Happy New Year!!!!

We went on a drive to explore opportunities for the interim trip we will lead for 11th and 12th graders in March.  This waterfall is in a protected forest about 5 hour drive from here.  We camped out for a night and then explored 4 waterfalls and pools in this forest.   We hope that your new year is filled by the creator of this water and Living water.   Proverbs 25:25 “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.”  Give away Living Water!! Thanks to those of you who are partnering with us to see Living Water given to a dry and thirsty continent.

A Christmas Wish!

We just want to take a moment to wish each of you a wonder filled celebration of the gift of Jesus Christ.  We know that this time of year can be hectic, fragmented and distracting.  Hopefully you will have some time to sit and reflect on the "reason for the season".  Daily I've been reminded through my reading, interactions with people, family or situations, that I so desperately need a savior.  I need someone who can restore my relationship with my creator.  It is in the African context that I am also reminded that I don't need tacky decorations, excessive amounts of  food, token gifts, to bring peace in my life.    Don't get me wrong, I love a good Christmas meal, the time together decorating and cooking and of course a gift is always fun.  However, what I need is a savior.  After all it's not even "what" but "who" I need.  If I want peace with all of my family, friends, neighbors and community, I'm so aware that I need the gift of Christmas.  Perhaps you're like me and the idea of peace on earth (or at least in Africa) seems a pie in the sky dream.  However, if more would truly receive the gift of Christmas and live as Jesus did,... myself included, there would surely be greater peace on this earth.  I hope each of us will take the opportunity to realize the value of Christmas a little more this year and to make opportunities to give the gift of Christmas away throughout the year.  Peace!!

As I reflect back on another year of working at Rift Valley Academy (RVA), two thoughts have been impressed upon my heart.   The first ties into the photo on the left.  I took this photo while visiting a tea farm up country near Kericho.  This farm is not measured in acres but in kilometers.   It is a huge operation.  Throughout the plantation, there are large sectors for growing trees.  These trees will be harvested and burned in order to run kilns for producing delicious Kenyan tea.    Someone over 80 years ago mapped out this idea of sustainable forests and tea farm management.  Now before you think I'm going tree huger on you, there is a connection between this forest and our work at RVA.    The thought that comes to mind is seeing that we are helping to raise the next generation of workers for God's kingdom.  We must carefully plant, water, occasionally prune and of course feed these future workers.   Then, hopefully each year upon our graduation, we will be "harvesting a crop" of workers for a Kingdom that was masterfully planned before the beginning of time.    Please pray for our work with our students that we will constantly seek to prepare them for work that has eternal benefits.   Unlike the trees, we pray that no matter where our students go, that they will remain well rooted in the promises and truths of God's word.  

The second thought is that this year's graduation in July 2015 will be very different than any we have attended at RVA.  This year our son Nathaniel will be taking that ceremonious walk out of RVA.   We are excited for Nate as we walk down this path to college life for the first time.   Our family will be headed back to the United States for a brief trip to get Nate settled into college and to visit family.  We will return to RVA at the very end of August to get Evan back to his Junior year.   We are not sure at this point where Nate will be attending.  We are still in the college application process.  We also do not know where we will call home base while in the States for those brief 5 weeks. Further more, we don't know what car we will drive. We have a lot to figure out and July will be here before we know it.  We appreciate your prayers for wisdom in planning and for God's provision.  We'd love to hear from you so drop us a note through email at sataylor@rva.org