Pray for Peace in Kenya

In recent days the Kenyan government in conjunction with the Somali government has launched a military operation inside the Somali border with the intention of eliminating the Al Shabaab presence.   In response, the Al Shabaab has issued statements of their intent to retaliate with violence against major Kenyan targets.

At this point, our AIM leaders are just raising the level of awareness and reminding us all to be wise and alert in our daily schedules. We are not taking unnecessary trips to Nairobi (which means my grocery list is getting really long!) and we are keeping our eye on the news. 

In the midst of this unsettling news, we rest in the TRUTH that God is still God. He is in control. If I can steal the quote from my friend Jenny  - "Safety is not the absence of evil, but the presence of God."  We rest in God's sovereignty during this time.

Yesterday I was reminded of the story of Moses, leading the Israelites out of Egypt, with the Egyptians chasing after them. When they looked up, they saw the pillar of cloud to guide them. But when they took their eyes off of God and looked behind them to the enemy, they panicked. We need to stop looking at all the things around us that instill fear, but rather keep our eyes focused on God.  

As Moses said to the people before they crossed the Red Sea, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring to you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. "

So we wait and trust and pray. Pray with us for peace in this beautiful land of Kenya.

Multi-Cultural Day

Every year, on October 20 (which is a Kenyan holiday) instead of a regular school day we have a special day. Our school celebrates Multi-Cultural Day! This is absolutely my FAVORITE day of the year...hands down. We have a special program in the morning - with songs and skits from different cultures. The program always ends with the infamous "Flag Ceremony." The students carry in the flag of their passport country, one by one, with their national anthem playing in the background. It is a huge honor to be chosen to carry your country's flag - an honor that is carefully pondered -and comes down to how long you been at RVA, your grade, etc. Sometimes there are several students who qualify for this special privilege and so there are a few hands on that sacred flag pole. When each country parades up to the stage, cheers erupt all over the room - sometimes so loud that you can hardly hear the anthem! The students are incredibly patriotic - painting their faces, wearing their national costume, etc. But for many of them, they are loyal to two countries - their country of birth as well as their country of residence. So you may see an American flag painted on one cheek and a Kenyan flag painted on the other.
Whenever the parade of flags begins, I get this big lump in my throat and I long for heaven, because in this moment, I feel as though I am truly experiencing a slice of heaven, just like in Revelation 7:9 where it says, "After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands."

A very special part of this year's program was the Korean Fan Dance. Although they do this dance from year to year, it was very meaningful this year as Megan was a part of the dance. I know I am going to be a complete basket case when Megan graduates from high school...or gets married...or any other major milestone. Because I got all teary during the Korean Fan Dance. There was my baby....all dressed up and doing A GREAT JOB with this very complicated choreography and this mama's heart was bursting with pride!

I know there are a ridiculous amount of pictures, but seriously...this was amazing! I wish you could have seen this!

After the program and a nice long chai break, full of picture opps...

...we head into game time. I was in charge of games this year and all went smoothly - thanks to my amazing crew of organizers, game leaders, team leaders, etc! We had 10 cultural game stations that the teams rotated to. The big kids helped the little kids and everyone cheered for their color team and all had a great time!

Lyndsey and her two high school "big sisters"

Megan and her "big sister"

We had a great BBQ lunch, an afternoon of free time or sports, and ended the day with carmel apples and fireworks! What a GREAT day! 


I realize this is a VERY LONG post, so hats off to you if you read this far! But there was so much fun packed into one day, I just had to capture it all!