Last month we were in Malawi but Team Luminous found ourselves in South Africa the month prior to that trying to prepare a children’s village for it’s grand opening. After a month of all sorts of work and ministry opportunities another one of our World Race teams stepped in and completed much of what we started. For some pictures, you should look at Steph Pridgen’s blog from Team Manna. However, for those interested in keeping up with our previous ministry partners, I felt you may be interested in reading an announcement email we received from Jean and Tiesa Nichole (our contacts.)
A dream come true…
We are thrilled to announce the opening of Michaels
Childrens Village in Mbonisweni, South Africa! The dream for the children’s village began over 4 years ago
in the heart of our International Director of Iris Ministries, Surprise
Sithole. After planting a church
and years of evangelism within the BackDoor/Mbonisweni area (poor, black
township outside of Nelspruit), Surprise and his wife Tryphina recognized the
vital need for a children’s center to take in the distressing number of
orphaned, abandoned, and abused children within the community. Prayer warriors at the local church and
worldwide began to pray into the dream of establishing a children’s center. In
2008, Iris secured funding through friends of Iris in America, UK, and Korea
and the property for the childrens’ village was purchased! As you know, Jean
and I moved to South Africa (May 09) as new base directors and our top priority
was the new childrens’ village!
Childrens Village in Mbonisweni, South Africa! The dream for the children’s village began over 4 years ago
in the heart of our International Director of Iris Ministries, Surprise
Sithole. After planting a church
and years of evangelism within the BackDoor/Mbonisweni area (poor, black
township outside of Nelspruit), Surprise and his wife Tryphina recognized the
vital need for a children’s center to take in the distressing number of
orphaned, abandoned, and abused children within the community. Prayer warriors at the local church and
worldwide began to pray into the dream of establishing a children’s center. In
2008, Iris secured funding through friends of Iris in America, UK, and Korea
and the property for the childrens’ village was purchased! As you know, Jean
and I moved to South Africa (May 09) as new base directors and our top priority
was the new childrens’ village!
On July 25th, 2009 the dream became reality! We had a precious celebration service with
over 200 people and leaders from the community present. We were so blessed by the presence of
God as the first two houses were prayerfully dedicated to God and the new house
parents led the ribbon cutting ceremonies. Praise God, this is only the
beginning! Many, many more homes
will be opened in the future and our new Baby house should open in the next two
months!
over 200 people and leaders from the community present. We were so blessed by the presence of
God as the first two houses were prayerfully dedicated to God and the new house
parents led the ribbon cutting ceremonies. Praise God, this is only the
beginning! Many, many more homes
will be opened in the future and our new Baby house should open in the next two
months!
But thanks be unto God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my brothers, stand
firm. Let nothing move you. Always
give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor
in the Lord is not in vain. 1Cor 15:57-58
firm. Let nothing move you. Always
give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor
in the Lord is not in vain. 1Cor 15:57-58
Thank you King Jesus! We will not be moved! Friends, we are so grateful for your partnership
with us! Together, we will press
on for the manifest victory of the vision which God has sealed on Heidi’s/our
hearts to take in a million children!
with us! Together, we will press
on for the manifest victory of the vision which God has sealed on Heidi’s/our
hearts to take in a million children!
Please be praying for us! South African Social Services is currently in the process of
placing the first round of children within our care! Thank you again for praying for the Bakers, Iris Ministries,
and our Iris SA team during this exciting and growing time!
placing the first round of children within our care! Thank you again for praying for the Bakers, Iris Ministries,
and our Iris SA team during this exciting and growing time!
Because of Jesus,
Jean
and Teisa Nicole
Iris
South Africa/Michaels Childrens Village
