Glory from Village to Village

Kakala is grinning broadly, so excited. Heidi is prompting her syllable by syllable, and she is answering perfectly into the microphone. This stirs the whole watching village, which knows that Kakala has been a deaf mute all her life. They run to get Kakala’s mother, and soon the two of them are beaming as they stand together on our revival platform — the flat bed of our 3-ton truck. The mother confirms to the whole crowd that she has never heard Kakala speak before (see photo).

This is such great news that someone runs off to bring another deaf mute to the meeting, a little girl named Magdalena, much younger than Kakala. Heidi and our ministry team lay hands on her, and instantly she can hear and speak too (see photo).

Just minutes ago an older lady got her sight back (see photo). Many have been crowding forward urgently for prayer, and Jesus is gracious. The entire village turned out tonight, and many walked for miles from the countryside when they heard we were coming. They watched the Jesus Film intently, listened to Heidi preach and testify to the power of God in previous meetings, and responded to the Gospel all together with one voice and heart.

This is Heidi’s and my third village outreach in the ten days we have been back in Pemba after a long speaking trip. Each time an entire village, without previous exposure to the Gospel, has come to Jesus openly, willingly and eagerly. Each time we pour our hearts out explaining the Gospel as simply, clearly and intensely as we can, and there is no resistance. There in the dark, palm trees silhouetted against a stunningly bright array of Milky Way stars, far from stadiums and big-city lights, the poor in their rags and huts run to Jesus. They receive from Him without hesitation, without doubt. In one night they renounce a lifetime of slavery to witch doctors and evil spirits, false religion and tradition. And they sink to the dirt of their plain village courtyard on their knees to worship the Savior in spirit and truth.

The Moslem province of Cabo Delgado in the far north of Mozambique is receiving the King. In just two years we have seen over 190 churches birthed in villages like this, and every week more are added. The harvest is ripe. This is the time for Mozambique, for all of Africa. The Gospel will burn like fire from the south through North Africa all the way to Jerusalem. May the Body of Christ around the world react to this huge window of opportunity with overcoming faith, limitless love and joyful energy!

While Heidi obediently concentrates on the Makua tribe of Cabo Delgado most of her time, Iris Ministries continues to expand elsewhere. We just had our first conference in Gaza Province in the south, and again everyone listening wanted to partake of the Gospel. Two crippled men who were carried to the meetings left walking on their own. Next week I fly to Medan, Indonesia, following the Holy Spirit in responding the the tsunami victims of Bandah Aceh. Then I fly to the DRCongo for more conferences as we pioneer Iris Congo, then Rwanda, Burundi, and other countries… We will return to Sudan as we plan outreaches to the north, south and Darfur in the west. Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Zambia are calling for help in their great hunger for revival also.

We are building and preparing with all our strength, energy and resources for our school of international ministry this summer, and are expecting some two hundred foreign students, joined by another two hundred national students from Mozambique. May Jesus completely take control of this school and the lives of our students. Anointed speakers are coming from around the world to impart their spiritual understanding and gifts to this body Jesus is bringing together right here on the mission field. In groups these students will make use of everything they have learned and in the Lord take up the challenge of evangelizing villages in the bush and establishing churches. Jesus, have your way and make us all fit for your use just as you desire! Only stay with us, be with us, and bring us to life, fired with the glory of your company and Presence!

We will continue to communicate more and more as Jesus sends us help of every kind. We long to strengthen and encourage you with all that the Spirit of God is accomplishing among us. We are so grateful for your participation with us in the work of testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace in Jesus… We love you, our family that our heavenly Father has so graciously given us!

Much, much love in Jesus,

Rolland and Heidi