"Hello to Everyone.

"It has been a busy time here at Iris for both Betty and me. I have been splitting my time between Zimpeto and Maracuene, spending three days each week at Maracuene and two in Zimpeto. The boys and I have been busy with many small projects, in addition to making cupboards, baby cribs, and a bench for the nursery.

It has been a busy time for Betty and me. We sold our home back in Canada and spent most of our time there deciding what we wanted to keep or sell and what to put into storage. We also helped our youngest daughter set herself up in an apartment. While we were In Canada, the team here expanded the sewing room to twice its size. Betty and the girls now have more room to sew. The girls are progressing in their sewing skills to include quilt making, draperies and dress making. It's wonderful to see them grow; the sewing room has an atmosphere of joy that keeps them coming!

"It has been a busy 6 months. We have made many baby cribs, cupboard and benches. Our latest project has been to work on the new nursery. We built a cupboard and changing table with shelving unit above for the main room, a cupboard for the kitchen, 7 baby cribs and we are presently working on a cupboard for the tias [aunties] and shelves for the bathroom. The nursery is expected to be open on November 11, 2009.

[Baby room cribs]

"It was our pleasure to deliver 10 benches to Maracuene Village this morning. Located about 20 minutes from the Zimpeto Ministry Centre, Iris Ministries and IMC have and continue to build homes for boys who are old enough to live on their own, but have no familes to live with. A young Mozambican pastor and his wife oversee the young men and the church that has been built in the centre of the village - to service both the boys and the surrounding community.

The Blanchettes have been at Zimpeto for only a month now. Bob writes a very encouraging report:

Zimpeto Centre, Maputo, Mozambique