Allinder May 2025

“…but the word of the Lord remains forever” (1 Peter 1:25).

Have you heard the saying “three moves is as good as a fire?” I have found that is true in my life. When I moved in 2002 from Lincoln, Nebraska to Accra, Ghana, I moved with loooooots of stuff. I have moved a few more times since then and found that when I moved from Kenya to Zambia most recently, very little of what I originally packed moved with me. Spring cleaning on overdrive!

What did accompany me on the latest move have sentimental, not financial, value. Precious amongst the items is a small collection of Bibles that represent special times and places in my life.

My precious Bibles

I received the Bible on top when I was four years old. I used it all through childhood: Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Bible drill competitions, etc. The next Bible is my first study Bible; in fact, it was one of the first study Bibles ever. I loved the cross-reference section in the middle of the pages and the explanations in the footnotes. I used it as a young adult and when I started Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). I used it so much the cover literally fell off and I had it re-covered. The next is the New International Version (NIV) Bible I used for years at church and BSF. I love looking at the underlined and highlighted portions. The Bible on the bottom is also NIV and the one I used when I was a BSF Teaching Leader in Omaha, Nebraska and Accra, Ghana for a few years. The difference between the last two? The last one is in LARGE PRINT—age does catch up with us!

I have been very grateful for the privilege of being in God’s Word during most of my life. I am also very grateful to be part of the work of Rafiki Foundation where the study of God’s Word is the foundation of all we do—school, childcare, teacher college, and widows. Studying the Bible is what we do first thing in the morning at all the Village—in classes, with employees, and in the ChildCare cottages.

Grade three Bible class

I know first-hand how challenging it can be for people in the countries Rafiki Foundation serves in to get a Bible due to cost and/or accessibility. That is why the work of Rafiki Foundation is so valued as we work with partner churches and different ministries to make Bibles available here.

One of my best days every year at the Rafiki Classical Christian School here in Zambia is when we distribute Bibles from the Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation to students in grades three, six, and twelve. They, and their families, are very grateful to have a Bible for their homes. One year this day was especially nice because the Bibles were distributed by Karen Elliott, Rafiki Foundation Executive Director, who was visiting our Village at that time.

Karen Elliott handing out Bibles

In addition to the Bibles given to students at school, Rafiki Foundation works with Ligonier Ministries, Crossway Bible Publishing, and other ministries to help bring Bibles and commentaries to Rafiki Villages in ten countries in Africa. These Bibles make the ocean crossing in containers which eventually arrive at a Rafiki Village. It is an exciting day when the boxes and boxes of Bibles are off-loaded from the container.

Rafiki Institute of Classical Education students and Assistant to the Dean unloading a shipment of Bibles in the Zambia Village

Once in country, the Bibles are distributed through partner churches. In Zambia, we are blessed to have Dr. Rev. William Zulu as our Rafiki Outreach Coordinator. Dr. Zulu meets with churches throughout the country to distribute Bibles and introduce the Bibles lessons we have available.

Dr. Zulu also introduces and trains churches in how to teach the Rafiki Sunday School lessons. These are similar to the lessons we teach daily at our school, but for Sunday School classes. These lessons, as are small-group Bible study lessons, are available in the United States. Check them out at RafikiBibleStudy.org.

Dr. Zulu loading up his vehicle with Bibles, commentaries, and Sunday School lessons—about to hit the road again!

Please join us in praying for the following:

• That the Word of God will lead to revival in Zambia and bring many saved souls and changed lives.
• That every student in our school will know the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour, and begin a life-long love of God’s word.
• For continued donations, sponsorships, and productive relationships with partner churches.

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