Richards November 2021

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way” (Psalm 37:23).

The Richards have been in Africa for about four months now and we continue to settle into our roles here in Malawi. Each day we learn a little more of what it means to serve the Lord here including the challenges and the delights. Our challenge for today as we head into south equatorial summer, is that it is 95 degrees with very little breeze and the electricity is out—a common occurrence. Our thirsty Village has quickly run out of water. So we are spending precious diesel to run the generators to pump well water up to the holding tank to supply the dining hall kitchen and provide drinking water.

Leading the national workers in the Rafiki Bible Study

But that pales when compared to this delightful story. Most of our 70 residents have some extended relatives or a church “foster” family that they can see between school terms to provide a sense of belonging. But one of our youngest, Praise, had no one. During last school break, his Rafiki Mother used her own time off to take him deep into the bush. For three days they went from village to village in his tribal area, talking to chieftains and villagers. The result: they found his Gogo (Grandma), and his older sister. Thank you, Lord!

Praise and his Gogo on left, and with his older sister on right

By the end of November, the hot dry season will change over to the hot rainy season. This is when staple crops are planted upon which Malawians rely for most of their sustenance. Here in the Village, we are planning our own crops to supplement the dining hall which serves about 700 meals a day to residents and day students. To that end, Jay took three of his team to a crop management seminar taught by fellow missionaries at Farming-Gods-Way.org. Here they learned techniques to best draw a harvest from the very poor African soil. Jay learned how to use a Jembe—an African hoe.

With the right approach and by committing the harvest to God’s favor, they learned one-tenth of a hectare can produce enough corn to feed a family of six for a year. So, we need a few hectares! Our challenge is the timing to procure seed and implements and manpower enough before the planting window is upon us.

The Teacher Training Program is back in full swing under the direction of its new Academic Dean Maureen. Young people are being equipped to teach classically from a Christian worldview and are practicing their newfound skills in the pre-primary and primary school classrooms. We have been in meetings with the University of Livingstonia (UNILIA) to become one of its official campuses. Soon, we will meet with Government representatives toward being fully recognized and accredited as a diploma issuing institution under UNILIA. Please pray for God’s favor for this challenge!

Another of our delights is visiting the churches of our partner denomination. A unique feature of church in Mzuzu is that every neighborhood has a church, or rather several of different denominations. That is because transportation is so limited for most people that if there were not a church near their home, they would not be able to attend. So we have been making the rounds of these neighborhood churches, which are usually packed and from which joyful songs of praise ring out in their unique African melodies. The hymns are in English, but the praise songs are in chiTumbuka, the local predominate language. While we do not understand the words, we easily recognize that our Lord is adored in these expressions of worship—ululations and dances and all! One memorable visit was to a church under construction as funds allow: three brick walls and a roof, no windows or doors, dirt floor, and wooden benches. But the Lord was present and we enjoyed worshiping with these brothers and sisters.

It does not take a finished building for the Lord to be present

So, do the delights outweigh the challenges? Absolutely! Especially since we know that you are praying for us, yoked with us in this work, and supporting us all to God’s glory. And do not forget, you can join us or another Rafiki Village! Short-term workers are always welcome whatever your gift or skill. Rafiki is holding a short-term missionary training weekend session next April in lovely, warm Orlando, Florida. Sign up and then let us know WHEN you can come join us. Soli Deo Gloria!

Prayer requests

1. That God’s mighty work will continue among the orphans and school children here that all may know His Son personally.

2. Malawi is undergoing a scabies infestation (ugh!). We are taking precautions, but pray that our Village will be spared from this.

3. Pray for God’s favor from the National Commission for Higher Education, that the teachers training program will obtain accreditation.

4. Pray for our thirteen high school graduates, who are leaving this month for a new life outside Rafiki. They are only the second group to have “grown up” and left the Village! Does anyone want to sponsor one of them at college or trade school?

5. All 250 Rafiki Day Students to have sponsors and be fully funded soon.

6. For generous giving to the Africa Expansion Campaign. Rafiki is entering a season of exponential growth. We anticipate the thousands that Rafiki is currently ministering to across our 10 countries will turn to tens of thousands. To meet these new opportunities, we are asking God for a 25% increase over Rafiki’s current annual budget which could increase Rafiki’s impact 10-fold.

Note : Rafiki is now able to accept non-cash gifts such as real estate or estate bequests. Contact Rafiki@RafikiFoundation.org for more information.

Attending one of our sister churches with our missionary partner, School Headmaster Miss Anna. We were early!

Partner Church children’s Sunday School in the shade

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