Dafoe November 2024

“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” (Psalm 105:1).

Sun is setting behind the dining hall at the Village

I am trusting you are well and thanking God for His sovereign care. It has been a while since I have shared news of the little ones here. So let me tell you about those who come to us from our nearby communities. At the beginning of this school year when the Village was dressed in green, Teacher Tressa held her class of four-year-olds outside. Also, below is a photo of all the children from the Early Childhood 2 (EC2) section (four-year-olds) coming back from recess.

Teacher Tressa and class

In the last few months, we have all been studying the books of 1 and 2 Samuel and learning about God’s sovereign choice of David as king of Israel. EC2 children were very interested as the teacher taught the lesson and as they made crowns to help them remember the story of King David.

EC2 returning to class

Teacher Surprise teaching

Making crowns

Remembering King David

Grade one boy helps his classmate find her place in her Bible

Grade one boys are getting some after school help with phonics

Our resident orphans are not so little anymore, but I would like to share a small window into their lives with you too. These twins are our youngest who were brought to Rafiki when they were eighteen months old. They are now twelve years old! When our children are not in school, they help around the Village in various ways. One way is to help with the slaughtering, plucking, and cleaning of chickens for one of their weekly meals.

Boys and Mamas cleaning innards

Girls plucking feathers

Not so little anymore!

Another job the residents like to help with is the washing and cleaning of the Rafiki vehicles.

Cleaning the Prado

Bring the water on your head to the other side of the court!

As you are preparing for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, we are very occupied with wrapping up another school year. In Zambia, school children need to pass a national exam at the end of grade seven to move on to Junior Secondary School. Grade nine must pass the national exam to be allowed to go to Senior Secondary School. Finally, grade twelve take their final national exams to earn a school certificate that will give them eligibility to pursue further education.

Grade seven had four days of exams the last week of October. Grade twelve exams began the first of November and will go on for two weeks. Then grade nine exams begin and they will finish by the end of November. School will close on December 6. The following day a graduation ceremony will be held for those completing grade twelve.

Grade seven boys studying diligently

While teachers and students take a five-week break from school, our children will spend time with their relatives. During this time, the Village Administrator Assistant/Plant Manager along with the Assistant Plant Manager (my right- and left-hand men!) will manage our maintenance and grounds crews to accomplish building renovations, planting and cultivating a field of maize, and generally maintaining the grounds. God has blessed me with an “Aaron and Hur”!

My “Aaron and Hur”

Thank you for your faithful love and support. May the Lord bless you with peace and joy as you watch for His appearing!

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