Please forgive us that this is being posted so late....We have been in America now for almost a month! We are super enjoying this time of rest and refreshing while connecting at our amazing churches and family!

Since the beginning of the year, our ministry base has hosted 6 teams of visitors! In years past, we were lucky to host 2-3

teams a year. In the past six weeks, over 100+ people have blessed our big SA family with love, ministry, and eternal fruit.

This has us reflecting on the great honor and privilege we have as a bridge to the Western Bride.

Most missionaries view teams/visitors as ‘work.’ But Iris Ministries (our Africa covering) refuses to do this. Embracing this

incredible calling to host visitors, we strive to weave our visitors into the amazing harvest going forth. And time after time,

the visitors are forever changed. Forever wrecked for ‘normal life.’ Forever burned by the fire of God in Africa. Forever

impacted by the face of Jesus in the children, pastors, and missionaries.

We have a guest book in our Visitor Center at Michaels Childrens Village. Recently, I was skimming some of the testimonies

left by visitors. The presence of God overwhelmed me and I felt very strongly that we needed to share a few:

I came here thinking I would see a bunch of sad orphans without homes and parents but instead I found kids excited and happy with loving

people all around them…. Justin Park, Virginia.

The amount of love that is in this place is crazy amazing! I’m so glad I was blessed to be a part of it! MCV will always be in my prayers,

especially the house parents. Y’all are amazing and some of the most encouraging people I have ever met! Mark Wilson Baton Rouge, LA

The atmosphere here is Heavenly. There is honor, love and grace surrounding everyday. I’m privileged to be a part of everyday life here.

Alicia Andrus Littleton, Co.

I came here from America expecting to help kids who where “less fortunate” than me but God showed me something completely different.

The Lord portrayed his heart through them-like they were mothering/fathering me! My highlight is when one of the young girls put her

hand on my shoulder and started to close her eyes and just started to move with the spirit! Christien Byun Centreville, VA

I see this place as the “promise land” and this through your hospitality, the love and the peace that flows through each one of you. I’ve

been so impressed by the home visits, the feeding program, pre-school, chosen ones, computer lab and the bible school which is free of

charge. You guys are a huge blessing to this community that’s why God will keep filling your cup to overflowing. Emmanuel Kiki Rep of

Benin, Africa

Why do we share this? We believe that God is opening the portals of heaven for our visitors this year! Already we are seeing

crazy miracles and healings as teams go forth on home visits within the community or serve at MCV. God has also blessed the

ministry with two interns this year and we want more! Please prayerfully consider coming to SA and joining with our big

family in this awesome Kingdom harvest! There is no better way to know how to pray/give than experiencing it for yourself

(please contact us by email for more information)!

In the last two weeks, we were doubly blessed to host two amazing teams at MCV. A YWAM team from Swaziland came home with us after the Pastor’s Advance and stayed for over a week. During that time, they blessed us with their hearts to serve however was needed: from clearing out an old garden, to washing windows, to giving the kids some one-on-one computer help, to handling cleanup after our birthday braai. Three of the members of the team were fluent Siswati speakers and two of the others were learning, so our kids had the rare joy of being able to speak their own language to some of our guests. When their ride came to pick them up at the end of their time with us, we had difficulty letting them go. We bless them as they seek out God’s will for the rest of their lives.

The second was a large team from a church in South Carolina, who spent a day at MCV doing prayer ministry with all of our staff, as well as our children. Everyone was touched by their openness to the Spirit and the encouraging words that they shared with us. Later in the week, the team spent the day in the local town of Backdoor, visiting and ministering in many different homes. We were further encouraged by the reports of the signs and miracles that the Lord showed them that afternoon! Through their ministry that week and in church on Sunday, the Lord revealed His heart for our area to be a place where God’s fire dwells. Father, let your will be done in Backdoor!

**this blog was written by our intern Kelsey who triply blesses us daily!

Whooee! When did it become mid-February??? Things have been so crazy busy for us- but we are super blessed and have lots to share!

More pictures at www.mcvafrica.com

Christmas is such a special time for our big family in Africa. There are few decorations, rare carols, no hyped up commercialism (except in the big stores). People celebrate with their families- usually around a large meal. Some give gifts. Some do not. Personally, we love giving gifts because it is a tangible reminder of the gift our Heavenly Father gave to us on Christmas! Preaching is so easy….who can resist such an amazing gift of love and eternal life?

Our highlight this year was seeing our children in action! For hours, the older kids at MCV helped put together 500 candy bags for the outreaches. They also helped with a Nativity skit that they performed at the Backdoor Christmas Outreach. The outreach got a little crazy at the end when hundreds of kids were pushing to receive their candy bag at the gate, but our kids were right there in the thick of it helping us keep order. They also went on home visits to the children in the community within the Extended Care Program. They assisted our volunteers in praying for the sick and leading many people to Christ!

On Christmas Day, our big MCV family celebrated together in some special ways. The MCV families each had a breakfast feast as a family before going to church. At church, Papa Jean shared a different Christmas message- the power of Holy Communion in which we all celebrated together. After church, the MCV family gathered again to give thanks, celebrate with gifts, and pray together. Each family would come forward and receive their gifts from Jesus. Then the rest of us would pray for that family for God’s fullest blessings and destiny for the new year. After the prayer, the families would excitedly open their gifts. Christ’s lavish love and joy abounded as our children enjoyed these precious gifts from Him!

We are so grateful for All Nations Fellowship in New Orleans and the many individuals/families who helped us with our Christmas Sponsorship Program! Thank you, thank you, thank you! God multiplied the money that came in! We were unable to do new clothing for all the community children, but we were able to give good used clothing (much was given by our MCV kids going through their closets!). Thank you again for standing with us and making this amazing harvest of love possible!

Many of you are also wondering what the latest news regarding our precious Warrior Baby. He has been successfully reintegrated with his grandmother whom he has grown to love. Today during a short home visit, W greeted us with much joy and did not cry when we left…he just happily waved and blew kisses. He really seems to be thriving in his new home and family, so our hearts are full. Thank you again to everyone who interceded with us for W- lets keep praying for his amazing little life!

MCV celebrated another round of birthdays over the weekend! It was an especially fun day because we christened the new soccer field! Thanks to a dear sponsor in America, we have new soccer goals and equipment! Everyone joined in the match…even the “old” people like Papa JeanJ

It is always such a blessing to celebrate the lives of each child and volunteer staff at MCV. Amongst the highlights was seeing 4 year old S receive a new bike! His old bike (a gift at Christmas) was ridden daily for hours for months till the wheels completely wore off. Another highlight was during the prayer for the birthday kids. Many of our kids are really pressing into His presence and understanding the power of prayer. We watched many of the kids pray blessings and fire over the other kids/adults….Yeah God!

For more pictures, visit the galley at the MCV website! www.mcvafrica.com

Recently, we celebrated with over 30 amazing men and women the completion of the Biblical Studies program at Harvest Bible College. Many of the students attended a rotation of 2-3 weeks sessions for over 3 years in order to complete all the required courses. After worship and the joyous procession of graduates, Pastor Surprise Sithole gave a powerful word of commission and harvest. The ceremony continued with more awards, special words, etc. The highlight for many was watching each student receive their diploma and Bible (a special gift from the ministry). This was indeed such a joyous milestone in their journey- many celebrated in very fun, animated ways to the pleasure of the crowd! It was an amazing blessing to watch and pray for each graduate as they were commissioned and launched into a new season of ministry. The ceremony ended in much praise and thanksgiving. After pictures, everyone was treated to delicious meal and fellowship.

As you know, this ministry is very dear to our hearts....Jean teaches and Teisa does the administration. Join us in praying for the 30+ graduates and their families! Pray that they would be shinning stars in this dark world- bringing the light and truth of Jesus Christ to ends of the earth.