"The past six months have been the most thrilling and stretching of times we have experienced since coming to Iris. The most faith expanding time in our lives started with the missile explosions in March, when our centre was showered down on for hours by the nearby military installation base. While we watched and prayed as missiles soared over us and even hit our centre several times, with shrapnel flying everywhere and explosions happening all around us - we experienced the most incredible miracle of divine protection. Not one of us at the centre, or any of our workers or children who were in the surrounding community during the onslaught were hurt, while hundreds of others in the community were seriously or fatally injured. We stood silenced, yet amazed at the greatness of our God!

"Then the Northern provinces experienced a devastating flood and we felt the desire to help with this disaster. Since we were on a break at the Bible school, we drove the long 3,000 km., over what are referred to as roads but are nothing like we had ever seen before! Once we arrived, it was such a thrill to deliver the many blankets that we had brought with us to help those who had lost everything in the floods, and to preach the gospel in the refugee camps.

"On our way to the flood area we were able to preach in one of our provincial leader's churches in the bush, and deliver much needed malaria medication to his people. During this time we prayed for a woman who was dying from AIDS and found out later that she was not only healed, but working in the fields the next day!

"While in the flood area, Iris held a conference for the refugees and Sandra was able to preach the opening service. It was an indescribable night as hundreds received Jesus as their saviour. It seemed that just as many experienced God's healing miracles as we prayed. What a thrill to have a part in expanding His Kingdom and be used by Him in this way. While we love our teaching time at the Bible school in Zimpeto, and know this to be our primary calling, being part of the outreach was a great blessing and inspiration to us."

[Sandra preaching at the bush conference]