Graves November 2026

“For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Luke 10:24).

This has been a very full year, and some days feel almost overwhelming—almost—but never quite all. We are fortunate to be part of a community that every morning studies the words those prophets and kings did not hear. And when we are stopped on a walk across campus by a cheery “Good afternoon, Mr. Graves,” from a group of primary girls atop a jungle gym, we get a small glimpse of the power of those words in building something unique here.

Early childhood students parade around campus in traditional attire with traditional instruments.

Since May, we have been carefully monitoring the large Ebola outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). So far the government health authorities seem to have done a good job containing its spread into Uganda and life is normal here despite the large death toll in DRC. In addition, fuel price increases, travel disruptions, and rising inflation are straining the economy. Nevertheless, through careful management of our resources, we have been okay so far.

I am completing my first year as Headmaster while continuing as Village Administrator. It does not leave me much spare time during the day, but (do not tell the Home Office) it is kind of fun. I would not be able to manage without Michelle running the Rafiki Teachers College and taking on various roles including full-time supervision of the Child Care Program, the kitchen, and the cleaning staff. Our other missionary, Paul Okoth, has been invaluable as well managing Outreach Program efforts and training, our property maintenance crew, and our security.

Micheal: Rafiki graduate and electrician

And God is using Rafiki to develop some remarkable young people. One of them is Micheal Oketcho, our in-house electrician.

Micheal came to Rafiki in 2012 as a student in Senior One, the first level of secondary school.

“I obtained a very good education,” he said. “And it really impacted my knowledge and interest in the sciences and it determined the decision that I made for doing engineering. I love doing science, especially physics.”

He has been working at Rafiki since finishing secondary school to put himself through university. It has been a long road, first earning a certificate, then a diploma, and he is now nearing his final year in university studying electrical engineering.

Michael Oketcho

Over the last few years, he has used his skills to update and upgrade our twenty plus-year old electrical system, saving us thousands of dollars in the process. He has branched out into maintaining our quirky Wi-Fi system and serving as the lab tech during Uganda National Exams.

How has being a part of the Rafiki community influenced his life?

I would, first of all, say the Rafiki Bible Study every morning. I have actually attended Bible study since starting at the Rafiki school in 2012. We spend almost thirty minutes every day doing Bible study, going through the different books of the Bible.

Rafiki colleagues led him to attend Ssenge Baptist Church. He stayed partly because of their commitment to the Reformed doctrines, similar to Rafiki.

I have seen God’s faithfulness from the time I have been provided with education here at Rafiki during my secondary days. And also now I have a job, and through that, I am able to cater for my needs, and also be able to go to the university. And for that, I am really grateful for God’s providence and His faithfulness that He has led me here.

Christian Educators Conference

In late August, we welcomed Karen Elliott and Steve Kranz from the Home Office. They came for the first annual Christian Educators Conference, sponsored by our partner, the Church of Uganda. Karen gave a keynote address and I led a breakout session. Slowly, but steadily, quality classical Christian education is advancing in Uganda.

Karen Elliott presents teachers with Global Study Bibles generously donated by Crossway.

Michelle Graves and Karen Elliott at the First Annual Christian Teachers Conference.

South Sudan

As I am writing this newsletter, we are hosting a training week for teachers from South Sudan who have begun using the Rafiki Education System. It is a huge challenge for them on many levels, but much needed. There are a number of groups asking us for assistance. Karen and Steve visited the country in August and we are working on visiting with our Kenyan colleagues in the new year.

U.S. Visits

We are currently planning on being in the Houston area before Christmas, including a visit to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on behalf of Rafiki. We will then be in Northern Virginia and New York City towards the end of the month. In mid-March we will be in the Orlando area for Rafiki Enrichment and meetings. Please let us know if any of you will be near us. We would love to catch up and report on what is going on here. Maybe you would like to attend Enrichment as well? it is open to all!

Thanksgivings

Ebola remains under control in Uganda. Please continue to pray with us that the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is brought under control and that the Ugandan authorities are successful in preventing cross-border spread.
Our accreditation application for the teachers’ institute is moving forward again.
The financial and staffing needs of our Village have been met.

Prayer Requests

Physical and spiritual protection for our staff and students while on campus and off.
The salvation and faithfulness of our Rafiki children.
Good results for our P7, S4, and S6 students on their national exams.
Twenty new long-term missionaries to go and serve with Rafiki.
The Ebola outbreak to remain under control.

Rafiki Village Uganda from the air on a typical rainy Ugandan day

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you.

Learn more about Rafiki’s expanding opportunities.

Visit our newly designed website RafikiFoundation.org to learn how to:

Purchase the Rafiki Bible Study for small groups for your church or neighborhood
Serve as a missionary with Rafiki
Sponsor a child with the Rafiki Foundation to bring God’s Word and the best education in the world to some of the neediest children in the world in Africa.

Explore the Rafiki Foundation YouTube channel.

Visit (youtube.com/@RafikiFoundation) for videos from Rafiki children, teaching at our annual Enrichment conferences, and the teaching at our African classical Christian conferences.