It just seems like a couple of days ago I was writing about how I was getting ready to come back to the US on home assignment. Now, four and a half months and 21 speaking engagements later (not counting a week of Child Evangelism Fellowship camp where I helped out and was the missionary speaker each day), it’s time to head back to Kenya.
Monday right after lunch the limo service (a car, not a real limousine) will be picking me up to take me to Philadelphia airport for my flight leaving tomorrow evening at 6:30. Just a couple of hours later (7.5 hour flight to London, 4 hr layover, 8.5 hrs London to Nairobi, and 2 hr drive back to Kijabe) I’ll be home.
I have enjoyed my time here in the US. It’s great to get around to the various churches that have prayer and financial support for me, and to visit many friends and family. I’ve eaten at a lot of good restaurants (6 times to Shady Maple), enjoyed a couple of plays (Sight and Sound — Joseph, Josiah for President at Bird-In-Hand) a trip to my former house mate’s place in Kansas City to meet my new nieces, a trip to Indiana to visit my real nieces and nephew (and a trip for them to PA to visit me here), a trip to Massachusetts to see my uncle and aunt, time spent with my other nieces here in PA, and a lot of other things going on as well. It’s been fun.
But it’s time to go back, and I can’t wait for tomorrow to come. There will be some changes when I get back to Kenya. First, I have to move houses. When I left, I was told that I could leave my furniture out because I would be coming back to the same house I was leaving. However about three weeks ago I got an e-mail that the administration has decided to turn my two bedroom house into a three bedroom house for a small family, and since I’m not a small family (I’m a LARGE single), they needed me to move to a different two bedroom house. My new house, however, is only about 50 yards away from my old house, so moving all my furniture won’t be too much of a problem.
My teaching schedule has also changed. Next school year I’m going to be teaching two periods of 7th grade Math and two periods of 7th grade World History. That will be fun. I’ve taught both of the classes before (well covered for World History, not actually taught the whole course) but they are still classes I haven’t taught a lot. Not like the Bible curriculum that I created, taught, and modified for the last 15 years. Still, it will be fun and a fresh change of pace.
A week after I get back to RVA, we start staff in service meetings. A week later (two weeks from today) the students arrive back and school begins in earnest. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’ve had a great time in the States, but I know my ministry is with the missionary kids at RVA, and I am longing to get back there and keep working and ministering to them.
Here’s a couple of prayer requests:
1) Pray for my financial support. I am a bit under supported, but not enough for either the Global Ministries Commission or Africa Inland Mission from not letting me return. If you are interested in being a monthly financial supporter of mine, please contact either Pat Strain at the above link, or directly to AIM at the above link.
2. Pray for safe travels. I’m flying on British Airways and they have a history of losing luggage. Pray that the flights are good and that all my luggage makes it with me. I’ll have three duffel style suitcases and my carry on.
3. Pray for the students at Rift Valley Academy. Particularly the students who will be attending RVA for the first time as boarding students. Being separated from your parents is tough. Pray that we as staff will recognize students who are struggling and the wisdom to help them be successful at RVA as they learn a new school situation, make new friends, and grow closer to God.
Shalom,
Dan
Dan Dixon's Discursive Declamations 