This pano was taken in one of the boys dormitories at the Zimpeto Ministry Center run by Iris Ministries in Mozambique. Thanks to Sharon Lee (the dorm mother) and the boys for welcoming us into their living quarters.
This pano was taken in a school room at the Machava Ministry Center run by Iris Ministries outside of Maputo, Mozambique.
This 3D virtual image was taken on the playground at the Machava Ministry Center run by Iris Ministries outside of Maputo, Mozambique.
Last week, the AR team and Pastor Vincent traveled to Maputo, Mozambique, to visit Iris Ministries, a ministry started in 1995 by American missionaries Rolland and Heidi Baker. We first learned of Iris through the book Always Enough, which Nate and I each read a few months ago. We found the book very challenging, as it relates the incredible story of revival sweeping through Mozambique (especially following the devastating floods of 2000) and of the total abandon to God and the Holy Spirit that the Bakers live by daily.
We saw for ourselves that God is at work in a big way there. To us, it seemed like Mozambique is to South Africa as Mexico is to the U.S., except that Mozambique is perhaps poorer. As one enters the country, immediately, one feels the poverty and the lack of viable economy; even the roads turn to sand in parts. The Portuguese influence gives the country a Central or South American feel, and the communist regime of years ago still has its authority as photos are prohibited of certain monuments and sights downtown. From the sight of the dilapidated buildings in Maputo, it’s obvious that Mozambique was once a thriving and beautiful country but is now the shell of what it once was. But despite being hit hard by twenty years of intense civil war and horrendous natural disasters, Mozambique is beginning to turn a corner and one gains that sense of hope when one sees how God is using Iris Ministries to transform the lives of the next generation.
When the Bakers first arrived in Mozambique, they were overwhelmed by the number of children abandoned, orphaned and/or displaced as a result of the country’s infighting. The Bakers simply stepped out in faith in offering these children a safe home. Over the years and many more steps of faith, God has blessed Iris in allowing the ministry to expand throughout Mozambique and into Malawi; as a result, Iris now cares for thousands of children and teenagers, raising them up in the ways of the Lord and providing them schooling on-site, a church home, loving dorm parents and an environment in which to thrive. We stayed at the Zimpeto Center in Maputo and also visited the Machava base nearby, and at each place, we were amazed us by the care the children receive, the love of God that they know, the freedom they are allowed, the responsibilities they grow into and the hearts for Jesus that these kids are developing.
We are finding it hard to process all that we experienced, but for me the main take-away from our time in Mozambique is that God is transforming what would have been a lost generation into followers of Christ who will no doubt have a great impact on their country. We had the opportunity to get to know some of the young men at Zimpeto (85% of the 300 at Zimpeto are boys), and we left very encouraged by how the Lord has blessed and used this ministry, taking it from something small to something big by His grace alone.
More reflections are forthcoming as we continue to process things, but hopefully the photos will give you an idea of the beauty of Mozambique’s children.
Through a connection with Allan’s friend from Pretoria, Nic Marsay, we have set up a brand new web design cooperative in the township that will be designing sites for clients in a few weeks or months. It’s called Ikamva Web Development Services—Ikamva means “future” in Zulu. Nic has started a consultancy firm that helps companies comply with the broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) legislation that went into effect in 2007 (it’s pretty complicated and very interesting—here’s an article that explains a bit). By forming a web design firm in the township, many of Nic’s clients will be able to use their services and increase their B-BBEE rating, so everyone wins. We’ve just signed the initial documents and are getting things up and running, so you’ll hear more about this exciting venture in the future.
Left to Right: Sabelo, Innocent, Will, Henry, Nic, Daniel and Brenda
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”—Mother Teresa
These days, as we find the months passing too quickly and there still so much left to do, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. A recent happening, though, reminded me of how important it is to pause and focus on the one instead of becoming daunted by the need of the multitude. After all, throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus attracting crowds but never failing to stop and meet one need at a time.
I’m also reminded of how sometimes God can take something discouraging to one person and use it as a blessing to another. When Allan threw out his back many months ago we didn’t imagine that, from that event, the AR team would experience one the most touching moments of our time here yet in being used to bless one young man and his family.
You may recall our blog post from early September about the Powerhouse outreach team meeting a bed-ridden young man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was born crippled and mentally impaired, but rather than allow him to be given over to institutional care, his parents considered him the greatest gift from God and have ever since cared for him without complaint. Sadly, they can only accommodate him on a rickety old flat bed in the garage, right next to a broken-down, unusable car.
Back in September, Allan found himself lying on the X-ray table at the hospital. The doctor who attended him that day recently helped us obtain a wheeled, adjustable hospital bed for Nicodemus. It was a joyous day for Allan and Annie to pick up the bed, meet up with us and feeding scheme team and for us to go deliver the bed to Nicodemus and his family. Click here to read Allan’s full account of this special day. Truly Nicodemus’ parents were without words they were so surprised and grateful, and while Nicodemus couldn’t articulate with words his thanks, his giant smile communicated enough. It was awesome to see him sitting up for the first time in his new bed.
If you’re wondering how you yourself can meet the need of one in South Africa, we invite you to check out Africa Revolution’s new Partnership Projects Listing for a laundry list of immediate needs as well as ongoing projects. As you’ll see, there are many ways—from helping build the church’s Sunday School classroom to sponsoring a student to replacing the worship team’s drum set—to join in what God is doing here. No contribution is too small, for every bit of your support will touch at least one life. And touching one life can make all the difference.
Maria and Koketso (and their siblings/cousins) were among some of the children featured in my master’s thesis project HIV Stories in the story titled “Facing the Future”. They immediately captured my heart, and Rebecca’s as well. It’s been so much fun to see them growing up while we’re here, though I admit also a bit scary as they leave the age of innocence and start discovering the world of adolescence and adulthood.
When I first met them, Pastor Vincent took me to their house to see the living conditions there. Like a lot of houses in the township, there is a main house with lots of one-room shacks behind it that tenants rent from the owner. In this case, it’s pretty hard to tell there is an owner at all. There’s trash all over, kids running around and a general stench of poverty. We visit there occasionally during our Tuesday feeding scheme, and at other times just to visit the children, but it’s not enough. Part of the issue with reaching out to them is that it’s really hard to even figure out which kids have parents, which are orphans and if we give them food, who will even be the ones to consume it. But that’s how it goes here a lot of the time—messy and complicated. Maria and Koketso come to the Powerhouse almost every Sunday with their brother Thabang. I pray that God will lead them in their lives to avoid the pitfalls of poverty, and may use us to help in any way we can while we’re here.
The panoramic image below is shot from the back of their house where all the shacks are. Maria is in the photo along with a few others who live there and the rest are members of the outreach team. Koketso was not around when I shot this.
The second web design class wraps up this week and today they finished their websites. We shortened the class down from three months to two, and I’m very proud of the work they’ve done on their sites. Have a look, read their stories and if they’ve included their email feel free to drop them a line.
View the latest websites from the Powerhouse Web Design Class.
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