Have PEACE!

Hello beautiful friend!  As you are sitting in the USA(or wherever you may be today), we wanted to send a brief note out about Peace.  Here in South Africa this week there have been many riots, uprisings and killings.  Have Peace.  Foreigners are the targets.  Have Peace.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

It is called "xenophobia"(fear of things foreign or strange-and manifests in people groups) and has been making into the news channels across the globe.  We are so grateful for caring friends that have messaged us, or sought additional information, those that were concerned with our welfare.  Have Peace.

We are completely fine and feel totally safe.  What has happened is that in some of the larger cities, many local South African black people(this is not an offensive term here, it is politically correct to say black/white) are upset that other black people from other African countries have come in, started businesses and are "taking jobs away from the locals".  (sadly many of the locals have not thought to start these businesses or do not want to invest the time and energy into them, but are lashing out at the foreigners).  Have Peace.

The issues are calming down already now, and we are confident that the Lord will use this to bring nations together.  His promises are true.

On a lighter and much more agreeable subject; things are rapidly progressing here in the region.  Pastoral training has been going great- last week, 32 persons age 17-72 were in attendance.  This week we jump in with a group of 20+ young adults in school of ministry with partner churches.  Devotionals with small farm villages have been highly valued and next week we are delivering foods to the Spark Foundation kids.  The preschool is completed in Swaziland Khanyasile(section 19), and harvest is upon us on the macadamia farm.  Initial projections show that the harvest of our very first crop will be enough to cover operating costs for the year, and order 1200 more trees for planting and expansion (from the 400 current) next year.  By this time next year, we hope to be generating local money to buy local foods to feed local people.  IT IS WORKING!!! Praise GOD!

We love you, and are so grateful for your friendship, your prayers and your support.  Thanks for sending US!  We are blessed!

Mitch & Char

P.s. – the BEST support you can give us is Prayer and a word of encouragment! 

If you like, supporting our ministry financially 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.  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