Dear Praying and Supporting Friends:

We have been back in Kenya for three months now. It has been good to be back with our Kijabe "family." On July 15 we had the privilege of seeing 77 MKs (missionary kids) graduate from Rift Valley Academy. It was a bittersweet experience. We have cared for these students for the last four years. Some of them have been at RVA for their entire school experience. It has been heartwarming to see them mature and grow not only mentally but also spiritually. They were ready to try their "wings" but we know it will not be all smooth sailing for them. Many of them will not see each other again for a long time, if at all. However, I know they will try to keep in touch as best they can.

Every year we have Alumni Weekend, when many of our former graduates (I call them "sons and daughters of RVA" because that is who they are!) return hoping to see some of their former classmates. They fly in from all over the world to be together and to walk on the beautiful RVA campus again. It is encouraging for us as staff to see what the Lord had done in their lives since leaving RVA.

Besides administrative duties at RVA (overseeing 100 staff and 500 students), we have had the joy of being involved in a local school in the valley called Maai Mahiu Secondary School since its inception four years ago. Last month we visited the school and took pictures to show you the progress they are making.

A couple of weeks ago the headmaster and head teacher came up to RVA to share a praise and prayer request with us. They shared how they were having a problem with one of the teachers, who was showing too much attention to some of the girls. Because of this, they had to let the teacher go. The teacher then tried to incite some of the Form IV (12th grade) students to riot. Three students got drunk and tried to incite the other students to riot. (Rioting seems to be a way of life here in Kenya for university and high school students if they do not agree with something being done by the administration. Even primary children get into the act at times.) I am happy to report that at Maai Mahiu the majority of the students chose not to riot even though they were beaten with sticks to encourage them to get involved. The headmaster wanted us to know the decision the students had made not to riot. He was very proud of them, and we were too. Just a few weeks before Jim had given a message to the students concerning the importance of working hard in their studies as well as growing in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. We were so grateful to the Lord that the students at Maai Mahiu chose to go the way of peace and submit to the authorities and do what would be pleasing in God’s sight. Jim sent a letter to be read to the students the next Monday to congratulate them, and we plan to visit them again in person as soon as we can to let them know how pleased we are with them.

Also, while we were there, we took some pictures of the children in the primary school as they were eating their lunch. RVA is involved in feeding 7,700 school children their lunch five days a week.

As far as family news, we are excited that our two youngest children, Bethany and Zachary, are coming with their new spouses to visit us for three weeks. They want to show their spouses where they grew up. Naturally, we are looking forward to their visit from June 30 to August 20.

We want you to know that we consider it a
privilege to be your representatives here in Kenya. The Lord Jesus Christ has put us here for such a time as this. Thank you for making it possible. We appreciate your continued prayers and support on our behalf. That is the only way we can be here—your prayers and support are vital. It is not an easy time to live in Kenya, and it is never easy to be separated from our family. But the Lord is always faithful to sustain us and give us His joy in serving Him.

May God bless each of you and keep you close to His heart.

Because of His love,

Jim and Kathy Long