Cicone October 2024

Greetings faithful supporters!

As we write this letter, we are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for how He has blessed our work. We are so blessed to see progress in many ways every day in our work. We have more than we can share in this brief newsletter, but we trust that what we share will be encouraging to you.

Outreach

Rafiki has always desired to share our Bible study and curriculum with local schools. The past few months God has opened many opportunities for us. Mr. Andrew is our national staff person coordinating our outreach efforts. He has been able to visit over two dozen schools the past three months to present the Rafiki Bible Study (RBS). All these schools are enthusiastic about using the RBS and he is arranging training sessions to help teach them how to use it. Many are working to implement using the RBS in the 2025 school year.

John and Andrew were asked to present the RBS and Rafiki Sunday School materials to the Lutheran Education Committee for the Northern Diocese. They were very excited about using the materials for children and adults. We are working with them to start with two churches in 2025 so they can learn how to use these materials.

ChildCare

Gwen has been working hard this year to provide more structure during free time for the residents, especially on the weekends. Once a month our residents participate with a local company called One Bike to ride around Moshi and collect recyclable bottles. The residents visit Neema Children’s Orphanage once a month to work with the orphans. Orphans helping orphans—we are so thankful that our children have a heart to help those more needy than themselves.

Gwen has also been working to help the residents develop personal accountability for their academic performance. She is training some of our weaker students in study skills to help them learn how to improve their academics. Some of the residents showed a nice improvement in the third quarter.

Madam Neema and her EC1 class enjoying colorful paper airplanes made for each class by a visiting short-term missionary

Back to the Future

It seems like yesterday that we were preparing our own children for college. Filling out applications, financial aid forms, visitations, and patiently waiting for responses. We find ourselves doing this again with our first group of residents. Five of our residents are beginning University this month. Four will attend Moshi Cooperative University with three majoring in Marketing and Entrepreneurship and one majoring in Human Resources. One will attend St. Joseph’s University in Dar es Salaam to become a doctor. We are proud of these five young people and are thankful for how God has blessed their efforts and allowed them this opportunity to continue their education.

Adella is our first Resident to head to University to study medicine. The picture shows the team that helped her get there. From left to right, Patrick, the guidance counselor, Emmanuel, our Assistant Village Administrator and her guardian, Adella, Anita, Emmanuel’s wife, former Rafiki Mother, Beatrice, Assistant ChildCare Administrator and Gwen, ChildCare Administrator.

Adella and the team!

Pamoja (Pah-Moe-ja Swahili meaning “together”)

We are so thankful to all of you and our Home Office staff for your encouragement and spiritual support. Though we are separated by 7,000 miles, we do not feel isolated and alone and we represent you here in Tanzania. Together we are working to accomplish great things for God’s Kingdom. Please pray for God to continue to grow our work here and for His continued provision for all our needs.

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