Charis Christmas Update December 2023
I love the Christmas season. It is a chance to reflect again on the amazing fact that God came down in human form, as a little baby, to the world He created to bring us back to himself. He came close because He loved us. As John says:
'That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.' God made His home among us that we might see and believe! And this is what we proclaim every day of our lives - JESUS is alive and our purpose is to make Him known by shining His light - His love, mercy, kindness, truth and justice wherever we are - in our families, in our communities, in our nations - wherever He sends us. It is why we are alive - it is our great purpose - to show that God our Creator is love and He sent his Son Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. This is worth celebrating!
The shepherds, who were honoured by a visitation of angels over 2000 years ago, were the poorest of the poor and yet God deliberately chose them to be the first to hear the announcement of Jesus' birth. The poor, whether economically, spiritually, emotionally or physically poor are often the chosen ones to be honoured - Jesus proclaimed: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach good news to the poor.' This is the mission of Charis - to lift up the downtrodden, the weak, the vulnerable, the hungry, the homeless and see Christ's kingdom grow - a kingdom of righteousness, peace, truth and justice. Every time we act like, speak like Jesus and do good we can see God's kingdom..wonderful!
Mozambique Update 2023
It has been another busy year in Mozambique! We were able to visit twice - 6 weeks April - June and then recently another month and spent some very encouraging weeks with our team: bible training, overseeing projects and ministry, envisioning, fellowshiping together and ministering in the villages.
Mandy tending to Psstor Luiz’s broken foot
Mel preaching in the village - November
We thank God for lives that have been blessed this year:
25 New houses built (including Cyclone Freddy relief)
15+ micro - grants/loans
12 schoolkids sponsored
50+ families provided with seeds for small farms
1 village well
20+ Monthly food kits for the elderly + vulnerable
As well as hundreds of kids blessed with food and God's word at the weekly kids clubs and the many elderly blessed with food and encouragement on the village visits.
A new house for Sebastaio and his wife
Cyclone Freddy hit in March and many houses were damaged or destroyed. We thank God for those we were able to help.
Bandua - In June the team went on outreach to Bandua building 10 houses and ministering to the kids and elderly. Bandua remains an area of real need with many still living in makeshift housing and struggling to grow enough food. This year we personally felt what it is like to see a crop fail. Together with the team we had hoped to reap a good crop of Sesame seed, which we had planted in January, but cyclone Freddy hit in March leaving farms under water for a long time destroying most of the crops. For those who rely on these crops for their daily food it must be devastating to experience this year in year out and a challenge to constantly depend on favorable weather conditions. Lets keep praying for this area - may God be gracious to His people and also grant us the resources to continue to help where we can.
And lo I am doing a new thing!
It has been a joy to see the birthing of a worship ministry at our Centre through Orlando. In July the team decided to start holding worship/music classes in anticipation of the Life Centre, teaching discipleship alongside. Since the start Orlando has been inundated with requests to learn the guitar, keyboard and leading worship. Several local churches have sent their young people to be trained and many more are in the queue! We personally witnessed the classes and were amazed to see the progress and passion of the young people. We sensed a real move of God. We would like to encourage and strengthen Orlando's gift with some worship training-please pray with us for the right door to open.
Music and worship class - Life Centre
Life Centre
2023 has seen the start of the unfolding of the vision of building a multi-use classroom on our adjacent piece of land. Presently all the prayer meetings, discipleship and music classes and bible teaching etc. take place in our Kids Club outdoor space, which is obviously inadequate especially at night, and in the rain and wind. The Centre will also store the increasing number of musical instruments! So far we have a very secure wall and water tower and the funds to complete - we are trusting that 2024 will see the completion of the building once our national association ACM is fully registered. During our first trip in May we studied Nehemiah together, which has since informed our faith and perseverance, encouraging us to keep strong and believe that what God has put in our hearts He will accomplish in His time.
New partnerships
This year has also brought new connections and relationships that will strengthen our foundations. Our friends Les and Mark Harper, who are missionaries in the south of Mozambique welcomed Bento to be trained as a facilitator of the Live School, a rural community bible training resource, and their team visited last month, when we were able to widen it out and invite local church leaders. We are also building a relationship with Tearfund, who came to give the team and local leaders a taste of their CCT training, which is very much Charis' heart - bringing transformation to lives and communities through integral mission - word, deed and lifestyle.
Ethiopia Impact 2023
This year has continued to be a year of challenge for Elizabeth, who has ministered faithfully despite the ongoing conflicts between militant groups and government forces in Oromia. Nekemte, where Elizabeth lives, has become increasingly dangerous with random and erratic shootings taking place daily. And yet despite the danger Elizabeth and Zenabu are not willing to stop caring for the poorest of the poor on their list, making regular pastoral visits to pray, listen and share God's word with them alongside distributing 33-35 monthly food kits and medical care. Please pray for safety and protection for them all.
Nekemte town is seeing increasing numbers of displaced people from the conflicts, many are just passing through in search of a safer place. In the summer Elizabeth found 2 young girls, Bontu and Lemane, victims of the conflicts. who had both lost their parents and had no one. They had come with displaced groups but with no one to care for them. Elizabeth put them with 2 grandmas on her list and enrolled them in school. The transformation can be seen in their faces, now they have shelter, food and clothing and a future hope. Here is 8 year old Bontu.
Bontu when she had just been found by Elizabeth.
And Bontu now- a transformed little girl with a new family, a place at school and a future hope!
Children equipped for another year at school. Can you spot little Bontu?:)
On a sad note we were very disappointed that Elizabeth was not able to come to Mozambique as planned. It was a real blow to all of us but we know that God is in ultimate control and will work all things out for our good. We continue to pray God will provide a way for us to be together in person in 2024.
A personal note
Finally we thank God for His care and presence with us personally this year. Its been another busy year leading and encouraging the work from the UK, thanks to social media and zoom meetings. But our missionary calling is still very much alive - since returning from our latest trip to Mozambique due to various commitments we have spent about about 3 days at home - we are certainly aware that we are pilgrims on a journey and feel very much like nomads! In January I (Mel) will be starting a part-time teaching assistant role with a teaching agency - which will fit around our work with Charis.
We praise God for all that has been achieved for His kingdom this year. We thank God for every person who has joined hands with us in prayer and in giving to make it all possible. Each life touched and transformed is precious. We are not interested in making a name for ourselves or becoming great - like John the Baptist we constantly say: We must become less, He must become greater.
God bless you all. Thank you. May you see, hear and feel Jesus this Christmas.
Mel, Mandy and Charis teams xxx