Pederson August 2020

“What an old man can see while sitting down a young man cannot see while standing”—Luo Proverb.

During much of the past five months I have overseen many plant and maintenance projects. While I am not an expert, I have developed an eye for potential problems to avoid. Today, I (the old man!) was sitting to observe the final stages on a wall project and made a suggestion. A RICE student who is working for us as a casual laborer snickered and told me the Luo Proverb mentioned above that he had learned from his grandfather. We both laughed.

Seven months into 2020, Julie and I have seen God turn potential problems into acts of mercy and goodness. We have not been kept idle by restrictions and limitations on our usual freedoms or consistent headlines telling us there is not one square inch in the world that has not been affected by COVID-19. We have determined to think along the lines of Abraham Kuyper who declared, “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” We are thankful for all God is allowing us to know about and see in action.

Since we last wrote to you in May, our number of residents has grown to sixty-eight plus graduates who have returned to continue their studies online. It was fun to watch the children reunite and reconnect with those who have been away to college or vocational programs. In June it was also decided that all schools will close and not reopen until January 2021! So that meant we needed to come up with non-curricular activities for our residents and find a way to support our school community families.

What we have seen:

Primary students hosted a Passover meal as we studied the Exodus. In a unit on volcanoes, the students learned about Mt. Vesuvius; they also learned that not all volcanoes spew magma such as Mt. St. Helens. Teachers are preparing a drama of Cinderella. The teachers are also planning to hold a debate in Kiswahili to improve student’s language skills. And lastly, there is talk of introducing Greek Mythology and a reading of The Iliad and Odyssey in the near future.

Learning about volcanoes!

Since our youngest resident children are in grade three, preschool and early primary teachers are reaching out to their community students through WhatsApp. Reading at home is not a common practice for most of our school families so we decided to do something about that. We moved our primary library to a building close to the gate for easy access. With enticing invitations from teachers, parents are starting to bring in their children each week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to check out books and to see their teacher! The response grows every week and now at least forty families are coming and parents also are asking to check out books. Teachers too are taking advantage of their four-hour shift to read as many books as possible.

Families visiting the library

Teacher Ephantus and Ray

Secondary teachers are planning two-week-long projects without the pressures of curriculum and national exams. There are lessons on African culture, sewing (hopefully learning how to make face masks), and debate in Kiswahili. Grade ten recently got hands on with cow lungs! Grades ten to twelve are practicing discussions based on situations drawn from previous readings of literature and scripture. To come are opportunities for applied chemistry and learning how to write a business plan and a resume. We are also providing teacher training that hopefully will reinforce the value of these type projects throughout the school year.

Learning about African culture

Teacher Curtis and grade 10 dissecting a cow lung

What we know is happening:

Closed schools have left thousands of private school teachers without income and parents trying to home-school their children. Thankfully, Rafiki continues to pay full salary to all staff, many of whom have joyfully returned to work. Aware of this a Rafiki teacher recently wrote, “I want you to know that I thank God for Rafiki and her continual generosity (my salary, and RICE resources) during this strange season. Your generosity results in thanksgiving to God.”

Some of our teachers have pooled a portion of their salary each month to give to needy families. They report, “We have been able to assist at least 20 families monthly with food staples. We identified families of two of our Rafiki students who we learned to be in dire need. We have received encouraging feedback. One parent, a single mum, has expressed her gratitude. She is barely making enough to pay for rent and supply her family’s needs. She was worried about what would become of her teenage daughters if they continue to go without meals (the risk of being taken advantage of). Now with the food support one of her burdens has been partly elevated. She is able to contain her daughters in the house as she strives to get money for her other needs.”

The four RICE students who we mentioned in the last newsletter continue to work for us and are doing well on their weekly pay. George recently shared this, “I want to thank Rafiki for their consistent effort to ensure that everyone at Rafiki village is being enriched by the word of God. Personally, I’m really grateful for the word of God that is being simplified for my easy understanding. I always feel strong, inspired, and nourished. The Bible study works to shape and transform my life, through equipping me with various ways and wisdom to understand and to know what’s wrong and right in my life.”

What we hope will happen:

There is strong interest from ten and possibly twenty existing or start-up schools and home-schoolers who would like to purchase the Rafiki School Curriculum for 2021.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya has responded to the offer of Rafiki’s new Sunday school lessons. They have 700 churches with 203 trained pastors. They will start the Matthew study in 2021.

Be encouraged at how your prayers and support for Rafiki Kenya are impacting many.

Pray for:

• The Ministry of Education to approve the Rafiki Education Curriculum so schools can use it.

• Application of lessons learned from our study of Exodus during the week, and Matthew as we worship together Sunday mornings.

• Meaningful learning and activities for all our resident children and graduates who study online.

• God would give us perseverance in all things and by God’s grace, there would continue to be much fruit from our labors.

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