Pederson July 2025

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel” (Ezra 7:10).

In 1997, as we prepared to step into missionary work with BSF and Rafiki, we had the joy of studying Ezra and Nehemiah at that time. I remember so many applicable lessons, such as trusting the Lord for resources, finding that the work was one of the community of believers and not just a solo gig, and going to an unfamiliar land to bring God’s Word. We have come to Ezra and Nehemiah in the Rafiki Bible Study these days and find similar and new truths in a different context.

The Community of Believers

We welcomed not one but two groups of young people in May and June who came alongside to see, help, and bless the work here. Our first team was twenty-six members of the Wheaton Symphonic Band. Their director, Dr. Brady McNeil, had scouted out Rafiki Kenya and Tanzania last year and determined it was a good fit. They came with great organization, youthful enthusiasm, and beautiful music. Even more, they came with a love for the Lord that was evident in all they did. They faithfully and frequently sang the Doxology after different events, giving praise to the Lord. They gave six different performances in as many days! Dr. McNeil wrote later,

I don’t think there are adequate words to describe the tangible presence of God we felt throughout our trip. The students raved about Rafiki, and I know their lives have been transformed as a result of the connections they made with the children, staff, and community. These are memories our students and the Rafiki students will take with them the rest of their lives, and you were a huge part of that. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Wheaton Symphonic Band

Our second group was the homeschooling teens from Veritas Scholars Academy. These students came from all around the United States, most never having met except online. They came to serve, and they accomplished great things from helping in the library, to organizing curriculum, assisting with music, P.E. and preschoolers, and binding hymnals. And of course, having fun activities with the residents who are just their age!

Veritas Scholars Academy

We cannot fail to mention that you all, as our community of believers, have been such a supportive team for our daughters. We praise God that we were able to attend Olivia’s graduation from Seattle Pacific University in June. She completed her Degrees in Education and the Honors program summa cum laude. Her next step will be spending a year as an Au Pair (nanny) in the suburbs of Paris.

Olivia’s graduation

Speaking of graduations, two of our resident graduates completed their degrees at Kenya College of Accountancy. James finished in finance and Grace in accounting. They worked hard and persevered through COVID and the challenges of college life in Kenya. We praise God for His work and ask for His grace in providing jobs and spiritual growth for these two and all the others.

Grace and James

Outreach—Helping Build the Walls

For such a time as this, God is opening eyes and hearts and opening doors for the Rafiki Bible Study and Curriculum to be implemented across Kenya. Schools and churches express the great need for solid, deep, transformational curriculum for children, for their hearts and minds. We have already done three Sunday school trainings this year for a combined sixty churches. We also have visitors every week wanting to know how to transition to classical Christian education. We hosted forty teachers for their second CORE training in April. They continue to see this as a beautiful curriculum, and want to keep trying and growing as teachers. Please pray for us to be able to encourage, strengthen, and equip. Also, pray that God would make a way to use the Rafiki Curriculum without the constraints of the national exam requirements.

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