About
Hello.
My name is Jacob Lipke and this is my website.
I’m glad you’re here.
I am a writer and a teacher. I love learning new things, solving problems, lifting weights, and endurance sports. I value meaningful work, close relationships, and exciting experiences.
I majored in Math at Saint John’s University. Post-graduation, I lived and volunteered in Kenya for 7 months and Israel for 2 months through the Benedictine Volunteer Corps. I am now living at the Saint John’s Prep School, working as a Residential Director for the boarding students here.
I want to develop the skills I need to earn an income through writing. This website is a piece of that puzzle.
The best way to follow along is by joining my newsletter below.
Thank you.
Lipke’s Letters
Here you’ll find my weekly letters.
Fill out the form to have them delivered directly to your inbox.
Starting on 8/24/24.
Every Saturday.
Entries
I’ve used these posts as a sort of journal since September 2023.
It keeps family and friends up-to-date and has been fun for me to look back on.
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Nairobi Experience
The Nairobi Experience is a chance for all the BVC volunteers to meet up halfway through our year of volunteering. Volunteers meet in Nairobi for about 10 days starting right before New Year’s. We go on safari, tour…
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Christmas in Nunguni
James Kimeu invited us to his parents’ house in Nunguni for Christmas. Many people living in Nairobi travel to their ushago (up-country home) for the holidays, and this year we joined in the fun. We ended up spending…
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Moms Take On Nairobi
“To go is to see.” -Somewhere in Mathare Slum My mom and her friend Laurel arrived in Nairobi on the morning of December 5th. They looked tired, but not as tired as I remember being on my own…
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Visa Vacation
In early November we started thinking about our soon-to-expire tourist visas. We decided the best way to get them renewed would be by leaving the country and returning with new 3-month tourist visas. That left us with a…
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Thanksgiving ft. The Big Boss
Thanksgiving Feast Hayden warned Trenton and I early on that Thanksgiving can be a tough day in East Africa. It’s the first major holiday that we miss and what makes it especially difficult is that it’s not celebrated…
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And Up the Mountain
Second and final update for the day. Aunts Take on Kenya Two of my aunts, Kari and Joanne, made it to Kenya a week and a half ago. I met them for breakfast near their hotel the morning…
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Journey into the Foothills
I’ve fallen way behind on my blog updates so this will be the first of two posts going live today. Trenton and I were thinking about our schedule for the remaining year at supper last night. We realized…
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No Sleep Till Nairobi
My job ain’t a job, it’s a d— good time! The Beastie Boys Hello from Nairobi! It’s been busier than ever, which is my excuse for the two week stretch between updates. Work (can I really call it…
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Karate Kid – Kenya Edition
“Don’t fear failure. Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.” Bruce Lee Another week of working and exploring the city of Nairobi. Here are some of the highlights.…