Wilson August 2026

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15).

“Education first of all brings the student to a truer and clearer knowledge of God.” -John Milton

Jambo, Marafiki (Hello, Friends),

As Proverbs 18:15 emphasizes, the development of wisdom involves actively pursuing understanding. From the preschoolers who made transactions with their Kenyan shillings at the local merchant stalls, to the ‘mature’ missionaries who received additional training pertinent to their field work—this month we celebrate the lifelong journey of learning that is so inextricably linked with classical Christian education.

Learning Through Competition

The Kenya Music Festival (K.M.F.), an annual talent development initiative overseen by the Ministry of Education, is “the largest festival of its kind in East and Central Africa.” Since 1948, preliminary performances have been held at district (county) and provincial (regional) levels, followed by a nationwide event every August. This year, “the Nationals” were hosted by Kabibii University in Western Kenya. Having advanced to the national level again this year, our students were blessed with safe travel (nine hours each way, by bus across the country of Kenya) and very good results (below), at this final event.

At the “Primary School” level (grades four through six): The Girls Choir performing “Mama” placed third; Mixed Choir placed second for both the set piece, “Since Robin Hood” and the original composition, “Maadili Mema” (Wisdom and Virtue). The Boys Choir placed third for both their set piece “Donkey Riding” and their Negro Spiritual performance of “Elijah Rock.”

At the “Upper School” level: Senior day student placed third out of fourteen for both her Soprano solo and her Operatic piece. She performed very well and was awarded a certificate of accomplishment for her efforts. In the Vocal Ensemble category, her duet with classmate and Rafiki resident, Virginiah earned them fourth place out of fourteen in a very competitive line-up.

Lastly, we share an update from 2025 graduate, Kirk (last year’s First Place violinist at the K.M.F.): This year, he performed in the Advanced Level (post-secondary) event and reports that he “managed to take first place, playing Vivaldi’s Summer.” He thanks God for this victory and also thanks everyone “who has kept [him] in their prayers.” We give God all the glory for the gifts He has instilled in our students and for the faithful, patient shepherding of “Maestro Felix,” our Music Director.

Learning from the Past

At the culmination of the Term Two Recitations, we hurriedly planned our own “field trip” to a noted historical site near Ngong—a range of seven hills the Masai named because of their resemblance to “knuckles.” Located near the Great Rift Valley, their elevation reaches a height of 8,700 feet. But at their base, just an hour’s drive from the Rafiki Village, we discovered the former home of twentieth century aristocrat-turned-farmer, Karen Blixen.

GL7 Weather Field Trip

Some staff show their Maroon Unity at End of Term Recitations

The daughter of a wealthy Danish family, Karen married a baron and left the familiar comforts of the continent with the intention of growing coffee in the untamed bushlands of East Africa. Alongside her many workers, Karen tilled, planted, and patiently awaited the three-year coffee harvest cycle. However, both flooding and an accidental brush fire ultimately doomed the venture. She lived in Kenya from 1914 to 1931 and although she owned 6,000 acres of land, the setbacks she endured on the acres allotted for growing coffee forced her to liquidate the land to cover her losses.

In spite of her farming failure and departure from Africa, the baroness was fondly regarded by the Europeans for her resilience and by the natives for her caring and compassionate nature. As the owner of a coffee plantation, she provided employment for many Kikuyu, Masai tribesmen, and Somali refugees. She built a school for the native children, provided medical care to those who were injured or ill, and secured land for the Kikuyu people to live on, before returning to her home in Denmark. Our tour guide (Stephen) only rated her “a seven out of ten,” among the foreigners living in Kenya during the colonial era! Still, a medical training college was built in her honor, adjacent to her former farmhouse (which has been transformed into a museum).

The legacy of Karen Blixen is preserved in the history of the Nairobi suburb which now bears her name: Karen, Kenya. When the baroness returned to Denmark in 1931, she refocused her energy on writing. She published several literary works in her remaining years. But it was her 1937 autobiography, Out of Africa, which brought her international acclaim. She died at her family’s estate under her pen name Isak Dinesen, at the age of seventy-seven.

In front of the Karen Blixen House Museum

We praise God for

• More long-term missionaries have committed to serve with Rafiki during the last year.
• The fellowship of current Rafiki Missionaries who recently traveled from four other African countries to attend a security training here in Kenya.

Rafiki missionaries from Liberia, Rwanda, and Tanzania meet for training in Kenya

• Graduates (who are completing their attachments [internships] and nearing the end of their post-secondary studies) that are maturing, “finding their place in the world,” and appreciating the lessons that Rafiki staff members sowed in their hearts and minds over the years.

Early Childhood Three Community Walk

• The safe arrival of Angeline’s baby boy, Don Tevin (a July prayer request).

Please join us in prayer for

• Our students to be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, despite life’s challenges and disappointments.
• Additional ministry partners to help cover expenses that our monthly support total is not meeting (i.e. health insurance, car maintenance, housing, utilities, etc.).
• The protection of our family members, living across the United States.

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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