God's faithfulness
As we enter another year we cannot believe we have been serving God among the vulnerable poor of Mozambique since 2008 and Ethiopia since 2020! It is always good periodically to reflect on the way we have come, especially at the start of a new year; the trials and challenges we have faced and the breakthroughs we have witnessed. We can honestly say that without God's power, strength, grace and provision we would have given up years ago!
But then if we had given up what about the dear ones to whom we were sent, many faceless and forgotten, suffering the pain of poverty? There would have been no home for the family living under a plastic sheets for months after the ravages of a cyclone; no education and future hope for the poor orphan child; no farm for the poor father struggling to feed his family; no food and medicines for the sick and elderly lady, who has no-one to care for her; no bike for the old man, who earns a few pence selling charcoal at the market; no funds for the young man with a dream to start a barbers; no fun at kids club and of course no opportunity to share God's life-giving word about Jesus who loves them.
And so because of all this, by God's grace, we will continue to do all we can, so that God's kingdom of justice, mercy and righteousness will be seen, heard and felt and many will come to know Jesus through it all. As God's word says: Perseverance produces a harvest of righteousness.
Focus Mozambique
MG - Ministerio da Graca For many years we have been known in Mozambique as MG, which when translated is- Ministry of Grace, but have worked under the umbrella of partners. Over the past couple of years, however, we have felt in order to grow and expand according to God's leading, we need to register ourselves officially as MG, which will then be the national umbrella organisation under which Charis operates. The team will take up the leadership positions. We are excited to see how God will grow and develop the ministry.
Sesame Project Bandua Jan-July
The team are presently in Bandua starting the Sesame project, an exciting new venture, which God willing, will generate funds for the ministry as well as providing local work. Sesame seeds will be planted on 10 hectares of land. Please pray for favourable weather conditions, protection of the farm, a good harvest and market for the product.
Life Centre Vilanculos!
It has long been our vision to build a block multi-use building at our base for bible/mission training, discipleship, life-skills training, worship and prayer. After 15+ years we feel it is now the right time to move forward and thank God that we have a significant part of the funding which we will need to complete. There will be 3 phases:
Foundations + perimeter wall
Building of the walls
Roof/windows and inside – tiling, plumbing, electrics, painting, and equipping the classroom etc.
Our plan is to train the younger generation, who in turn will train others- putting on bible/mission/life-skills modules and inviting others with a passion to teach to join us.
The team are excited about the possibilities that will be opened up by the Centre and have their personal visions:
Bento - to see holistic transformation of lives by teaching people to apply the bible practically to their lives.
Orlando - to teach music and worship and hold praise and worship nights.
Sergio - to disciple young men and women in the way of Jesus and to do leadership training.
Our prayer and hope is that God will use the Life Centre to raise up a new generation of spirit- filled young men and women, who live lives of integrity and of worship to God, which will bring holistic transformation of lives and communities.
The base for the Centre.
Families in Need
We hope to help many poor vulnerable individuals and families with farms, houses and micro-projects as well as helping the widows, sick, disabled and orphans with basic necessities like food, clothes, medicines and school uniforms. We continue to trust God for all that we need.
Kids ministry
And of course continue with kids clubs, teaching them through fun and games, who Jesus is and blessing them with good food.
As soon as we have the necessary paperwork we will be continuing to bless the kids at the school in Camp 2021 with nutritious porridge. Please pray for favour with the authorities.
Focus Ethiopia
We continue to partner with Elizabeth and her assistant Zenabu in their beautiful holistic ministry, which reaches out in practical love to the poorest of the poor. Elizabeth has 33 individuals/families on her list who are helped with monthly food, medicines and pastoral care. Presently Charis pays monthly rent for 3 families, and sponsors 7 children to go to school. We pray God will continue to give to us so that these and more of the poorest of the poor will know God's love in practical ways.
Mel & Mandy - Trips
We thank God that we have received a donation again to cover our travel costs in 2023. Our plan is to travel to Mozambique mid April - May and then again later in the year. We are watching the situation in Ethiopia, which continues to be unsafe for travel and are praying for peace. Our hope is that one day God will open the way for us to visit Elizabeth and those to whom she ministers.
With God.....
None of the above will happen without God. It is for Him, through Him, and from Him. We rely totally on Him as we partner together at the start of a new year and we trust that at the end of the year we will celebrate yet again his faithfulness and goodness.
'So neither the one who plants, nor the one who waters, is anything but only God who makes things grow.' (1 Corinthians 3:7)
To God be all the glory.
May God bless you in 2023 and use you to be a blessing in the world around you and beyond.
Love Mel & Mandy and Charis teams,
xxx
(If you wish to donate: Barclays Bank: Charis Ministries. Sort Code: 20-09-72
Account Number: 63652572)
www.charisafrica.com
Registered charity: 1138859
