Never Say Never: Boarding School

One of the first "missionary books" we read. Dr Foster helped start Mukinge Mission Hospital where we served 2019-20

While we lived in Zambia in 2019, the kids and I devoured every missionary biography that we could find. We were captivated and encouraged by stories of adventure, suspense and God‘s faithfulness. We learned history and geography from these unique stories. One theme that I did not find inspiring was boarding school. Often times the children were sent away to boarding school so that the parents could work. “How awful” I thought. At the time, Greeley and Clara were in third and fourth grade and although we do not consider ourselves to be “traditional” missionaries, I thanked God that he had not asked me to send them away to boarding school. As challenging as homeschool was I enjoyed my kids and loved being together as a family.

Now it’s 2025 and Greeley (grade 10) and Clara (grade 9) have made it to high school! This week we are traveling to visit them on their first mid-term break from.…boarding school!

When the Lord showed us the opportunity to work overseas again in Malawi the Kids said yes without hesitation, but their first question was “can we go to boarding school?”

Do you know what sounded harder to me than moving a family of 7 overseas in less than three months with a baby? Homeschooling two high schoolers.

I recognize, families excel at homeschooling and they have my wholehearted admiration and praise!

But Now, I could see that the Lord changed my heart towards what boarding school meant. I could see that Greeley and Clara had a foundation and that they were ready for more independence and more opportunities. This time Mark and I were ready to cheer them on.

After dropping them off in August, this week we are beyond thrilled to fly to Nairobi and visit them for five days during their mid term break. It has been six weeks since we’ve seen them; six weeks of only texts, photos, and a few video calls. Clara is much better at communicating than Greeley. We are looking forward to hearing about their six weeks of academics and new friends.

Never did I imagine sending my kids off to boarding school, never did I imagine a five day holiday in Nairobi, Kenya of all places, but here we are.

The cornerstone of the original class room now administration building at RVA.

RVA is a really unique place. It is littered with history and tradition. A truly unique place for young people to be educated. Do you know that President Teddy Roosevelt set the corner stone of the main building in 1909?

The kids also got a visit from a TCPC family (Jeff and Sherrie Franzwa) who were in Kenya earlier his month.

You never know what the Lord has in store for you, and we are continually surprised at His provisions and the experiences He provides to us.

Thank you all for your love and support of our family!