We are writing to ask for concentrated prayer for Maputo, the capitol of Mozambique, which got hit on Thursday, March 22, 2007 with explosions. Blasts occurred at Mozambican National Armory (near the airport). Two missile-like explosions have already hit our children's center in Zimpeto. As Heidi was talking on the phone with Norberto (her son who was sobbing), significant shrapnel fell and he barely moved out of the way to avoid it. Shrapnel hit the center and lighted fires. Our main church in Zimpeto, got hit and windows were shattered. The children were terrified. But, Pastor Jose rallied our kids together in our church, just worshipping and praying, crying out to God.
Twenty tons of ammunition were mistakenly set-off by our hot 36 degree (C') weather. The heat set-off one missile, which had a domino effect. The government believes more ammunition has yet to be
detonated. Apparently, the hospitals of Maputo are packed with injured people flooding into clinics. The death toll is rising with 72 reported dead, many more displaced, countless injured, and no electricity. We have been given a great opportunity to go and shine The Light to the World.
Julio, our Iris Pemba Administrator, was reporting on the phone that many people are missing limbs. What an opportunity for creative miracles and to witness about The Prince of Peace in a time of chaos and confusion. The situation remains highly dangerous. Please pray for our children. Due to the missiles hitting the center, some of our children fled to villages. Please pray Jesus will help us find any missing children. The children are currently being evacuated.
Recently, The Mozambican Government decided not to declare a national emergency for the recent flooding of The Zambezia River, despite the fact that tens-of-thousands of lives have been displaced. Iris Ministries is one of the few relief efforts out there. The good news is that no one is refusing Jesus. Heidi said that everyone within the sound of a preacher's voice run to Jesus. Miracles abound, as we are feeding approximately 30,000 people a day.
We are trusting Jesus completely. God recently spoke to Heidi and said that He was going to shine a global spot light on Mozambique. And as the government refused outside help/attention/relief, God Himself would intervene. That which the enemy intended for evil would be used for good. We want our entire nation transformed by the glory of God. Nothing less.
Current news is posted at http://www.irismin.com. The Bakers arrive into Maputo on Wednesday. We are posting two recent reports from Mozambican missionaries below:
We wanted to update you with how things are in Zimpeto. No doubt much more will emerge tomorrow.
First, as you know, the local army base had 20-tonnes of munitions which were set-off by the heat today. It was similar to the last time this happened (around 3.30 pm), but then the missiles started flying overhead, and the bangs got closer and louder, and when one large explosion happened very close by (our windows shattered), everyone ran. Some ran down to the gate--others grouped in the prayer hut. No one knew the safest place to be--missiles and shells were exploding and flying overhead in all directions for several hours. We could see fires and smoke on the other side of the center walls.
We were with the group in the prayer hut--we had all the children (including the babies) crouch down by the office wall and George taped all the windows. The children were terrified and there was lots of crying which got louder with each explosion. Everyone was praying. After a short time of this, Pastor Jose began to sing and clap and we all began to worship. As we did this, not surprisingly, the atmosphere completely changed and we all managed to find a degree of peace as we worshipped and drowned out the sounds around us.
The explosions stopped late evening, and we managed to feed the children in the prayer hut. As we write, they are slowly returning to their dorms, although the babies will sleep in the prayer hut as there is a lot of glass in the baby house.
The damage/issues that we can see at present include the following:
Children are missing. Many ran away; some were in the city. We are doing a head-count and will look for the missing ones as soon as it's daylight.
The church was hit by a missile. There is damage to the roof and to the corner, and a big hole in the ground outside.
There is damage to school roofs, shrapnel all over the center, many blown windows, and false ceilings have collapsed. The finance office is full of debris, and the finance computer is broken and the ceiling is down.
We will keep you informed especially about missing children.
We are so thankful that as far as we know, the damage to Zimpeto was relatively small compared with the size of the explosions. We have unsubstantiated reports of people who have died in the community.
There are no injuries to Zimpeto children or staff to-date. Although it was a very traumatic time, we believe that everyone's faith levels have shot up dramatically!
Yesterday, explosions shook Maputo, leaving thousands fleeing their homes and the death toll is at seventy-two. Late last night, we could still hear explosions and could feel it at our home, about twenty kilometers away. The government was storing old ammunition and explosions in a warehouse close to the airport. In January, there was a small explosion and the government promised to move the explosives. They failed to do this, and officials blame the continued warm conditions for the explosives detonating.
Some of the stories coming through the media are horrific--only arms and legs were found, and a mother still breastfeeding was found amongst some of the bodies as people are going through the rubble.
Please pray for Mozambique, this is the third disaster this year that it has to face. God has a plan for this nation, and only He can transform it and we know that He is going to do it. We believe He is going to make her like a diamond, and then He is going to present her to the nations. We believe that through Mozambique, God is going to touch the nations and we are excited to be here.
Iris Contact:
Iris Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 493995
Redding, CA. 96049-3995
Telephone: 530-255-2077
Iris Ministries, Inc.
C.P. 275
Pemba, Cabo Delgado
Mozambique
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