Back to School

Today was my first day back at school. It felt good to be back in the classroom and have some routine in my life again. It is also very nice to feel comfortable and familiar with how things are done around here, since it's my third year here already. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so relaxed and unflustered at the beginning of a school year before.

It is great to have the kids back on campus. Of course, it’s much noisier and I get interrupted a lot, but I love these students, and they are the reason why I’m here. It is good to be interacting with people again.Virginia, Mumbi, & Kyleigh

My vacation involved a lot of solitude. At first I found it depressing, because my usual social crowd had all left, but, looking back, I am convinced that God knew it was exactly what I needed. I ended up really savouring my time alone and found rest and refreshment in just being quiet with God: writing down my thoughts and hearing Him reassure me, asking Him my questions and hearing His answers, reflecting on my fears and feeling His loving arms surrounding me. It has been wonderful to clear out the distractions and refocus on God’s purpose for me here. I feel so much more clarity and have a much more positive perspective. I’m really excited about what the coming year holds and I am so thankful to be feeling content again.

Another thing that happened this summer was that I moved houses. My new house is only about 120 steps from my old place, but it has a bigger living room so that I can have my music ministry team practices at my house, and also teach my piano lessons here. My housemate moved back to New York, so I’m living alone for the first time since January 2006. I love my new place, especially the amazing garden!
My new living room.

The piano.

Part of the garden with the fishpond in the corner.

A view of the front of my house from the garden.

My little thatched-roofed patio.



I had a wonderful diversion in the middle of my vacation. My dear friends, Brad and Cheryl Redekopp and their sons, Kyle and Eric, came to visit for a week after spending several weeks doing church work in Rwanda. Their visit was the highlight of my summer! Here are some pictures of their time here.
Eating pineapple on my patio.

The Redekopp family enjoying refreshment at Naivasha Country Club after a walking safari on Crescent Island.

Cheryl and me at Lake Naivasha

At the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi.


I hope that this term, I will cling to the truths God has written on my heart this summer. I hope that I will not become so busy and distracted that I will neglect quiet time with Him. I know that it is in those quiet, still moments that my strength is found.

In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength. (Isa. 30:15)
My soul finds rest in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation. (Ps. 62)
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. (Ps. 116)