Nelson March 2025

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14a).

Across the grass calls out a distinctive voice, “Madame Andrea, I’m praying for you!” It’s a frequently heard statement from one of our teen boys named Awumbe.

In 2010, when Awumbe’s uncle was no longer able to provide basic needs for Awumbe and his two cousins in addition to his own children, he reached out to the Ghana Department of Social Welfare for help. After going through Rafiki’s intake process, Awumbe and his cousins came to the Rafiki Village. It soon became clear that Awumbe was developing at a different rate than his peers. He did not say much. However, he did have rhythm and would drum on anything he could find. He also drove “cars” around the Village which were made of branches or other materials he found lying around. His face was usually overtaken by a big smile. However, his slow development raised questions. Will he be able to speak clearly? Will he be able to take care of himself? Will he ever read? What does his future hold? Many prayers have been spoken for Awumbe in addition to all of our children.

Throughout the years, efforts were made to mainstream Awumbe with the other Rafiki School students, but at a certain point that was not working. Thankfully, we had developed a relationship with a special education school in Accra which had an opening for Awumbe. He was able to attend the school for a couple years, but during the 2020 pandemic shutdowns, Awumbe’s tutoring was brought back to the Rafiki Village. In 2021 a special education teacher was hired by the Rafiki School, and Awumbe began daily lessons with Mr. Frederick.

These past few years, Awumbe has thrived. Many of our questions about his development have been answered. He can carry on a simple conversation. His Rafiki father reports that he’s the neatest boy in the house and capable of keeping himself clean and washing his own clothes. And, he has learned to read! Hearing him read the Bible is, indeed, a sweet sound.

Through God’s gracious providence, and the faithful support of Rafiki donors and sponsors, Awumbe has developed far beyond where he would have in his home village in northern Ghana. He is being trained in goat rearing, and his extended family is prepared to help him pursue that work in the future.

More importantly, Awumbe knows God’s Word and, in his simple way, he appears to love the Lord. Please thank God with us that He cares for Awumbe and each of the children He brought to the ten Rafiki Villages. Please also thank God for the generosity of so many people who have given to the child sponsorship program. Please pray that God will raise up more missionaries for the work He is doing in Ghana and the other nine Rafiki Villages.

Your prayers and support are a consistent encouragement to us as we continue to follow God’s call for us in Ghana. We are thankful we have been able to play a role in offering opportunities to Awumbe and many others to know God and raise their standard of living.

Ian with Awumbe in 2015.

Awumbe with four other students who also attended the special school in Accra, plus one of the girls’ brother.

Now that he can read, Awumbe was awarded his own Bible at the end of year recitation!

Awumbe is the back seat driver of this hose car along with the Residence Hall father’s son.

Holding the flag in the Independence Day parade was an honor for Awumbe this year.

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