Today’s blog post comes from our volunteer missionary, Tammie Myslivecek, a retired school teacher from New York. Tammie and her husband, Dean, dedicate several months each year to serving as Assistant Directors at our children’s home and school.
We are thrilled to celebrate five of our students who recently graduated from high school: Musa, Sheri, Rebecca, Sandra, and Brenda. Three of them have been accepted to Daystar University and will begin classes in May. However, Musa and Rebecca were interested in programs not available at Daystar, so we began searching for private, Christian institutions in Nairobi, Eldoret, or Nakuru. Mama Carla was only comfortable sending her kids to those cities because they had contacts nearby that could assist the kids if needed or she could get there herself in a reasonable amount of time.
Musa decided on Kabarak University in Nakuru and was accepted into their Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy program starting in May. Finding a program for Rebecca, however, was much more difficult.
Every school we called had no openings until September 2026! Nurse Abby, our on-campus nurse, suggested Rebecca consider a Certificate in Perioperative Theatre Technology, which would involve working in the operating room as a nurse. This certificate could also serve as a stepping stone toward a Kenya Registered Nurse Midwifery (KRN-M) Diploma program in the future.
Early last week, Nurse Abby contacted Rebecca’s top two choices: Kenya Medical Training College near Nakuru and Presbyterian College of East Africa West Medical College (PCEA) in Nakuru. Both schools said all their programs—certificates and diplomas—were full. Disappointed doesn’t quite capture how we felt for Rebecca, but once again, I saw the faith of this community in action! If God’s plan is for Rebecca to be a Nurse there will be a place for that to happen!
The days following were busy, and our five graduates began collecting their ‘leaving papers’ from the high schools they graduated from in November – Leaving papers are required to complete college/university applications (time is different in Kenya, I am learning to accept that God has this time too in His hands).
On Friday of that week while off-campus, we received the most wonderful message yet! Nurse Abby said PCEA called—they had ONE opening in their Certificate in Perioperative Theatre Technology program. They required Rebecca to send her test scores immediately if she was interested. The school told Nurse Abby if Rebecca was able to pay for the first term and apply today she can begin the program ON MONDAY!!!! Hallelujah!
Everything happened fast: Nurse Abby submitted her test scores, Mama Carla called a friend to book an Airbnb in Nakuru, Baba Jeff rushed to the bank, and our social worker, Chebet, one of our wonderful social workers, helped Rebecca pack, get a SIM card, and arrange transport. WHEW! When I arrived home later that evening Dean was working with Rebecca to set up her cellphone and give her a crash course in all things technological including safety, software and social! Rebecca was overwhelmed, excited, and a little nervous. She wasn’t leaving with her other graduated siblings in May and would miss their “senior trip” with Baba and Mama because she was leaving Sunday after church.
During big kids’ church, aunties, uncles, Baba, Dean, missionary Beth Ann, Pastor and I gathered round Rebecca and Mama Carla as she prayed her blessing over Rebecca – like she does with every precious one of the children as they leave home. Little sisters struggled to say goodbye with tears and hugs and Rebecca was off with Chebet for a journey to Nakuru via public transportation. The trip was long, which gave Chebet time to teach Rebecca about MPESA (e-currency), transportation, safety and about the ‘real world’ in Kenya.
They arrived safely, welcomed by their Airbnb hostess, Jessica, who went above and beyond—showing them around town, pointing out important landmarks, and even driving them to registration. However, since Rebecca was a late admit, there were no available accommodations on campus. Chebet and Rebecca spent the day searching for hostels (hostels are very common off-campus college housing in Kenya). There were none that were affordable, clean and secure. While Rebecca and Chebet were searching Mama Carla received a phone call from Jessica, their hostess. The Lord had laid on her heart the night before that she should consider allowing Rebecca to move into her grown daughter’s empty room. Despite her past rejection of permanent housing for, especially college-age kids, she obeyed and told Mama Carla that she would be Rebecca’s Mama in Nakuru. Rebecca was safe. The monthly cost is extremely affordable and includes meals and use of the kitchen. Praise the Lord! God is good all the time and all the time God is good.
God has a plan for Rebecca to become a Nurse and His timing is perfect, and we trust His promise in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Amen!
Thank you for praying – all that God is doing would not be possible without you!
Blessings,
Tammie L Myslivecek
Assistant Director ISF