Ricker November 2026

Rafiki Foundation is starting a new transition. The founder of the Rafiki Foundation, Rosemary Jensen, passed away in May 2026. We are the first round of missionaries with Rafiki that did not meet Rosemary. Her passion for discipling people and growing them in God’s Word is carried on through the principles she has established in the Rafiki Villages. We will be discipling people in God’s Word every day as we lead Bible studies for people in the Village we are assigned to in Africa.

We traveled to Rafiki’s Home Office in Eustis, Florida for a two-week training called “Survival Camp.” While there, we met the Bannons, another family who was also attending Survival Camp. We shared most waking moments for those two weeks with them engaging in an abundance of learning sessions for us to better understand all aspects of Rafiki and its culture. Their family has been assigned to Rafiki Village Malawi. At this time, we are assigned to be in Uganda outside of Kampala with a contingency plan for Zambia near Lusaka. Our fellow missionary in Uganda is working on getting his citizenship. Depending on how that process goes will give us more clarity on our location. Kevin will be working as Plant Manager, which includes the maintenance of the buildings, kitchens, laundry, wells, electrical systems, generators, and conversion of resident cottages into day school classrooms, managing the finances of the Village and taking over Outreach to partner churches. Annie will be working with graduates of the ChildCare Program (orphans). Rafiki Foundation follows the orphans after they graduate the Rafiki School through helping them apply for scholarships to pay for college or get jobs. Annie will ensure that if they are on scholarship with Rafiki, they are maintaining good grades and attending church. We are rejoicing in being a part of the Lord’s rich work in Africa.

Uganda is in the northern hemisphere and touches the equator. Rafiki Foundation has partnered with Crossway, Ligonier Ministries, and the Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation and has already distributed almost 700,000 Bibles through partner churches. Through this Outreach Program, people come to belief in Christ and grow in discipleship. It is amazing to hear how God’s Word is alive and active.

Pastors with their new Bibles they received through the Outreach Program

Zambia is in the Southern Hemisphere; thus, the seasons are opposite that of the United States. Additionally, Zambia has longer dry periods and recently experienced eight months of drought. This obviously affected crops and food production. Additionally, Zambia’s electricity is hydroelectric. The drought affected electricity production for many months following the monsoon season.

Children from a Partner school with their new Bibles they received through outreach

The local staff is praying for more full-time missionaries to serve with Rafiki throughout Africa. The day school and ChildCare Program are impacting many children with the life changing knowledge of Jesus while providing skills to make an impact in their community upon graduation. These children are given practical abilities and knowledge needed in Zambia.

This summer was busy for us as we prepare for the next chapter in our life. We spent three months visiting friends and family. We made it to twenty-five of the fifty United States. From Alaska to Florida; from Washington State to Texas. It was a wonderful time to reconnect with friends and family we have not seen in up to thirty years and we snuck in some national parks along the way. We are truly blessed to have such rich relationships that we can connect with friends and family we have not seen in years, and continue the rekindling of our relationships.

Praises

• We were able to spend a few months connecting with family and friends and share a little bit of Africa with them.
• To see the Lord working in so many lives
• To be selected as missionaries with Rafiki

Prayer Requests

• Family transition to life in Africa.
• Wisdom for packing items including homeschool curriculum for the next two years, and downsizing our possessions.
• Prayer for Paul, our fellow missionary getting his U.S. citizenship.
• Prayer for remaining support and funds to come in prior to our departure.

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 fly out 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.
• You can also click on our profile picture and be taken to our missionary page to learn more about us and read our Newsletters!

To donate by check:

• Send your check to the Rafiki. Home Office at PO Box 1988, Eustis, FL 32727 with our name and missionary number (#265) in the memo line.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

Learn more about Rafiki’s expanding opportunities.

Visit our newly designed website RafikiFoundation.org to learn how to:

• Purchase the Rafiki Bible Study for small groups for your church or neighborhood
• Serve as a missionary with Rafiki
• Sponsor a child with the Rafiki Foundation to bring God’s Word and the best education in the world to some of the neediest children in the world in Africa.

Explore the Rafiki Foundation YouTube channel.

Visit (youtube.com/@RafikiFoundation) for videos from Rafiki children, teaching at our annual Enrichment conferences, and the teaching at our African classical Christian conferences.

Listen to our podcast for current discussions on Rafiki’s work in Africa.

truenorth.fm/show/the-rafiki-foundation-podcast/

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