We are thrilled to announce the opening of Michaels Childrens Village in Mbonisweni, South Africa! The dream for the children’s village began over 4 years ago in the heart of our International Director of Iris Ministries, Surprise Sithole. After planting a church and years of evangelism within the BackDoor/Mbonisweni area (poor, black township outside of Nelspruit), Surprise and his wife Tryphina recognized the vital need for a children’s center to take in the distressing number of orphaned, abandoned, and abused children within the community. Prayer warriors at the local church and worldwide began to pray into the dream of establishing a children’s center. In 2008, Iris secured funding through friends of Iris in America, UK, and Korea and the property for the childrens’ village was purchased! As most of you know, we moved to South Africa (May 09) as new base directors and the top priority was the new childrens’ village!
On July 25
th
, 2009 the dream became reality! We had a precious celebration service with over 200 people and leaders from the community present. We were so blessed by the presence of God as the first two houses were prayerfully dedicated to God and the new house parents led the ribbon cutting ceremonies. Praise God, this is only the beginning! Many, many more homes will be opened in the future and our new Baby house should open in the next two months!
But thanks be unto God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1Cor 15:57-58
Thank you King Jesus! We will not be moved! Friends, we are so grateful for your partnership with us! Together, we will press on for the manifest victory of the vision which God has sealed on Heidi’s/our hearts to take in a million children!
Please be praying for us! South African Social Services is currently in the process of placing the first round of children within our care! Thank you again for praying for the Bakers, Iris Ministries, and our Iris SA team during this exciting and growing time!
