The program continues much the same as in our previous updates. We thought the best encouragement would be to share just one of many recent stories of lives being transformed. 

Baby Flórida was born June 1, 2012. At 8 months of age, after her mother died, an Aunt brought this little one to our milk program. When we first met and weighed Florida she was 8.1 lbs. and was completely malnourished. Now, only two months later, she is weighing in at 10.4 lbs.. Because of our help, this child will survive. This gives us such great hope.  Thank you from Mozambique to Canada!

Since our last update in 2012, 26 children have gone back to live with family. This is miraculous. God created family, and so what a privilege it is to reunite children with mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers and sisters.

Iris Canada is instrumental in this process, providing transport, building houses, providing food and shelter; giving these children a future and a hope.

One of the stories is of Manito and Nelinho.

These two young men have been at the centre since they were very young (four years old).

We are so very grateful for all that Iris Ministries Canada does to support the Zimpeto Bible School. To have an organization, a body of people who believe in, support and encourage the poorest of the poor out of the dirt, really does make a huge difference in the lives of those who are touched by these Christ like actions.

In 2009 John and Dawn Redworth transferred the leadership of the IMC Harvest Bible College to Pastor Johannes Mabila, one of the original graduating students of the college. Pastor Mabila is a strong leader and is gifted by the Holy Spirit as a church planting evangelist.

Anabel, the Mother who we moved into the Widows House temporarily, was given funding and training in how to set up and run a small business; she moved out last month. Anabel still attends our church and when we saw her last week she said she has moved out of our house but not out of our hearts.

Our youngest child is 6 months and our oldest 18. In between we hit every age and every stage. We have temper tantrums and we have changing hormones. We have those who are learning to walk, and those who are learning to fly. Our newest girls are settling in so well with their house mother, Ruth. A few weeks ago all 72 kids were out in the field harvesting beans. It was wonderful to watch them working together, laughing and chatting as they worked.  

We are delighted to report that our 'Stop for the One—Canada' sponsorship program is continuing to grow significantly.

There are two quite different approaches we could be pursuing through our various food programs for poor orphaned and vulnerable children in remote northern Mozambique. We could spread what resources are available to us as widely as possible to make some kind of positive difference in the lives and circumstances of as many children as possible. And at one level, that would make sense, as it would help alleviate a degree of wide-spread childhood suffering. On the other hand, while most poor children are indeed suffering and severely deprived, few are actually starving in this area today.

One of our pastors reported to us that there was a young mother of twins, abandoned by her husband, that been thrown out of her family home. One of the twins had just died. While she is not an elderly widow, she is a mother and woman desperately in need.

We brought her and her baby into the widows' house for 3 months. She has been wonderful company for the elderly widow living in the house and has had time to rest, receive ministry and get stronger by having good nutrition available to her and her child.

The community food program continues to provide food supplements to over 70 families every week, helping them with basic supplies. The boxes contain rice, oil, soap, detergent, sugar, beans and peanuts – such a help to families.