McDaniel June 2026

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

This year started off very well, with our church’s Rafiki Bible Study group continuing on and those run by our local partners continuing to grow and prosper. We also had the opportunity to spend a few days at our favorite place in Malawi, a small ecotourism camp in Livingstonia, where the kids were able to wake up, have morning tea while watching the monkeys play nearby, hike through the forest and climb waterfalls, and even hear a lion roaring over the mountaintops late one night (a rare treat due to the very low, transient population of lions within Nyika National Park). Much of February was spent preparing for our March travels to the United States to visit family and attend Enrichment. During the month we also had the opportunity of hosting a family who is considering long term missionary service with Rafiki. It was a joy to see the excitement all around the Village upon their arrival, and their presence and service were greatly enjoyed by our staff and residents.

March and April were full of exciting travel and fellowship. We enjoyed spending time with Bryans parents in Italy and Alexis parents in Florida. We were also grateful to attend Rafiki’s annual Enrichment week in Florida where missionaries are able to gather for teaching, training and rest. We enjoyed seeing our fellow missionaries, friends and supporters of Rafiki, and hearing from several Rafiki board members. We are grateful to God for every one of these opportunities, and for all of those that are developing here in Malawi for the sake of Gospel ministry. Alaethia got to celebrate her birthday riding horses just outside of Turin, Elijah got to spend his birthday fishing along the Harris Chain of Lakes, and Jonathan celebrated his birthday with homemade cake, which he excitedly wanted to share with his “aunties.” Three birthdays on three continents!

The second half of April, May, and June have been incredibly fruitful for Rafiki’s Outreach partnerships in Malawi! Rafiki entered into a denominational partnership with the Anglican Diocese of Northern Malawi and Bishop Fanuel Magangani. We have been invited by Malawi Police’s leadership to work with their chaplains and officers, conducting Rafiki Bible Study “Teachers-of-Teachers” throughout the Northern Region and beyond. We have also been able to host two new schools from the Southern Region who are excited to schedule training dates for their teachers and begin implementing the Rafiki Bible Study and Rafiki Classical Curriculum in their schools. This is particularly exciting as these schools both operate in a district where the Muslim population is growing rapidly, being bordered by two districts where Islam is now the primary religion by population. It is humbling to be a part of it in any way, and it is a great blessing to our children to be seeing such fruit in such a short time as laborers in our Master’s vineyard.

Anglican Rafiki Bible Study training

Home Office visit along with our Malawi Police officer guest

Of course, we are also deeply saddened by the passing of Rafiki’s founder, Rosemary Jensen, the “Mama” of every child raised and taught by Rafiki, who was an example of steadfast faith and service to all of us. She is dearly missed, and dearly loved, by multitudes around the world. God has used her in many ways for more than forty years of ministry, which has become the means for our service here in Malawi.

We thank God for each and every one of you as you pray for us, send letters and messages of encouragement, and support us financially. Please pray that God would bring in more supporters to meet our full financial need as a family on the mission field, and please pray for all these ongoing opportunities for growth and continued ministry inside and outside of the Rafiki Village Malawi—that we should steward each and every one with care, attention, humility, joy, and gratitude . May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

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