Eastup Feb 2019

“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).

Each time that I have served somewhere internationally, I have had a certain hymn that would replay in my head and become associated with that experience. In Zambia, it was How Great Thou Art. In Malawi, it was Great is Thy Faithfulness. In Pohnpei, it was I Surrender All. In Tanzania so far, the hymn that often plays in my head is I Need Thee Every Hour. As I navigate a new job, in a new culture, with new people, I have a heightened awareness of my dependence on God. This awareness has given me eyes to see His many blessings and faithfulness each day. What a comfort to know that my sufficiency comes from God and His promises are true.

I love the job that God has given me here! Since I last wrote, we finished the 2018 school year with a sports day, student recitations, and an awards assembly. What a joy to celebrate the accomplishments of the year with all of these students and teachers.

Last day of the 2018 school year

As I write this newsletter, we have already finished the fourth week of the new school year. We are off to a wonderfully exciting and busy start. In the second week, we had three quality assurance officers from the government come to the school to perform their bi-annual inspection. They spent two full days visiting classrooms, speaking with the teachers and students, looking at all of the required documentation, and evaluating the overall learning environment. I will admit that I was a bit nervous about what they might say and require of us. However, at the end of the second day, they shared very encouraging and positive feedback. They were impressed by our high quality teachers who teach in a way that engages the students. They were wowed by the way our curriculum and resources broaden the minds of the students. They were amazed by the way our students are able to speak and ask questions and think deeply. They appreciated that our students are studying the Bible daily and learning Christian values. Our prayer going into the inspection was that God would give the team eyes to see the great things that are happening here. As I listened to them talk about how their observations at Rafiki were so different from any other schools they have observed, and how they would like for this type of education to expand to the rest of the country, I knew our prayers had been answered.

Going to class on the first day of school

Standard 6 first day of school 2019

Construction on the science labs continues going strong. If you look back at my November newsletter and compare the pictures, you can see that a lot of progress has been made. In the meantime, our secondary students are attending the nearby government school. We anticipate being ready for the inspection to approve the labs and finalize the registration in just a matter of weeks. Please join us in praying that all the pieces will come together so that we can bring our students back to a registered Rafiki Secondary School by the April mid-term.

Great progress on the science labs

You can also join me in praising God that I am officially a resident of Tanzania, that I have a dedicated staff of teachers to work with, and that 187 students get to enjoy this excellent learning environment every day.

First picture as a resident of Tanzania

I sincerely appreciate the ways you have joined with me in this joyous work, whether through prayer, financial support, or your encouraging words. It is my prayer that you too will feel the joy and see God’s many blessings.

If you are viewing this on our website, please click here for a printer friendly version of this newsletter.