McDaniel December 2025

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

It is already been a full year here in Malawi! We praise God for His sovereign grace in bringing us here, to such a beautiful country with wonderful people and much work to do.

So far this month we have watched our residents go outside of the Rafiki Village for homestays with their guardians and extended family, we have celebrated with them when decorating the dining hall (a long-awaited tradition for the children here), and have had a CORE training led by one of our fellow Rafiki missionaries from Zambia, Rose Allinder, where two parter schools in our city have sent teachers and administrators to learn how the Rafiki curriculum is used and implemented.

Decorating the dining hall

We are so grateful for both of these schools, one of which is being led by our very own graduate, Yamikani! She has been working with a local non-profit for a while now and the community in which they have been serving has begged them to start a nursery and pre-primary school. After registering the school, she came and shared the good news with us that they are ready to begin operation and wanted to use Rafiki’s curriculum as their foundation. This is truly a wonderful picture of God’s faithfulness and the fruit that we are able to enjoy after many others have labored for it long before we came here.

Our graduates in Lilongwe are doing well, as attested to by their pastor, and we enjoyed sharing a meal with them, hearing praises and prayer requests from them, and were happy to hear that things were going well in their various programs. Some of them are already starting their own profitable businesses and being awarded internships with international companies that will allow them to travel to other countries while they work and learn.

Visiting graduates

The Widows’ Bible study groups here are growing too, with some of the experienced members now going out to start more groups around them, each taking a leading role in establishing a new group in their church or village. It has not been quick or easy, but our dear friend, Madam Bertha, is leading faithful disciples who are making disciples after them.

Our children are growing well and loving life in Mzuzu. We are enjoying learning the local language more and more, and we are deeply grateful for what God is allowing us to learn through our work here. Your support is invaluable to us, through both prayer and donations, and we hope that you will continue to support us in both ways as both are absolutely necessary for us to continue in the work God has called us to do here. If you think you may know a friend or church who would be willing to join in supporting us through prayer or giving, we would love to speak with them, and please share these newsletters with them also. Thank you, and may God bless you always!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!