McDaniel October 2025
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2).
It is hard to believe we have already been in Malawi for ten months, and this time has been full of change for everyone—our family, the Rafiki Village in Malawi, and the nation of Malawi (we now have a new president)—but our mission remains the same: to help people know God and improve their quality of life through his truth. Since our last newsletter, Jonathan has started school at the Rafiki Classical School and is learning a lot! He comes home with new words or songs every day, along with a joyful smile. Six more of our Rafiki children have graduated from the school here and are awaiting their opportunity to apply for tertiary education, while the rest of the Rafiki children here have downsized from three cottages to two. Of course, one less cottage means one less Rafiki Mother…unless you have an agriculture position that needs to be filled by someone with experience and a proven work ethic, and a Rafiki Mother who is a perfect fit for the position. We are all glad to have Mama Alice still with us each day and to see her fulfilled by her joyful work, always done as unto the Lord. The Rafiki School has successfully onboarded a few new teachers and has started off this semester well, with the older students, particularly our Rafiki resident children, acting as prefects to model good behavior and keep order during breakfast and morning assembly.
2025 graduates along with the Rafiki children, the Rafiki Mamas, and our family
All the items arrived safely in our shipping container, from portable basketball goals (assembled by our resident boys) to tires for our Village vehicles, everything was accounted for and in time for the school and RICE Programs to start their terms well-supplied. Speaking of vehicles, your prayers for the successful sale of our Land Cruiser would be greatly appreciated! With the funds from its sale, the Village can purchase a newer, more suitable vehicle for the Village without the use of additional funding. Your donations for our support and to the Rafiki Foundation in general are what allow all this work to continue throughout ten countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including everyday expenses like fuel, maintenance, and the meals that many of our school children rely on. Your faithful giving reaches far beyond our Villages too, by providing training and resources for our partners like the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP). I had the privilege of attending the local synod’s 150-year celebration with Dr. William Zulu from the Rafiki Village in Zambia, after which he had fruitful meetings with CCAP leaders in Lilongwe.
“Some assembly required”
Getting the Land Cruiser ready to sell
Earlier this month, we enjoyed our second visit from the Home Office team this year, which was encouraging and helped to set priorities for the remainder of this year, and the beginning of next year. Speaking of next year, we wanted to be sure to thank you all for your support of us as a family through your generous giving and faithful prayer. Thanks to you, we have been fully funded through this first year and can look ahead to next year’s funding. We ask that you pray and consider continuing to support us and all the work being done here in Malawi. Alexis is continuing to oversee the wise use of our resources as Finance Manager while also overseeing our Rafiki children who are in tertiary education programs, and Bryan is responsible for the general operations of the Village and its programs as Village Administrator, in addition to overseeing the Outreach Program and the physical needs of the Village as Plant Manager. God has provided a great team of missionaries and workers at this Village, and it is your support that allows us to continue. We would love for you to share this and our other newsletters with your friends and churches, so that they might consider supporting us and for them to add us to their prayer lists. Lastly, we are excited to have planned our flights back to Florida for Rafiki’s Enrichment week at the end of March 2026 (when missionaries from all the Rafiki Villages gather at the Home Office) and we hope to see some of you then!
Alexis and Lisa, from the Home Office, with some of the Rafiki Mothers
Bryan with Dr. William Zulu from the Rafiki Village in Zambia at the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia 150-year celebration
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