Wilson November 2025

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Jambo!

As we write this letter, we are at the peak of the short, rainy season in Kenya. The Jacaranda trees are now in full bloom here. The Hobby Falcon flies through parts of the land during this time of year. The grass and foliage are a “golf course green” in color thanks to the intermittent buckets of rain.

Tears of Grief

A great man of Kenya passed away this month. Raila Odinga (1945-2025) was a “Flame of Freedom” to the people in this country and Village. He was the son of Kenya’s first vice president, Jaramigi Oginga Odinga (1911-1994), so he was groomed for leadership from an early age. As the nation watched him grow in wisdom and in stature, he did not falter, he did not forget, and he did not fail at his charge.

Although he ran for president five times, the highest position in the land continued to elude him. During his lifetime, Kenyans held “Baba” in high esteem, not because he was a victor in politics but because, even as the vanquished, he displayed great character. His focus was on alleviating the struggles of the people, rather than advancing his career and he remained an influential figure in the nation’s affairs through many administrations. Odinga was considered “the people’s president,” much like Princess Diana was embraced by the Brits as “the Queen of Hearts.”

To some, Mr. Odinga was seen as a peacemaker, like the Ghanaian diplomat and seventh Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan (1938-2018). To many, he was regarded as a voice of reason. He represented an anti-colonial ideology and was a strong supporter of Pan-Africanism. A visionary of African unity, he was cut from the same cloth as South African anti-apartheid leader, Oliver Tambo (1917-1993), and the Zimbabwean thinker and African nationalist, Dr. Stanlake Samkange (1922-1988).

(I still can recall the experience of traveling on an Air Zimbabwe flight when the captain announced that Dr. Samkange had died. There was great wailing by the passengers and crew alike during that sixteen-hour flight.) That same communal lament followed the news of Prime Minister Odinga’s passing. It was a deep, penetrating, emotional pain—a mix of grief and disbelief—that stretched across generations. The eyes of those who had once looked up to this champion were now lowered, bloodshot, and tear-filled.

Tears of Joy

Seventeen days after bidding their Baba farewell, the people of Kenya shed tears of a different type. Tears of joy and national pride erupted as the names Benson Kipruto, Alexander Mutiso, and Albert Korir placed first, second, and third in the men’s New York Marathon. Further cause for celebration arose when Hellen Obiri, Sharon Lokedi, and Sheila Chepkirui replicated the same phenomenon in the women’s results!

The casual observer may think that these six athletes “just happened” to all make it to the podium that day. Sports enthusiasts might explain it away by citing that four runners in the group belong to the well-known Kalenjin tribe—the fastest runners on this side of the planet. But to believers here in Kenya, this achievement reflected the runners’ faith. An article written by Robert Carle entitled “How Christian Faith Propels Elite Kenyan Runners to Global Success” properly contextualized the feat. Much like Eric Liddell, the Scottish Olympic sprinter-turned-missionary, these marathoners pointed to God as their “raison d’etre,” their hope, and the Source of their gifts.

Such godly leaders and achievers on the international and national levels, help inspire our students to glorify God as they pursue the passions that could one day become their professions. This is why the Kenyan Scouting Association (KSA) Program has become so popular with our pupils.

Cheers of Accomplishment

On the evening of November 3, our Rafiki student scouts excitedly returned to the Village for the Annual Scout Badge Camp. Immediately after roll call, they carried their equipment to the camp site—also known as the soccer pitch—and began pitching their tents. As they finished, the scout leaders assigned the troops to their KP duties and explained the upcoming activities. Later that evening, they watched a movie about the history of the Scouting movement in the dining hall and were excited to finish the first day’s activities sleeping under a canopy of stars.

Our KSA scout leaders discuss the details of the overnight Scout Camp.

During the next few days, they studied and worked hard on their scout lessons, to reach mastery and achieve advancement. They had lots of fun cooking, playing games, building campfires, doing early morning runs, and swimming. For their efforts, our troop was awarded numerous badges. Four of the top badges that they earned at this camp were the ICT badge, Sports badge, World badge, and Nyota 1 badge.

The headmaster awards the scouts

Although our oldest Chipukizi scouts are only preteens, the amount of proficiency badges that they achieved during the camp was astounding! The next level for them will be Mwamba Scout, the senior level in Scouting. The highest achievement a Mwamba can earn is the Simba Badge. (This is equivalent to the Eagle Scout Award in Boy Scouts or the Gold Award in Girl Scouts.) It takes perseverance, temperance, and fortitude for such an achievement. It is clear to see that these rising seventh graders already have the Simba Badge in their sights!

Praises

Rafiki Classical Christian School (RCCS) student enrollment is growing steadily, in God’s timing.
Our teaching staff is being trained on the FACTS student information system, which will streamline and store school records more efficiently and safely.
The yearly shipping container arrived with supplies and curriculum for the new school year.
The scout troop had a safe and productive Badge Camp.
Our three resident GL12 students concluded their last year at RCCS as positive, impactful student leaders for the school. They will be deeply missed by their peers.

Please pray

that God will send the right teachers to be hired for the additional stream and students the school will have next year.
that the teachers will be refreshed and prepared for the next school year, during the next several weeks of in-service/training.
for the protection of all missionaries serving in the field.
for favor and provision for our daughter and son-in-law (Army 1st Lieutenant) during this difficult time.
for perseverance and stamina for our son who continues to work full-time while completing his PhD research at night.
that our GL12 students will be able to recall all that they have learned, as they take their national exams.
the Rafiki Curriculum will draw all students to a lifelong love of learning.