Mama Chiku – 4-Runner Ministry Part 2

Sammy, Harriet’s 3-year-old grandson, has taken to waiting for Harriet (his beloved Sho-Sho) by sitting on a large rock on the side of the road near where I drop her off. He calls me “Mama Silas” according to the Kikuyu tradition of calling women “Mama” plus the name of their first born son. After dropping [...]

If only all teenagers were like these!

RVA students are certainly “normal.” They don’t always obey the rules; they don’t always respect authority; they get new crushes every other day; they say insensitive things, hurting each other’s feelings; and they hate homework. But the world would be a better place if all teenagers were even just a little like the ones at RVA. [...]

Silas stood up

Yesterday, the speaker in church asked everyone who is married to stand. Then she asked everyone who always has warm, fuzzy, romantic, loving feelings for their spouses to stay standing. Of course, no one remained standing. Next, she very astutely made the parallel between feelings in marriage and feelings in our relationships with Christ. She [...]

You know you’re old when …

The dorm girls and we often watch a movie in our apartment on Sunday afternoons after church and lunch and, at least theoretically, once the girls have finished their homework that’s due on Monday. Today, while we were waiting for Heri to arrive, we were watching trailers for other films. One was for the Scorsese [...]

My 4-Runner Ministry

I didn’t really want a car. We couldn’t really afford a car. However, we received a generous loan, and cars depreciate very little in Kenya, nearly assuring us of the ability to repay the loan next summer. A long-time, dear friend moved from Kijabe to northern Africa, needing to sell her vehicle quickly, so we suddenly [...]

The Buffalo

During our recent trip to Lake Nakuru National Park, our campsite was visited by a buffalo. Weighing between 1300 and 2000 pounds, the Cape Buffalo is perhaps the most dangerous of all the African animals, killing a number of humans each year due to their unpredictable and cantankerous nature.

Lily’s version: My mom and my brother [...]

Multicultural Day Part 2

I’m a relatively patriotic American, but compared with many of my friends and Paul’s mother, I’m lukewarm. I do, however, weep when I hear and sing the Star-Spangled Banner and over any American athlete winning or losing or, for that matter, competing in the Olympics, and I vote in every election in which I’m allowed. I’ve always [...]

Multicultural Day

One of the great events on the RVA calendar took place this Wednesday. MC Day is a school-wide event in which everyone gathers in Centennial Hall (our chapel) and celebrates the cultural diversity of the school. In the weeks leading up to the event, anyone can sign up to do a presentation, skit, song, or [...]