Wiedemann Aug 2018

Greetings everyone!

Some of you may be surprised to hear I am returning to Rafiki, but I hope none of you are surprised that I am delighted beyond belief to go back to Africa! I returned to America in January of 2014. I received exceptional care at The Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and began teaching at Southside Christian High School in Clayton, N.C. These past four years were extremely rewarding, and I have been blessed by the students, staff, and parents! I was privileged to teach the first and second graduating classes. God has great plans for these diligent students! I will surely miss everyone at Southside!

As for my exact assignment and country, that is in God’s hands. Naturally if it worked out for me to return to Tanzania, my heart would sing. However, I am trusting that God knows best. Where ever I am sent, it will be to help Africans know God and raise their standard of living with excellence and integrity (Rafiki’s Goal).

I just returned from seven weeks at the Rafiki Village Liberia. It was amazing to see what God has done through his workers over the last thirteen years. I was first in Liberia in 2005 when we were looking for property for the Village. The property had housed a boys’ home and the entrance arch was still standing despite the two civil wars. Today, the Rafiki Village Liberia Teachers’ College is under construction on that site. God’s Word at Work, training Africans to transform Africa for Christ (Rafiki’s Tagline and Mission Statement).

I was privileged to work with Christie VanKuiken in the Rafiki Teachers College. There are thirty students, in seven cohorts, ranging in age from eighteen to early fifties. These adults quickly captured my heart and inspired my mind.

I was able to return to Tanzania in 2015 and 2017 for short term trips. Last year I again visited during the dedication of the Teachers College. All of my “daughters in Christ”, except one, were able to be there. If you recall, these lovely ladies were first part of the Rafiki Girls Vocational Center, then graduated from Rafiki Secondary, went on to government Senior Secondary and then to either teachers’ college or universities. Three teach at Rafiki, one teaches at a government school, and one teaches at a private school. I have seen first-hand equipped African believers bringing spiritual, educational, and economic transformation to their continent (Rafiki’s Vision Statement).

Below is a sweet picture of my first “granddaughter,” Melissa, absorbing wisdom from Rosemary. Also, I was thrilled that God allowed me to be there when my second “granddaughter,” Patricia, was born to Jackiline and Stephen! 

Will you please partner with me in this delightful journey? Your prayers are the foundational support of the work. Please pray that all the tasks I need to complete prior to moving to Africa are accomplished with a cheerful heart. Please pray for my funding to come in and for me to wait patiently on the Lord.

If you are able to give financially you can donate online through the website: www.rafikifoundation.org/aboutus/. My missionary number is 167. You can mail a check to the Rafiki Home Office with my name and missionary number in the memo line (#167), PO Box 1988, Eustis, FL 32727; or you can call the Rafiki Home Office at 352-483-9131 to set up payment. You can choose whether you would like to do a one-time donation or monthly pledge.

Would you please spread the word to your family, friends, prayer groups, mission committees, and Sunday school classes? I would be honored to speak about the work with Rafiki and the work of our Lord. 

I am eternally grateful for all of your support and prayers. Until next time…