John and Zoe Putman serve at Rift Valley Academy (RVA); AIM’s boarding school, which educates and disciples the children of missionaries, in Kijabe, Kenya. They have had a great first term, with five girls returning to the dorm from last year and six brand new ones. With 11 students, they are now a little busier with more questions, more homework to help with, more sports games to support, more hearts to nurture, more hair to braid, more hot chocolate to make, more jokes to be listened to, more medications to administer, and more parents to liaise with. Their role as dorm parents is so special, and they are grateful to God for trusting them with the care of these 11 precious people at such a vulnerable age and stage. The girls are very mouldable and influenced by the world around them, and John and Zoe have the chance to step in whilst parents are away and take on the noticing; the growing of their personalities, characters, understanding of themselves and God, friendships, habits and hobbies. Please pray that their friendships with each other will be healthy and strong, that they will be bold to encourage each other in their faith, and that they will choose good study habits. There is a wide range of backgrounds and cultures within the dorm, so please pray that they can honour everyone to create a warm and welcoming environment with clear expectations and boundaries.

John and Zoe Putman serve at Rift Valley Academy (RVA); AIM’s boarding school which educates and disciples the children of missionaries, in Kijabe, Kenya. Every school break, students travel far and wide on buses, planes and trains to return to their families. One girl from their dorm travels 20 hours on the bus across the border to Uganda with her sister. The Putmans have started a tradition to lend her one of their Maasai blankets for the journey as it gets cold overnight. She may only be 14 but she trusts the Lord! Pray for the Putman family and other RVA staff and students; for safe travel over the summer and good times with family.

John and Zoe Putman serve at Rift Valley Academy (RVA); AIM’s boarding school which educates and disciples the children of missionaries, in Kijabe, Kenya. RVA plays a crucial role in AIM’s vision to see Christ-centred Churches amongst all African Peoples. The families whose children board or live there are involved in mission with some of the hardest to reach people groups in Africa. Many work in the north in conditions very inhospitable to Christians, or in unofficial war zones, or drought and famine-ridden areas, but they’re all working towards calling people home to Jesus forever. Pray for some new students arriving who have been evacuated from Eastern DR Congo. Pray for a good transition for them and for the peace that passes understanding to be a real and constant presence.