Sanders April 2025

Communities and countries are transformed when God’s Word is lived out through God’s people, in all aspects of society. The hope of any community or country lies in godly men and women, boys and girls, contributing to the flourishing of their neighborhood, village, city, and country. These individuals do not appear in a vacuum; they are intentionally nurtured in the context of a loving, supportive environment and educated in the context of a Biblical world view.

For forty years, the Rafiki Foundation has pursued this task of raising up godly contributors throughout Africa. Focused in ten of the English-language oriented countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia), the Rafiki Foundation has established, in each country, a Rafiki Training Village. These Villages include residential, educational, and other facilities that serve as centers for ministering through six areas of focus: Bible Study, Classical Christian Education, Teacher Training, Orphan Care, Widows ministry, and Outreach.

Children as they arrive in the morning for school

Jan and I were introduced to the Rafiki ministry last fall and were drawn to the disciple-making focus of this mission, which is anchored in the study of God’s Word. We began sponsoring a student in one of the Villages but longed for deeper engagement. Since we had a shared desire to spend this season of our lives working together for the gospel, united in purpose; when we discovered that each of us had skills that were needed in the Villages, we decided to prayerfully pursue an official role with Rafiki.

Students enjoying a visit to the school library

We were recently accepted as missionaries with Rafiki and are working toward a goal of departing for Africa sometime in early 2026. The exact country where we will be serving is yet to be determined. However, Jan will likely be engaged in educational support at a Village, and I am being considered for a Village Administrator role.

Bible study with national staff

Our priority tasks, right now, are developing teams of prayer and financial supporters. We need prayer as we go through the training and all of the preparations and logistics of moving to another continent. We also need prayer for our spiritual growth and well-being, specifically that we will grow in our dependence on God, personally, relationally, and in all things pertaining to the ministry. Our required monthly support to be raised is around $5,700. Please prayerfully consider how you might be involved, with us, in this transformative work that God is accomplishing in African lives and communities.

Looking forward to sharing more with you in the future.

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