Okoth July 2024

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope” (Psalm 130:5).

“Wait for the Lord, our soul wait and hope in the word of the Lord.” This is our prayer with the Psalmist in Psalm 130, that we would wait and see what the Lord will do, what fruit He will bring forth from the work.

The work continues to be much here in Uganda. For me, my role as Headmaster continues to stretch and strengthen me in Christ. Teachers are growing in their love and knowledge of the Lord through our daily Bible study. As we have studied 1 and 2 Samuel, we come away from it with a greater desire to walk closely with the Lord as we remember how great our need is for a Savior, a Redeemer. Our teachers are continually being transformed by the Bible into teachers who want to serve with Rafiki, not simply as a job but as a ministry in service to Christ.

Recently, we had teachers volunteering after school hours, and on Saturdays to help with Outreach, training teachers from RICE, tutoring, other types of training, and enrichment. Teachers are delighting in learning during teacher training times and are working to implement new teaching methods and strategies in the classroom. Teachers are also being vigilant to communicate with parents the vision and mission of Rafiki and educate them about classical Christian education. I cannot say enough about the work of our wonderful teaching staff here in Uganda and their commitment to the work. When I see their efforts, I am encouraged to continue to wait on the Lord, because I see His workers plowing the field with zeal.

For Paul, the work in Outreach has been much. With many schools in their first year using the Rafiki curriculum, he has kept busy extending support and training to them. Being one person, his reach is limited, yet the Lord is at work through the curriculum. Lutheran partner schools have the curriculum and while some have gotten off to a shaky start, others are really putting the Early Childhood curriculum to use integrating Christ into every lesson. Teachers need continued support which means a lot more travel for Paul as these schools are three to four hours away from the Village in very rural, poor areas of Uganda. Pray for the Lutheran Church, that resources will be provided so that they can sustain and support these schools in the use of the curriculum. Paul currently is waiting on the Lord to raise up an Outreach Assistant who can help with some of the workload. Also, please join us in praying to raise funds for a more reliable vehicle as his travels increase.

Outreach school classroom

Struggling outreach school class

On the home front, we continue to dive in with our church community. We attend Bible study weekly and often get to lead women’s and men’s Bible studies respectively. We have enjoyed serving our brothers and sisters in Christ this way. My time with the women has been so lovely, as it is most of their first time studying the Bible deeply. The questions and discussions are so rich. This small community of believers continues to grow. I would say it has been by God, using children who previously came alone, and are now bringing a parent with them to the church service. Right now we are waiting on the Lord as we pray that one day we can have a church building, though the tent has been nice. Currently we have church land, and we are raising funds to build a wall with hopes of moving the tent over once the wall is complete. It has been wonderful to have a church family we can serve and worship the Lord with.

Church

Paul and I continue to wait on the Lord together. Trusting his timing and provision. Leaning on His Word. And delighting in the work we get to be apart of. In the midst of waiting, Lord willing, in January 2025 we will celebrate the birth of baby Okoth. Please join us in praying for our family. We thank you for your love and support.

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