Sunday, February 27, 2011

Night Evangelism - Testimonies


Christina, a visitor to our center, is taking the photo.  She also joined us in evangelizing.
Night Evangelism has been something that we’ve wanted to start in our ministry, but always desired to do it with a team of people. This year, once a month youth discipled by Annelisa’s (Director of the Iris Lichinga Children’s center), youth from Floorball, Annelisa, Victo and myself will have opportunities to evangelize from 7 – 9 at night on the streets, in small restaurants, discos and bars. On the streets we serve some very precious treasures - prostitutes, drug attics, drunken people, and hurting and lost people that turn to alcoholism and bar activities for comfort – people that are often forgotten and scorned due to their night activities. Below are just some of the many testimonies from the various people who went out to lavish the riches of the kingdom on “the least of these” and show them how much Jesus loves them. These are nights full of love, joy and power for us and for the people we meet. The next night outreach is scheduled for Friday, March 4.  Please be praying for us and for the Holy Spirit to transform the lives of many.


TESTIMONIES

One man was just in Lichinga for one more night, and then He was leaving for the capital of Maputo. Through a word of knowledge, he was told that he had received an opportunity to accept the Lord when he was younger but hadn’t taken it. He acknowledged that the word was true, and admitted that he never thought he’d hear the word of God in a bar. He accepted the Lord, and was filled with joy because Jesus had given him another opportunity.

A drunk man came up and gave me a hug (and it looked like he wanted to give me a kiss on the cheek too) after he heard me sharing the gospel and praying with people in a bar. He repented for being drunk, made the sign of the cross, and sincerely thanked me for sharing the gospel. Then he got everyone’s attention and encouraged them to receive prayer.

Another man didn’t want to hear the gospel, but then received a prophetic word about his heart’s desire for a job. Then, he began to listen to the word of God, and agreed for prayer and to ask Jesus’ help.

Other people talked with hurting people and drunk people, and bought them soda and juice (some to replace the alcohol they had). They listened to them and shared the gospel to encourage them and help them see a way out of their sins and problems.

Another man that was Muslim refused to listen to the gospel, but Jesus touched his heart and he was soon listening to the only words that can bring eternal life.

Our evangelism team was divided into several small groups and ministered in many different places. Many people in the different groups testified of the presence of God filling the bars, and changing people’s hearts to receive prayer and the word of God.

Another man from Sanjala village received prayer and was visibly filled with joy, smiling and thanking the people who prayed for him.

On the way out of a disco, someone turned to two women and just said a few words, “Why are you here in a place like this. You should only be here if you want to evangelize like us. Next time you have a desire to come to a place like this, stay in your house and pray.” One of the two ladies who was just about to cry, grabbed the person who gave her this word, and said, “Thank you. Thank you.” over and over.

A man slightly drunk thought it wasn’t worthwhile to listen to the word of God. Through a word of knowledge he was told about a physical problem he had in his body that he trusted no one with accept a few close friends. After receiving this word, he quickly turned away from his conversation with His friend and began to listen intently. He confessed that he was Christian, repented, and then He received prayer for his physical sickness. He also repented of his affairs with different woman, and made a decision to accept the call of God on His life to preach the gospel, the call that he neglected since He was a child. Although his friend watched all this, he refused prayer and left the bar.

Be encouraged to continue to pray for us, Mozambique, and also for the wonderful things Jesus wants to do in your lives and those around you.

We love you,

Tyren and Tiffany Haynes
Lichinga, Mozambique

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Working Around Our House

Besides ministering in the city, the villages and at our own center, there are a lot of other things that are going on. We decided to let you take a look (photos) and hear about some of the other things that we are doing.

Gardening
Tiffany is growing a variety of fruits and vegetables including sweet corn, snow peas, lettuce, tomatoes, winter squash, eggplant, broccoli, watermelon and cantaloupe on the side of a small hill within our yard. Tyren has been planting fruit trees- pineapple tops, apple trees and grape vines (from Malawi), a rose bush, and some beautiful flowers (some exotic looking) that are in the fields around our house. We restarted our strawberry patch which died while we were visiting the U.S. last year, and hopefully will have some strawberries by July.

To the right are our first bananas. Our house is in the background.

We also have some avocado plants, mango trees, and orange and/or lemon trees which sprung up from seeds in our compost. We don’t know how well the fruit trees will grow in this area, but it’s worth a try. Tyren also has been gradually hoeing up the local grass roots scattered around our yard. By July/August this type of grass can sometimes reach over 7 feet tall (2.1 meters).
After 2 years, one of our banana trees is giving some fruit. We also have two other large banana trees growing. We will uproot the baby banana plants springing up around the bottom of the main plant and transplant them around our yard.

Below is the garden that Tiffany started. In the middle are tomotoes and pumpkins. To the leftt are snow peas. The bamboo sticking up in the rear is where the grape vine is growing.

Cooking
By now you should know that certain people in our family really, really like good tasting food. We thank the Lord that, unlike times in the past, we haven’t had to eat peanut butter sandwiches twice a day, or rice with only tomatoes, onions and bell peppers. Sometimes Tiffany is able to make granola using her homemade mango, strawberry or banana jam. We also use the jam for PB&J sandwiches, or spreading on homemade biscuits. Depending on where we buy it, fruit is reasonably priced. For instance, large bananas are about 60 cents for 6. Tyren’s friend sells us the strawberries for cheap. Tiffany also makes yogurt using powdered milk and a powdered starter from the U.S.


Lake Niassa
We also drove 1 1/2 hrs to spend a morning at Lake Niassa. We prayed and asked the Lord if we could see a group of monkeys on the way there. Sure enough, we passed a large group. Others who have visited the lake haven't had this opportunity. Here's a photo of Amerel and Isaiah getting accustomed to the water.

Thank you for being a part of our daily life and ministry activities here in Mozambique.

Love, Tyren and Tiffany Haynes