“And He said to them, ‘Go into the entire world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark16:15

  

This past week, on Monday I went along with two other volunteers and Rafiki AfricaMinistries to a nearby community to evangelize the gospel and to encourage the people that lived there. Upon our arrival we were met with a recent news update from one of the members of the community. He reported that there had been four deaths the day prior due to fighting that has been occurring between a neighboring district. These people who live in this community had come from the North where many of them were forced to fight in the war and were forced to kill family members. There people are bitter against life and are having a hard time making a living or even knowing how to enjoy life. 

  Our first stop was to go visit a family of a child whom Rafiki has been caring for many year unable to locate and contact her family. They were excited to finally find the family and the family was excited to hear that their child was doing well and has been well taken care of. 

After our visit we walked door to door visiting with the people, comforting them, encouraging them and sharing the gospel with them. We had eight people in our group so we split up into four groups of two as we went out into the community. Most of these people did not have bibles but many had a religious background and were familiar with the bible. We had been able to take with us ten bibles and ten households rejoiced and thanked us for giving them a bible. The people in this community were very receptive and welcomed us into their small home offering us the best seats in the house. They listened while we talked and were receptive of the Gospel. Before we would leave a home we would ask them if we could pray for them and what could we pray about. Many people had requests for healing from disease, protection over their families, job needs and the provision for school fees. These people live in very small one room apartments which are very primitive. Many of the women make jewelry from paper beads and sell them to make ends meet. Most of the people that we witnessed to were not Christians and one man that we spoke with admitted that he wasn’t a Christian but that he wasn’t ready to accept Christ as his Savior.  One of the men that we spoke with understood the gospel and professed to be born again. This man made a comment that left an impact on me. He said “You know the gospel message is so simple, I’m a sinner and Christ is the only way to heaven and though him only am I cleansed of my sins.” His belief and faith encouraged me. The gospel is simple and sometimes we can make it seem more complicated than it really is. Romans 10:9-10 says ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”The gospel is simple enough that a child can understand it if we don’t make it complicated. One of the other groups had the joy of leading a person to Christ! We had a joyful time sowing the seeds of the gospel and encouraging these people. We plan on making more trips over to this community and will continue to encourage these people and continue to share the gospel with them. Many people here welcome hearing the gospel and love being visited. People all over the world are hungry for something more than what this world has to offer them. My question to myself and to others who may be reading this, are we being faithful to reach out to all people? What are we doing to share Christ with those we come into contact with? I have struggled in the past with sharing the gospel because I was always nervous about having the right words to say. Well, I still sometimes feel nervous about speaking to others but the desire that I have for them to hear about the good news and having the assurance that Christ will work in their hearts gives me boldness.  Also, knowing that sharing with others isn’t about what I can get out of it but that the purpose is to further the kingdom of God and to bring Him glory.

By Mary Lemons, Rafiki Volunteer

We support you, Nigeria: Let´s      #BringBackOurGirls

Rafiki Africa Ministries'children, Staff,Volunteers and Directors express their support for Nigeria´s kidnapped girl students and their families. We stand with Nigerians to #BringBackOurGirls.

“The recent abduction of girls by militants in Nigeria is abhorrent, and Rafiki Africa Ministries strongly condemns the act as a violation of human rights.

Children must be allowed to be children, to grow up in a secure environment where they can develop and flourish as individuals. Every child has a fundamental right to education, and the international community must do everything it can to ensure this right is protected.

We urge the abductors to free the girls immediately.

We would like to express our sympathies to the families of these girls, and we support the #bringbackourgirls campaign.”

– Rafiki Africa Ministries Executive Directors Joseph&Sara Kiwanuka

 

Please join us in showing – and sharing – your support for the girls of Nigeria, and for the right of every child to education and personal safety.

Background on the kidnappings in Nigeria:

In the middle of the night of 14-15 April 2014 an estimated 276 girls were kidnapped from their school dormitory in the town of Chibok, in Borno State, Nigeria. It was the evening before they were to take a final exam that would have qualified them for advanced education.

The terrorist group Boko Haram, an Islamic Jihadist organisation founded in Nigeria, has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. Boko Haram opposes the “Westernisation” of Nigerians, and particularly opposes modern education for girls.

Except for several girls who managed to escape the kidnappers, well over 200 girls remain missing.

 

The staff of the SOS Children´s Villages International office in Vienna, Austria. Photo © David Lindbjerg, SOS Children´s Villages

  VOLUNTEERING AT RAFIKI: THE INSIDE SCOOP

Recently, we asked one of our wonderful volunteers, Courtney to write about her volunteer experience at Rafiki…from her perspective. Here’s what she gave us:

 

 

When I found out that I would be spending my summer in Uganda, I was so excited! I couldn’t believe that I was going to Africa. When I arrived here, I realized just how different Africa is than Texas, and how different Africa is than what most people think. No, we don’t live in straw huts. No, there aren’t lions in our front yard. Yes, we have power, most of the time. Yes, we have running water, most of the time. Yes, we live in a house, drive cars, and get some food at a grocery store. But this is still the other side of the world, and things are still very different here. The food was probably the biggest adjustment I had to make. For our first lunch we had porsho and beans. Then for dinner, we had rice and beans. I was shocked to find out that most of what we eat is rice and beans. While there is some variety, depending on the day, that’s pretty much a standard meal. I fondly think back to the first morning when I came down for bath time. I went into the girls’ room and was immediately greeted by 6 tiny naked girls hugging me and shouting, “Auntie, Auntie!” I was caught by surprise, as anyone can imagine. However, bath time has become one of the best times of the day because it’s a time where we get to spend time talking to the girls (they now keep their clothes on to hug us). 

Getting to go outside of Rafiki and serve at other ministries in Uganda has also been such a lovely experience. It’s amazing to see the need for Christ all over Uganda. We have served at a few baby homes. Our service can include playing with toddlers, holding babies, feeding, washing windows, and moving brush. At one of the baby homes, I was able to hold a three-week-old baby girl. I could not imagine leaving that baby for dead somewhere, though I held her for a mere thirty minutes. Cases of abandonment are all over Uganda. Babies are left in pit latrines, at police stations, and with strangers. It breaks my heart to know that there is so much hurt here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my time here, we received two new babies. I feel blessed to be able to be part of their first memories at Rafiki, though I do not know if they will remember me. To be able to see the transition that takes place when you get a new child has been incredible and overwhelming. The doctor visits, medicines, new rules, and potty training can really tire you out. But it is so worth it to know that this baby is now getting food three times a day. This baby has a warm bed to sleep in. This baby has been bathed. This baby is loved.   

 It has been a rollercoaster sometimes taking care of all of the kids. There are the moments when you cannot imagine ever leaving Uganda to go home because our kids are so sweet and wonderful. Then there are moments when you want to hit your head against the wall because the same kids are driving you crazy! I know that God is sustaining me especially in those moments. The kids are so funny, welcoming, spunky, and loving. I don’t think it’s possible to come here and not fall in love with them. They are always providing me with a laugh, while laughing at how I try to pronounce Lugandan words. They are always up for sitting in my lap and cuddling. They are always eager to play games with me. Before I came here, I didn’t really know what to expect. Would I be their friend? Would I be their teacher? Would I be their mom? Throughout the course of the summer, I have gotten to be all three of those roles and more. I’ve been a nurse, a sounding board, a cook, a seat belt, a warm hug, a smiling face, and sometimes a toilet (potty training is rough). When you come to Rafiki, you get to be everything and more, if you let yourself. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You may be thinking, how do you deal with living in another culture for two months? Let me be the first to tell you: Do not let that keep you from coming. The staff here is so welcoming and loving. They have really helped make the adjustment easier. No, you can’t learn all the cultural things just by asking questions, but that’s a good start. I think by the end of the first week the staff was getting tired of my incessant questioning, which still hasn’t slowed down. Uganda is different than America, and that’s okay. It’s not bad, it’s just different. 

I will definitely miss Rafiki when I go home. It has become a home to me over the past months. However, I know that this current time is over, and a new season is about to begin. I’m thankful for the opportunity to come and serve here. I’m thankful to serve a God who is being exalted across the world in Uganda.

Nkwagala,Nyo 

 Courtney

The “Little Ones” are in School!

Aisha and Abby (almost 3) have started doing their own preschool class while the big kids are at school. They have been learning colors, numbers, shapes, and opposites. In these pictures, they are learning about the difference between hard and soft.  We have been having so much fun learning! 

Visiting Mary at Elizabeth House

We took all of the kids from the Rafiki Children’s Home to visit Mary while the kids were on holiday from school. We all had so much fun! For those of you who do not know, Mary is one of our kids.  She has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and severe learning disabilities.  We love her!  She lived at the Rafiki home for awhile, but God led us to Elizabeth House, a home for children with special needs.  Now she is receiving the one on one care she really needs.  We are always amazed at how much she is progressing when we get to spend time with her. 

It was Fauziya’s birthday so we decided to take birthday cake to Elizabeth House and celebrate with Mary. The kids and staff all ate cake.  It was delicious but quite messy!  Uncle Joseph and Uncle Moses led us in worship time with dancing, which all of the kids really enjoyed!  

 

Sponsor Letters!

The kids have so much fun drawing pictures and writing letters to their sponsors. They are so creative! Here are some pictures of the kids having fun coloring and writing!  We mailed letters to our sponsors at the beginning of May.

We are still in need of more sponsors for our newest child, James!

Prayerfully consider sponsoring him!