Charis Christmas Update 2025
Misira with her family and reunited with her son and her face shining with the joy of knowing Jesus.
'The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned....For to us a child is born, to us a SON is given'...JESUS
Reflecting on all that God has done this year we are overwhelmed by His grace and power. He is surely a loving God who turns our darkness into light and makes the rough places smooth. We have listened to so many testimonies it's difficult to choose which to share because each one is an amazing story of transformation, revealing we serve a God who does the impossible, moving people from despair to hope, from lack to plenty. He finds the lost, heals the sick, strengthens the weak.
Misira's story Ethiopia Msira (above) is 45 years old and has five children. Two years ago, she was displaced from the Oromia region because of the conflicts during which her husband died. After losing everything, Misira and her children came to Addis Ababa, hoping to find peace and start a new life. They rented a small room, but soon after arriving, tragedy struck again — her 11-year-old son disappeared in Addis, and they were unable to find him. Around the same time, Misira’s health began to fail, and her life took a very difficult turn. She was admitted to hospital. Her condition was severe — It seems she had had a stroke and suffered paralysis and lost her vision. Her children were heartbroken and desperate. The doctors tried to help, but the family had no money left to pay for hospital bills or medicine. Eventually, because they couldn’t afford the cost of treatment, Misira was discharged in that condition after spending nearly six months in the hospital. Misira and her children were Muslims. But one day, in her pain and hopelessness, she lifted her voice and prayed a simple prayer she had never prayed before: “Jesus, if You heal me from this disease, I will follow You for the rest of my life.”
After she was discharged, she told her children that she wanted to visit a prophetic Christian church for deliverance. Together, they asked kind people on the street for small amounts of money so they could afford transportation to the church. When they arrived at the church, the pastor welcomed them and prayed for Misira with compassion and faith. During the prayer, something powerful happened. Suddenly, Misira felt strength returning to her body. Within moments, she stood up and started walking on her own! Misira wept as she realized that Jesus had truly healed her. Right then and there, she gave her life to Christ. Since that day, Misira has continued to testify about the goodness and power of Jesus Christ. She was set free, restored, and filled with peace and joy. By God’s grace, after she began this new life of faith 2 months later Elizabeth and Feven found them on the street and they became part of the Charis support program; then they worked hard to find her lost son was he was also found!
We met Misira and family when we visited in October and she radiated the presence of Jesus. Despite living in humble circumstances we were amazed at her joy and thankfulness.
Ethiopia Impact 2025
At the end of 2025 we give thanks to God for each dear family and vulnerable person that has been rescued from the cruel streets of Addis.
Charis Ethiopia is now helping 15 vulnerable families including 30 children and 5 elderly/disabled.
They are supported with rented rooms, monthly food, basic necessities, equipment and medical care alongside prayer and spiritual encouragement.
All the schoolchildren were equipped.
Charis also provides monthly support for 9 elderly widows and 4 orphans in Nekemte, Oromio.
Mel and Mandy made 2 trips to Addis Ababa in May and October to encourage, pray and spend quality time with Elizabeth and Feven and assess the ongoing ministry.
The story of Msira is one of many we heard when we visited in October. We were moved to tears by tragic stories like Turtu a young muslim widow, whose husband died after they had fled the conflicts finding herself and her son homeless and pregnant on the streets of Addis. Giving birth alone on the street she thought she was going to die but thank God a stranger helped her for a short time. She continued to beg and then one day Elizabeth and Feven met her and offered her help. We saw her face -it shone with thankfulness and her beautiful baby is so healthy now.
Families in the new compound with Elizabeth
Charis Ethiopia Vision 2026 - Hearing these testimonies convinced me and Mandy and our trustees to continue to work hard to support this beautiful ministry of rescue and transformation as we move into another year.
We are praying:
that many more families will be rescued and empowered to face the challenges of life for poor single parent families in Addis.
for the process of registration of Charis Ethiopia national association which is close to completion.
for a vehicle to help solve the severe logistical challenges Elizabeth and Feven face every day as they are forced to use taxis to visit the families, distribute food and buy materials etc.
We are hoping to be able to bring Elizabeth and Feven to Mozambique in July 2026 alongside a UK short term mission team to celebrate Jesus together, to pray, envision and for mutual encouragement.
8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9 As it is written: They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” 2 Corinthians 9:8-9
Mel and Mandy with the kids in October 2025
Mozambique Impact 2025
At the end of another year we are amazed again at God's faithful provision and grace that has enabled us to help so many dear ones and to see the vision of the Life Centre come to fruition.
In Bandua we provided 20 families with farms, built 4 houses, and at a time of famine provided 50 elderly and vulnerable with food kits.
Zacarias an evangelist and ACM volunteer was blessed with a water pump which will transform his family and close community.
Andre, Charis Coordinator in Bandua, received a new motorbike to help with the work and his family.
In Vilanculos 7 communities received seeds for small farms.
18 schoolchildren were equipped.
2 young men and 2 women were given grants/loans to start micro-businesses.
2 new church plants received building materials - blocks and roofing.
Orlando was blessed to be able to go to Hatfield Church in Pretoria SA to follow a 5 month Worship academy February to July.
Since his return Orlando's Life Centre music/worship classes have mushroomed - he now as a cohort of 37 students coming from 6 different churches!
And finally the LIFE CENTRE building was completed, equipped and inaugurated!
Mel and Mandy visited twice, one month in July and again in October/November to encourage, fellowship with the team, assess the ministry and participate in the Opening of the Life Centre.
The ACM team at the joyful Opening of the Life Centre November 2025
Sergio's testimony 2025 (Charis Mozambique Coordinator) - 'Looking back on the year 2025, I only see the word "transformation." For many years I had been praying that God would give me a partner to share my life with. But no joy and I even thought that maybe God didn't want me to get married. I was praying constantly with family friends but nothing was happening. I remember several times sharing this with Mel and Mandy and they always said God will give you the right person. I remember another time I shared it, and Mel encouraged me and then sent me the song by Philippa Hanna - You're Still God.
But in 2025, through Charis I saw the growth of our ministry in Mozambique and also in Ethiopia, and the transformation in my own life.God used the period when I was feeling alone and busy with the construction of the Life Centre to bring a partner to me. As it says in Jeremiah 29:11, only God knows the plans He has for us.
2025 was a year that will go down in history for me because I saw God act and answer my prayers. It was as if God said,"If you do my work, I will supply all your needs,"because I met my beautiful wife, Amélia, in the final phase of the construction of the Life Center. Matthew 6:33, says: "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." God has granted me the gift of a new family. I have learned that sometimes God wants us to persevere and complete the mission He gives us before He blesses us.'
Sergio and Amelia’s betrothal
Orlando's testimony 2025 From February to July 2025 we were delighted to be able to send Orlando to Hatfield Chruch in Pretoria, SA to follow the Worship Academy course. This is his testimony:
During the training in South Africa, I realized that it was not simply training, it was God taking me from the place of comfort to a place away from everything, so that he could train me and transform me. I like to say that it was 5 months by the Father's side (God) instructing me. After the training I felt the need to give up some habits (things I did that were not good), I felt the need to apologize to all the people I had hurt. Now I feel that I am not the same as before, because there are certain things that I did before and that I thought were normal but that I don't do now. Before I was worried about pleasing people but now I am very concerned about pleasing God. I feel that my faith in Christ has grown. Now I feel very hungry to learn the bible; prayer is my routine; the desire to form true worship leaders is greater. No I am training myself so that everything I do is God's will, I am training myself to listen to God's voice. For me: NOTHING BETTER THAN BEING IN JESUS.
Orlando whilst studying at Hatfield Worship Academy
Charis Mozambique/ACM Vision 2026
We are excited that finally in April, Julie (Dr Julie Woods) an old friend from All Nations will come to Vilanculos to teach OT theology at the Life Centre and in the rural communities. Julie is a freelance Old Testament lecturer who concentrates on the Majority World, though she has taught at various institutions in the UK. She has written books on OT prophets and regularly writes for Scripture Union’s Bible reading notes, Encounter with God.
We are praying the new bible study for young women led by our friend Catherine with grow and be a source of transformation.
In July a short term mission team from the UK will visit Vilanculos for a Kids Outreach. At the same time we hope Elizabeth and Feven can join us all.
We are praying for Mike and Chandra, Orlando's Worship Academy course leader and his wife, that they will be able to visit the Life Centre in 2026 to pray and see how and if they can come alongside Orlando to help establish a Worship Academy in Vilanculos - 2027 and beyond.
Our prayer is that many more vulnerable families will be helped with farms, micro-businesses, water pumps, food kits, medical care etc. In Vilanculos and surrounding communities, Bandua and potentially new areas of need.
In partnership with our friends and missionaries Mark and Les Harper, Charis will be supporting 2 young women Teresa and Helena, who are starting nursing studies. Mark and Les have cared for these young women since childhood - they both came from difficult backgrounds but thanks to the loving care they received they have graduated school with honours and have a hope and a future.
And also through Mark and Les, Charis will commit to helping some refugees in the North of Mozambique where IS Mozambique has been wreaking havoc since 2017. Since September 2025 100,000+ have been displaced and suffered terrible traumas seeing their homes burned, friends and family barbarically killed, attacked and raped. We will help fund some micro business projects for those unable to farm anymore, because it is too dangerous and also help with schooling fees, where teachers are not receiving salaries.
We wish to thank you all for supporting all Charis ministries in 2025; you are partnering with us to bring the love of God in action to those who are suffering and to provide all with the opportunity to encounter the truth and beauty of Jesus through love, worship, bible teaching and discipleship.
We pray you will encounter afresh this Christmas the love of the FATHER, the life of JESUS and the power of the HOLY SPIRIT!
Happy Christmas! God bless you, Mel, Mandy and Charis teams xxx
(If you wish to donate - Barclays Bank: Charis Ministries. Sort Code: 20-09-72
Account Number: 63652572 or contact Mel – melwel72003@yahoo.co.uk)
www.charisafrica.com
Registered UK Charity 1138859