The Early Days of Rafiki
Rafiki’s first missionaries: Dr. and Mrs. Larry Messer & Dr. and Mrs. Reynolds Young
Developing craft projects to help disadvantaged women
Rosemary meeting with African officials
Rafiki started by sending two missionary doctors and their wives to serve at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in 1985.
Soon after, Rafiki began sending college professors, craft teachers, and other professionals to serve in various roles to help Africans raise their standard of living. The Widows Program was established in 1988 and continues on today.
Rosemary soon met with dignitaries from countries across Africa, expanding Rafiki ever further across the continent. In the year 2000, Rosemary decided it was time to take this work to the next level.
Building New Frontiers
In 1992, Rosemary met with Janet Museveni, the first lady of Uganda, who asked Rosemary if she could do anything for the 1.5 million orphans living in Uganda. After much prayer, God opened the door for Rafiki to build and run orphanages. By 2000, under Rosemary's guidance, Rafiki began constructing orphanages across Africa.
“Building an orphanage was a huge undertaking, and I was afraid to do it, but more afraid not to do it if this was what God was calling us to do.”
— Rosemary Jensen
This was just the beginning. In 2001, Rosemary dedicated the first Rafiki Village in Ghana. The tenth and final Village in Rwanda was dedicated in 2009. Under Rosemary's leadership, Rafiki developed educational programs for children, teacher training programs for future African educators, a skills program for equipping African widows, and the Rafiki Bible Study.
1946—God gives Rosemary the desire to be a missionary
1953—Rosemary entered the military
1957—The wedding of Robert and Rosemary Jensen
1957—Rosemary and Dr. Bob are commissioned as missionaries
The Jensens raised their children and served in Africa for the next nine years
1980—After several years of teaching the Bible, Rosemary is named General Director over Bible Study Fellowship
This puts her in a position to start Bible study classes in Africa
The Jensens travel back to Africa where they see HIV/AIDS for the first time
God impresses upon Rosemary the need for education and sound Bible study
1985—The Rafiki Foundation is formed and sends out its first missionaries to Africa
1992—First Lady Janet Museveni asks if Rafiki could help with Uganda's orphans
1999—Through BSF, God provides enough money for Rafiki to build an orphanage
2000—Rafiki begins building in Ghana
2001—A Rafiki orphanage opens in Ghana
2002—The first Rafiki School is opened in Ghana
2002—After a trip to Malawi, the Rafiki Village concept is born
2003—Rafiki Village Uganda is dedicated
2003—Rafiki Village Nigeria is dedicated
2004—Rafiki Village Kenya is dedicated
2005—Rafiki Village Malawi is dedicated
2007—Rafiki Village Zambia is dedicated
2007—Rafiki Village Liberia is dedicated
2007—Rafiki Village Tanzania is dedicated
2007—Rafiki begins educating community students
2007—The Home Office is moved to Florida
2007—Writing of the Rafiki Bible Study begins, and Rosemary and David Wells are editors
2009—Rafiki Village Ethiopia is dedicated
2009—Rafiki Village Rwanda is dedicated
2010—Rafiki starts printing and shipping school curriculum
2011—Rafiki's Teachers Colleges are envisioned, and course writing begins
2012—Karen Elliott is installed as Executive Director to work with Rosemary
2017—The Rosemary Jensen Bible Foundation is formed
2022—Rafiki Home Office Staff
2023—One of Rosemary’s dreams became a reality when Rafiki opened the first classical Christian school in Lake County, Florida—the Rafiki Classical Academy (RCA)
2025—Rafiki Board of Directors
2026—Rosemary and Karen Elliott work together on the Rafiki Complete Bible Commentary
Watch a video on the history of Rafiki:
