Nickname, anyone?

 

Sorry for the delay in my getting a more personal message out.  My computer stopped accessing the internet about three weeks ago during ABO (Africa-Based Orientation), and is only now just working here at RVA today, where I have to go to the library to access the nearest signal.  All will be sorted out soon, and more regular correspondence will be forthcoming as the campus is now equipped with Wifi!!  Lucky Beckers!!

So we are done with ABO, a somewhat grueling three week “boot camp” for missionaries!  It was long days of classes, awkward cultural moments and . . . repetitive … food.  Great relationships were forged there with the over 90 participants, the largest ABO in AIM history!

So now begins our second week in our new home at RVA, a lovely two story house with plenty of space and a room for each kid and even a study for music and work!  Our hosts have been wonderful and have shared time, resources and food.  Several families volunteered to feed us dinner these first few nights until we “get settled”.   But honestly, it’s so incredibly beautiful – I am not finding it too difficult to settle.  Of course, students don’t get here the end of the week.  Then things will get BUSY!!!!  We’ll be glad we had this short time to “get settled”! I am to teach 7^th and 9^th grade English, and will add on other assignments as need arises – anything from coaching to care groups to relieving dorm parents a night a week.  It looks like Laurel will teach a high school cooking class and maybe do some admin work in the guidance office.  More later.

So, funny story.  We arrived here at campus about 3:30 Tuesday afternoon, met by our hosts, each of whom escorted us and our stuff to our new homes.  We met our host family, Mike and Kim Saum (Rich Saum lives in Paradise and is father to Mike), and began to unpack.  I began by searching for a sharp implement with which I would cut the plastic zip ties securing our Action Packers (Rubbermaid tubs).  Unable to find anything, I grabbed a rented steak knife from the silverware drawer.  Oh yes.  I proceeded, with the utmost caution, to gently pry the blade against the resistant plastic tie. Without warning, the knife slipped, and in an instant had stabbed my forearm, hitting the radius, and withdrawing.  Where I threw the knife, I don’t know, but later, Jade showed me the arm hair stuck to it! Immediately, blood spurted from the wound, and I thought – “Uh oh, I just hit an artery!” – and clamped my hand down on the wound.

Now I know why I was so encouraged by the proximity of Kijabe hospital to RVA.  In maybe 5 minutes, my new neighbor, Rodney (poor guy), had delivered me and Laurel to the Casualty department (the ER) and I was being treated.  Kijabe hospital is widely known as the best medical facility in East Africa and beyond.  I was stitched up and out in a couple of hours and aside from a night of agonizing pain from the muscle trauma I gave myself, I am doing well.  I have a ridiculous, swollen bruise from my elbow to my wrist, which will be a wonderful conversation piece for the first week of classes (I’ve already decided my first 7^th grade writing activity will be a story answering “How did Mr. Becker get this scar?”)

Anyway, aside from that little diversion, we are doing great at RVA.  What a wonderful community, a stunningly beautiful campus, and a dedicated staff of dorm parents, support staff, and teachers.  We feel truly blessed and await the challenges and joys of the coming school year!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Due to an administrative mistake, we are still underfunded by about $1000 monthly and could use as much prayer and help addressing that shortcoming as possible.  We love email and would consider it a privilege to know we were on your hearts and minds regularly!