Espinosa December 2024

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Merry Christmas to all my friends and family! Yes, we do have Christmas here. Malawi is very much like America in many ways, but it is also quite different. There are cars and paved roads here, but everything is on the wrong side—excuse me, the British side. There is food here, but it tastes fresher and less processed, which I think it is. There is even water here, thanks to our well and pump, which is a huge blessing. It has been about three months since I arrived at the Rafiki Village in Malawi, but I still occasionally get weird moments of realization that I am not in Georgia anymore. I have been staying plenty busy with things to do in the Village, but not so busy that I have not been able to go out and explore at all.

The Village as seen from the water tower

In the Village, I have gotten to spend time with the resident children, work in the school and help the PMG (Plant Management and Grounds) crew. There are nineteen resident kids currently here on campus and four Rafiki Mothers, affectionately called “Mamas,” with whom the kids live in their cottages. They raise chickens and grow crops and vegetables in their fields and gardens. I got to help with slaughtering the chickens back in October, which was a new experience for me. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I lead morning runs for any of the kids who would like to participate, or for any who are under discipline. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I lead morning conditioning workouts for the guys on the Varsity basketball team, and after the workout we have a short devotional where we look at what the Scriptures say about masculinity and being courteous.

My first chicken slaughter!

For school, I have been assisting mainly with the sports program. I helped with the transition between the former athletics director who resigned in October and the new athletics director. Now I work with the athletics director teaching a few PE classes (grades four to six) and trying to organize the sports program and streamline the lines of communication with coaches and parents. I also tried introducing Flag Football, but there is not much interest among the students to learn a new sport. They are exceptionally good at British football. In addition, I have gotten to teach a few Bible lessons from the Rafiki Bible Study to the students.

I have also gotten to work with the PMG and do an assortment of odd jobs for the Village. I have helped with some basic landscaping and with some of the classroom renovations before the new school term began. The main assignment I am working on right now is cataloging a box of keys that go to various doors throughout the Village. After this I will work on creating an inventory of all the major equipment on campus, from printers to lawnmowers. I am also overseeing the finishing touches to the classroom renovations that Independent Presbyterian Church (IPC) generously funded. Thanks missions committee!

Outside the Village, I have gone to two other locations here in the northern region. A couple of months back, I went to a wildlife refuge where I saw warthogs, baboons, crocodiles, gazelle, and lots of hippos. Last month I visited Lake Malawi for the first time. I went to a popular spot called Nkhata Bay and spent the afternoon relaxing by the water, taking a boat ride, rock jumping, and snorkeling.

At the refuge eating an apple

I am going to a very solid Church here too. It is a Reformed Baptist Church and is excellent. The Pastor is very theologically educated. He graduated from African Bible College and has been taking online classes with Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. When he is not preparing his next sermon, he trains other pastors in the area, giving them much needed education about the Bible. The church service is very similar to IPC’s order of worship, with plenty of hymn singing and a full diet of prayer, followed by expository lectio continua preaching. Those are sixth grade Reformation history words, not to mention adiaphora.

I am very appreciative of your support, and I always appreciate y’all reaching out to me. I would be grateful for continued prayer for the items listed to the right. Thank you all again so much for everything you have done for me.

Please Pray

• I would stay focused on the Lord and the things of His Word.
• The Lord would let me be an impact on the boys here.
• The Lord will reveal His will for my life while I am here and show me my next steps.

Merry Christmas, I’ll see y’all in the new year.

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