Allinder September 2021

“Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8).

As all families do, the families at Rafiki Village Zambia continue to grow and change. Our families are comprised of the resident orphans who came here when they were very young and who are growing up, moving out, and pursuing the futures God has planned for them.

But not all are ready to move out. Currently there are thirteen resident primary school-aged children living at our Village. The other 107 primary students and all preschool students are day students. When Zambian schools were closed in June due to the increase of COVID in the country, the resident kids sorely missed their friends and teachers. They were very excited to resume school August 23.

Lunch with classmates!

Before the reopening of schools, we took the thirteen youngest residents to our capital city, Lusaka, which is about thirty-five miles away. Our Rafiki Village is in a rural area so going to the “big city” with its billboards, shopping malls, and skyscrapers was an exciting outing for them. In addition to experiencing escalators and elevators, the kids got to visit stores similar to Wal-Mart and a pet store (a huge hit for them).

Learning about tropical fish

Exploring the mall was definitely fun, but the kids enjoyed as much the treat of a take-away fried chicken lunch and ice cream dessert!

Boys enjoying lunch

The ultimate winner of the “who can make their ice cream cone last the longest” competition

These children have been blessed to have Rafiki Mothers who love and care for them, access to medical care when needed, spiritual nourishment at church and through home devotions, and healthy meals. All this is because they have had sponsors whose prayer and financial support make possible all these good things. To those of you who are currently sponsoring the resident children, I join them in saying “thank you.”

Thank you!

If you are interested in sponsoring one of the residents at any of the ten Rafiki Villages, check out the website at rafikifoundation.org.

Or perhaps you’d like to sponsor a day student. As I mentioned, the majority of students in our school now are day students. In fact, 77% of our preschool through Grade 12 students here in Zambia come from the community around us. The families of these students pay school fees but only a part. The actual cost for the classical and Christian education at our school is beyond the ability of the families to pay. Perhaps you’d like to help one of them. You can learn more about sponsoring a day student at the Rafiki website.

I end this letter, as I usually do, expressing my deep thanks and gratitude for your support and encouragement. May God richly bless you.

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