LAST LESSONS #230 — POEM FOR 40th ANNIVERSARY

This is fun! It’s a poem written by Chris Moyer. Chris lives in Illinois with his wife Sandy. They have both been helping Rafiki for many years. When we were beginning to build Rafiki Villages, I asked Chris if he would draw the plans for the first buildings. Chris had recently retired from the University of Illinois as the Head of the Department of Fine Arts. Chris has designed every building (300 of them!) for Rafiki—free of charge! He is definitely a talented man—but not only in architecture but in writing poems. I usually get one on every birthday. But this one is special. Chris read it to the Enrichment attendees last week.  He agreed that I could share it with you.

RAFIKI’S 40^th ANNIVERARY

Four decades have passed since the Rafiki phenomenon was conceived.

Health and opportunity thousands of Africans have received.

 

To this endeavor other thousands have lent their hand, But the. Jensen family started it all when on a ship they left our land.

 

The Rafiki Foundation became a reality by the inspiration of the founding board, And soon the first medical missionaries were sent out with a nod from the Lord.

 

A query to a bishop in Tanzania was revealing.

Vocational training for young women would cause much healing.

 

So, in many parts of the world Young Women’s Centers would be created,

Making jewelry, soap, baskets, leather dolls, needlework and all things related.

 

This was good and many women found hope and much needed support, 

But a new plea for help can from First Ladies with many orphans to report.

 

What could Rafiki do with so little money for such an undertaking?

As Rosemary stepped down from the reins of BSF, they saw something great in the making.

 

Cottages, dining halls, schools and ROS residences were poised on the drawing board

And with money from BSF, concrete in the first Village in Ghana was about to be poured.

 

Nearly every year from that time on, a dedication plaque was placed on nine more walls.

Rafiki staff, donors, consultants, missionaries, local churches all responded to God’s calls.

 

Over three hundred buildings and counting have been nestled into African soil.

They protect children, facilitate learning, and give missionaries a place to rest from toil.

 

Getting to ten African countries takes something of an airline stew.

GambiaBird, Bellview, Arik, Rwandair, Delta, and KLM to name a few.

 

San Antonio was where it all began, a place where you were bound to develop a drawl

That was about to change as Rafiki is headed to Florida…but they also say “Y’All”.

 

These facilities in the woods of Eustis would unleash an even greater array of fruit.

Curricula, printing, shipping, the Exchange, even a classical Christian school to boot.

 

So, this is to Rosemary, founder and leader for so many of these 40 years,

And to Karen and staff, the Board, missionaries, donors and volunteers.

 

To God be the glory, Great things He has done.

Happy birthday, Rafiki. You’ve only just begun.