Anema December 2020

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The Rafiki front gate and Rafiki School students

As I sit here wondering what to share with you, I hear the thunder roll in the distance signaling imminent rain. It reminds me that I arrived during the rainy season, and now I am leaving during the rainy season. I have experienced the three seasons of a typical Zambian year: a hot season, a cold season, and a rainy season. What an incredible experience this year has been. The verse at the beginning of my letter is one a friend gave me when I left Ripon and it has stood on a file cabinet I pass often as a reminder of who has been and continues to be my guide on this path. I am thankful God called me to this work and kept me safe and healthy through it all.

A beautiful tree that I have watched all through the seasons

Now that the rains have come, it is planting time which makes me think of the familiar passage in Ecclesiastes that tells us there is a time for everything, and it is time for me to leave Zambia and return to my home in Ripon, California. As with most departures, I feel great sadness since I will be leaving students whom I have come to love very much, I will be leaving a work that is so needed and appreciated, I will be leaving a land that is vast and beautiful, and I will be leaving co-workers who have encouraged and supported me. This tugs at my heart, but there is much joy along with this because it means I was greatly blessed through all these connections.

The first view of the RICE building the morning I arrived at the Village

There is no doubt that I have gained much during this time. God grew me in ways I did not even anticipate. My prayer is that He will use the little I was able to do in a powerful way in the lives of these students who are so eager to learn. During the last week of classes, I was able to meet with many of them, and as I talked to them, it was brought home just what an impact this classical Christian education had on them. As they shared some of the difficulties they faced during their time here, they were adamant regarding their conviction that God brought them here, made the way possible, and would continue to guide them. Fales, a single mom and soon to be the mom of the two children of her sister who died a few weeks ago, said it very well when she said, “…the way I came here and the way I leave are different, very different. I really know God and can tell about Him now.” For now, she is farming, by hand, her two hectares of land to get money to get her teaching license. Edward referred to the Word of God as the fabric of the course and referred to it as life-changing! What a blessing to be a small part of this great work, and you made it possible through your prayers and support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!

My RICE students that I will dearly miss

Although I will not be here, please keep the work of Rafiki in your prayers and continue to support that work. Workers are always needed, so if you desire to serve whether it be short- or long-term, you will not only be a blessing, but you will be blessed.

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