Adapted from a letter written to the Riebes' supporters on April 16, 1907.

Mrs. Riebe is happy in her work. There are now five non-resident (meaning boarders) white children under her care, the daughters of settlers.  One of these girls is Nannie Scott, the daughter of a sister of the Peter Cameron Scott who founded Africa Inland Mission. Our school enjoys a splendid reputation. A corps of competent instructors, healthful climate, spiritual atmosphere and the accessibility of the railroad all make Kijabe a magnet to settlers and missionaries whose children need education.

In the morning African children and white children receive rudimentary education together. In the afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm the white children are on their own learning subjects like drawing, clay modeling, wood-carving and sewing. Children are also taught piano, organ and violin.

When our home is built (the Kiambogo building) - for which we wait upon the Lord - we shall administer the home for missionaries' children. This building is also destined to contain the executive offices: a private office for the director and the secretary and treasurer, with a general office in between.  When finished, this building will be equipped to care for twenty to thirty boarding children. 

Will not our believing friends join us in a concert of prayer that this need may be met soon?

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RVA's motto, Omnes Christo, adopted as early as 1936, means Christ is all.  Christ is to permeate all we are and all we do.  The spiritual teaching of students at RVA has always been at the forefront of RVA's purpose. Miss Ruth Pecover, a teacher at RVA in 1942, wrote this in AIM's publication Inland Africa:

 "We look back to what God has done during the past term with rejoicing in our hearts. Again there is much of the Lord's blessing upon the Rift Valley Academy, and he has wonderfully used Mr. Lee H. Downing in leading many precious souls to the feet of Jesus.  Six of the older boys and girls followed the Lord in the ordinance of baptism. Pray for those who were baptized - Paul and Jean Nixon, Grace Shaffer, Margaret Andersen, Theodore Teasdale and Peggy Findlay, a settler's daughter. Since Peggy is now leaving school to take a nursing course, we are glad she has gone forth as one of the Lord's own.

"The closing entertainment was the best I have heard since coming to Africa, and especially the singing of the children who were trained by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Downing. Many settlers came to hear the program. In fact, we had the largest attendance since I have been here, and many are showing an interest in the way of salvation. Pray that they may be convicted of sin and see their need of a Saviour."

This section looks briefly at the spiritual life at RVA. Overarching everything RVA does for students and their parents, Christ is All - Omnes Christo.

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This is an exerpt from the RVA Centennial Magazine that was available at the even this July.  It was put together by RVA with the help of Shel Arensen who also publishes Old Africa Magazine.

I've been fortunate enough to be a part of RVA's 100 year centennial celebration this weekend.  Though I don't know the final number, it appears that over 500 alumni have returned for the event.  Ages range, the class of 2004 is almost all back (those guys think I'm an mzee), and then you find someone like Art Barnet who is 95 years old - RVA's oldest living alumni.

The RVA Alumni committee has done an amazing job with this event.  Kristy Faber (Arensen) has rallied staff, keeping us all busy with fun events, yet still leaving enough time to mingle and catch up on old times.  The RVA staff and students have gone out of their way to make this an enjoyable weekend, and their hospitality is unmatched.  We awoke to Senior Store doughnuts on Saturday, which was washed down by chai and a morning drizzle (RVA weather at it's best!)