We are back home in beautiful Lichinga. Before we left, the land and hills were charred black by fires set by people burning fields. Now, we’re in rainy season and the whole land is covered with green grass. Even some of the colorful wild flowers are growing.We are glad to be back. Daily, the Lord has been consuming us in His presence, and filling our hearts with His joy and praise. And so we weren’t moved by the “stuff” waiting for us here. For instance, there’s the constant leaks from the cracks in our cement tile roof which I’ve (Tyren) been trying to discover and fix for days. Because it’s been rainy season here and our house was closed for 2 ½ months, there was mold all over. Tiffany and the kids have been washing clothes for days, and I’ve been cleaning our wood beds, the cane wood desks, and other things. We praise God! Everything is going well. In the midst of these so called problems, we are actually seeing the greater things that the Lord has done for us while we were away. Our attention is caught up in His presence as He is preparing our lives to be poured out for another year of His Harvest.
While we were in the U.S., Gazani, one of the two local missionaries who live at our center, rebuilt the rest of our fence. Gazani has such a servant’s heart. If you remember, most of our fence was burned down a few weeks before we came to the U.S.
The first few days back home, I had to make trips into the city to buy food (tomatoes, peppers, onions, bananas, bread, oil, peanut butter, etc), and feed my hungry family. It was so good to see everyone. The children came to meet me with smiles, and I gave them hugs. In the midst of buying bread for them and notebooks for another, I shared the gospel with a little boy named Ali. Ali gave his life to the Lord that day.
We know this year the Lord is preparing to accelerate some things through the entire Iris ministry here. Gazani said the Lord was showing him similar things. The Lord has shifted our direction, pushed some things out the way, and has prepared a new road before us. The road I see is nothing but His presence. And like a free gift being given, there’s the ever increasing draw to holiness. We all know that if we stay seeking and living in His presence, the Lord will release His blessing to turn hearts to Himself, bring forth the greater harvests, and quicken the pace of laying the foundation for the greater works of God in Lichinga. There are obstacles and oppositions in the spirit, but in His presence (the path of life), we have already overcome and we will be steadily advancing, growing in His peace and the love for our God, and our Savior and King.Pray for us and with us, that the Lord may receive His harvest in the city of Lichinga and the surrounding villages.
Abundant Love,
Tyren and Tiffany Haynes
