We reached a major milestone for our family. We talked about it, looked forward to it, and now, as we look back, I can’t believe we passed it so fast. Now in our house, our numbers had moved from five to six on Mother’s Day when Jack came home. Then, yesterday, they went back to five as Olivia stayed behind at Rift Valley Academy.
Olivia in her new dorm room at RVA (with Jack)
We went to the New Parent Orientation, which primarily serves as a tool for the school to maximize a smooth transition for their new students, by getting the parents up to speed. Boarding schools have drawn mixed reviews in modern mission history, and RVA tries to tackle any mistakes early on.
I smiled when one of the parents shared with all of us some advice: ‘When you have time together as a family during school breaks, go on a trip, go camping, and have lots of problems on the trip.’ It makes memories they will treasure. Breanna and I smiled, since last weekend was definitely a “memory maker” camping at a nearby lake: two car breakdowns and getting stuck in a washed out sandy road.
Olivia and I pose after digging out the sandy dirt around the wheels and under the axles at Hell’s Gate National Park.
I’m really excited for the years ahead. I think anyone who has taught their own kids, and looks honestly at it, realizes there are some things that need to be taught by someone else. I know in my own childhood, it was definitely true that experience and input outside of home reinforced what Mom and Dad already had taught me, and was the final blow to drive it home into my brain.
It is so clear Olivia reached a point where she can learn so much more than what we can offer alone. And she has friends there, both adults and teenagers, eager to help her succeed. While she has always patiently sat through my digressive philosophical ramblings about how to grow and head off into this big bold world, I’m excited by what she will learn by doing it… in a wonderful, structured launch pad.
The college guidance counselor shared story after emotional story about alumni moving on past RVA. The one thought I had was that if this guy cares this deeply for these kids to find God’s place for them after being here, how can she NOT have a great opportunity for life. She most likely will leave this continent and return to her country of citizenship, and forge ahead as she shines brightly as a light there for her savior.
I’m also anxious. The rigid structure of dorm life, the challenge of a tougher math course than she was expecting may cause her to lose heart. But I also know that while she can become quiet when overwhelmed; she chokes back tears, bites her lip, and keeps taking another step. I saw that in the cold rain on Mount Kenya, and during our unplanned trip to the US this year.
Parenting has to be the most important role anyone has on this planet. I think many nations struggle and fail because of it, and we realize it is our most important ministry. It also shows us a lot about God as we grow to understand and know Him. Clearly he designed us, after starting out as babies, to become more independent as we mature, allowing us to make mistakes, be hurt, and even hurt others. It baffles us, but through it our faith grows, and in the end, I think we realize we can’t survive out on our own. So it is through this simple trust and understanding, that we say goodbye to our first born.
Sure, we’ll drop everything to come and help if needed, but we’re not needed in the same way as when she was younger. As hard as it is to be apart, it feels a lot like planting a seed. The separation is hard, the promise in the future excites us.
24 What I’m about to tell you is true. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only one seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
John 12:24
One day she will be much further away from us, and physically out of our reach. And beyond that, we, God willing, will reach the days of our frailty, and become incapable of carrying, protecting, lifting her, except in prayer. So as her life blossoms, a little bit of ours must first diminish. But, like a seed planted for new life to flourish, I can’t imagine any better soil than RVA.
We all miss her but we’re so excited to see how she grows!
That is beautiful! What wondrous opportunities lie ahead. It is often in the difficult moments that we learn our best lessons. I will be praying she will be encouraged and won’t give up even when it’s hard and lonely.