Missions Conference
June 6-7, 2008
1st Baptist Church of Elk Grove
8939 E. Stockton Blvd.
Elk Grove, CA
This conference will challenge you to gain new perspectives and vision for your life and church, discover what other churches are doing, learn practical, how-to ideas and more. There will be exhibits, three dynamic speakers, workshops, and an all day event for children on Saturday. It’s a great time of fun and fellowship.
For information contact Linda Wick (lindag@pwshop.net)
You can register by web: www.theHarvestGroup.net (Harvest Gathering)
CBC MISSIONS
Because we take the Great Commission seriously, we have devoted ourselves to serving people locally, nationally, and globally. Throughout the year
various opportunities are presented for the church body to serve others through construction, evangelism, medical work, working with children, and various
other ministries designed for reaching out to those in need. We desire that every member of CBC participate in missions through financial support,
equipping, or through hands-on participation. Join us as we strive to reach out to our community and the world.
Dear friends,
This is our 20th year at Rift Valley Academy. As Natalie graduates this year we will shift into a new phase of life – the empty nest. Our own children have been such a large part of our ministry here; how we connect to students and the roles we serve in will likely shift. Fourteen years in the dorm and the science classroom followed by 6 years in administration for Tim, while LeAnn shifted back into the third grade classroom those last six years. We are seeking God’s leading to see what he has for us for the next 20 years, or however many years the Lord gives. As we are now clearly part of the "old guard" here at RVA, we feel we need to prepare others to step into our areas of responsibility smoothly. Many of our colleagues are moving into new ministries within the mission that represent difficult, but strategic placements, and we want to be open to where God may lead. Somewhere new?
The first two terms of this school year have been quite a stretch for Tim as he has been filling two major roles at the same time - Acting Superintendent and High School Principal. Staffing has been sufficient, but a number of staff are serving double duty while we wait for staff delayed by support shortages. The ministry team has worked exceptionally well together this year since everyone knows that we must pull together to make things work. Even though we have been stretched, we have successfully navigated the reaccreditation process, launched our new website, shifted to a new form of governance within the school board, reorganized structurally within the mission, and are initiating a new phase of strategic planning for the school. There has been lots happening this last year. Should we continue to provide leadership for this critical ministry?
LeAnn as been instrumental in providing continuity in our elementary program. She does her best to individualize her instruction for a very diverse (ethnically and ability) group of students. Lead teachers like LeAnn are critical to curriculum development and program vision in the elementary school. Next year, only two of the eight elementary teachers will be returning. LeAnn is torn with the thought of all three kids in the States while we would be in Kenya. We are wresting with the possibility of returning Stateside for a time. But we only want to do this if we feel God is calling us back. What ministry might he be calling us to Stateside?
Natalie is hoping to hear this month if she was accepted in the early admissions round for Westmont College. Jason has been so positive about his first semester there that Natalie is anxious to join him. Her academic schedule is packed, but she is trying to relish her last months and her many "last time" experiences at RVA. This will be an important time of closure for Natalie as she will have to say good-bye to her home in Kenya upon graduation.
Josiah is enjoying his junior year at Stanford. We will have all three in college next year when we come home for at least a year of home assignment. Josiah continues to enjoy rugby, much to his mother's chagrin. He is still recovering from a cracked vertebrae suffered early this fall. He hopes to rejoin the team in Jan. He is still working on his civil engineering major and hopes to land another internship this summer in the Folsom area. Josiah's involvement in the Reformed University fellowship (RUF) has been one of the best aspects of his time at Stanford.
Jason has made a relatively smooth transition back into the States. He loves Westmont, even though he is missing the many intimate relationships he built in the RVA environment. He has been blessed with two great roommates. The adjustment to a full academic schedule has gone well. He has already been able to continue his pursuit of art while building a strong foundation in pre-engineering courses such as physics and multivariable calculus. He is still intrigued about the possibility of architecture, but this would have to be pursued post-grad. Jason has found great Christian fellowship and has plugged into the local Calvary Chapel.
Prayer Requests:
There are several areas where we would covet your prayers during these next few months:
- The presidential elections take place this next month. One candidate has allegedly negotiated a memorandum of understanding with the Muslim community in order to woo their vote.
- We are seeking grant money from the US Embassy to assist us in improving our campus security.
- One of our staff was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. We are evaluating how we can support this family during chemotherapy, while they remain on the field and consider timing for their retirement.
- The weakening of the US dollar, compounded by continuing inflation, has very significant implications for us as a school and a mission unit.
- We are seeing God use RVA as a stepping stone for many of our staff as they launch into ministries in closed or harsh ministry locations. These gaps that are created require new individuals willing to step forward to serve our missionary families and their children through MK education. There are many opportunities for teachers, dorm parents, and others to serve here at RVA.
Financial Needs:
Summary: We are averaging $200 shortfall each month this year. Plus, our standard of living has declined since our support rate increases have increased 34% while inflation has increased 63% during the same time period. Within the last two months the dollar’s buying power has decreased an additional 10%.
Over the years we have tried to avoid much mention of finances, unless pressed for information. God has met our needs, blessing us as the writer of Proverbs 30 prayed, "...give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread." As a mission unit we tend to set our own support rates based on what is happening with the local (Kenyan) economy. One thing you will find is that missionaries on the field, at least within AIM, are very reluctant to raise their support rates. This year we have voted for a substantial increase in our rates. Of course with missionaries such as ourselves, the increase in our rate means we get an increase (in our "salary") only if we are actually able to raise more support from our support team. I am including an explanation so you understand why it was felt that an increase was unavoidable. Since this support rate was approved in October, the US dollar has devalued an additional 10% against the Kenya Shilling meaning further significant reduction in our buying power. Below is a graphical explanation of our financial situation. LeAnn and I are averaging around 90% of our support each month (we have averaged a shortfall of about $200). This would change dramatically if our support does not keep pace with this new support target. We would ask that you prayerfully consider how God may lead you to respond to this increased need. Thank you to those many of you who have stood beside us faithfully for so many years.
Please visit our new school website at www.rva.org
Confidently trusting in God’s provision,
Tim & LeAnn
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