Charis Update July 2026
Bandua kids Club - cute!
Bandua Outreach June 2026
At the beginning of June Sergio and Orlando made the long trek up to Bandua to join Andre and Zacarias for an outreach there. During the 10 days they built 2 homes, provided seeds and tools for 40 small farms, 10 food kits for some very vulnerable elderly, 2 micro-grants for new businesses and 5 small grants to strengthen their businesses. And of course they could not go to Bandua without blessing the children. They held a kids club where 170 kids attended and enjoyed great worship, a message from the bible, games and yummy food:).
Sergio, Zacarias, Andre and Orlando - Bandua outreach team
40 small scale farmers received seeds and tools
New home for this elderly couple who had been living in a broken shack
Food kits for the vulnerable elderly
This young man received a start up grant to start a small grocery
Ezekiel received a start up grant to start a butchers stall
A number of market sellers received small grants to encourage and strengthen their fruit and veg stalls
Life Centre Bible training course - April 2026 We were so thankful to receive Dr Julie Woods from the UK who came and taught OT studies at the Life Centre. It was a great success with 40+ students attending over the 2 weeks. The graduation ceremony was so memorable, and we hope and pray this will be the first of many bible/discipleship training courses held at the Life Centre. It was great to have Catherine join us, who is leading a bible study to young women at the Life Centre.
Bible course graduation end of April was a joy-filled day!
Mel and Mandy with Julie and Catherine
Orlando has just embarked on a 2-year online Leadership ministry course at Hatfield church in Pretoria SA which we pray will equip him further to deliver training in worship, music and discipleship and see the lives of many young people grow in their relationship with Jesus. We are hoping to enroll Sergio on a TEFL course in the coming months - his vision is to disciple groups alongside teaching English.
Charis gathering Mozambique 15-29 July 2026
We are very excited that very soon we will be travelling to Vilanculos where we, alongside Sergio and Orlando, will welcome 4 friends and supporters from Scotland (Karen/Danny, Trica and Rosanna) and Elizabeth, Feven and Elizabeth's son Nahom from Ethiopia for a 2-week outreach. Alongside kids clubs and village visits we will take this precious time to encourage each other by studying God's word together, envisioning, praying for each other and worshiping together. We would appreciate your prayers. Mandy's mum has been unwell in hospital, but we thank God she is improving and very sadly Trica has just suffered the loss of a close family member.
Please pray for:
comfort and grace for Trica and her family at this difficult time.
continued healing for Mandy's mum and peace for Mandy.
protection on all the journeys and smooth border transitions.
a significant time of growth and encouragement as we gather in love to encourage one another in our faith and mission of Jesus.
Orlando and Sergio as they lead this work forward - for growth in wisdom, God's love and developing of their gifts.
the Charis gathering July 2026 as we hold a number of Kids Clubs - at the Life Centre, in the village and at a poor school 120 kms away. For the children to be blessed and know they are loved and cherished by God.
Kids Club at ACM Centre
The school we are hoping to visit for Kids outreach July 26
Ethiopia - Charis Foundation
Over recent months Elizabeth and Feven have been busy with not only caring for the 15 families in Addis (and 9 in Nekemte) but also with paperwork for the registration of the national association Charis Foundation. Although they have received the license to operate, they are still waiting for a final stamp. We thank God for each family rescued off the harsh streets of Addis Ababa and for the improvement in their health and the hope we now see in their eyes. When the final stamp is received Elizabeth and Feven can move forward with seeking training partners for the able who can train in areas like tailoring, hairdressing etc.. Our aim is then to graduate some of the families with small grants and take on more homeless mothers and children from the streets.
New compounds for some of the families - June 26
More of the dear families cared for by Elizabeth
Please pray for:
We thank God for recent donations which will allow us to buy a vehicle to help with the tough logistics - pray for a good reliable vehicle at a good price.
A base for the association (Charis Foundation) that will have crisis accommodation and operate as a drop-in centre for basic medical help and offering basic necessities. It is difficult to find accommodation in Addis and landlords can be very difficult to deal with, so our prayer is to have our own base that has accommodation. This is a big prayer but we are trusting God for provision and to work all things out for good- and for His glory.
Safe travel from Ethiopia to Mozambique - a smooth and peaceful transition through South Africa.
We thank God for His amazing grace and love and for all our faithful supporters who partner with Charis - without you we could do nothing.
‘Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.' (Psalm 89:14)
Love and God bless, Mel and Mandy and Charis Teams xxx
(If you wish to donate - Barclays Bank: Charis Ministries. Sort Code: 20-09-72Account Number: 63652572 or contact Mel –+447516217349) www.charisafrica.com
Registered UK Charity: 1138859