King Feb 2020

“You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments” (Psalm 119:65-66).

Happy New Year!

January is a busy time of year here in Kenya and so it flew by very quickly but I do not want to neglect wishing you a blessed start to the year 2020. I pray that your year has gotten off to a good start. In Kenya, everything begins at the start of the new year. Rafiki Village Kenya began a new school year on January third. We had a good opening day and many parents came out to support and participate in our welcoming event. The school has switched headmasters but things are running smoothly and the transition went well. We are thankful for the good teachers that we have here and pray that this year will result in further growth of our students in wisdom and character.

The Rafiki Institute of Classical Education (RICE) took in a new cohort. I have been taking them through the first music course of the RICE curriculum and it has been a pleasure to get to know them. They are a fun class and they are learning the new information very quickly even though none of them have any prior music experience. We are having a fun time singing solfege and reciting rhythm syllables together!

This January was an exciting time for me. My sister, Allison, and friend, Hosanna, were able to come and spend two weeks with me. My sister Kathleen also came to Nairobi from Chad for a month-long course at Africa International University. It was wonderful to spend time with them and show them around the Village and a small section of this beautiful country. We went on many hikes, visited families from church, and played many card games together. I was sad to see them go but I was greatly encouraged by their visit.

Visiting a coffee farm with Allison, Kathleen, Hosanna, and Eric

View of Rift Valley from Ngong Hills, beautiful Kenya

I also have some good news of my own to share. On February 1, I became engaged to be married to Eric Aluvisia Musasia. Kathleen was still in Nairobi during the proposal. I was glad she was able to be a part of our celebration. Eric and I met on my first Sunday in Kenya at church. He serves as a deacon in the church and we got to know each other through volunteer work that he did for Rafiki Village Kenya. Although Eric has not been able to meet my parents in person, he was able to meet two of my sisters when they visited and we have done video calls with my parents so that they can begin to get to know each other. My family has been an encouragement to us. We are both very excited and hope to be married in August. I will still be serving as a Rafiki missionary after the wedding and carry on my duties as music coordinator. The Rafiki Foundation has been very supportive and I look forward to continuing to serve as a Rafiki missionary in the coming years.

This year has already been full of so many stories, adventures, some tears, and much laughter. Please pray for me and the Kenya team that we may stay strong in the Lord and continue to work diligently to serve Him. I also ask you to pray that God would continue to bless my relationships with friends from church, colleagues at the Village, and my relationship with Eric. This year is going to be a full year but I pray that my heart will remain fixed on Christ and the meditations of my heart would always be on God’s Word and His wonderful grace toward His people.

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