her daycare crews. Those from the past have been physically removed from our home for some time but the connection remains and is just plan painful to put on hold. The bus bunch that was in her daycare and are still coming before school left her in a crying puddle of goo as they left for school the last time, talk about melancholy! The current group that she feels she is quitting in the middle of and already missing and already lamenting the fact that she won't be a part of their growing up, is a special kind of sadness. Jeff loses his kids every year and, although saying goodbye to them was more emotional than usual, all in all it was pretty normal. Saying goodbye to people that you have worked with for decades, in one case 3 decades, really made a hole. No longer being a part of the Lakeshore Middle School team makes him so thankful for those people and yet empty. Saying goodbye to his Christian brothers from both Lakeshore and Grand Haven High School... it's best just not to think about it.

So yeah, turning this page is really hard to do. It's that whole coin thing, such rich blessed careers leads to a painful moving on. Then we think about the why we are doing this and our courage begins to rise. We have seen multiple amazing answers to prayer to get this far. It doesn't lessen the loss to be moving on to something that we are wholeheartedly committed to do, but it does help your brain wrap itself around this overflowing emotional turmoil that dominates your thoughts. Turning a heavy, beautiful, wonderful, relationship filled page to an adventurous, unknown, God inspired page is pretty blessed, don't you think?

What is "Happily ever after"?

We learned early in our married life that there is not really a happily ever after. At least not our definition. In our happily ever after, kids don't put screws up their nose (Ben), pipes don't freeze (picture Jane in the crawl space under our house thawing them with a hairdryer - she was not happy), and mufflers don't drag and throw pretty sparks all over the neighborhood (just embarrassing). Realizing there was always going to be something less than welcome coming our way, in the end, was pretty healthy. Knowing, after we mopped up the flood in the basement, there would be something else, while not desired, was somehow comfortable.

Over spring break we were walking on a beach in Louisiana and, as we looked ahead, there were obstacles everywhere. Debris laying every which way. It looked like it was going to be a treacherous walk. We started out and soon we were walking around branches, stepping over logs, and wading through puddles. In spite of the challenge, it ended up being a very enjoyable walk. When we finished, we remarked at how the walk was similar to life. Looking ahead, your eyes focus on the things (challenges) that get in the way of the walk. Things like screws and frozen pipes... well, you get the point.

Our journey to retirement, and a new road to Kenya, has had its share of obstacles. While, at times it has been a challenge and it hasn't always been fun, it has definitely been a joy. We are pretty accomplished at walking together and taking things on. A big difference this time?  We didn't even think about going without God. We have been very deliberate to walk alongside Him. Not ahead or behind. Thus the joy!

We are getting better at going God's way.  This is a long time coming. We are lifelong followers of Christ and still figuring out something that is elemental to the Christian life. Humbling?  Yes!  But, life is a highway and we're gonna walk it all our lives (I'm sure Rascal Flatts won't mind the paraphrase). The fact that God is still teaching us lessons and cares about our growth when He could/should have moved on to some faster learners is very encouraging.  See you down the road.

Nobody thinks about Me as much as I think about Me.

Without going into specifics, we have been living with a weight on our chest. How it stays there when we are changing diapers and hiking Rosy Mound Trail truly defies gravity. Today that weight was lifted and it is easier to breath. It has been a miracle. What we were told what couldn't be done, was done. We remember when a good friend prayed, "Let's go big! Let's ask that the path for the visa be cleared!" Thank you, Lord, for that answer. The relief is palpable. We both cried.  Which really is not a rare occasion, especially for Jeff (as you know Becky R:)  It's a surreal feeling and it takes more than a few minutes to fully sink in. We are so humbled by God's power and provision.

Monday night we talked with and supported a friend going thru a major medical issue.  Last night we were at a life group from our church and the prayer requests were significant. Six families in attendance and four of them going through major things. We prayed for each other and supported each other and then headed our separate ways. This morning we woke up with our issue in the forefront of our minds. Eventually, we brought the other issues to mind and lifted them up in prayer. How self-centered are we? We pray for hearts that think more of others and less about ourselves! Just this week we learned about: hairy cell leukemia, death of a roommate, premature profound hearing loss, and devastating pregnancy issues. Lifting up these issues and being supportive is the best way we know of to think less about ourselves.

In track, the hurdler knows where the hurdles are and is prepared. On this journey to Kenya, which is still almost 4 months away, we have said multiple times, "This should be the last hurdle!"   With the visa issue wrapped up, we are thinking no more hurdles?  But neither one of us is saying it outloud.  Pretty sure there are more hurdles ahead on the track. But our desire is to think less of "me" and more of others.

In another hurdle related matter, we are fully supported. Praise Jesus!

Answers to Prayer

One of the biggest growth areas we have had during this journey is how we anticipate God moving and showing us the answers to our prayers. For a long time, answer to prayer was, "Yes, you can have/get what you are asking for". As we matured we realized that nos and waits are often how we grew and were shaped. The idea that this is Answers to Prayer - Part One is exciting! We anticipate many more times when, out of our weakness, God will be lifted up and His strength will shine through.

Almost exactly one year ago we started to pray for unity about what to do in retirement. Jeff was restless but Jane felt her daycare was not finished until she got this last gang off to school which would be another two years. Then a cool thing happened. Jeff stopped talking and started praying. Praying for unity and a common desire. Jane began to feel the prodding that circumstances might be right to look into what God had in store for us sooner than she had planned. Our kids don't live close, grandchildren are in Utah:( and our parents have passed away. Perhaps now was the time to begin to apply to a mission agency and see where God might take us.  Answer!!

Last August we enrolled at a Connect Week with Africa Inland Mission. Neither of us were really too pumped to attend.  It was expensive, we were inside all week. We just struggled to see the fun. Before we left for the airport, we prayed that during the course of the week we would come to recognize God's desire for our future and, even if this was not the time to change careers, make some lifelong friends that we could support in their ministry. What a great week! Our call was clarified. We grew a huge appreciation for AIM and it's structure. We met 3 families that will be serving at RVA with us that you can tell will become lifelong friends. What a huge blessing to already know some people as we work, study and plan for the years ahead.  Answer!!

When we got home from Connect Week, we were revved up and ready to go. For Jane telling her families that she would be breaking what she believed was a trust, that she would be ending her care for their children at the end of this year, was extremely difficult.  But it was received with lots of love and support.  We started to pray that all four of her daycare children, three families, would be able to go to the same daycare. Again, God moved and, if they want to, all the kids can be at the same daycare next fall so the "buddies" can stay together!  Answer!!

In late September we compiled a list of families and friends to send our support letter to. We are from large families and have been blessed with many Christian friends and we thought this was going to be pretty easy. Write a support letter, outline the need, make the uncomfortable but necessary ask for financial support, and it would come rolling in. Not even close. We looked in the mailbox daily, nothing but Lands End catalogs. A huge generous gift by text and then nothing. We kept on praying.  A few months later, our financial supporters are many and varied but not at all what we predicted. God has used people to bless us in ways we could never have anticipated!  Answer (not what we thought/planned but better and blessed)!!

One of the questions we get often is, "What are you going to do with your house?" We answer, "We are praying for someone that would be blessed by our house and would be a blessing to us." The house blessing someone is self explanatory, blessing us needs a few words of clarification. We were looking for someone we trusted, we would be able to be picky and say things like, 'These shades need to be moved twice a month", and we could stay with them when we are in Grand Haven during breaks from RVA. At Christmas our niece Diane mentioned to Jane to keep her in mind if we needed someone to stay in our house.  She and her son, Gavin, needed to move in the summer from their current home. She and Gavin are the perfect fit.  Answer!!

So, we haven't gone anywhere and God is moving virtually everywhere we focus our prayer. Looking forward to seeing what answer comes next!!

Things we are praying about now:
- The last few hundred dollars a month of support.
-Continued time of study together. We have been spending 6ish hours on Saturday about every other weekend taking care of our required classes and reading.  Praying for perseverance.
-On March 21st we have a hearing to help sort our our visa issue.  Praying all goes well.
-Jeff's sister, Jane, fell and broke her arm and is recovering from surgery and balance issues.  Praying for pain relief and a quick recovery.

Baby Steps!

One of the things that stresses us out is what to take to Kenya. While we can get pretty much whatever we need within an hour of RVA, there are questions about price and quality. Some tell us to take very little.  Others, (who tell us they are minimalists) took 15 suitcases for a family of four. Everyone tells us to bring chocolate chips. Good to know! But we are counting on a friend's cookies (that's you Kristin) arriving on a regular basis. No one has given any advice on Peanut M&M's. Pretty sure they don't know about Jane's dependency on the candy that melts in your mouth, not in your hands. Probably we will have to get the UN to do an airdrop for those.

A bit of back story is needed to put last weeks stressor in context. We simply don't do things late. We are the early bird that gets the proverbial worm. Jeff is a lifelong member of the "Time Nazis". Seven o'clock means 7...blah, blah, blah. So last weekend we get a list of 7 or so families that are selling their households, meaning all you would need to set up your residence at RVA. For a variety of reasons, we missed the boat. Gone by the time we inquired. Huh? We looked at each other and said, "Hey, should we worry about this?"

At first, we were thrown off balance. As mentioned above, this is not a situation we find ourselves in often. It was uncomfortable, but only mildly so. We have a plan moving forward. We are counting this as a win. We didn't waste time worrying. We so often fall victim to stress and anxiety as chronicled earlier in these posts. Odds are that we will have to learn this lesson again in a new setting. But we are seeing signs of growth in our faith. Yay! Now, about those Peanut M&M's?

Waiting for the Sea to Part Exodus 12

As many of you know, we are working on a visa issue to be allowed into Kenya. This has been a frustration, hurdle, story problem, an unknown, stressor, humbling experience, learning experience, faith builder, well frankly it has dominated much of our thoughts and planning for nearly 2 months. It is being worked on from two angles, a lawyer here in the states and by AIM personnel in Kenya. We are confident in the end it will be worked out.

Here is some of what we have learned. During this time we have experienced many of the emotions the Israelites had when they were fleeing Egypt to go to the Promised Land. Let's not get carried away, we are not in fear of losing our lives nor are we fleeing slavery. More like there is a hurdle in the way of going from one great place to the next great place. Yet, it is how we feel. Our foot is in the air hovering over the Red Sea waiting for the sea to part. There have been tears. We have, for periods, turned our back on going and contemplated pulling the plug.  We have stopped our preparation.  We have lost some of the joy.  We have questioned our call. But mostly, we have looked up and focused on our Savior and looked for direction. We have been directed to:
     -Continue our preperation
     -Share our burden with more people
     -Count it all joy when we struggle
     -Embrace this opportunity to learn

Don't for a minute think we are complaining. In the middle, looking back, we can see God working. Looking forward, we have anticipation that he will remove the hurdle. Our preparation is back to a reasonable pace and we are making progress. Please continue to pray that we will be granted our visas and work permits. Thanks for sharing our journey with us even though we haven't really gone anywhere yet. Encouragement is a very high octane fuel.

In Case You Were Wondering

We, especially Jeff, spend time thinking about what is the bottom line? How much does this cost? High school play, Bob Seger concert, it doesn't matter, he will extrapolate the total and we will have a conversation about was this worth it? We attach value. We amatorrize, New mattress? 10 years? $84 dollars per year. That seems like a good value.

Two people well past middle age asking for $105,000 to spend two years working at a boarding school. Ouch!  Ooohh that may be a tad on the expensive side. Is this a good value? Well, we think it is a bargain. That's a full time person, most days 24/7, for under $27,000 a year. Both of us look at each other and think getting him/her for that amount to do what is being asked blows the mattress out of the water.

We know we are biased and have blind spots about our mate. Not so much so we can't look at our spouse and say you can get them for a school year for $27,000? You better jump on that deal! Seriously, the qualities we see in each other are exceptional. (How is bragging camp going?) Flaws? Yes, but the total package is solid and  worthy.

Jay two months.

As long as we are justifying things, here is one more. Rift Valley Academy, where we will be working, is a year round school with three month long breaks spread throughout the year. We hope to travel home a couple times a year to check on our kids. To be completely honest we really need to touch our grandchildren. FaceTime is great but it doesn't replace hugs. We promise no funds raised will be used for these trips. Retirement savings will take the hit to fund this extravagance.

We have no clue if anyone but us cares or thinks about stuff like this. We do though and we believe in full disclosure. There will be other things we wrestle with. You can find our thoughts here.

Ari 2 1/2