Farm Update

Last week lettuce, cabbage, and beets were planted on the farm.  The next day when we went to work there, we found the birds had come and eaten almost all of our seeds and plants!  So……at that time we had three young men from International House of Prayer in Kansas City visiting us for a week.  The pix below show their remedy for keeping the birds away!  I must admit….after we re-planted, all plants and seeds are still in the ground growing rapidly.  Today we planted AMERICAN SWEET CORN and WATERMELON!  I was given a gift of seeds from America including squash, pumpkin, egg plant, and black-eyed peas, to name a few.

Youth School Assembly!

Today marked a tremendous breakthru given by God.  Our ‘high school’ had its first School Assembly!   Let me explain:  we partner with another school who has leased our school facilities for their high school program in the afternoon.  Our 8th-10th graders attend here, but our 11th and 12th grades are at the partner school within walking distance to our center – kinda like an ‘overflow’.     History has informed us the founder of the partner school (who is no longer living) used to have a witchdoctor perform rituals at the school where these children have attended (and ours attend) at least once a month.  In the past month a strange thing has taken place with no explanation:  For no apparent reason, many of the school girls are fainting.  In one week’s time, a total of 30 girls fainted.  No one is hurt, they just faint.  The boys are not affected at all. 

We, as a Christian Center have been praying for our Lord to open a door for us to be able to bring God into the equation.  Finally, the Mozambican Headmaster consented to a School Assembly once a week.  Today was the first – 800 students!!  It was fantastic and so orchestrated by God.  The enemy did try to use a few of the girls to distract from what God was accomplishing.

One of our worship bands did the music and Steve, our Director, stepped forward to tell the students about our center and the faith we stand for.  He also told them we would like to introduce them to our Jesus Christ if they did not know Him already.  So, the foundation has been layed, and we are trusting God for a mighty revival at the school as time progresses.  Baby steps first!  We will be victorious!!  Your prayers for the future of these students – as they are the future of Mozambique - greatly appreciated.

April Happenings!

Hello all - another month gone!  Unbelievable.....however, it has been another month that we have been privileged to have a deeper encounter with God and see his miraculous handiwork!

Ten new children joined us here at the center this month.  We are so grateful God has given us the room and resources to accept these kidz.  He sees that we have enough beds, blankets, food, and clothes through donations to keep accepting children who have no place else to go - except the streets.  We had one eight-month old girl become one of God’s angels.  Now she is watching over us all.

Easter was such a blessing.  A drama was presented by a group of young people of all ages during our church service.  From the 'Last Supper' to the 'Resurrection', the re-enactment of this part of Christ's life once again served to remind us all of His mercy and grace towards us.  The message following was inspiring and everyone left the service uplifted in the Lord.

April is the Hospitality Team month to gear up for the coming visitor season!  2009 was a slow year for visitors due to the worldwide economy.  2010 is booked!  We are excited to share our Zimpeto Children's Center with people from all over the world - and they are coming - Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, America, England...and that is just a few of the countries we receive visitors from.  I am so excited to see everything God has for these people and how their lives are enriched forever!  Of course, the deposit they leave here is incredible. 

The conference I was part of in Beira, The Mark of a Woman, was divided into two sessions in the morning: 9am-11am +/- was a church service, and 11am-12pm +/- for classes on Intercession, Leadership, one for Business Women, and one for all the rest of the women attending the conference not involved in any of the other three groups.  I spoke to the Intercession group one day, to Leadership the next, and to the rest of the ladies next.  Then it was lunchtime, siesta time, and then back to church for the evening service. 

 

On Saturday I went to the church children's orphanage.  I had a great time with the kidz, spoke to the teenagers for a little and then taught them two new dances to dance in praise before the Lord.  I must admit - after a hectic week of the conference...was nice to 'let my hair down' and be a kid!  I asked myself  "What have I done to deserve such fun, and riches, and blessings from my Lord?"  The answer I received was "I know the desires of your heart and I love you."  He is soooo good to me!!!   The Pastor has invited me back for the Youth Conference in December.  Please pray with me for God to provide a way for me to take 10 of the youth from here at the center with me - the roundtrip bus fare each person is $100US - to fly each person is $225US.  God knows.

As April comes to a close, I am looking onward and upward to May and the beginning of plans for Children's Day.  For those of you who are new to my newsletter, Children's Day is a National Holiday here in Mozambique.  School is out and the day is treated like Christmas!  Each child receives a gift of clothes and the dorm parent also buys gifts for each boy.  For my dorm (camarata - 26 boys ages 15-18) among their presents is usually a carton of milk, peanut butter, toiletries, school supplies and some sort of 'fun' item.  If you would like to contribute to this day, $10 covers the cost for one boy.  You can donate online through my partner, The Cause, at www.thecause.org – or – mail to:  The Cause, 365 NE Greenwood Avenue, Suite #1, Bend, Oregon 97001.  You will receive a receipt for tax purposes.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers!  God Bless you and yours.