Prayer and Praise from RVA 18th June 1999 Just in case you hadn't heard Dave Entwistle will be on home assignment in Texas next year - Dan Dixon will be joining our staff and may be motivated and interested enough to pick up from a former Dixon who ran the news. Jon Stocksdale is returning to the US in two weeks on an unexpected home assignment after complications with his second child expected in October. They'll be back in January [DV] - assuming Y2K hasn't affected life here too much. We've now had 11 staff affected in one way or another by life events that have called them away from here in the past few months. The holes are widening and they're huge for next year after 26 veterans leave. God knows every one and we're waiting to see how he provides. He's been gracious in giving strength through some big strains this term. Fiddler on the roof involved 90 kids and stretched them to their limits but the final results were incredible. Choir tour is happening this weekend and despite some difficult scheduling it looks like we'll have a successful event. The concert is a very powerful focus on the grace of God through Christ and in us. The colts rugby tournament is this weekend. Rugby has one Varsity game left to go in the season before the playoffs. Sophomores have their famous restaurant feature this weekend. Seniors had a great safari and are already to check out. The first grad of the lot recieved cap and gown and diploma today when David VanYperen left to attend the AirForce Academy which starts July 1st. 1st Sergeant Tim Hudson - who graduated early two years ago to attend Westpoint - was in attendance for the ceremony. The security gates are up and working and so far entrances and exits aren't too difficult. A new mile track has been established inside the fences for all the joggers. Titchie will be giving up Simba dorm to the junior highers next year as Blaikie comes down to make room for a new maintenance and dining hall complex. 18 baptisms are scheduled to take place on senior Sunday to close out this year. Some great testimonies of what God has been doing under the surface this year when the surface seemed so chaotic so much of the time. Lots of alumni are continuing to come and go. They've all got their own testimonies about God's activity out there. We worship the same Creator and Redeemer. Keep the faith. It's been a pleasure touching base with you for this last little bit. I may get one more in before we clear out for Canada. Glad Tim Bannister is keeping you all in touch with the lighter side of campus life [through the monthly OnCampus column on the web site at http://www.rva.org/oncampus/]. See Wazi Columns (ed. note) Keep smiling. You're loved. - Jack Taylor