June 5, 2008

I have exciting news to share with you! My husband Joshua and I have a life-changing opportunity to go with Iris Ministries (www.irismin.org) to serve in Mozambique, Africa. We’ve both been in other countries in different parts of our lives, and many of you have played a huge part in supporting us! Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts! All of that has prepared us as individuals for what God has for us now, and for the first time, a mission trip together!

We plan to go from August 25-September 8. Since Iris Ministries is in need of more volunteers at their base, our vision is to go and help where needed. And while we’re drawing others closer to Jesus, we believe that God is going to transform our lives through what He is doing there as well. We also are praying that God will open our eyes to what He’s calling us to do in the future together and lead us by His Spirit.

Some of the amazing ministry opportunities include serving hundreds of children in an orphanage, participating in crusade evangelism, weekend church planting, praying for the sick in hospitals, prison ministry, and visiting those who live in the “trash dump”.

THE NEED
The need in Mozambique is great. Here are some recent statistics. Please think about each one for a moment:

2/3 of Mozambicans are illiterate
85% of the people live in huts
5% have electricity
less than 10% have piped water; the rest use wells, rivers, and lakes
2/3 of Mozambicans don’t even have pit latrines
There is one doctor for every 40,000 people
Life expectancy is about to 40 years old

THE MINISTRY
Iris Ministries, started by Rolland and Heidi Baker, began ministering in Mozambique, Africa
in 1995. They started simply by taking in lost and abandoned children who were suffering from incredible trauma. Today they have around 4,500 children who receive food, blankets, shelter and education about Jesus!!

They see about 1,000 people come to Jesus weekly. Miracles of food multiplication and physical healing are everyday occurrences as God demonstrates His love to the children. They are hungry for Him, and He meets their humble requests. Iris Ministries is also committed to church planting in the remote villages of Mozambique.

To date they have planted about 6,000 churches in 6 years’ time, and are continually raising up Mozambican pastors to shepherd the people. They see about 1,000 people come to Jesus weekly and countless healings too!! It’s a simply formula: preach the gospel, pray for the sick, God heals, and when people come to know Jesus, then they plant the church!

Modern day revival is occurring in Mozambique through the work of Iris Ministries. Surrounding nations are taking note and are begging for Iris to minister in their nations. The demand is more than they can handle. They’ve issued a call for more workers to come and serve in Africa.

The Lord has put Africa on our hearts for some time. God confirmed to both of us that this is the time to go. Two years ago when I was in China, I felt strongly like the Father told me I would be going to Africa in the summer of 2008. Joshua, prior to meeting me & us getting married (we are on our 11th month now!!), had received a prophecy about Africa as well).

Some verses God gave Josh and me about Africa as we were seeking Him:

Mt. 25:34-40 I was hungry and you gave me meat; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in, naked, and you clothed me, I was sick, and you visited me, I was in prison, and you came to me.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

I am so excited that we’re planning to go find Jesus in the faces of these people!

PRAYER REQUESTS

We are asking God to
break our hearts with what breaks His heart for the people of Africa
use us to be His hands and feet to the people in Africa
protection
financial provision
receive an impartation to spread what is happening there, to wherever we go next (we know we are called to go to many other nations, our city Valparaiso, IN for starters)!
give Him His vision for our lives (direction for our future)

HOW TO PARTNER WITH US IN GOING TO AFRICA
In order for Josh and me to go, we need $5200 ($2600 per person, which includes flight, food, lodging, immunizations and travel insurance). We have about one-fifth of this already!
Some ways to help us get to Africa, as the Spirit leads you:
· order a portrait/custom painting/other artwork (see enclosed business card!)
· come to an art event in the Chicago area (to be announced; details and updates will be at joshandlizlachmann.blogspot.com)
· send a tax-deductible donation made out to Bethel Valparaiso All Nations Church (don’t put our name on the check) with a separate note saying it goes to us
· keep us in prayer
· keep in touch!
· come with us!

CONTACT US!
Would you pray about being a part of what God is doing in Africa? We would love to hear from you!
For more information, you can contact us at:
Our address: 559 Gene Lane Valparaiso, IN 46385
Phone: 219.263.8665 (Josh) or 219.707.9380 (Liz)
Email: joshandlizinJC247@gmail.com

We love you and God bless you! Josh and Liz