January 2023: 2022 Year-end Letter to our Iris Family & Friends
January 2023
David Morrison, Director of the Iris base in Bangula, Malawi shares:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. Isaiah 43:1 (ESV)
When Jesus took the disciples out in the boat and a great windstorm arose, the disciples were filled with fear. Who wouldn’t be? They woke Jesus who had fallen asleep, and He calmed the storm with the words, Be still, and then said to them, Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith? Storms can serve to produce in us both fear and faith.
Malawi has endured two cyclones and a tropical storm this year. Many people lost 3 crops in a row and fear is the natural response. What will we do? Where will we find food? Where shall we live? Wake up Jesus!
God has made provisions to feed the poor. Days before the only road was severed by a cyclone, we received a 40-foot container of MannaPack rice meals, designed to provide optimum nutrition. We were able to deliver much of this food to those displaced by the cyclones. We also were given money to dig a new borehole which meant we were able to provide clean water to others. No other aid could get to Bangula, and so God made provision.
Upriver from Bangula, Pastor Boston from Nchalo Island, together with his wife and six children, were suddenly alerted that the flood water was rising. They took refuge on the roof of their church. When the walls collapsed, Boston’s wife and children were carried away on the roof, while Boston himself struggled to stay above water in the rising river. After hours apart, Boston and his wife and children were miraculously reunited at a camp for displaced people.
We are grateful for your outpouring of love in the form of money to buy lots of maize and beans for distribution and seed when all hope of raising a crop had failed. Containers arrived with clothes, tools, and building supplies. Churches were helped with roofs and reconstruction. Families who lost everything were assisted in rebuilding. Thank you for participating with us to bring hope.
In July, our churches gathered for an annual conference around the theme: ‘Do not fear, just believe.’ How we needed this message this year! With great joy, church members journeyed to Bangula where we fixed our eyes and hearts on Jesus, brought him all our fear, and found ourselves in a safe place. When we are in Christ’s love, it is possible to continue in faith even during great suffering.
The hunger crisis is intensifying, especially in the southern region where Iris is located. Lives are further disrupted by the additional challenges of fuel shortages and electricity load shedding. Yet we are encouraged by the fruit we see being harvested after 20 years at the plow together with incredible Malawian leaders.
This year we have celebrated the engagement of two Iris graduates. We have added 3 new children to our Iris family. There are now 11 Iris grandchildren, and it is a great joy to see Iris graduates parenting so beautifully. Three Iris graduates have been involved in a start-up nursery school, providing a service in a village where children are often left alone. Nine Iris graduates are employed in a country where jobs are scarce. We rejoice in the fruit we can see, and also in the unseen fruit which is a change of heart. Here again, we see the evidence that storms produce in us both fear and faith. May faith win out!
We are very grateful for all those who come alongside the work in Malawi. Zikomo kwambiri!
* * * * * * * *
Steve Lazar, Director of the Zimpeto base in Maputo, Mozambique shares:
Things have opened in Maputo, Mozambique, as it seems they have across the world. We are so thankful that during the long season of covid, none of our children, pastors, community leaders, or church members lost their lives. And we are deeply grateful that though the way we ran programs needed adjustments, all IMC-designated programs continued.
One of the programs IMC supports is University Education - providing monthly tuition for promising youth. At the cost of USD 100.00 per month, we are currently supporting thirty students. It is a requirement that all students work enough to pay for transport, materials, and extra as needed.
Beatrice, written about in Heidi Baker’s book – Stop for the One, was among this year’s graduates. She is one of the original Iris children taken into care in 1995. Beatrice was nine years old when she came to Iris. She did not speak, could not write her name, or count. With love poured into her over many years, what a joy it was to be present at her university graduation as she received a degree in Human Resources. Beatrice loves the Lord, serves in the church, cares for her children, and is a valuable community member.
[Beatrice with her Professor (Sandra), who is also Beatrice's Godmother. Sandra was Beatrice's first teacher at elementary school, and gave testimony that every mark was a zero on Beatrice's first report card.]
[Steve & Ros Lazar celebrating with Beatrice on graduation day.]
The carpentry and sewing programs continue to support the vision of IMC missionaries Bob and Betty Blanchette, who began the programs many years ago. Though they have gone on to be with the Lord (Bob this past year), their legacy continues as many young men and women are trained year after year - given skillsets and business opportunities, dignity, and future provision.
More than seventy families receive a food box every fortnight - a vital supplement for many.
Community housing is at the forefront of the ministry. We never want a child or youth to not go home because of accommodation concerns. The IMC project repairs houses, add rooms, and builds on family land, enabling a child to go home to a secure future.
[Antonio works with carpentry team. We were pleased to build Antonio and his wife a home of their own.]
Serving widows in the community is one of our great joys. Our teams love to visit, pray, and provide for practical needs.
[A special day was arranged by our widows' program coordinator to feed the elders in the community. It was a time of fellowship for the elderly who are often alone.]
IMC continues to support the two most exciting days of the year at Iris - the Christmas and Children's Day (June 1st) programs. Your generosity is so appreciated, allowing us to give gifts, food, and clothing to the children of the garbage dump, street ministry, the Iris school, and the Zimpeto Centre. There is no greater joy than giving children something brand new that is all theirs!
[Children's Church in the Hulene garbage dump in Maputo.]
[Christmas Day.]
[Children's Day feast - a chicken dinner complete with a Fanta all their own!]
[Cake for everyone! A day of joyful chaos!]
With the country borders open, the personal thrill of 2022 is that Ros and I were back on the ground, present for so many of these events! Your generosity blesses the orphans and widows. The apostle Paul called this pure religion. May the Lord bless you for partnering with us to make a difference in the lives of others.
* * * * * * * *
Below are are some short reflections from each of our current IMC missionaries:
• Looking back on 2022, Miracles paved the pathways. God is the one who is doing mighty works through us. We are only His vessels and can do nothing without Him; He is unlimited in His faithfulness. We do what He asks us to do. We share the Gospel and heal the sick. One young lady had back pain for years, despite surgery. She could not hold her son. She was healed after prayer. Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let joy overflow, for you are united with the Anointed One! Philippians 4:4 TPT.
We also shipped eights container full of needed items to Mozambique and Malawi. Included were 21,000 Bibles and thousands of solar bibles. In their desperation, people are hungry for the Gospel. The churches are still under persecution. But we know we are children of God. If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? Romans 8:31 TPT. (Anonymous Missionary - Asia).
• It was wonderful to attend graduation services this year and support our student's milestones and incredible achievements after years of Covid cancellations. The students who I started the post-secondary program with at Iris Malawi are now beginning their lives outside of Iris walls, at colleges and universities. Eight of our graduates found employment this year.
It's beautiful to observe their lives changing before our eyes as God leads, guides and corrects anything that has been lost to our students early in life. We continue to see further heart healing and growth in our young people. While it's a long road for many of our students, being given the opportunity to flourish in education and family, they have grabbed hold and persevered through many trials. It is quite a miracle! I continue to be blessed to be given the gift to watch from the sidelines and be able to cheer them on! Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus… Hebrews 12:1-2. Sarah Masson-Mkandawire - Bangula, Malawi).
• Malawian people are so strong in the face of adversity. When cyclones come and wipe out their baby crops, they plant again and again and again. When an illness or funeral eats up precious savings, they carry on. These friends stand with each other, grieve with each other, rejoice with each other, and will even share their last bowl of flour with each other. I see Jesus in the worn faces of those I have come to know in Malawi, and I am continually asking for grace to walk with those who have no backup plan but Jesus. May we never become calloused or cynical but rather full of hope and joy. (Joanna Morrison - Bangula, Malawi).
• We were full of anticipation this past August as we moved our family to Mexico for a lifestyle change that we wanted to make for raising our children and following the call of God on our lives. We have been amazed at the family of God we have found here, the miracles witnessed, and the work God is doing through our team, bringing the Kingdom of God to the hearts of the people here. Moving countries comes with challenges, and our four kids have had a lot of grace as we learn a new language and culture together. We love being able to have the kids join in activities and outreach as we minister in the city of Reynosa. A few highlights of the past months have been the 'Nights of Fire' we hosted in the community. We saw healings and salvations. Many were baptized and are now being discipled in small groups around the city. Another highlight has been seeing how God is using the Refugee Centre to meet the needs of the many Haitians and Central American families that come off the streets in Reynosa and are encountering God during their stay at the shelter. (The Schellenberg's - Andrew, Melissa, Iliana, Norah, Enoch, Oakley - Reynosa, Mexico).
* * * * * * * * * *
This past November Iris Global released a new video featuring Heidi Baker, director of Iris Global. Nifento chronicles the terrorism in Pemba, Mozambique, and love overcoming the darkness. It is free to view at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPdKJQgBP4k.
We are deeply grateful for your trust, your prayers, your love and your support. Together we are improving lives and making a difference here on earth. More importantly, we have the privilege of rescuing people and leading them into eternal life. All Glory to God….
With our blessings and love,
Janis
On behalf of the IMC Board of Directors - Will Hart, Shawn Ercoli, David Morrison, Janis Chevreau.