Happy...Happy...Happy

Check this out- a recap video from "the Father's Love" Christmas party with our partners and kids in eManzana : (its only 1:40.. you have the time :-))

 http://vimeo.com/115197067

Smaller is...bigger?

We hope and pray your Christmas was filled with Comfort and Joy!  And now…on to a New Year!   

So many people think of the grandeur and spectacular nature of a clean slate and ushering in a new year.  Big, BIG, BIG.. boom..Flash..HOORAY.

 

My guess is, however, that you probably remember the times when it was just you and a select few as the most impactful in your life.

 

As we reflect back on this past year we have realized that Smaller is…BIGGER!  The small groups and intimate times with people we are in connection with have had much greater impact and are farther reaching(in depth and width) than any spectacular single event we have done.

 

Last week we stopped by Mahushu(the project we started with Pastor Richard’s guidance over 2 years ago).  Richard has become a dear, trusted friend.  More passionate than we are about reaching the hurting.  It is so nice seeing an African(Ugandan) fall in love with caring for people and leading them to Christ.  He knew we were coming by to see the church(that you and many local Afrikaaners built) but more importantly to spend some time with him.  Unbeknownst to us, he had arranged a surprise.  All of this past years students from School of Ministry were there!  We sat and shared and asked them what the most impactful time with the Lord was for them in the year gone by.  “healing in family, healing in hearts, no more condemnation, joy”…the fruit list went on.  It was a POWERFUL time with these young adults!  (ps-THANK YOU for supporting the ministry efforts here- because of you, THEY know He cares).  Then came the tears…

 

The students said “we put together some little bits of money we had and got you a gift”.  WOW, so humbling.  They had a lovely card, and a small package.  3 juice glasses.  Perhaps the most beautiful glasses we have ever seen.  Simple, plain, but overflowing with heart.  And now-several of them are talking about relocating to serve with our work where we are now.  If I did the whole silly hashtag thing I would say “Blessed” (but I haven’t really figured this crazy thing out yet).

 

As we enter 2015, we continue to look at ways to go deeper with small groups-so as to be more effective in duplicating.  Walking tough relationships together.   There’s this guy we read about from long ago.  He loved to spend, and spent most of His time with 12 men.  It seemed to work, as now over 2000 years later…well, we are all products of those 3 years of time investment He made.  (in case you haven’t realized- that guy was Jesus Christ).  Yes, He spoke to the masses, but He always retreated to the 12.  He was intentional, focused, passionate.

 

Thank you for your love, your grace, your prayers, your support.

 

Pic of the students as they surprised us.

 

All our love and best as you enter 2015!

Mitch & Char

 

P.s. - Supporting our ministry is easy and gifts are tax deductible.  The fastest way is to make an online donation via www.WorldOutreach.org/donations  and select our name from the list.  You have flexibility to set up automatic monthly gifts or one time gifts online.  You can also mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate it for Mitch & Charlotte Hildebrant.

 

Don't forget to keep tabs on what the Lord is doing in Southern Africa at www.mitchionary.blogspot.com  and www.facebook.com/mitchchar

 

LIGHT!

Section 19…Swaziland.

You might remember it as a squatter camp with mud huts and abject poverty.  Its name was section 19.  It is located in the middle of the sugar cane plantations in Swaziland. Though we live just across the border in South Africa, we drove over last week as we partner with a local church that oversees 2 projects there. We sang and danced with the kids and renamed the location Khanyasile(Kahn-yah-see-lay). It is a Siswati word that means "has light shining" . Such a good word to speak over the children. Thanks to the churches of Beach North Dakota (the same people that built these outdoor facilities, gardens and more) these locations truly have become "light" in their communities.   Two VERY well run preschool programs are bringing the good news to so many children and enhancing their education, as well as feeding hundreds of kids.

Much of our other support raised has helped put nearly 80 of these children into school starting in January!  THANK YOU!!!

We watched as previously drunken men in the community who used to harass us and shout at us now stopped, took their hats off and said "thank you for caring for our children". 

We are blessed to be here in Southern Africa to lift up and support the local church as they impact their communities for Christ. It is not about us, but about growing His Church-and He is busy here!

What a savior we celebrate this week!  A baby, born to die and save the world.   It makes us look at the potential of each of these children in a whole new “light”.

As you a gather around your Christmas tree this year. Remember Him and that it's more about those around the tree than the decorations.  Know that we are here celebrating the KING with you!

We love you, and wish you the absolutely best Christmas !!

Mitch & Charlotte

P.s. - Supporting our ministry is easy and gifts are tax deductible.  The fastest way is to make an online donation via www.WorldOutreach.org/donations and select our name from the list.  You have flexibility to set up automatic monthly gifts or one time gifts online.  You can also mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate it for Mitch & Charlotte Hildebrant.
Don't forget to keep tabs on what the Lord is doing in Southern Africa at www.mitchionary.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/mitchchar

Merry Christmas

As the Christmas HOLY-days begin, we wish to thank you! Thank you for your prayers, your encouragement and your support. 2014 was filled with great fruit of the Lord and we are looking forward to all He will do in 2015. We pray that you will experience, encounter and understand all this season is about. The reason for Christmas is Easter-and this baby was born thousands of years ago to bring us freedom. It is that freedom we embrace and share openly. It is that joy that changes lives. It is that conviction that brings genuine repentance leading to sanctification. The Lord has been so good to us (and you). Please embrace Him this Christmas. We pray blessings over you and your families. Thank you for allowing us to be here and love people the way you love us!  He is worthy of all praise, all glory and all honor!

It is going to be a Slow, Non Commercial Christmas

Life really slows down here as December advances.  Limited commercialism, a number of business closures, and from 15 December through the first week of January, nearly everyone goes on holiday(vacation) of some sorts.  Luckily, we should be starting work on the farm at that time with renovations for the Intern housing.

We look back at the year gone by and are so grateful to YOU for your prayers and support.  Here is a glimpse of what you have assisted us with this year, and what we are believing for next! :

We are not fond of "quantifying" the Lord's work and find ourselves running the extreme opposite direction at times.

With that said, we do want to give you an accurate report of the year gone by and where we need your help in the year ahead!  Praise GOD!

In 2014 The Lord allowed us to be part of the following with your support and partnership along with local churches and missions agencies here on the ground:

Helped plant a new church

Secured a ministry farm / ministry base

Feeding and biblical care efforts for over 1200 children at 15 locations

Young Adults School of Ministry in Bhekiswayo

1 new Preschool constructed -  ready for January

Hosted staff and missionary conferences

Planned construction for private elementary school

Completed construction on Pastors training center

Expanded to 21 missionary partners, and close to 100 volunteers

Took on funding and support for a project in a highly impoverished area in Swaziland

Prepped for European interns who will join us in spring 2015

Outreach  into local elementary and high schools

Sourced local vitamin fortified foods cheaper than importing from USA

Hosted several teams from USA

Multiple playground sets installed

Began coaching of pastors in Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa

Christmas party and gift for over 540 children in eManzana

In 2015 we envision

Completion of 2 classrooms for private elementary school (opening in 2016)

Renovation of Ministry base for expanding cash crops beyond existing macadamias and implementing skills training

10 + teams coming to serve

Intership program growth and expansion

More missionaries / partners (skills, farming, education, discipleship)

Full use of teachers and trainers to utilize the Pastors Center in Elukwatini

Construct team housing and gathering hall at the farm

New School of ministry and discipleship for young adults in Emanzana

Short return visit to USA

Implementation of robust/duplicatable Kids Group activities (Awana style)

Growing deeper in faith and walking with those we serve in that same capacity Several Kids camps (2-3 days intensive connection with God)

2 more kitchens for new project and feeding locations

We love you, miss you and are thrilled to possibly see you in February!

Mitch & Char

P.S. – Supporting our ministry is easy and gifts are tax deductible.  The fastest way is to make an online donation via www.WorldOutreach.org/donations and select our name from the list.  The system can process USA & International cards.  You can also set up automatic monthly gifts if you select the "Monthly" option.  Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate it for Mitch & Charlotte Hildebrant

Don’t forget to keep tabs on what the Lord is doing in Southern Africa at www.mitchionary.blogspot.com and www.facebook.com/mitchchar