McDaniel November 2024

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint ” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

We are thankful to God for your continued prayers, giving, pledges, and interest in the work He is allowing us to do through Rafiki. Suitcases are starting to fill up, clothes are being compressed down in vacuum bags, and all our passports are in order. We are continuing to pray that our Employment Permits would be approved quickly and that we might arrive before Thanksgiving, and we are thankful for your prayers to the same end .

Malawi’s RICE Program (Rafiki Institute of Classical Education teacher training college), in partnership with the University of Livingstonia, has begun to train lecturers in preparation for the first cohort of students next spring. The RICE accreditation as a degree-granting program has been a labor shared by many who faithfully worked, lectured, and administered the program, and we are all happy to see the fruit now coming to fruition. These programs are a key part of Rafiki’s work across Africa, with their chief aim being to produce leaders who will educate and mentor future generations of wise, capable, and godly contributors. The RICE graduates receive educational training, instruction in classical pedagogy, biblical and theological instruction, and hands-on experience in the Rafiki School in Mzuzu.

Back in Florida, Rafiki was able to host Dr. Conrad Mbewe and his wife, Felistas, for a visit at our Home Office. The meeting time proved fruitful, and everyone was encouraged by hearing what God was doing through African Christian University and Kabwata Baptist Church. We pray that Rafiki will be able to provide additional resources to Kabwata Baptist’s faithful workers so that their ministry will continue to bear much fruit .

We were given the opportunity to represent Rafiki at the Missionary Conference in Jacksonville last month, which was an unexpected source of encouragement for us. Both of us hoped to have good conversations with other organizations (which God provided), prospective missionaries who would prayerfully consider short- or long-term missions service through Rafiki (which God provided), opportunities to speak with pastors and church leaders who would consider supporting our missionaries and sending out more through Rafiki (which God provided), and supporters for us (which God provided), but we did not expect to meet so many people who had served and are serving in Malawi and for them to be so excited to encourage us in our upcoming move. God provided what we asked Him for, but He also provided what we did not know we needed. Our time at the conference was wonderful, and the time spent with Bill Wood and Cathy Brown over dinner was sweet. Again, God encouraged and challenged both of us through our conversations with Bill and Cathy. We are grateful for God’s abundant provision and gracious compassion, and we continue to pray He will bring our support to 100% by the end of this year and have us in Malawi very soon.

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