Charis Update April 2026
Happy Easter!
‘This is how we know what love is- Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.’
Julie with Mel and Mandy
'We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[a] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.' (Colossians 1:9-10)
We are so happy that Julie Woods, an old friend from All Nations Christian College, will be joining us in Vilanculos, Mozambique in mid-April to deliver a Bible course at the Life Centre. She will be staying for 3 weeks and will be teaching a Foundation level course to Orlando's students week 1, then week 2 a Higher level course in English to local pastors and Christian leaders, and finishing with teaching visits in the bush week 3.
Dr Julie Woods is a freelance Old Testament lecturer who concentrates on the Majority World, though she has taught at various institutions in the UK. She has published books and articles and regularly writes for Scripture Union’s Bible reading notes, Encounter with God. When she is in the UK, she is based in London, preaches regularly for a small church in SE England and sings in the All Souls Langham Place church choir.
We are excited to finally welcome Julie to Mozambique, whose promise to come and teach has remained firm over many years and now with the establishment of the Life Centre has become a possibility.
Please pray for:
Safe travel for both Julie and Mel and Mandy leaving on the 7th April.
Good health especially for Julie who has some health issues. For extra strength and grace to cope with the humid conditions and peace.
Good and consistent attendance and for the Holy Spirit to inspire revelation and encounter with the living Jesus as Julie teaches from God's Word.
Sergio as he interprets and Orlando as he leads in worship.
Unity and love among the whole team.
Orlando teaching one of his classes in the Life Centre
House Building in the villages - March 2026 We thank God we have been able to help these dear old people whose homes were destroyed in the recent storms. Their joy and thanks to God is so humbling.
Alberto with his new house
Alberto’s old house destroyed in recent storms
Please pray for Fatima and her son Delvio who have struggled over recent weeks. When we visited in November we were shocked at the state of the mother's foot which was eaten away due to untreated diabetes and the son's leg was also badly infected. He broke his leg a number of years ago but was not set properly. We promised to support them and in recent weeks the son gained an appointment at the provincial hospital 4 hours away. But the people are powerless in the hospitals at the mercy of the doctors. The first trip the x-ray was not working so they were sent to a clinic a distance away and when they returned the doctor had gone home and they were told to come back next week! And not easy when you live 4 hours away and are poor. They were also told to bring a box of gloves, diclofenac vials and gauze..? Not sure why so many gloves were needed! There were more shenanigans when they returned to the hospital because the gloves were deemed to be out of date then after buying more they were sent to the end of the list and were not seen until 2 days later! We thank God Delvio eventually had the operation and is now home but is still in a lot of pain. Please pray for him. This is the reality for many in Mozambique.
Schoolkids equipped for another year! It's been a joy to equip 40 kids this year. Due to massive floods in various parts of Mozambique the school year start was delayed by 1 month.
Happy Schoolkids!
Ethiopia - Charis Foundation
Charis Foundation logo
“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.' (Isaiah 54:2-3)
We are happy to share that the national association has been published in the public domain and as long as there are no objections (which is unlikely) Charis Foundation(Ethiopia)will soon have a license to operate throughout the country. The registration of a national organisation will open up doors of opportunity, especially in the area of partnering with other organisations which offer training in life skills like hair dressing, tailoring, cooking etc so that families can eventually become self-sustaining.
Nekemte We thank God for Elizabeth's safe journey to Nekemte (about 9 hours away) which is a challenging journey with many security checkpoints and potential random attacks. She has been visiting the families Charis supports and it is wonderful to see how God has been watching over the children who are growing and are happy.
Hawi and Bontu looking so well!
Elizabeth praying for dear Dibora and Ajaibe
Elizabeth has shared about many orphans on the streets of Nekemte. We are praying the Holy Spirit will guide her and provide us with all the resources we need to help - funds and more people.
Addis Ababa The 11 families and 5 elderly in Addis are doing well. Elizabeth and Feven have been busy in recent weeks seeking out a new compound to house the 7 families who are located a long way away from where they live and provide accommodation for more rescued families. There is a big cost in transport and travel in busy Addis is far from easy. They have potentially found a compound but it needs a bit of refurbishment. These rooms are rented and so we rely on the owners to do the work.
Our prayer and vision is to find somewhere as a base for Charis Foundation which can also provide rooms for rescued families. This is a big prayer but God is a big God! And we continue to pray for a vehicle to alleviate the massive logistical challenges of carrying out this ministry without one.
Some of the families receiving monthly food kits
We wish to thank all our supporters for your continued support. You are the 'watchmen on our walls' 'who help us with your prayers.....many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.' (2 Corinthians 1:11)
May God bless you this Easter and may the Holy Spirit continue to reveal Jesus in us all, as we spur one another on to love and good deeds.
Love and God bless, Mel and 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