Banquet week at Rift Valley Academy

Scott's roommate Chase is to his left.

We've been having a good time with Scott at RVA. Every year the juniors put on a big banquet for the seniors, and junior parents come help with the preparations. I couldn't understand what kind of banquet could take a week to prepare for until I saw what they do. It's pretty amazing. They essentially make an auditorium into a scene from whatever theme is chosen for the year (I can't divulge this year's theme - you never know what lurkers read your blog). Murals on four walls, a floor-to-ceiling paper mache mountain, the entire ceiling and walls covered in fabric - this is big. It's been great to see the kids in action and enjoy the camaraderie with kids and parents.

Many of these parents are amazing people who work steadfastly to honor God and serve people in difficult and remote places. I had a long talk last night while we were scrubbing paint off the floor with a man who runs a youth center in Ethiopia. Besides all the work related to the youth center, he and his wife have helped several disabled women start small businesses. These are women who, because of their disabilities, have been rejected by their families and would barely have been able to eke out a living. Another family has done medical work in central Congo for 15 years, in an isolated and challenging location. I think what strikes me is that no one seems to feel what they're doing is especially impressive. They've all given up comfortable American lives to help people. Missionaries get a bad rap sometimes, and they're certainly not perfect, but I've come away with an increased admiration for them.

While Scott and the other students are back in class for the week, Paul and I don't have as much to do. In an odd twist, RVA, which has clean water from wells, has had some contamination in the last couple days. Paul has been able to consult with them on how to deal with it. As for me, it looks like I'll be subbing in some of the classes. I'm scheduled to cover for the U.S. history teacher for the remainder of the week. You can imagine what a thrill it is for Scott to have his mother be his sub.