Charis Update October 2023

'Not by might, not by might, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord.

Life Centre Vilanculos, Mozambique - Can you help in the empowering and equipping of a new generation of Spirit-filled worshipers of Jesus?

During the past few months we have been delighted to see the activity happening at our Centre in Vilanculos, Mozambique. Orlando a member of the Charis team and a gifted worship leader has started to work out his vision of training up young people in the guitar, keyboard and singing equipping them to become true worshipers.

Charis' heart is to encourage him in this and help in facilitating and resourcing his fantastic vision. We have been helping with the provision of guitars and keyboards and will be taking another keyboard out with us in October when we make our next trip.

Many local churches have requested that they send some of their congregations to be trained in music and how to lead worship. The classes have been well-attended and many more are on a waiting list! Alongside these classes Sergio has been including a short discipleship session taking the great opportunity to teach these young people about real faith in Jesus.

Recently there has been an increase in the growth of strange churches led by 'healers' and self-appointed apostles, who claim to have the Spirit, but who are introducing some strange teachings. There is a great need for good bible based teaching and real anointed Holy Spirit worship.

(Sergio's discipleship session)

In order to assist in the realisation of this vision we have started to prepare our land adjacent, to build a multi-use classroom, which will provide a clean, safe place for training. Presently all classes are taking place in our simple grass shelter that is now quite old and open to the elements. Many classes take place in the evening with dim lighting and when the mosquitoes are out in force! Also when the weather is either windy or wet it makes the classes very difficult.

(Life Centre land)

We feel that the provision of this multi-use classroom will enhance, encourage and grow this kingdom vision and open up many more opportunities for people to grow in their relationship with Jesus, their gifts and callings.

We thank God for our team and want to encourage them in their gifts and visions.

At the moment Bento is with our friends Mark and Les Harper being introduced to their Live School Bible Training which we are hoping will become a tool/resource he can use to teach the bible to many poorly-resourced church leaders.

We also envision the Life Centre to be a Training Centre which welcomes in-country and over-seas visitors, who want to come to offer bible teaching, training in kids ministry, discipleship, worship, life skills etc.

It will be a place for prayer and God's presence as well as providing a safe office and store-room.

We thank God for those who have provided funds so far to build the LIfe Centre land wall, the water tower and more. In order to complete the building we need another £16,000. Some friends have promised that if we can raise £8000 they will match fund it with £8000.

If you feel this is something you can help with and contribute to we would love to hear from you! (Or donate directly with reference: Life Centre). Many people do not like to invest in buildings, which we understand, but sometimes a building is necessary to invest in lives. In the developed 1st world nations we are privileged to have warm, solid buildings, where we can worship God or learn about Jesus. But for many in the under-developed world this is not possible and often they sit under trees or in flimsy grass structures.

Charis' passion continues to be to help the economically poor and the poorly resourced and be a voice for the voiceless.
Thank you.

Ethiopia
Elizabeth continues to be the hands and feet of Jesus to the poorest of the poor. We love her heart and are excited to share with you that we she will be joining us in Mozambique when we go in October. Since partnering with her in 2020 we have never managed to meet up with her in person, because of the ongoing dangerous and volatile situation around and in the town of Nekemte where she lives. We praise God that we have the funds for her trip and look forward to a time of close fellowship together with the team and a time of refreshing for her.

We thank God that we have been able to sponsor 9 children to go to school again this year offering them hope and a future. In August Elizabeth found little Bontu (7) living on the street with other displaced people. She was orphaned and had no one. Elizabeth reached out to her and with Charis support has put her with Hawi and grandma where she is now very happy and going to school.

What a transformation!

Last week Elizabeth came across a 12 year old girl, Lemane, on the street, traumatised and alone. She has come with a displaced group from a neighbouring region at war. She was lost and said she had been separated at some point from her mum and sisters. She had been through a harrowing near rape experience. And so Elizabeth asked if Charis could help Lemane. Of course we need to help her and Elizabeth has put her with grandma Mulunesh. Look at the transformation of Lemane below - Elizabeth has been spending time with this week helping her emotionally and spiritually, buying her new clothes, new school uniform and registering her in school. May God bless Lemane's future with hope and love.

Please pray for the ongoing difficult situation in Ethiopia. For safety for Elizabeth and Zenabu as they make their pastoral visits. For Bontu and Lemane as they adapt to a new life and the many more children who are innocent victims of these terrible conflicts.

Mozambique Trip October - November 2023
On 11 October me and Mandy will visit Mozambique for a month. As well as welcoming Elizabeth into our midst we will be studying the bible together and spending quality time with the team looking at moving the work forward as well as visiting our friends in the villages. Please pray for smooth journeys for us all and for a fulfilling and rewarding time together. 
 
May God bless you for your compassion and faithful love for the poor of our world.

'They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.' (2 Corinthians 9:9).

Love and God Bless,
Mel & Mandy xxx 

(If you wish to donate: Barclays Bank: Charis Ministries. Sort Code: 20-09-72 Account Number: 63652572 or send a cheque to K Welch 1 Sunnyside Ave, Wilpshire. BB1 9LW )

www.charisafrica.com

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