Koepke November 2024

“All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13).

The New Old Way Conference at the Rafiki Village in Nigeria

Over 500 attendees flooded through the front gates at the Rafiki Village to hear from classical Christian educators about the importance of quality education. Among the presenters were four of our own Rafiki teachers, one of whom is a former Village resident and graduate of the Rafiki School Nigeria! We are so blessed by the wonderful team and friends God has given us—for all the missionaries, staff, church partners, and students who love the Lord and desire to spread what is true, good, and beautiful through His Word and classical Christian education!

Modesty talk

In Nigeria, former residents were invited back to Rafiki to attend a talk that addressed the issues of modesty and the wise use of social media. Several speakers spoke about actual events that have negatively impacted young people that they know personally. The students heard about the importance of being careful when posting selfies on social media, how immodest dress can cost them a prospective job, and that tattoos can disqualify them from military service.

A tithe of resident children

We have been praying for many years that God would call a tenth of the resident children into Christian ministry. Of the 112 residents that were raised at Rafiki in Nigeria, fourteen have expressed a desire to serve the Lord in full time ministry! Here are the numbers: three Christian educators, four theologians, one missionary nurse, three missionaries, one pastor, one evangelist to Muslims, and a church musician.

Thankful for donors

We are planning to buy the plastic sheeting to cover the greenhouse frames as soon as funds become available. We thank God for the opportunity to grow more of the food that is needed every day for the schools.

Framework of new greenhouses given by generous donors

Back to Ethiopia

We have served three one-month stints in Ethiopia this year, who has just graduated their first set of Seniors. What a treat to watch as the next group of young adults prepare to leave the nest. Just as in Nigeria, all of these students qualified for university and are diligently preparing for their national exams.

Hermon cottage girls in their traditional Ethiopian dresses

The eldest resident young ladies in Ethiopia invited us to a nice dinner that was served in their cottage. Afterwards, they delighted us with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony.

Praises

• The New Old Way classical Christian education conference (NOW) was a huge success.
• Almost all of the remaining resident students in Nigeria have good grades in school.
• A local Nigerian doctor provided free testing for Hepatitis to our graduates and staff.

Widows Program

For a widow in Africa, finding a job is a daunting and often fruitless undertaking. The underprivileged African women with whom Rafiki partners are talented at making handcrafts using skills passed down for generations and taught to them by others. As you begin your Christmas shopping, you can find lovely gifts at the Rafiki Exchange which supports and serves these women by providing them with a market for their artisan products. https://Store.RafikiFoundation.org/ .

Prayer Requests

• That the NOW conference will encourage and equip Nigerian schools to provide an excellent Christian education for thousands of students.
• For the economies of both Nigeria and Ethiopia to stabilize—food has become very expensive.

Widows Prayer Requests

• Pray their relationship with God grows stronger each day.
• Pray their children will grow to be godly contributors to society.
• Pray God will continue to provide the materials they need to create their beautiful products.
• Pray for the health and safety of these women and their children.

Wishing you a blessed celebration of Jesus’ birth and life!

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