The countdown is on!

Countdown to Kenya: 105 days!

Look at that number up there. It's almost down to double digits. And my count down to leave California for Washington is just 24 days. 24 DAYS. Time is flying by. I even have an app on my phone that shows the days ticking away. It's bananas.

Life right now is so exciting, but very overwhelming. I have a lot to do in a little time; getting all the necessary vaccines, finishing paperwork, reading books, practicing music, preparing to move, raising support. In the past week, I have gotten 3 shots and started taking the oral vaccine, and I have probably 4 more shots to get before I'm good to go. Now, I'm working on getting addresses and getting all my support letters sent out this week. And I have to go through all of my stuff here in Berkeley and get rid of anything that I don't want to take home. All this while still working full time. Thank goodness my work is really slow right now so that I have more time to get the important things done. There is a lot to do, but I know it will all get done and will be absolutely worth it. This next year is going to be an amazing experience, and I know that God has amazing things in store for me.

Thank you all for reading my last post, it was really exciting to finally share what I'll be doing this next year. Today I wanted to give you a little more information on where I'll be going and what I'll be doing. As I said in my last post, I will be serving at the Rift Valley Academy in Kijabe, Kenya. Kijabe is located at the edge of the great Rift Valley, about an hour north of the country's capital of Nairobi. Kijabe is Maasai for "Place of the Wind".

Map of Kenya

The Rift Valley Academy was founded in 1906 by Charles Hurlburt as a boarding school for children of missionaries serving throughout Africa. The school has a student body of nearly 500, representing more than 20 nationalities. The academy is a boarding school, with three 12 week terms, with one month breaks between each term.

Beautiful RVA Campus

I will be serving the school as the choir director for the 2015-2016 school year. The choir is typically around 36 students - soprano, alto, tenor and bass. They perform one concert each term, and will do a tour either the 2nd or 3rd term of the year. I will also be teaching private lessons and small ensembles for students interested in strings - violin, viola, cello and bass. I am so excited to finally be using my gifts and musical experience and to be sharing that with these students.

View from the campus to the Rift Valley behind it.

A big part of this preparation process that I am in is raising support. Serving with Africa Inland Mission International means that I am a volunteer and my budget comes from money that I raise. This budget includes housing, food, health insurance, travel costs, and many other things. The total amount is $14, 826.00, and it all needs to be in 6 weeks before my depart date - June 15th! It is daunting to look at the number and how little time I have, but I really believe that God will provide.

I cannot wait to get to Kenya and meet the staff and students I will be living life with and grow with this next year. And I am so excited to share all of the experience and adventures I have with you. Please follow the blog if you would like to continue getting updates on this journey. 

*If you are interested in supporting me financially, you can go to the AIM website to pay online - just look for my name.