Wilson April 2026
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
‘Hamjambo’ [Greetings], to our sending churches, family, and friends!
It was wonderful to see so many of you “in the flesh” on our recent deputation trip! We have now safely returned to Kenya and, although nearer to the equator, longitudinally, the climate is always very pleasant here. We are readjusting to an elevation—2,500 feet above sea level (which is more than double what we have experienced over the last several weeks). As we reflect on our recent journey during the golden hour of the day, the clouds sliding silently across the sky seem to be within our reach.
Our trip back to the States was like the welcoming that Christian evangelists received from first-century followers of “The Way,” when they were seeking support, shelter, and sustenance for their ongoing work in far-off lands. The hands-on prayer sessions, warm embraces, fellowship meals, coffee shop chats, and generous gifts were truly fortifying to our bodies and our souls!
During the first leg of our barnstorming deputation days, we logged over five hundred miles (in Northeast Ohio alone!) visiting many cities, towns, and subdivisions. The godly people of: Cleveland, Vermilion, Cortland, Mayfield Heights, Akron, Warren, Stow, Tallmadge, Canton, Streetsboro, and Coventry lovingly encouraged, treated, and accommodated us. One couple even blessed us with the use of their car for about a week, so we were able to get a lot of personal tasks accomplished (tax returns, health checks, etc.) in between the updates with our supporters.
When we left off last month, we had traveled from the “Buckeye State” of Ohio to the “Show Me State” of Missouri for a Classical Christian Education (CCE) conference. While we prepared for our conference presentation, we received a new request to visit Burr Oak Church in Ligonier, Indiana. The only opportunity to fellowship with this congregation in the “Hoosier State” would have been on Sunday morning, right after the conference ended Saturday afternoon. This was a short window of time for the 654 miles trip, but we were willing to do so! However, we would then have to drive 654 miles back to Missouri since we had two livestream services the following Sunday. In the end, the church elders’ concern for us overruled our zeal for such an undertaking and all things worked together for good:
Since we had just finished a 797-mile trek from Ohio (which was not as effortless as the road trips taken in our younger days), we needed to pace ourselves for our upcoming travel to the “Lone Star State!”
We agreed with the Burr Oak Church to set another time for a visit in the future.
It provided time for us to be “Guka” and “Shosho” with our one and a half-year-old grandson in Missouri, as we were with our six-day-old grandson in Ohio.
The second day of the education conference was very positive and productive. Along with answering many questions for those who visited the Rafiki vendor table, Theo presented a paper on “Classical Christian Education in Africa” to a group of attendees. The session concluded with deeper Q&A and a sweet time of prayer over several teachers who were considering short-term missions during a future school break.
CCE Headmasters and long-time friends
Greeting attendees at the CCE conference
On the following Sunday, we visited Westside Baptist Church in Waynesville, Missouri—yet another warm and welcoming congregation! (We can see why our daughter and son-in-law were drawn to worship there.) After Theo preached the sermon (twice) and Crystal gave a more in-depth look at our work within Rafiki’s mission, we were able to meet and pray for members of the congregation who visited our mission table in the lobby. The next morning, we set off on a 517-mile drive to Arlington—in the “Lone Star State” of Texas—to break bread with our retired pastor/mentor and his wife. They prayed over us and provided us with wise insight on how to ‘finish strong.’
Then, we set off on the 226-mile drive to Shenandoah, Texas where some dear friends provided us with a place to stay, as we prepared for our deputation at Houston Northwest the following weekend. Since this was our official sending church, we were included in both worship service schedules and were prayed over by the Missions Pastor and the congregants. A lunch had been arranged following the worship time, and we got to share our presentation and some good Q&A time, about Rafiki and our life in the Kenyan Village, with those who attended. What a joy to meet new church members and reunite with so many of our Texas friends, after three years in the field!
Theo preaching at Westside Baptist
Reuniting with faithful supporters
The next Tuesday, we traveled to a local classical Christian school with which we had old ties, and we were able to share our testimony and mission with the teachers during morning devotions. It was news to some, and a reminder to others, that the curriculum with the same Christ-focus was being taught and widely distributed “across the pond.” Overall, we drove approximately 2,144 miles and shared Rafiki mission updates with 2,753 souls—to God be the glory!
After all of our appointments with supporters were done, we flew to Florida for Rafiki’s annual missions conference, known as “Enrichment.” On Palm Sunday, the Rafiki Missionaries who serve in ten different African nations were reunited at Saint Andrew’s Chapel for a time of corporate worship with its members.
During his lifetime, the late R.C. Sproul, Saint Andrew’s founding pastor was a good friend of Rosemary Jensen (Rafiki’s founder), and a strong supporter of the vision God gave her for Africa. Pastor Stephen Adams preached an encouraging and challenging message for all on James 4:1-10, describing humility (v. 10) as “a deliberately cultivated action, which demonstrates our trust in God’s character and promises.”
On Monday and Tuesday, we were blessed by in-depth teaching from Bible commentary scholars on: “the three-fold structure and design of the Bible” (Dr. Miles Van Pelt), studies in Luke’s Gospel (Dr. Benjamin Gladd), and “being co-laborers with and for God,” as seen in 1 Corinthians 3 (Dr. Dennis Johnson).
Rev. Dr. William Zulu provided an update on “God’s Word at Work” (Rafiki’s motto) in Zambia and the growing requests for Bibles and study materials he is receiving from neighboring countries. Dr. Brady McNeil, Coordinator of Music Education and a conductor at Wheaton College, also gave a report on how his band members ministered through music and were, in return, strongly impacted by their performances and cross-cultural experiences in Kenya and Tanzania last year.
This spirit-filled event was also attended by missionary family members, donors and friends of Rafiki, as well as prospective short-term missionaries. And, as the name implies, it enriched and re-charged us all for the field. A seat can be reserved for YOU next year, if you are interested in joining us!
Reuniting with faithful supporters
With our Executive Director and Rev. Dr. and Mrs. William Zulu (Zambia)
Praises- Safe travel to and from Africa for all the Rafiki missionaries.
- Paul (Rafiki resident, grade 11) placed in the 100m, 200m, and 400m in national competition.
- Rafiki Classical Christian School student, Melchizedek was the winner in the Primary category and recent graduate, Kirk was a finalist in the Secondary category in the All-Rafiki Art Competition
- We have become grandparents a second time!
Prayer Requests
- For strength and peace in times of discouragement and apparent defeat.
- Additional supporters, to help our financial needs to be met.
- 20 new long-term Rafiki Missionaries.
- All orphans and day students in Rafiki Schools to be fully sponsored.
If we did not get to see you during this trip, thanks for following our ‘safari’ [journey]!
‘Mungu akubariki’ [God bless you all].