Wilson December 2023

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1 ).

The Village is fairly quiet now since our school break continues through the month of December. But it might explain the unique encounter we recently had… with the Village monkey! From a safe distance, we observed him as he frolicked in the grass, swung in one of the mango trees, ate whatever our sovereign Creator provided, and lacked for nothing.

Our Village “neighbor” enjoying a mango

We marveled at his apparent contentment and could not help but reflect on how the Lord provides for each of us as well, no matter the circumstances we are in. There is much for us to be thankful for as we reflect on this first year of ministry in Kenya. God has been so gracious as we learned the intricacies of our new roles and this new culture! And we have been blessed to lead hundreds of smiling students and an amazing staff of teachers. Below are just some of the 2023 highlights that we would like to share with you.

Praises

If you have read our earlier newsletters, you may have seen or heard about a tall young man named Aaron, who we met during our short-term mission trip to Kenya in 2021. It did not take us long to see that he was bright, determined, a great runner, and a writer. But this past November, Crystal and I were blessed to witness Aaron’s public profession of faith and baptism!

Aaron, now a fellow member at Emmanuel Baptist Church Nairobi, prepares for baptism by Sr. Pastor Ken Mbugua

Long before we ever met him, his personal testimony was being developed through countless nights of missionary prayers, thousands of hours of Rafiki Bible Study from preschool to grade 12, weekly counsel from a local pastor, and the powerful, patient prodding of the Holy Spirit.

This former orphan, alumnus of Rafiki’s Classical Christian School (RCCS) and current college journalism student, expressed himself with winsomeness, humility, and a hope that only the Lord can give. Aaron, a fellow member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, now has a heartfelt desire to pursue ministerial studies after completing his journalism diploma. We praised the Lord that day, with the joy of surrogate parents, but we know that the host of Heaven was rejoicing even louder.

The Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) test scores for the eighth grade students were recently posted and the results for our twelve students this year displayed a marked improvement from the previous year! The prayers of the many truly had an impact on those who sat for this exam.

It was such a blessing to be present and participate in our daughter Jaya’s recent wedding. God’s gracious hand smoothed all the anxieties of our long-distance planning and made the joining of two families a sacred celebration. Special thanks to ‘Maestro’ Felix (Rafiki music teacher) and the Logic School Choir, who honored the Bride and Groom with a beautiful rendition of “Subira huvuta heri” (a Swahili song emphasizing the value of patience) by way of video.

Crystal and Jaya

Updates

The school’s ‘pilot’ newspaper, The Imani Standard, was published at the close of the second term this year. The intent was to help community parents to be more informed about student activities and accolades at RCCS, as well as to encourage young writers to develop their ‘craft.’ Feedback was so positive that additional Logic and Rhetoric students (in grades 7-12) began submitting ideas and writing pieces for the next issue soon after the first came out! As a result, a second issue went to print and was distributed in the third term.

A Rafiki Security Guard excited to share the latest The Imani Standard

Our brief time back in the States also provided us with unexpected opportunities to share about our deputation with Rafiki at the churches that support us. For those individuals and groups who expressed their interest about serving short-term or who feel God’s call even now, you can take the next step by visiting this website: https://rafikifoundation.org/opportunities-detail/short-term. Whether you have been blessed with the skill of teaching, trades, technology, or a heart for widows and orphans, you can make an impact, for the glory of God through a short-term mission trip with Rafiki. (NOTE: The Home Office recently produced an online training course for short-term missions. Information about serving with us is now just a click away!)

Back in the Village we cling tightly to our Administrative Assistant Mirriam She helps the school stay aligned with the government requirements

We thank God daily for this opportunity to serve Him and for the prayer, encouragement, and financial support that many have provided during our first year. It has been said that “it takes a village to raise a child.” If that is true, then our supporters are a vital part of the global Village that is raising the children of Rafiki—educating them and the students of the local community in the ways of the Lord.

Please enjoy these extra photos from events here at Rafiki Village Kenya.

The Director of Ambassadors Football Kenya poses with three of the RCCS teachers and coaches

Two students in the School of Logic learn etiquette lessons at the High Tea

Two students from the School of Rhetoric enjoy learning social etiquette at the Upper School HighTea

If you have not yet contributed to this work financially, would you consider pledging to do so in 2024, so that our second year will be fully funded? God uses a community of willing hearts and various abilities to carry out His purposes. And His timing is always perfect.

Donations can be made through our page on the Rafiki website: Wilson—Rafiki (RafikiFoundation.org), or mailed to Rafiki Foundation, Inc. PO Box 1988, Eustis, FL 32727-1988. Please specify our Missionary #258 in the subject line of your check.

Prayer Requests

• God will raise up more missionaries, both long-term and short-term, to serve in all ten Rafiki Villages in the coming year.
• The Village will continue to have peace and protection from political unrest and the growing Muslim influx in the area.
• The spiritual seeds that God has been sowing in the lives of the orphans here (through the Rafiki Bible Study, daily devotions, and prayer) will bear much fruit.
• Our dining hall and primary school buildings can get the needed structural repairs.
• We will trust and depend on God even more in the next year, resting in the joy of Christ’s abundant life.

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P.S. From the Home Office: The Wilsons have 87% of their funding needed for 2023.