New videos from Africa Inland Mission

While we get our pictures, thoughts and stories sorted out from a few weeks of traveling, here are two new videos from AIM. The first one is the newest video about the Rift Valley Academy. We also like the one on YouTube, but it's fun to have a fresh take on the ministry of the school.

The second video is a glimpse of what we will encounter when we move to Kenya. Our schedule is to leave late June 2010 (11 months!), and after two months of orientation and adjustment, The first term at RVA will begin in late August. We will go through the three-week Africa Based Orientation (ABO) program the film discusses in July. Many of you have asked about this time, and we hope this helps you picture our transition a little better. It has helped us!

Orientation

Backpacking

Heather and I had the opportunity last week to do go on a backpack trip... something we hadn't gotten to do since our honeymoon 5 years ago. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip... both the awe-inspiring beauty of our God's creation, and the chance to really reconnect as a couple and enjoy each other's company... in solitude! (or twolitude?) The trail was in kind of rough shape, but it was beautiful. Hope you enjoy these pictures (which hardly do it justice)! On the way down what my family lovingly refers to as the elevator shaft.

The view from our campsite.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

Psalm 19:1,2

I even got a chance to catch a few fish.

Who knew that Colorado could be so lush and green?

Bible classes

One of our preparations for missionary service is to go through a series of bible courses. If we had gone to a Christian college, we would most likely have fulfilled this requirement, but alas, we went to good ol' Colorado College, where none of this is found! So we are taking classes through Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's Dimensions of the Faith program. These classes cover the Old and New Testaments, theology, missions, church history, and bible study. It is a free program that consists of ten courses, each with ten to twenty 45-minute classes. That adds up!

We started our first class, Old Testament survey, part one, in February. We finished that set of fifteen classes in June. Yikes! Not the fastest start. However, I'm happy to report, sitting here in a hotel on our way to Oregon with Jim's family, we just finished our third course. A much better rate of success. I think we'll make it!

It has been great to "go back to school" together. Obviously, it was challenging to get into a routine at first, but we are excited to be so much better equipped when we arrive at RVA in a year. And by the way, anyone can take these classes, so if you've never had a bible education and would like one, sign up and go to school with us!