February Praise and Prayer Requests

RAFIKI VILLAGE RWANDA

Village

Updates

PTL we have our new additions to the water storage tanks and now have over 80,000 L on hand

when they are full. This helps us with our short-term goals of having adequate water supply.

Construction is continuing on Ephesians and Philippians (Cottages 5 & 6); refurbi

shing Philip (Guest House) from temporary kitchen and dining hall back to a Guest House.

Preparing a playground area and equipment for the children.

Will be moving the school from Galatians (Cottage 4) to the second half of Dining Hall (Elijah).

Praises:

· Continuing construction on cottages 4-5-6, (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians)

· Completing construction on the second side of Elijah, the Dining Hall. Which will serve as temporary classroom area.

· For the donations to complete the playground equipment for the children.

· Donations that provided for the addition of 2 new 10,000L water tanks. This helps with the short term solution to our village water issues

· For the funds to refurbish Philip, the Guest House

· We are thankful for all those who support Rafiki through prayer and giving. We ask the Lord to mightily bless those who give sacrificially.

Prayer Requests:

Please pray for:

· Unity, health and safety for village team, national workers, teachers, mothers, assistants and ROS, All working together for the glory of God.

· Funding for new primary school and a duplex for additional ROS.

· Funding to drill a borehole for water on our village .

· That we would find an adequate supply of water with a borehole on the village

· The Lord to send two additional ROS to Rafiki Village Rwanda; Specifically, a teacher and construction manager.

· That the Ministry of Finance will approve Tax-free status for Rafiki Village Rwanda

· The Widows Program will become operational in Rwanda.

· Our workers to maintain a high standard of work performance and loyalty to Rafiki’s goals.

ChildCare/Medical Program:

Updates:

Praises:

· The children are growing physically, spiritually and in their understanding and ability to use English.

· Money for playground equipment was donated. The children are imagining what it will be like to play on slides and swings that up until now they’ve only seen in picture books. Having watched builders and maintenance men climb ladders, the children are eager to have a ladder of their own to climb up the slide.

· God blessed the children with another month of good health.

· Pediatrician, Dr. Elaine Tan, will be here for annual check ups March 1-3.

Prayer requests:

Please pray for:

· The Rafiki children to come to know Jesus as their Savior

· English speaking applicants for additional Rafiki mothers, substitute mothers, mothers’ assistants and kitchen/laundry staff who love the Lord and have hearts for serving Him and His children

· MiniMissionaries to share in the work and the blessings

· Good discipline resulting in joyful obedience

· God’s guidance in choosing the next children to become part of the Rafiki family from the many orphans in Rwanda

· Health, strength and safety for the Rafiki children and staff

· God to be glorified through His Word at Work at Rafiki Village Rwanda

Education Program

Updates

Praises:

· A national teachers’ aide

· Provision of a temporary school

· Our children

· Uniforms for all the children

Requests:

Please pray for:

· That our students will have a clear understanding of the gospel and accept Christ as their Savior

· For wisdom in training our newest national staff member, Patrick

· That Patrick will assimilate quickly and well

· For the means to build a permanent facility for our school

· For wisdom to teach and shepherd our children

· That our children will continue to grow in their understanding and use of English

· That our newest children will learn English quickly

Feb 2010 Newsletter

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you….”John 13:34 (NIV)

Dear Family and Friends,

Here it is the staring of a new year in Rwanda. The year 2010 hardly seems possible, it even sounds strange to say it. We are so blessed to be starting it here in Rwanda, serving the Lord with the Rafiki Foundation.

This New Year has started with a surprising burst of activity. The first half of our new Dining Hall is finished and operating. We serve three meals and a snack each day to twenty four precious gifts from God, along with their Rafiki Mothers and Aunties. As you may remember we have had six children’s cottages started but only three of those finished and operating. Praise the Lord we have received funding to finish the next three cottages, to complete the second half of the dining hall, to outfit our guest house and to build a playground for the children.

Bev is teaching eleven children in our class of three year old Pre-K’s. She is also team teaching the afternoon Kindergarten class with our Education Director, Anne Kelly. The children continue to increase in their knowledge and use of English. We are amazed how fast they learn. Bev is able to acquaint them with many new and wonderful things. Many that we simply take for granted, like the use of binoculars. While out on a nature walk the boys were fascinated that they could see a red bird in a tree far up the hill with their (paper) binoculars. Upon closer visual exam after “adjusting” their binoculars realized it was a man in a red shirt trimming the tree branches. Much discussion ensued. On another such outing little Marie, the youngest, excitedly exclaimed, “Auntie Bev, I found a weef ! I found a weef!” (leaf)

Ken has had many days of chasing paperwork for with the New Year comes the renewing of VISA’s, Work Permits, NGO registrations and Green cards. As always, leading the daily national Bible study is the highlight of his day.

There was also time to take the Kindergarten class for a field trip to the farm. Everyone had a grand time, including Ken.

We have heard God’s call to serve for the next two years in Rwanda with the Rafiki Foundation and we ask for your prayers. We are short of our needed support and are now at 67% of our total for two years. If God has touched your heart with a burden for these Rwandan orphans and you would like to help keep us on the field in Rwanda, please contact the Rafiki Home Office with your donation or pledge. Our ROS # 176 has to be on the paperwork for pledges and donations to be appropriately credited to our account. We are ever grateful to God for your love and prayers which are such encouragement as we serve in Rwanda.

Lovingly in Christ, Ken and Bev

Back in Rwanda

We are in Rwanda and so loving being back "home". Had a scramble this morning and it was not our eggs!! haha Sitting around in Kenya eating breakfast and talking around 9 :30 AM and Ken gets a call from SOS and they tell us we have a flight to Rwanda that leaves at 12:30. YIKES !!! He told them we were not sure we could make it as we were over an hour from the airport and would have to get a driver from Nairobi to come out to get us at the Rafiki Village and take us to the airport but assured them we would try. Fortunately we only had a back pack each and Ken had a carry on with his computer. He was still on the phone with SOS and I went to the bedroom and started throwing stuff in my bag. Ken was trying to print out our tickets on the antique computer and never did get them printed. Edward, our driver that we used the most of the time while in Kenya, came and he made a dash for the airport. I sat in the back and prayed as buses came at us from both sides, cars careening around us (and us them), pot holes in the road and forging through huge mud puddles and Edward driving in and out and around traffic like a professional race car driver. He was very good and has remarkable defensive driving skills. Not to mention courage and nerves of steel. SOS called us when we were about 15 minutes out from the airport and said they would call again in half an hour or so to see if we made the flight. The Lord was surely making our way as we weaved thru city traffic, got stopped by the road police upon entrance to the airport, then were waved on when saw we only had bags in the trunk. We had no idea where to go to check in but Edward was alert and took us to the right entrance, found a parking place and helped carry the bags to the entrance. What a delightful young man and a Christian. We were so late arriving that there was not a line as we checked in at the desk, went thru security as no line and at customs we just walked right up to the agent, found the gate upstairs and we had 10 minutes to spare, went to the gate and sat for awhile and then off we went. It was just so amazing. God definitely went before us !!! Felt so bad as we were getting into our seats on the plane and the folks from the Rafiki Village called us...we left in such a hurry that did not have time to hunt anyone down to say goodbye but Ken did call the village director to say we were leaving as we left the village. Such dear folks!!! So had a nice flight form Nairobi to Burundi and then on to Kigali. Tim picked us up at the airport and we were home by 3:30PM.

Was so cute as the kids were out playing and all of them were waving and hollering as we drove up the road. Soon after we arrived Ken & Tim went to Nyamata and I scooted to the cottages to say hello to the Mama's and children. They were so excited to see me..oh how my heart was so blessed. So many smiles and big hugs and full of questions. One little girl screamed to the other children as I approached the gazebo "LOOK EVERYONE, AUNTIE BEV IS COMING!!!" All the kids rushed over to greet. Little Emmanuel who is three years old said "Auntie Bev, I prayed for you. Are you OK now?" He was so sweet and I assured him I am now OK. (OK as I'll ever be.)

Letter

Earlier today I received a message from a Christian organization listing all the stores that do not wish to say MERRY CHRISTMAS or use the word CHRISTMAS in their promotions... and I was getting very upset and ready to complain to those stores... THEN... I received this message... which reminded me of the real SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS... This is a beautiful letter about Christmas and whoever wrote it is absolutely right! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas -- 
 


It has come to my attention that many of you are upset because some folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival.

However, I do appreciate being remembered anytime. 
 


How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.

I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth,just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 


Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. 
 


Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8. 
 


If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list.

Choose something from it: 
 


1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time. 
 


2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them. 
 


3. Instead of writing to the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up.

It will be nice hearing from you again. 
 


4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here.

Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them. 
 


5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her. 
 


6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile;

it could make the difference. 
 


7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families 
 


8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. 
 


9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you. 
 


10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence.

Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.


 
Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love

and remember ...


I LOVE YOU, 
 JESUS

“.....for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

“.....for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

Dear Family and Friends,

We are thankful and blessed of God to be back in Rwanda at our Rafiki village. Our hearts are filled with joy to see our children, our ROS teammates, and our village national workers. And WOW, the new Dining Hall is nearly finished!

Bev is teaching our three year old Pre-K Class. We continue to be amazed with their increase in learning and use of English. Just recently they have begun to respond to a question in class using a complete sentence. Bev points and asks Olivier “What is this?” He responds, “That is a red triangle.” Correct use of articles and adjectives in English is wonderful progress....not to mention a correct answer........she is estatic!

Ken is catching up with the paperwork and construction projects. He continues to enjoy leading the nationals Bible study each morning.

We arrived in Rwanda on a Thursday and had duty that weekend. The children welcomed us back with a program on Sunday afternoon. What joy filled our hearts to hear these precious children singing hymns and reciting God’s Word.

One week after we returned school break began. We held GAMES (Games, Art, Music, Enrichment and Sports). This included walking to Mama Ronald’s shop to buy a “sweetie” (small candy), marching in our parade, a water race and sidewalk chalk body tracing.

And last, but not least, was shaving cream art!

We have heard God’s call to serve for the next two years in Rwanda with the Rafiki Foundation and we ask for your prayers as we are short of our needed support. We are now at 40% of our total for two years. If God has touched your heart with a burden for these Rwandan orphans and you would like to help keep us on the field in Rwanda, please contact the Rafiki Home Office with your pledge. Our ROS # 176 has to be on the paperwork in order for pledges to be appropriately credited to our account. Thank you for your encouragement as we serve here in Rwanda.

http://www.rafiki-foundation.org/ros/merrill/merrill.html

May the joy of the LORD be your strength.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

Joyfully in Christ,

Ken & Bev

Back in Rwanda

Whew, it is so great to be back at the Rafiki Village in Rwanda. What a busy past three months. It was great to visit so many friends and family and meeting new friends along the way, but it was also very busy. We visited 9 States, spread out over the Southeast, Northwest and Northeast. Gave over 35 Rafiki presentations, slept in over 20 different beds and drove & flew thousands of miles. Of course we ate some of the greatest food, and that cost us a few extra pounds we brought back with us. As much as I like and enjoy the food in Rwanda and other places we have been blessed to visit. There is nothing like the diversity of food and unique flavors you can get in the United States.

We just can not thank everyone enough for everything you did for us while we were with you. Sharing your homes with us, setting up meetings with friends and church presentations, taking us to a beautiful Florida beach, rearranging your schedules to spend time with us. Providing a vehicle for us the whole time we were in Maine. Your hospitality was a true blessing to

us and will be long remembered and appreiciated. Even though schedules were hectic at times and we had no idea how the next event would take place, our very good friends' advice of "fun first", is great advice for all of us. "Fun first" is not an activity but an attitude of gratitude in what ever situation you find yourself. So thanks Jewel, for advice with the wisdom of Solomon behind it.

We were blessed to stay in some of the most beautiful settings that you can imagine. We never stop being amazed at God' creation and the goodness of His people.

We have been back in Rwanda for about a week now and it is a joy to be back with the children and our Rafiki team-mates. We arrived just in time to say good-bye to Cricket as she flew off to South Africa for some R & R with friends and family. And this week Annie flew out to spend a couple weeks with her family in Texas. We pray they both will get some much needed rest and return to us fresh and uplifted.

Rafiki Village Rwanda got it's first big rain last night, the past four months have been very dry. For the past couple of weeks we have received a few small showers of 1/8" to 1/4", but last night it rained for four or five hours and dropped a good 2". Even the small showers were helping to turn our village from brown to green, but last nights' rain will soak in and really make things grow. Bev and I are looking forward to having a garden this season and enjoying the fruits of our labor at the dinner table, thanks to those who generously gave us vegetable seeds to bring back with us. Of course with the rain come the bugs. Our porch and entryway was littered with flying insect wings and ants this morning. Thank the Lord for our screens and fairly tight doors, they do a marvelous job of keeping most of the critters outside.

The construction on our dining hall is coming along very well. We are praying we can occupy it by the first week of November. That will free up our Guest House for MiniMissionaries to come to Rafiki Village Rwanda. We would love to see you and have you visit us here, to work and play with the children and just enjoy the country of Rwanda. If you are thinking you might like to come to Rwanda please contact our Rafiki Home Office in the Orlando Florida area at 352-483-9131 or visit the web site at www.rafiki-foundation.org and click on the "Get Involved" link. You can also read our past newsletters from the web site, click on the "Where We Are" link and then Rwanda.

Thanks again to all of you for all your help, prayers and support.

Family Time

We are in Portland Oregon with all the kids and having a wonderful time with them all. Was able to spend a few days at the coast in Lincoln City. It was chilly and foggy most of the time, but we had a very nice place to stay and had a great time just hanging out and walking on the beach. Portland was in the mid to upper 90's and at the coast it was in the 50's and 60's with a strong wind most of the time. It was hard to believe there was that much of a temperature change in that distance.

On Sunday we were able to drive down to Salem and attend church with Hokie. We were able to share a little about Rafiki and their work in Africa with h

is Sunday School class. It was a wonderful time of worship with the fellowship at Salem First Baptist. In the afternoon we met with Josh and Heather Dunn, who are leaving soon for missionary training in North Carolina. It was wonderful to see their excitement and how the Lord is leading in their lives.

This week has been even hotter in Portland. It seems strange to come from Africa and be hotter here than there. We are blessed to serve in Rwanda. Where the days will be in the upper 80's and the in the sun it is hot, but if you can get into some shade with a little breeze, it is comfortable. And it will cool off during the nights to the low 60's by morning. We were so hot that we got a hotel room for a couple days so we can all enjoy the pool. It is like another mini vacation and fun to watch Audrey in the pool.

We have so enjoyed our time with all the kids and of course Audrey is such a delight.