| Announcements |
Expanding Our Tents
"I want comfort and safety, but because God loves me so very much, He will allow my life to be unpredictable and uncertain so that I find my security and joy in Him and not in my circumstances."
Hi Friends,
I’m posting a photo of our adopted boys with Nerf guns. They were so excited to receive this gift (thank you Zephan and Sarah!). One of our greatest joys is giving them gifts. I went through my closet and gave away clothes to our girls. You have no idea how fun it is to give them gifts. I giggle as I give.
Iris school has expanded. We now have over 700 children! All the children are provided a uniform, education, and lunch at no charge. We have a waiting list for more children that want to attend. We need more classrooms. It’s a beautiful sight to see all the village children walking to our school (see photo).
Our widow’s sewing school is expanding too! The school is filled with sewing machines all being used throughout the week. A big addition to the sewing school is being built right now. There are hundreds of visitors who come and buy lovely items that the widows have sewn. Each item has a label with the name of the person who has sewn it. These women now are able to provide housing, food and clothing for their families.
Our medical team is expanding too! More doctors and nurses are coming here who love and care for the poor (and we pray for more as there is a huge need for medical attention). Our 200 children who live at Iris need constant help with health care besides the countless villagers. It’s all so amazing to watch God bring people from all over the world here (and to other Iris bases) to help. We now have another pilot and plane and our Pemba medical team fly to remote islands and villages to provide medicine for the sick.
I have a dream of expanding hospitality to our Iris children and missionaries. I’d love to build a home next to ours especially for missionaries to come away for a while to get rest. It’s easy to get tired and worn out here. In our last staff mtg. the whole issue of burn out and rest was addressed and everyone was exhorted to get rest…it’s not always easy when surrounded by so many needs. It can get quite noisy too when you have over 200 children living on base…so I’m praying for my hospitality dream home to come to reality.
Being in Mozambique is scary and challenging at times. On some days I still can hardly believe we live in Africa, but there’s no place I’d rather be. I’m finding out more just how big, generous and wild at heart our God is! As Lucy asked about Aslan in the book, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe:
“Then he isn’t safe?” asks lucy. “Safe?” replies Mr. Beaver. “Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.”
Sometimes the Lord makes uncomfortable requests. He has asked me to completely trust him and surrender my entire being to Him. I want comfort and safety, but because God loves me so very much, He will allow my life to be unpredictable and uncertain so that I find my security and joy in Him and not in my circumstances. Paul the apostle said, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Phil: 4:11) Paul suffered like few ever will and yet was completely content…his security was in knowing the God who loved him more than life itself…and this is my prayer for myself, that I would know His love to such a depth, that nothing will keep me distracted from the One who loves me most. I can get really freaked and stressed out on days, but those types of days are becoming fewer and fewer…He really is a fun, good God…He is never anxious or stressed out…oh, to keep my eyes fixed on Him.
We thank God for you and pray God’s richest blessings upon you,
Janet and Jeff
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