Charis Update October 2026
The team gathered from Ethiopia, UK and Mozambique!
Charis Gathering 2026 - Mozambique
In July we were delighted to bring Elizabeth, Feven and Nahom from Ethiopia and 4 dear friends from Scotland - Karen and Danny (their 3rd visit) and Rosanna and Trica to fellowship and serve together with Sergio, Orlando and our Mozambican partners. Despite the challenges we encountered with the Ethiopian immigration authorities and airline our dear friends from Ethiopia eventually arrived in Vilanculos albeit a couple of days late!
Our desire and focus was to encourage one another by praying, worshiping and fellowshipping together alongside serving the local communities. It was wonderful to join our hearts together in person!
Worshipping together at a local church
We visited different churches and thoroughly enjoyed worshipping with our brothers and sisters. The team preached and brought inspired words of encouragement and challenge. Orlando led anointed worship. Sergio was a fantastic and resilient interpreter!
The kids clubs were so much fun! The theme of the clubs was Jesus as our Rock and we as living stones being built together in love and unity (1Peter 2:4-10). The kids enjoyed the interactive songs, the puppet show, stone painting, food and much fun!
Kids Club at Vilanculos Centre - a lot of fun!
One day we made a longer journey to visit a school about 120km away and bless 30 poorer children with school uniforms. The team prepared songs, a puppet show and a short message for the 400 kids (yes!) and Amelia and Lurdes cut 400 bread pieces smeared with delicious jam! It was a feat but the kids enjoyed a special day.
Some of the 30 kids equipped for school - dignity restored!
We also visited the villages bringing encouragement to the elderly as well as the kids.
In the village fellowshipping with Mariana and her community
Our time at the Life Centre was precious - praying and worshipping together, studying God's word, planning and preparing. We joined Orlando and his students one evening for a praise and worship time which was deeply moving. Our prayer is that more students have the opportunity to be discipled so that they will become true worshipers of Jesus willing to lay down their lives for the kingdom of God.
Bandua outreach August - September 2026
In the last week of August Sergio and Orlando made the long journey to Bandua to join Andre and Zacarias and the building team in building 10 houses for the most vulnerable. As usual choosing the families/elderly was not easy since there are so many who struggle.
This family were struggling to live in this broken dwelling
Their joy can be seen - new house!
Whilst there, they came across so many more families in need of a new house and so this month Sergio and Orlando will God willing and depending on the petrol situation, return to build 10 more houses.
Andre and Zacarias took the lads to see their farms which we helped with last year - each received a water pump. Their crops have produced so well providing enough to feed their families for months and to sell in the local market! Sergio and Orlando return they will give another water pump to a young man the team identified as having a lot of potential.
Ethiopia - Charis Foundation
The ministry to the displaced and homeless continues to develop in Addis Ababa, Recently Elizabeth and Feven moved some of the families to be closer to where they live to help with logistics. They needed to find new schools for the children and thank God almost all are now settled. The families are now much stronger and Feven and Elizabeth are seeking government opportunities for micro-business training for some, and skills training opportunities, which Charis would fund, for others, things like tailoring and hairdressing. We anticipate this will start in 2027.
Sadly the situation in Ethiopia has worsened in recent weeks with conflicts reigniting in Tigray and the fragile peace now broken. Rebel groups in the provinces of Amhara and Oromio are also increasing their activity in fighting government forces and there are worrying tensions with neighbouring countries Eritrea and Egypt. Please pray with us for peace and protection of the vulnerable. Of course when conflicts flare up people flee their homes and many are on the move to the capital of Addis.
Elizabeth, Feven, Mandy and Nahom
We thank God for His continuing faithfulness, help and guidance, without Him we can do nothing and everything we do is for Him and for HIs glory. Our encouragement comes when we see people giving thanks to God, moving closer to Jesus and committing their lives to Him. Transformation of the physical is important but if hearts are not warmed to know and love Jesus it is a temporal change only.
'This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.' (2 Corinthians 9:12)
May God bless you all, and thank you for your trust in and support of our Charis ministry to the vulnerable.
Mel, Mandy and Charis teams xxx