Bronke Dec 2019

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Galatians 4:4-5 NIV).

Merry Christmas! I hope your homes are cozy and filled with loved ones this Christmas season. As always, it is a busy time. While there is much to do, we cannot forget to reflect on the great gift we have received, namely Jesus Himself. He came at the appointed time and was born of a woman to redeem God’s people. Though He came as a baby in humble circumstances, He will return in glory to gather all His sons and daughters! What a wonderful gift that we can take time to enjoy Him and the gift of salvation every Christmas season.

As Christmas nears, I realize that I will soon spend the holidays away from my friends and family on another continent. I pray I make the most of my time while I am still home raising funds. Will you join me in praying now that I will make friends in Africa that I can spend next Christmas with?

Next year’s holiday season will not be the first time I have celebrated an event apart from my family however. I turned 20 and 21 in Burkina Faso, Africa while I was there as an English-major university student. These birthdays are some of the best I have ever had. I awoke early and found handmade cards from my missionary team at my breakfast seat. My Burkinabe friends greeted me with happy birthday in French. I was surrounded with warmth and smiles, and I will be forever grateful.

Like every day in Burkina, we finished our breakfast and set off to teach English to high school and university students. While there, I saw one picture, not unlike those in Rafiki’s ten countries, of education in Sub-Saharan Africa. The students had limited resources and were initially hesitant to fully participate because they were used to listening to lectures.

The most striking example, however, was when I went into the church school of one of our pastor friends in Burkina. Students sat crowded at desks in a large, unpaved room. The chalkboard was cracked, and not one of the students had materials in front of them. I say this not to denigrate the hard work that school puts in to teach children. They simply need more help.

My own experience is why I am so excited about the Rafiki Foundation’s work in Africa. Rafiki not only provides students with a wonderful K–12 education, but it has also started teacher training colleges wherein educators are trained to teach children from a biblical perspective. Once the teachers complete the three-year training, they are eligible to teach preschool through grade six in surrounding church schools—much like the one I saw in Burkina Faso. And guess what? They take three quality resources with them into the church schools: The Rafiki School Curriculum, the Rafiki Bible Study, and age-appropriate study Bibles for every student who can read. The churches receive a well-trained teacher, wonderful tools, and Bibles. I think I can sacrifice being home for the holidays for a couple years to help further this work in whatever way I can.

That is why I am pleased to share with you that I will most likely be working in one of Rafiki’s teacher-training colleges—the Rafiki Institute of Classical Education (RICE) Program—as my missionary assignment. I will work as an assistant to the Dean of one of these colleges, helping them grade papers and perhaps having the chance to jump in and teach English and literature. Stay tuned! As I get closer to my departure this coming summer, my country assignment and my role in the Rafiki Village will become clearer. I am excited to share with you!

As we await our coming Savior, I also await the day that I will experience my first African Christmas. Will you consider joining my support team this Christmas season? I ask you to consider praying for me (contact me if you would like a prayer card!) or partnering with me financially. I need both one-time and continued giving. All donations are tax deductible. I have well exceeded my goal I shared in November’s newsletter, thank you!

To donate:

• Go to www.rafikifoundation.org.

• Select “Support a Missionary” from the drop-down menu in the upper right.

• Find my photo and enter the amount that you would like to give. (You can make a one-time donation or a recurring donation.) Thank you!

To donate by check:

• Send your check to the Rafiki Home Office at PO Box 1988, Eustis, FL 32727 with my name and missionary (#249) in the memo line.

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