Koepke Jul 2019

“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life” (Proverbs 4:13).

Introducing the Rafiki Nigeria 2019 high school graduates

Plans are underway for the graduation ceremony for the latest group of senior high students, all of which are Rafiki resident children. The ceremony will be held on July 20. All nineteen graduating students are currently taking their second set of national exams that test their competence in high school subjects. They have also taken a set of exams that can qualify them for acceptance by a university (think SAT or ACT). When their last exam is taken, they will return to their respective families as they wait for exam results to be posted. If they qualify for university, they can then apply to local universities. Please pray for them to do well on their exams.

In 2014 Joy, Joanna, and Lydia became the first graduates of our Rafiki High School. After seven months of post high school exams, they qualified for university. They worked hard to attain very good grades and have become leaders in their class at Bingham University. In July 2019, they have become our first students to graduate from university. Joy has a degree in accounting, Joanna has a degree in business, and Lydia has a degree in English.

Our three Bingham girls

Before these girls can enter the workforce, their next step is to serve a year in the National Youth Service, a requirement for all university graduates. As they wait to hear where in the nation they will serve, they would cherish your prayers that they would continue to see God’s provision, protection, and favor.

Carolyn flew back to the U.S. for an education conference in June. The Association of Classical Christian Schools held a three-day conference in Atlanta, Georgia which Rafiki ChildCare Administrators attended. Carolyn was able to attend several sessions that have helped her in leading our school here in Nigeria. Proverbs 2:6 tells us, “ For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding .” So as our students learn, our desire is to help them grow in wisdom and learn to love what is good, true, and beautiful. These aspects are examined in every subject that is taught from literature to the arts and sciences.

Classical Christian Education Conference

Mercy was accepted into law school at University of Jos. As law school is a 5-year program, she has a long way to go.

Mercy dressed up to attend her first court in session as a law student.

The maintenance staff has been working on converting a children’s cottage into a school library. Most of the interior walls were removed resulting in a large open area for instruction and reading. The two remaining bathrooms had their shower stalls removed to make room for a pair of toilets in each bathroom. Some of our older resident children pitched in to paint the interior, replace window screens, and paint interior doors.

The new primary school library, now we need shelves full of books!

Four of our resident boys have moved to a vocational boarding school in Jos. Butech is a high school that also gives training in automotive technology, carpentry, and electronics. Isaac, Noah, Nathan, and Timothy are currently studying at Butech. They will soon be joined by three more of our boys—Josiah, Joseph, and Kefas.

Praises:

• We spent a month in the U.S. with family.

• Good relationships with national staff.

• Water and internet systems have been stable.

Prayer requests:

• Wisdom and joy each day for all staff.

• Josiah, Joseph, and Kefas going to Butech.

• More missionaries to join Rafiki Foundation.

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