March 2003

Dear Praying Friends and Family:

You may be wondering where in the world the Longs are! As a matter of fact Kathy returned to the States on a compassionate leave in the middle of February in order to help care for a couple who are like her parents. They’re 86 and 87 years old and their health is failing. Jim is still in Kijabe, Kenya, and plans to join Kathy in April. He is mentoring his successor as superintendent of Rift Valley Academy.

After serving 17 years at Rift Valley Academy in Kenya, we are seeking the Lord's direction for our future. It has been an awesome privilege to be involved not only in the lives of the staff and students of RVA and the local African community, but also in the lives of all of you dear friends. Many of you have supported us, prayed for us, and encouraged us in so many ways. We are eternally grateful for your love and fellowship in the ministry that God called us to.

In our journey of faith, we have learned firsthand the truth in the words in Ephesians, which read: “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all!” Truly His love is made complete in us when we love each other. As you have loved and cared for us, we were enabled to love and care for the children of missionaries, the Rift Valley Academy staff, and the Kikuyu people who lived around us at Kijabe.

We will continue to need your support through the month of July and plan to begin reporting back to our supporting churches in the month of May. If you are interested in having us come and share our testimony and the stories of other ministries in Kenya in your church, please email us at kblong123@aol.com.

Please pray with us for a good transition back to the States and that we will be able to clearly proclaim the riches of His grace and love as we share with the body of Christ.

On a personal note, we are praising the Lord for the birth of three new grandchildren this year bringing our total grandchildren to seven! Jonathan, our oldest son, and his wife Tabby will be the proud parents of two children, as they already have one girl who is 18 months old and are expecting their little boy to be born on April 9. Jennifer and Vince have three boys and one little girl who was born last December. Bethany and Jason have one little girl who was also born last December. Our youngest son, Zachary, went through a heartbreaking divorce this past year but is now pursuing his college education full time. A recent quote from him: “My country is the world.” Zachary was nine months old when we first moved to Kenya. We praise the Lord for all of our children and their spouses and children. Please continue to pray for them, that they will continue to walk in His truth.

We look forward to meeting all of you and to personally thank you for your faithfulness in supporting us in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Indeed this world needs to hear the good news more than ever!

May God bless and encourage you today in Himself.

Yours in His great love,

Jim and Kathy Long

The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, page 45