Charis Update July 2023
Mozambique Trip April-June 2023
Team fellowship It was a joy to reunite with our team in person again after a few months in the UK. It was so good to spend time studying the bible, praying and worshiping together as well as relaxing over shared meals. We made a trip to Maputo together to chat with a potential partner and bumped into a good missionary friend of ours Les Harper- an amazing woman of God, both her and her husband Mark are such an inspiration to us and our team!
Pastoral visits It was good to visit the villages and spend time with friends there. We are always personally challenged when we visit and sit with those who materially have so little. When they thank us joyously for the gift of a simple new house, or a sack of rice or some medicine to relieve their pain. It is so humbling.
House-building We were able to visit many of the houses built after Cyclone Freddy and thank God for those who gave. One elderly couple who had been living in a flimsy broken shelter proclaimed: 'we never thought we would have such a beautiful house, it is a miracle from God.'
Health During our trip Mandy donned her nurse/doctor cap and went to the help of pastor Luiz, who had broken his lower leg in a motorbike accident a few weeks previously. Unfortunately when we visited, Mandy found his leg and foot badly infected and in need of urgent attention and so we took him to hospital. However the doctor simply sent him home and told him to return in a couple of weeks. He did offer to treat him for a bribe of £200! Thank God Mandy was able to help, she gave strong antibiotics drew off some of the infection and continued to visit to clean and dress the wound. Since our return he has had the rod removed and is improving.
Bible training As well as pastoral visits to the villages we also spent time bible training with the team studying the book of Nehemiah together. It was a fruitful and enriching time during which God spoke into our hearts as we applied Gods enduring word to our individual and corporate lives. The team and wider team are very hungry to learn more of God's Word and gain a deeper understanding of how to live fruitfully as a Christian.
Life Centre Vilanculos We were very excited to see the Life Centre beginning to take shape with the wall complete! The realization of a vision we have had for years has begun. We are praying the hunger for God's Word will be satiated in this place, that it will be a place of learning and growth, a place of worship and prayer, a place where many, particularly the new generation, will encounter Jesus and go out better equipped and empowered to be his witnesses and disciples in the world.
Worship A significant focus will be on worship and creating true worshipers of Jesus. Orlando is being approached daily by churches to train the younger generation. We are praying for a Spirit-filled movement of worship to break out!
Bandua Trip June-July 2023
House-building We thank God for our heart partners, who enabled the kingdom work of building houses for the homeless of Bandua to continue in June /July. There continues to be many vulnerable poor in Bandua, who are surviving in very difficult conditions. The team found many elderly struggling to find food, living in poor plastic or mud shelters, and crying for help. We were able to build 10 houses and provide them with food kits and basic necessities, but sadly there are many more.
All those who received a house were filled with joy and loved the brand new clean house! We also provided them with food kits and sleeping mats.
Kids! As usual, alongside the house-building, the team blessed the kids with a kids club. 200+ kids turned up for worship, God's Word, fun, games and yummy food! And all received a new pair of flipflops!
Pray for:
Orlando who is leading worship this week at our friend's outreach in Inhambane (4 hours away).
The next phase of the Life Centre building and for God to provide all that we need.
Each person/family that received a new house or were blessed with a food kit or micro-business loan in Bandua, who do not yet know Jesus personally that they might have a real encounter with Him.
Those who still need the help of a house.
Unity in the team and each to grow in wisdom, passion and love for Jesus.
Pray Ethiopia
We continue to be so thankful for the special ministry of Elizabeth in Ethiopia. Recently when zooming with her for prayer she told us how the dear ones she cares for call her 'mother' despite her being much younger than many of them! This is because of the sincere love she shows them in tending their wounds, listening to them and encouraging them with prayer and God's Word, and providing them with food and medicines and basic needs.
The war continues around them and Elizabeth and Zenabu need our constant prayers as they go about visiting. There are many displaced people from neighbouring areas, who have lost their homes and fields and now beg on the street.
Please pray for peace so that these refugees can return to their homes. Pray for more resources, people and organisations to help, and for the churches in the area to respond with active compassion.
Please continue to pray for Tajitu who has been sick and for continued resources so we can help alleviate and improve her poor living conditions.
Please pray for Mel and Mandy as they oversee and direct Charis in the UK, for good health, wisdom, discernment, forward vision and enduring faith, and for more places to share their heart and to be a voice for the voiceless. Pray for Charis trustees who provide crucial strength, encouragement and support to the ministry.
We want to thank all those who continue to pray for and support us. Without you we could not reach so many with the practical love, truth and compassion of Jesus. We appreciate you and pray for you regularly. .
'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's love continue to fill our hearts for our neighbours far and near, and God's Word direct our every step.
Love and God Bless,
Mel & Mandy xxx
(If you wish to donate: Barclays Bank: Charis Ministries. Sort Code: 20-09-72
Account Number: 63652572)
www.charisafrica.com
Registered charity: 1138859
