Prayer Answered: Personal Meeting With Our Incarcerated Attacker

This past Tuesday, the Lord showed me favor.  I was granted permission to have a personal meeting with the one guy that was captured the night of the attack.  He is now incarcerated.  I had as much time as I wanted.  It was an answer to prayer.

On behalf of my family and our center, I confessed our love for him and how we have forgiven him and the others for destroying property, robbing many things and attempting to take my life and others.  It wasn't my job to try to transform him, but simply to declare the gospel, the love of Christ and our love; and how we were sorry that he was injured while trying to fight and flee with stolen goods.  I asked his name, and called him respectfully by his name.

Since that night in September, the Lord has been putting a deep love for him in my heart.  I told him that many people have been praying for him.  Actually, last week he came into our prison ministry group and started singing the worship songs!  This week, I asked him about it.  He confessed that he goes to church a lot.  But, it was obvious, like many others in prison who I meet with weekly, that he had turned away from the right way of Jesus Christ to seek after worldly pleasures.  He still needs to repent (turn to God), turn from his unwillingness to ask forgiveness for the crimes he committed, and make a firm, final, wholehearted decision to follow Jesus Christ.  Jesus loves this man, and I know that in His goodness, the Lord will convict him and attempt to lead him into true repentance.  I hope this man accepts the love of Christ.


In the end, I prayed for his injured arm, thanked him for being willing to sit me, and asked permission to give him a hug (that was on my heart).  We hugged one another.  I'm not sure what he thought, but I meant it!  Then, do you know what the Lord did?  He gave me words of wisdom that would help him to repent and grow in Christ.  I also received prophetic words concerning God's purpose for his life and how the Lord would use him in the future if he chooses to walk with the Lord.  It was amazing!  After he left, I almost cried because of the privilege of being used by God and witnessing the love of Christ for this sinner.  It's the same life saving love that Jesus still has for you and me.

Love,

Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16)

Link to the original story: "Faithfulness of God: Robbed and Attempted Murder"
Link to story about sentencing:  "Trial and Sentencing"

Update from the Haynes Family



Our huge, single yellow rose bloomed last week

For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:15)

We thank God who was able to use our time in the “valley of the shadow of death” (Ps. 23:4) to cause thanksgiving from hearts across the nations. What occurred did not simply befall upon us, but the Lord in His mercy and grace, gave us the privilege of walking through the valley with Him (Philip. 1:29, Acts 20:24). We hear numerous testimonies of people being convicted and encouraged to pray more earnestly, devoting themselves to God and being more thankful through hearing the testimony that was brought forth in our valley. Our hearts also are thankful for the many of you who responded in love through prayer, donations and comfort. We thank God and praise Him for the wonders He is doing through His people.

Though we have faced the challenges of fear, anxiety and doubts, we have refused these things by choosing to worship God and put our faith in Him. In fact, we and our children are experiencing joy, faith and complete trust in the Lord. Our affections are set on Christ, His presence and laying down our lives daily, that we may be of greater use to the Lord for whatever He desires. If you were touched or changed in any way through the testimony of our last blog, we pray that you (as well as us) may continue in the holy flames kindled within our hearts. We’d like to end this blog with a few testimonies of some of the things the Lord has been doing in our midst the last few weeks.

Last Sunday evening, the presence of God came upon me, and my arm that was injured during the attack was suddenly healed. I regained my strength, and was able to twist my arm and lift objects without pain. I couldn't do any of this (nor did I have strength to lift lighter objects) during that same Sunday morning.

I have full mobility in my leg which was beaten with the iron rod. I can bend down now. I know these healings are due to prayer and faith in Christ.  Thank you for your prayers.  Hallelujah!

Last week, our son was sick and vomited during the night and the next day. I prayed but he still kept vomiting. The Holy Spirit reminded me that His presence is everything, and then moved me to worship. I obeyed  and worshipped out of love for Christ (not for healing for my son).  I did so until I felt a peace (like the Lord telling me to rest). I didn’t pray for my son again, but simply arose and ate my lunch (which I left on the table to seek the Lord for my son). Shortly afterwards, my son got up and started eating. He didn’t throw up again.

Our God is greater than what any of us can imagine.  Let us cast of limitations by seeking His face and continuing to lay down our lives for the dreams of His heart (e.g. Matt 6:10) to come to pass in Mozambique and in your lives as well.  Whatever the cost, our God is worthy of our love, obedience, and our lives. 

Love,  Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

The love of God makes one so fearless, that one fears (reverences) God

Faithfulness of God: Robbed and Attempted Murder

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalms 23:4)



One of our roses in bloom
the night of the attack

For the testimony of Christ and because of His great love for this nation of Mozambique, many of us suffered, and some were wounded on Tuesday, September 25. At 10 p.m. at least 9 men armed with axes, machetes, and iron tools came onto our center’s property. Several of them broke open our front door with my wife, children, and two female missionaries (who had just returned from village evangelism) inside. They ransacked our house, stole every precious thing in their sight and threatened everyone inside. While outside, others, including myself, suffered wounds as we were violently attacked with iron rods, axes and machetes. We are all well. We did not deny faith in Christ; and therefore, we remain victorious. As a center, we have chosen to continue to put our faith in Christ. We are holy to the Lord. Below is my testimony of what Jesus Christ did for us during the attack. I, Tyren, who was outside with attempted murderers am typing with my own hands- something I could not do without much pain two days after the attack. To God be all the glory – forever.

Axe used to hack a lock on our door.  The robbers left it
by mistake as they fled.

I am writing this testimony, that you might see Jesus as I saw Him with me during this time of darkness. Immediately after seeing the thieves, a guard ran down the hill to get help from the young students who were here for a 4 week Bible school session. I called to the two female missionaries who were still in our yard, telling them to get into the house and tell my wife to call another missionary down the road so that he could call the police – robbers are here! The other guard who was attacked by the approaching group hid close by watching everything. I didn’t want to run away or run back into my house because my family was there. I was left alone with at least 9 men armed with axes, machetes and other iron tools. When the attackers saw me they did not speak. Immediately weapons were thrown at me to kill me. Instead of hitting me, the weapons hit small twigs on the tree before me, and fell straight down to the ground as though dropped from a man’s hand. They should have spun or something. I knew the Lord had done that. In my heart, I knew I had just seen the Lord do something great. Immediately, the Holy Spirit filled me with courage. Everything that happened next was only because of His power within me.

Great courage entered me. I walked right into the midst of the attackers and said, “In the name of Jesus, what are you doing here?” One of them said I was the guard, and they raised their weapons to strike me. Again I said, “In the name of Jesus, what are doing here? What do you want?” No one could strike me. Suddenly, I don’t know why, but I ran.

After axing off two lower
locks the robbers entered

Meanwhile, my wife ran out the side door to call for help on her cell phone. The phone didn’t seem to have good reception inside. A robber ran to demand her phone. She threw it on the ground away from herself, and of course, he ran after it. She ran back inside of the house and locked the door behind her so he couldn’t get inside that door. But just minutes later, they axed their way through the front door. My wife stayed in the house because our children were still inside. The two missionaries, one 19 years old, instinctively stayed because they knew our children were still in the house. At one point while one of the robbers were shaking my daughter’s bed, my wife ran into the bedroom and pulled her out of the bed. This 19 year old, who had run into the bedroom after my wife, grabbed the man by his collar (she said it must have been the Holy Spirit who moved her), pulled him back away from my daughter’s bed, yelling in Portuguese, “She’s only a child! She has no money!” The man looked at her and left them alone. The Lord moved on our behalf yet again. (I was told later, that those 2 missionaries and my family just sat in the corner and worshipped the Lord while the house was being ransacked by at least 5 men. My wife told me that it was the only thing that came to her mind to do.)

Meanwhile outside, the robbers stopped chasing me, and when I turned around I saw that they had entered my house! I ran back and two thieves were guarding the front of my house. I prayed and asked the Lord to let me enter the house. They looked at me and I walked right by them. Again, I “saw” the Lord.



Cost of discipleship:  my blood stained
clothes after I was attacked

I entered my house and only saw two robbers. Without thinking I attacked one, planning to take his machete, and go after the one I saw inside my kid’s room. But, quickly I was surrounded by the whole group holding a huge axe, machetes and other things. I didn’t know that there were at least 5 of them in my house. The Lord must have blinded them because they didn’t attack me after I had attacked their friend. Again, I saw the Lord protect my life. They asked, “Where’s the money?”

I told them to go with me to the other side of my center and we’ll look for the money. I thought that if I could lead them out of my house my family and the others could escape. I didn’t know that some robbers would remain in my house. I was gripped with fear as I walked with my attempted murderers to the other side of the center because I knew there was no money. I prayed and told the Lord that I trusted Him. Immediately, all the fear left. Once we got to the other side, one robber said, “He lied!” I tried to move as an axe, a machete and an iron rod were being swung at me. The Lord kept them from surrounding me. The machete (with a thick ~ 16 inch blade) came straight toward my face. I called to the Lord in English. Immediately the man froze in motion. Again, I saw the Lord. The man with the iron rod (pole) hit me in my ribs. I couldn’t stop, but kept moving and dogging. Again, the machete came down toward my face. In my thoughts, I cried to the Lord. Again, the man froze in mid-air. I was amazed. I moved too late, and the man with the iron rod struck me in the legs. The man with the axe kept swinging. As he held up the axe, I knew I could not move. I thought, “No!” as I cried to the Lord in my heart (I didn’t have time to open my mouth). He swung the axe right at my chest. I tried to move. As my attempted murderer swung the axe, suddenly, I saw the glory of the Lord like a bright light around the axe head. I watched the sharp axe head pivot around so the blunt end faced me. I moved, but the blunt end crashed against my wrist and forearm. The Lord had done a miracle.  Blood splattered all over my face, my pants and my side. Knowing I was hit, the man with the axe asked, “Where is the money?” The Lord strengthened me and I kept moving while these 3 men kept swinging at me. For the third time, the man with the machete raised his hand right in front of me and swung. I thought, “Lord, not with the machete!” Right afterwards, I saw the man freeze in mid-air and he could not strike me. Suddenly, I felt a hard blow on my leg from the metal rod.

I tried to run, but couldn’t. Knowing I was about to be surrounded, I cried out to the Lord for help. Immediately, one of the robbers off in the distance exclaimed. He had broken into another house that no one was in. The 3 attempted murderers looked at me and immediately left. I knew the Lord caused them to leave immediately after I cried for help. Again, I saw the Lord.

There was so much commotion going on, but I thought about my family. I ran with socks on (I had lost my shoes during the battle) over rocks and through the field to get around the commotion. I climbed over my wall and tapped the side door. My wife opened the door. I tried to find the car keys so that the two missionaries could escape with my family in our car. I could not find the keys because the robbers had thrown everything they could onto the floor searching for money. I didn’t know that while I was running back to my house, the commotion I heard was the bible school students and our Mozambican missionaries. They risked their lives. Using shovels, brush knives (very long knives curved and sharpened at the end used to cut grass) and whatever else they could grab they met the attackers. One of our Mozambican missionaries was slashed on the side. Another was hit on the hands. But, they are doing well. The attackers fled, but one of them was wounded and is now in police custody. The police came shortly after our attackers fled. We forgive our enemies, and pray that the Lord will save them. That’s why we are in Mozambique, and for Christ and the gospel we will remain.

The Lord is helping all of us choose faith in Christ, and each day the children and missionaries are being strengthened through the love and peace Christ is raining upon us. But, we are choosing to trust in Him. This morning (Saturday), some of us gathered for communion and worship. We didn’t gather to try to comfort ourselves; for the Holy Spirit is faithful to comfort us. We gathered to invite the presence of the Lord to cleanse our land for His glory. We gathered to recommit ourselves and this center into His hands, accepting His call for us to be holy a people who will live for His presence alone. Prophetically and symbolically, we poured out the communion juice upon the ground as a sign of our lives. We wholly surrender our lives to welcome His presence and purpose at our center, and vow to stand with Christ at all cost to see Him glorified and His salvation taken to the nations. Before Tuesday, Sept 25, we were victorious and we are victorious still.

For my family and I, there is nothing to compare. For Christ we live, and if necessary, for His namesake we will die. But be assured, the Lord has protected us, and did miracles and awesome wonders that night. He has great plans for us. We will rejoice and see the harvest that is yet to come. The world must come to know our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ – the world has no other hope.

Our oldest daughter chose to worship after the ordeal was over. She simply said, “Jesus I love you.” She testified that, immediately, the peace of God swept her soul, and her fear went away.


After all was over that night, I tried to cry. I felt that I just had to release it all. Instead, the Holy Spirit said, “No, I give you joy.” My stomach started shaking and immediately I burst out in joy and laughter (Acts 5:41). Again, I saw the Lord.

Two days later, the police of Lichinga responded in compassion. They have set up a police post at our center and will work at nights with our Christian guards. The police carry rifles. Before starting to guard, our guards and I pray and invite the Lord and His presence to be among us. Our focus is to be a people of His presence. Guards will help keep order as we contend for His presence and to be a holy people in His sight.


Please pray:

• The captured robber would live and be healed of his wounds, and that he would come to know Christ.
• If this robber is imprisoned in Lichinga, I’d love to tell him how we are sorry for his wounds, and how he needs Jesus.
• The other 8 or more would be captured, or at least come to repentance to Christ.
• Our center would have permanent armed guards, as the Lord wills. (We know not to trust in man or their power).
• Our missionaries (both Mozambicans and others), orphan girls, my family would have true peace and be free from all fear or other effects from that night.
• We’ll be able to have better protection at our center (even if that means having armed guards).  We'll continue to have the means to provide food and transport costs to have the police patrol at our center. We don’t pay for their services, but we offer transport and meals because we live outside of the city and their normal patrol zone. As of now, they have agreed to keep coming.
• Somehow the Lord would restore all that was stolen. The police said that they are working on it. Among many other things (since some people have asked), these things are counted lost for Christ (Philippians 3:7-11): 2 newer laptops, Tiffany’s new phone (I gave it to her as a gift), 2 Ipod classics, a Kindle Fire (was given to my kids as a graduation gift), our new Sony DVD player, most of our DVDs and computer software CDS, my identification and bank cards, Chayah's identification and of course other things.

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel …[and in our case to the love and glory of Jesus Christ]. Acts 20:24 [we included the words in brackets]


For Christ alone. Love, Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Updated 2014:
Link to story entitled, "Personal Meeting with our Incarcerated Attacker"
Link to store entitled, "Trial and Sentencing"

Prison Ministry – Faith Pleases God

I had just taught a lesson to the prisoners about the need to exercise their faith to grow in their personal relationship with God and be who God is calling them to be.  After the message, the Holy Spirit gave both the prisoners and me a lesson in doing just that. 

The Holy Spirit moved giving a word of knowledge that there were some people with headaches and a person with pain in his side.  About 20 people came forward including the person with pain in his side.  I didn’t touch any of them, but simply invited the Holy Spirit to come.   I really believed that the presence of God was present to heal all of them.  Do you know how many people were healed?  Only about 3 – 4 of them!  I was surprised because I believed that I did what the Lord had instructed me to do.   A year ago, I would have just ended the ministry time figuring that nothing else would happen.  But, this time I told the Lord that I believed what He told me no matter how few people got healed.  When I made that confession of faith, suddenly the Holy Spirit said to me, “Do you know why they didn’t get healed?  They were afraid to use their faith.  But, tell them…that in my mercy, I will still heal them now.”  I was about to hesitate.  After all, most people didn’t get healed the first time. But, I decided to believe God because I knew the Holy Spirit had spoken to me.  I told the prisoners what the Lord had said.  After inviting the Holy Spirit again to heal people, everyone was instantly healed except for 3 or 4 people.  There was no time for individual prayer for the few that didn’t get healed.  But, after giving one of those men a prophetic word and prayer, he was totally healed.  I left the prison in awe at the revelation of faith the Lord had shared with us all.  First, the Lord actually healed the prisoners who chose to believe Him.  By healing the others through His mercy (though they hadn’t exercised their faith), He showed them that they actually could trust in Him.  But they missed a privilege and a focus of our faith – pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6).   I’m happy the Lord healed the men, but I’m more excited that the Lord was able to reveal His ways to us.  Faith enables us to depend upon God, so that He does what pleases Him.  Thus, faith pleases God.  And whatever pleases God should be the most important thing to us.

Pray that the Lord would continue to pour out His presence upon the prison.  Pray that the men will mature, exercising their faith to believe God so that they can do the things He is calling them to do.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to not only be healed, but also have faith to trust the Lord and work with Him doing whatever He desires?  The Lord is so special, let’s give Him our love and choose to completely trust in Him.

To God be the glory.  Love,

 Tyren and Tiffany Haynes

Tanzania 2012 - Leadership Seminar “Casting Vision”



National leaders and their wives (including Pastor Deus
 and his wife, Elizabeth)



As with the Maasai Land ministry, only the Lord could complete the planning and activities of the training. Due to canceled flights and other things, once again our plans fell through. But, we rejoiced in the opportunity to depend upon God who wanted a training that only He could give. Giving the leadership training was an opportunity to partner with Iris Ministries Tanzania to train their national leaders, and give them tools to help strengthen and direct the ministry during a time when the Lord was expanding their vision. The theme of the seminar was “Casting Vision”, and I was able to have the main teaching written out and translated into Swahili. The 4 national leaders and their wives attended the leadership seminar. These leaders live hours outside of the city in villages, and many can’t afford school fees for their kids or even everyday practical things. But, thanks to the help of many generous people, their costs of travelling to the city weren’t an extra burden on them. We were able to pay for their full costs to travel to/from Mwanza, along with all of their meals and lodging for 5 days. This seminar was a time of spiritual and physical refreshing and strengthening, so it also included a women’s afternoon out in the city (each wife received a donation to enjoy her afternoon), and a Saturday luncheon for all of the leaders and their wives at a restaurant.



Eating out at a local restaurant



The presence of God was upon our meetings in a special way. I also covered such things as abiding, rest (Hebrews 4:10), and how to continue to minister in an outpouring. We experienced the first new waves of deeper worship and His presence that the Lord is bringing to Iris Tanzania. Before leaving Tanzania, I spent the last two days hanging out with Pastor Deus (relationship is an important part of ministry), and talking about how I can continue to partner with Iris Tanzania to help them walk in their destiny. For the last three years, the Lord has been pouring out life changing opportunities during my times in Tanzania. We will continue to partner with Iris Ministries Tanzania and continue to receive whatever the Lord desires to pour out upon us through His Holy Spirit. To God be all the glory.

Love,

Tyren and Tiffany Haynes



One of the meals that we ate during the training



We fed adults and children that attended the Sunday Church Service