McKeighen Dec 2019

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

Once again we come to the end of another year and the time to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Here at the Rafiki Village Liberia, we are studying the book of 1 Peter. It too reminds us of the great gift of this season. Peter challenges us to remember who we are in Christ, who we belong to, and what we are here to do. We are here as a nation cut out of the world that is made up solely of Christ-followers—to be like Him, to represent Him, and to lead others to Him by proclaiming His glory and goodness. What an amazing mission! A mission I feel quite inadequate for, yet chosen. “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10).

This year, as we prepare for the ending of our school year, the Village is buzzing with busyness. The Christmas tree is decorated, the children are preparing their closing exercises which include a primary school Christmas pageant and a junior high musical drama (our first attempt at that). It will also be our first year to use the new auditorium. Our teacher training college is looking forward to graduating seven students in just one more term. Our maintenance crew is busy replacing damaged sidewalks and keeping the Village in working order. With over 200 students our kitchen prepares hundreds of meals a day. ChildCare is busy planning activities to keep sixty-seven resident students occupied for our four-week long break, and I have visions of another school year already dancing in my head. In the midst of it all we sit down every day and remind ourselves from God’s Word of what we are here for… “to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Junior high school student Peter

First grade math

Pre-Primary one student

Work on the sidewalks continues

Humbly remembering this calling, I thank you for the part you play in the work that is done here. May God richly bless you for your faithful generosity and prayers. May He bless you in the work that He has placed in your hands as you too proclaim His excellencies to the nations. And above all let us thank God for the gift of the Savior and the gift of His calling us to Him.

Joy to the World!

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