Harbick June 2025

“And I will make them and the places all around my hill a blessing, and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:26).

Greetings from Nigeria!

Where has the time gone? The new year was just a few weeks back and now it is June! Forgive me for not writing sooner. I have no excuse but for the lack of time to do so many things.

Ezekiel 34:26 and the song “Showers of Blessing” keep running through my thoughts. After over six months of no rain, they started in May just after the Home Office visit. We had prayed for the rain to come before the visit so the vegetation would be green but that did not happen. Just over a week later they began, and they have been heavy downpours often with strong and gusty winds. These winds have destroyed houses and trees. Please pray for those who need to rebuild and repair homes.

One blessing that Rafiki has received is funds for the development of greenhouse farming.

Here are some photos of the progress made and redesign we have done.

God also brought an advisor from the community (he has fourteen greenhouses in a limited space producing green peppers, iceberg lettuce, and beefsteak tomatoes) to help us. He has revised our plans for composting by mixing with cow and chicken manure. He is also sharing with our staff the most successful way to prepare the seedlings, plant, water, fertilize, and then harvest the crops. Some of our staff are planting crops again on vacant land to sell to the kitchen.

We have had the privilege to host both church and government officials who have come to visit or to inspect. They all express their amazement at the beauty and serenity of the place. One of the RICE inspectors was excited to see all the trees! He loved that the environment was respected and enhanced. He also loved how well maintained the buildings are. Well done to maintenance and grounds personnel!

In my last letter, I introduced you to our school resident musician. He is finishing his last year at the Rafiki School and is among his mates who are taking the exit exams. He has obtained the grades for university admission and is about half way through the exit exams for Nigeria and West Africa!

A blessing for Ethiopia, but a sadness for Nigeria, has been the transfer of Carolyn and Doug Koepke. They are missed here. The blessing for Nigeria has been how the national staff has stepped up and assumed many of their duties.

Praises

• Great visits with church and government leaders.
• Term three of the current school year is nearing completion.
• God’s continued provision for the needs of the Village, and our Rafiki employees during this continued time of economic instability.

Prayer Requests

• Pray for peace to continue here in Nigeria. Rains bring the return to farming of many people and the potential for violence over land rights.
• All departments here to have joy as they work to maintain and improve on what they are doing.

Thank you for your prayers and support!

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