September 2007 Zimpeto Bible School Update

"Over the past months we have finished the addition of offices for the Bible school. This is providing much needed space for the translators and the directors, in addition to having everyone together in the same space now. This has greatly benefited the work environment! No longer do we need to run all over the centre looking for a translator or have a teacher confused about where his class has been moved to. Oh, the blessings of progress!

[Students in front of the school (on the right) with offices to the left. The dorm for the male students is located directly in front of the picture, and its renovations will be our next project, thanks to finances provided by IMC]

"While the previous school session was rather small, this one has us bursting at the seams and needing to use benches to supplement our desk seating. We have a large group of 4th year graduating students from the Dondo area joining us this term. We used to get many more students from the middle of the country before the Bible school at the Dondo centre expanded to include levels one to three. We have actually missed the presence of these wonderful pastors and leaders who add to the rich diversity of the various cultural groups in Mozambique, so we have been very blessed this term to have them with us. Indeed it is always a mix of joy and sadness to graduate those in their fourth year. It's a huge privilege to see this senior class graduate and go out into their own areas, but it also means that our time with these precious leaders has come to a close. Not only is our opportunity to teach these leaders complete, but many times we don't get to see them again once they return to their homes.

[Graduating students worshipping Jesus]

"One of the treasures that we personally experienced while driving north to Zambezi to do flood relief this past March, was the privilege of seeing many former students again. What a joy it was to see them ministering in their own provinces, some of whom are now provincial church leaders with Iris Ministries Mozambique. This was a first-hand opportunity to see much good fruit from years of Bible school ministry."

[Graduating class - April 2007]