Honegger March 2024

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

We recently finished studying the Book of Mark in the Rafiki Bible Study, and Mark 10:45 was one of the weekly memory verses. In it, Jesus reminds two of his ambitious (and perhaps proud) disciples that even He, the One who has all power and deserves all honor, came not to exalt Himself but to serve others and give up His life. Students were encouraged to imitate Jesus’s example of humility and joyful service in order to help others know God and discussed some practical ways to live this out. So, what are some of the ways a high school student could put this verse into action?

During the school break last month, seven residents assisted at a day camp teaching English to over 200 students at a local government school. They practiced patience as they worked with children in grades one through four, engaging the children in fun educational activities and ending the 3-day-long camp with a short recitation. One resident, when reflecting on some of the challenges of the experience, said she gained a greater appreciation of former Rafiki missionaries who persevered through the difficult task of teaching the Rafiki students English when they were preschoolers.

Rafiki residents Negassa and Mehriet teaching younger students at the English day camp

Resident Yordanos serving her students lunch

Another way a high school student could put Mark 10:45 into action is by learning to speak well and for the good of others, to share the gospel winsomely and to communicate truth, goodness, and beauty for the glory of God. That is exactly what grade eleven students are learning to do in rhetoric class. Instead of a traditional semester exam, each student analyzed a well-known historical speech based on the concepts studied in class and recited the speech to their peers on the last day of class. My heart was certainly moved as students recited excerpts from Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, Nelson Mandela’s “I Am Prepared to Die,” Mother Teresa’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech, and “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” by Frederick Douglass. As students analyze the true, good, and beautiful aspects of these speeches, they gain skill and confidence in crafting their own words similarly and recognizing virtue in other areas of life.

(left) Beniyam’s recitation from memory of “The Hypocrisy of American Slavery” by Frederick Douglass brought tears to my eyes, though I was smiling the whole time. (right) Gadissa’s oration from Lincoln’s second inaugural address demonstrated that he will be a skilled preacher if he continues to pursue that path.

As we concluded the study of Mark, I asked my grade nine Bible class to reflect on something impactful from this gospel that impacted their life. Here are some of their encouraging responses:

“One thing I learned from Mark that impacted my life is that we should love our enemies as Jesus loved His betrayer Judas.”

“I’ve learned patience can help us pass through obstacles as Jesus did.”

“I learned from Mark that we need to keep our faith in God. Even when he seems not to answer our prayers, He has a purpose.”

“One thing I have learned from Mark is that we should put our faith in God instead of people and always trust God will be with us no matter what.”

“I’ve learned that Jesus is an example for us in all His steps and that I can be near to God.”

“I learned that Jesus came not to overcome Rome or be a king but to free us from sin.”

Grade 9 students thoughtfully at work during Bible class

Join with me in praying for:

• All Rafiki residents and day students to desire to imitate Jesus’s example of humility.
• Grade 9 students from non-Christian family backgrounds to understand what they learn in Bible class and apply it in their lives.
• Grade 11 students to appreciate rhetoric class and enjoy communicating well and for the good of others.
• Grade 12 students to have the right preparation for national exams in May.
• Me to have a restful and encouraging visit to the U.S. this month.

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