Ricker June 2026

Perhaps it seems a bit odd to be receiving an update before Christmas, yet the Lord has some thrilling developments for our family that we are eager to share with you. Last year, the Lord put on our hearts to eliminate all debt. We decided to sell our beautiful farm home, move to a property close by, and build a modest house. Our dear friends from California went back to California and we rented their twenty-five acres while we set up plans to build and finish selling our farm. During the planning stages of our new homestead, Annie and I fasted and prayed about the next steps. We approached God with an open hand. No longer chained to debt, we were available in a way we had not been since before being married. Our fasting time produced absolutely no leading or direction, so we proceeded with our plans feeling that was a strange lack of response by the Lord. During this time God renewed some forgotten promises for the nations. One was Psalms 2:8, “Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” This was a verse I claimed when I went to Japan in 1998. God tells us to ask Him and He will give the nations as our inheritance. Additionally, God was showing me there are two things that are eternal that I can give my life to: God’s Word and people. The rest is all going to burn. God is leading to give my life in exchange for people.

Rafiki Village front gate

Two weeks after our extremely dry fast and prayer time, a missionary visited our church who has done short-term trips to Africa and Mexico. During his presentation, the Lord revealed to Annie His heart for us to go to Africa. She was shocked. I was a bit slower coming around to the idea of Africa. Looking through my journal over the last several months, confirmed to me that God was calling us to Africa. Wow what a change!

I found the Rafiki Foundation through a podcast. The Rafiki Foundation created a classical Christian curriculum and Bible studies for each book of the Bible. Rafiki has Villages in ten countries in Africa, along with six key programs: Bible Study, Education, Teacher Training, Orphan Care, Outreach, and Widows. Rafiki places a large focus on discipling people to be rooted and grounded in God’s Word while raising their standard of living.

Students training to be teachers start the day with the Rafiki Bible Study

We are delighted to be making a three-year commitment to work with the Rafiki Foundation. Rafiki means friend in Swahili which seems so appropriate for discipling and coming along side of others. I will work full time with Rafiki and will possibly be a Dean of one of the Rafiki Teacher Colleges (RICE). Annie is planning to continue homeschooling and may transition into a part-time position after a few months of adjustment to Africa.

This is a huge transition for our family. Each child is dealing with the changes—we would appreciate prayers for wisdom and insight. We also need to organize a few prayer team leaders to help support us while we are in Africa. Lastly, we will be fundraising for the work God has called us to do. We would love for you to partner with us in anyway you are able—prayer, funds, or support. We need some good cheerleaders for this to come together and we would love for you to be a part of our journey to Africa and the wonderful treasures the Lord has for us and for you in partnering with us! Please contact us directly if you would like to be involved. We would be delighted to share more information and our hearts for discipling. Our goal is to be leaving for Africa in November 2026.

Here are some interesting facts. The average age of Africa is eighteen years old. The average age of the U.S. is 38. It is projected that by 2100, close to half the world’s children under four will live in Africa. There is a huge need for laborers to enter His harvest field. Please consider being part of the Lord’s heartbeat for Africa by supporting our family. In Genesis 18, the Lord expresses to Abraham and Sarah in their old age the promise of a child and generational blessing. The Lord says “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son” (Genesis 18:14). Dare to dream with us of the treasures that are before you and us on this journey. “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).

Every day at a Rafiki Village starts with morning assembly and a hymn.

To visit our Missionary page and give online:

Go to www.RafikiFoundation.org.
Click the three bars at the top right and click “Meet our Missionaries” in the flyout menu.
Enter Ricker in the “Search for a missionary” bar and click the “Search” button. You can then enter the amount that you would like to give. (You can make a one-time donation or a recurring donation.) Thank you.
Click on our profile picture and be taken to our missionary page to learn more about us!

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