During the past several months, Don and Elizabeth observed a couple of notable personal milestones. Don received his doctorate in leadership and renewal from Regent University in Virginia; and we celebrated our 40^th wedding anniversary.

In terms of ministry activities, Don has been transitioning increasingly into developmental work in rural villages. Mieze is the current focus—with two orphan-homes about to open, supported by chicken farming and gardening projects; a multi-faceted program for improvement of health care in the village is being developed; and a project to enable more village children to attend primary school is underway. The measurable results include 100 more children already enrolled in school; 180 orphans and vulnerable children being fed every day; several hundred children and adults no longer suffering from intestinal parasites and scabies; much less evidence of chronic dehydration and malnutrition; an average of 20 people a week enabled to travel to the Pemba hospital for treatment and to have prescriptions filled; and a three-fold increase in regular attendance at the Iris church in Mieze.

Planning is actively underway to replicate this Mieze experience three times over in other villages in 2008.

Elizabeth’s focus this past term has been the Iris-Holy Given Mission School currently held twice a year in Pemba. Exit surveys of graduating students show that the overwhelming majority report radical change in their pursuit of intimacy with God and a passionate desire to be living examples of incarnational love.

Elizabeth coordinates a committee which places these graduates internationally within Iris. God is calling a radical new generation of missionaries who are responding with servant hearts to a mandate to equip and raise up national leadership—leaders who will bring Kingdom transformation to their nations.