Maggio March 2024
“And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered Him, ‘You are the Christ.’” (Mark 8:29).
We thank the Lord for the opportunity to share with you what the Lord is doing here in Zambia with your prayers and material support.
Our current Bible study at the Village is in the Book of Mark, which depicts a fast-moving account of Jesus’s life and ministry which serves as a reminder that Jesus knows what it is like to have many demands on our time. Despite our busyness, He calls us to take time for prayer and reflection with the Father. Our prayer is that we all will regularly turn aside from the cares of the world, quiet our hearts in the Lord, and respond as Peter did to Jesus’ thoughtful question to the apostles “Who do you say that I am?” In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls Peter blessed because this truth was revealed to him by the Father. Jonathan Edwards wrote “in our fallen humanity we are blind to the truths of God, and unless God the Holy Spirit opens our spiritual eyes, we cannot see the loveliness of Christ” (Dr. Sproul’s citation in his Matthew Commentary). If our spiritual eyes have been opened to see Jesus as Savior, Lord, and the Son of God, we should respond with praise, repentance, thanksgiving, humility, love, and obedience.
In Zambia we continue to see significant growth in the Outreach Program in the areas of the Rafiki Institute of Classical Education (RICE), Rafiki School Curriculum promotion, Bible and theological study materials distribution, and the sale of Sunday school lessons and Bible commentaries.
We began the year with enrolling sixteen new RICE students, giving us a total of forty-six students in the program. The new students are enjoying an updated version of the RICE curriculum which began with a rigorous writing and literature reading program, as well as early exposure to the Rafiki School Early Childhood students. Five students are in their last term of the program and are interned to the Rafiki Upper Primary School each day for their student training. Two of our graduates from 2023 were able to find teaching positions with schools who are adopting the Rafiki School Curriculum.
RICE students observing Rafiki School Library Time
2024 RICE students and staff
The promotion of the Rafiki School Curriculum in partner church and private Christian schools is one of the main strategies for helping people to know God in Africa. We now have five schools that are using the curriculum and we are preparing for supplying and training many more.
Rafiki is committed to assisting our partner church denomination pastors and ministry leaders with Bibles and theological materials for their spiritual growth and competence in ministry. We received a shipment in December and were able to distribute about 200 boxes of Bibles and books to our church partners for use in their seminaries and ministerial colleges. The RICE students also are benefiting from a donation of Reformation Study Bibles to assist their understanding of the Bible. Please pray that the Lord would use these materials to spread His truth and the gospel message throughout Zambia for His glory.
RICE students with new Bibles
Dr. William Zulu of Reformed Church in Zambia picking up Bibles
To borrow a phrase from the gospel of Mark, immediately or straightaway, we are expecting a shipment of Rafiki Sunday School Lessons based on the Rafiki Bible Study and accompanying Bible commentaries to arrive within a few weeks for the enrichment of God’s people. We sell the lessons at a minimum cost which helps to cover the cost of printing and shipping. We sold approximately twenty-five sets of lessons and commentaries in 2023. Please pray for wisdom in promoting and distributing these materials.
We are grateful to the Lord for the growth in these programs and for the commitment of Christians in providing support to bring the light of God’s truth to those in darkness.
However, in the midst of such progress at Rafiki, Zambia is experiencing a national disaster. Zambia’s rainy season normally runs from November to April but weather predictions called for less than optimal rainfall. Although the rains started late, many farmers were encouraged by the promising rain pattern in January. However, in February, the rains stopped due to the El Nino weather phenomenon and many farmers are now facing the loss of their crops. Please pray for Lord to use this time of national crisis to draw people to Himself and look to Him to provide.
Praises
- Our growth in grace and contentment
- For our faithful supporters
- Enrollment of new students in the RICE Program
Prayer Requests
- For God’s continued provision, protection, health, and joy in serving God’s people in Zambia.
- For safe travel while we are in the U.S. from March 15 to May 3.
- Pray for our RICE students to develop a love for learning especially their various subjects.
- Pray for more schools to adopt our Rafiki curriculum this year in Zambia.
Thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement to us.
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