Pederson September 2025

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

It has been a full term! In the past couple of weeks we had a high school graduation and by the time you read this, we will have graduated our third RICE group. I always (foolishly, perhaps) have a plan for how I think the term should go, things that should move simply…For instance: accreditation. I am appreciative of all of you who are faithfully praying that we will be accredited for a bachelor’s program. We are yet to hear word of a decision, but I have been grateful for the time to spend as a smaller institution. A smaller group has allowed me, along with my staff, to pinpoint issue areas more easily as well as spend more time mentoring the students God has gifted into our care.

We had a few cohorts this term doing different stages of a special education course. The course requires students to make a presentation on a particular disability. I thought we should try and make it into a community outreach day and thus reached out to a Liberian program that works with autism outreach to invite them to speak. We reached out to parents at the school and made flyers inviting community members to participate. Two visitors showed up. Despite the lackluster response, my students shone. Their presentations were full of great strategies for classroom teachers and reminders that God loves all of His children, not just those who are able bodied/minded. One student who did her presentation on epilepsy (which is often thought to be because of witchcraft here and transferable from spittle) remarked that she previously had run away from people who were having seizures in her community, but through this project she now knows not only to not run away but also how to help. Of the eight graduating seniors, six already have jobs, and I have no doubt that the others will have no difficulty finding ways to contribute meaningfully. As more and more schools hear about our students and use our curriculum, the more in demand they are. 

A very dynamic presentation on hearing loss

How do you assist someone who is seizing? 

Graduation for the high school seniors was a joyous occasion as well. They have already taken the entrance exam for the University of Liberia, and most of them expect to go there next year. We have students wanting to study everything from business to medicine to chemistry. Our students who are already at university are excelling in their classes, but have reported corruption in many areas, including professors who are withholding grades in exchange for money or “favors.” Our students have resisted this and even reported corrupt professors. Please pray that the Lord will protect our residents as they stand for the banner of Christ.

Celebrating high school achievements!

Honor roll students enjoying HUGE bowls of seafood

I continue to be happy, hearty, and hale, resting in the promise that whatever I am doing, God runs it all.

Praises

• A successful end to the term.
• God transforming the hearts of students towards the disadvantaged and prayers that they will use that information to change the community at large.

Prayer Requests

• A fast favorable response to our accreditation application.
• Both RICE and high school graduates will go out into the larger world as a beacon of light and God’s protection as they do so.

Enjoy this bonus picture of our celebration of Flag Day, the weather did not stop us!

Marching in the rain for Flag Day

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