Sowing, Failures,
CNN/Yale and Deep Fried Latte: Four Months in America
November 1, 2007
We have BABOONS on our front
steps in Kenya, but what REALLY makes an impression on Ben and Kate are, I kid
you not, squirrels. Whenever they see a squirrel, they yell as loudly as you
might if you saw a baboon. If we see EIGHT squirrels, the volume doesn’t
diminish, which can make for interesting car rides.
The other part that makes driving
memorable with the twins is that we can eat a meal at McDonalds, but as we
leave, they will spot the golden arches and loudly sigh `McDonalds.’ If
we pass EIGHT McDonalds, they will deeply sigh over each one. There may be an
interesting correlation somewhere, but I don’t know what it might be.
Matthew ran cross country and
loved it, and has started driver’s ed. JT loves Wake Forest and we got to
visit him this past weekend. It was a real blessing, and it did a lot for us
parents. I asked Katie what her favorite part of the weekend was, and she said
`When JT holded me.’ Nancy is taking three classes in French, so I am
able to say that I go out with a hot co-ed.
I been traveling almost every
weekend since we have been back speaking at different churches, and while it
has been a blessing to meet and see people, it has been full of sowing and not lots
of tangible reaping. Coupled with our
beloved pastor giving his notice and an implosion at work, it has led to lots
of anxiety on my part.
That has turned into a blessing.
It has brought me back to this: Jesus is my provider, and I can’t make
anything happen. I worked harder than I ever have trying to make things happen,
and exhausting myself in the process, but ultimately, it all comes from Him. It
doesn’t mean I make peace with hungry kids, but in the end, it is only He
that makes the seed grow.
We won’t make Disney this
time, but we did get to take the twins to the state fair of Texas. Eating a
deep fried latte and washing it down with a deep friend Snickers was as gross
and wonderful as you might imagine. The twins loved the rides, until they went
on a roller coaster that was too fast for Katie. It went around three times,
and to see her face knowing there was nothing you could do was probably an apt
analogy for a lot of parenthood.
We have had some amazing stuff
happen lately. I was named a recipient of the 2007 Yale Counseling Award for
high school counselors. The best counselor I know tells me only three people
receive this a year, so it is a great honor, although I am so aware of my
failings in college counseling that it is hard to believe. Some rude friends
from Kansas were quick to make it a punch line to several unkind jokes.
We just got word that we are
finalists in the CNN Heroes awards. CNN gets nominations every year for people
who do good work, and they have narrowed it down to 18 people. Because we have
made that cut, we will be awarded $10,000 to build another computer
center. If we make one more cut, we get
to go to New York and get filmed to explain the programs. We are struggling for
the monies for the feeding program, so your prayers would be appreciated: more
exposure might help bring in more monies. We also realize how far we are from
being heroes, and many more people deserve this than us, but we are grateful
nonetheless.
We leave on December 27th
to return to Kenya. The clock is ticking so fast. Why didn’t that ever
happen during math class?
Your pal
s
Steve and Nancy Peifer
Rift Valley Academy PO Box 80
Kijabe, Kenya 00220
Mission: AIM PO Box 178 Pearl
River, NY 10965
Home Number: 011-254-20-3246-458
Office Number: 011-254-20-3246-170
Steve's Cell:
011-254-0734-124292
Nancy's Cell:
011-254-0734-124291
Stateside Address from July 18th
through December:
1244 Royal Crescent Drive
Bedford, TX 76021
Stateside Mailing Address from
July 18th -December:
PO Box 210743 Bedford, TX 76095
Stateside Phone from July 18th
through December:
817-283-9263