June 2013, graduation, preparation for Home assignment

Hello,

this June was marked with visitors from different parts of our lives. Elisabeth, Doerte's sister came over from southern Africa and ended her Africa tour in Kijabe. We had a very nice time together and it was good to catch up after at least 2 years of not seeing each other. On the same day we had another visitor arriving. Elena is the 17 year old girl of the family with which Hanna-Joy was staying when she had her French immersion exercise during the April vacation. Elena left us this morning and it seemed she had a really good time here in Africa, with great lessons learned. 

A few days earlier Elisabeth went back to Germany to continue her sabbatical in different parts of Europe. During that time Hanna-Joy enjoyed her last weeks of school, finishing up some of the remaining projects, and basically making use of every minute with her friends before they have to say good bye to each other for a long time. There was one party after another, and many evenings we had the dinner table full with young people. It was great, we felt young again. We also realized that in order to stay young we need to keep our house open for the young folks. They are so invigorating and full of questions and great ideas.

Of course in the same time the sharing of the word of God continues, preaching at different occasions, teaching at the nursing school, interacting with the Somalis in the Hospital. 

We also cannot deny the fact that in just a few weeks from now there will be graduation for Hanna-Joy. It will be on the 13th of July. Right after, many of her friends will be scattered all over the globe, mainly to America, a few to Europe. Not long after graduation we will also fly to Europe with a short stop over in Italy.

The suitcases on the clothe line are a good indicator that a new safari is beginning especially for our girl. She will be starting a gap year near Stuttgart, Germany. The nest is getting slowly empty. And we do have to come to terms with it. We are so grateful for the wonderful forming years our kids were able to receive at Rift Valley Academy. Both are very well aware of the privilege it is to have gotten their education at RVA.

Will be back soon, Thomas

Elena Guillaume from Switzerland stayed with us for 3 weeks

Preaching at AIC Longonot not far from Kijabe

There are signs that our upcoming short Homeassignment is not far