Happy Christmas to our Charis partners!
Happy Christmas to our Charis partners!
‘Unto us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. (Isaiah 9:6a)
Reflecting on another year in which Covid has continued to influence our lives we praise God that He remains above and in ultimate control of all things, and of the outcome of our lives as we remain devoted to Him even in the unknown. Our God is faithful to His mighty purpose to reconcile all things back to Himself through Jesus and transform the darkness by his light.
During this strange season we know that the Holy Spirit has been working powerfully all over the world to turn hearts back to our heavenly Father.
Although me and Mandy have remained in the UK, and at times have still struggled with our ‘bars’ we rejoice in what has been achieved this year. We have continued to direct, facilitate, and oversee the work of Charis in Mozambique and Ethiopia and thank God for the spiritual growth and holistic transformation we have witnessed in the lives of our team members and those whom we have served. As Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:9: ‘God’s word is not chained’!
New connections UK
We thank God for the new relationships we have been making in the UK and the new Charis partners who have joined hands with us to reach the marginalised vulnerable poor in Mozambique and Ethiopia with God’s practical love. In November we gathered a team of lovely friends and hosted a Charis Africa Evening at St James church in Clitheroe to raise awareness about Charis’ work. As well as our presentation we ate great African food and were honoured to welcome Philip Jonathon, who sang lovely soulful songs. Our heart continues to be to encourage and inspire others into God’s global mission and to pray for the marginalised poor of the world for whom Christ died.
Cross-cultural prayer and bible sessions
We thank God that He can bring good out of evil, and this year we have seen wonderful growth. Like so many organisations and businesses we have been forced to do things differently because of Covid. Our Charis monthly prayer has been on zoom, which has enabled us all to meet together from England, Scotland, Mozambique and Ethiopia, with Orlando often leading worship from Vilanculos! We have also studied the bible together-as well as completing the Envision for Mission course we studied the book of Acts together. How wonderful to study cross-cultural mission in a cross-cultural team!
Bandua outreaches – Mozambique
We thank God for our Mozambique team who have have carried out the grassroots hard work of reaching the marginalised poor with Gods transforming love. Although Charis passed through a valley of real want for a few months, God, our Provider, heard our cries and our jar never ran dry. God touched hearts to give enabling us to continue to help many people especially in Bandua, the cyclone area of Sofala province. In the last few months, we have built 62 houses for those who were living in terrible conditions and blessed many with mats and many children with clothes. We have helped set up a number of amazing micro businesses. We have provided bikes for 20 people who were struggling to transport their goods. We have provided 20 people with small farms, seeds and tools. Each farm is 1 hectare and so of substantial size.
Please pray with us for RAIN during this hot and summer season.
The kids of Bandua are a joy! They all love the Kids Clubs that the team have been holding in the various camps. We were able to bless many kids with flip flops, clothes and food as well as teaching them more about who Jesus is and leading them in praise and worship.
Growth in Ethiopia
In October 2020 Charis began partnering with Mandy’s nurse friend Elizabeth in her calling to provide holistic care to the poor and vulnerable in the town of Nekemte, Oromia province. We were so impressed with her work that in April 2021 we felt led to support her full-time through Charis. This beautiful ministry providing physical, spiritual, and emotional care to the one has blossomed, and we have witnessed miracles of transformation. We were overjoyed when Ture ‘got Jesus’ and has been overflowing with the joy of the Holy Spirit since, despite her continuing to live in difficult conditions. Charis has been helping in this, providing mattresses, blankets and clothes to her and to many others. Unlike in Mozambique we cannot simply build a house in Ethiopia. All the 28 dear ones on Elizabeth’s list live/rent in town, in tiny slum like one room accommodation. Elizabeth has also cared for them medically and accompanied many to hospital, who have no one to help them, like Wakume, whom she found living on the streets with mental health issues. She is now on medication and with the love and prayer is transformed! She recently took another lady, Ababu, for a cataract operation, who can now see after years of being blind! Praise God!The political situation in Ethiopia has worsened in 2021 with severe conflict breaking out between different ethnic groups and the government forces. Charis has been in constant prayer for peace and reconciliation and protection for Elizabeth and her family and her helper Zenabu (a recent addition to Team Ethiopia).
Ture praising God for His power and goodness in her life!
A Glance forward to 2022
As we cast a glance to next year we dare not presume to know much about the details. Me and Mandy will be seeking to visit both Mozambique and Ethiopia but the timing we do not know for sure. However, we do know that God’s purposes will continue to unfold in beautiful and surprising ways. Charis remains focussed on helping to transform the lives of ‘the least’ in holistic ways bringing the widow, the orphan, the sick and the poorest of the poor signs of God’s goodness and teaching them all that our amazing Jesus commanded us.
We pray a blessing upon you all this Christmas – may you encounter Jesus, the Prince of Peace, as you reflect once more on His amazing coming to us as a baby and anticipate His coming again in power and glory!
Thank you for all your love and support in 2021! We pray God's blessing upon you this Christmas and a peace- and joy-filled New Year.
Love and God Bless, Mel & Mandy xxx
(If you wish to donate: Barclays Bank: Charis Ministries. Sort Code: 20-09-72 Account Number: 63652572)
