Nations to Nations, Here come the Mani's

Somehow we got to the time for the fresh shoots of Tulips to start peeping up in the North and the golden Rondebosch Maple trees to begin falling one by one down here in the South.

Would someone tell me where Resolution January ran?

 Canadian Christmas was as fresh and warm as the pines that hug my parent’s yard into a snow-capped huddle of wonderland joy! Mawande was convinced as we climbed back on the plane, as his first taste of winter had now been swallowed, if He had been born and bred in Canada he would have been the happiest camper indeed! And for myself after being away for 5 winters, it felt like I was actually appreciating it all so much more through his excitement to try every great and funny thing we come up with on the prairies to enjoy that white stuff! From Snowshoeing, to snowmobiling, to slapping on those skates to the jump-and-roll in the snow back out of the hot tub craziness!

Along with the festivities, we had opportunities to share with many dear ones of the marvelous ways Jesus has been leading us on, and will be leading us towards this new year. Its full of up and down and north and south and I don’t know how but for the Lord that goes before us!  The hot words are Mani’s both joining YWAM forces, Mozambique Harvest School, South Africa see you later’s, Winnipeg airport hug rug for the second time, Mawande degree…and probably a few friendly cockroaches, highly needed good coffee and Oh Holy Spirit lead us needed in between!

Officially then, with just one visa left to be granted, this plan we have been sure is the Lords, is moving forward  with doors flinging open. Jesus has know I’ve needed for Him to do not just  a a little showing off, but like a whole fashion show for me to strengthen my faith for this one!

Get this, get this God we serve! He has provided all of our Missions school fees, acceptance letters, and most of Mawande’s first year tuition back in Canada! Our Cape Town flat has been sorted out, contents and car spoken for, and a car as well as a home in Canada are already under way being prepared for us! As well, the greatest gift, Mawande’s dear mama has once again laid her hands on her son’s head and told him to go follow where Jesus is leading, fully within her blessing, trusting her primary welfare to the God who hears her every prayer.  One cant fully appreciate what this means without understanding the depth of sacrifice she has given on behalf of her children for most of her life. Only our mediator Jesus can give her this kind of strength, this steady grasp of faith beyond the suffering that she can see. I am the most blessed daughter in law with a woman like this to call my Mama.

The "see you later bbq's have begun in our back yard"

 Mawande will be finishing his ministry with Hope Africa at the end of April, as he has been busy training those to who will replace his work, then he will be re-joining myself under Ywam before we leave for a two month missions training school in Mozambique with Iris Ministry. Now how do I describe this school  but a place where the flags of the Kingdom of God are blazing stronger and wider across the Mozambique countryside. A question one of our friends was asked when she arrived by one of the local Mozambican pastors in conversation about ministry experience was, “So how many?” How many what my friend was wondering…when the pastor went on to clarify, “How many people have you seen being raised from the dead?” He had prayed for two people at that point who had indeed, yep, that’s what you are reading, been medically proven dead, and then very much alive!

So least to say, its going to be a hands on sort of experience of preaching, teaching, healing and setting alight the fires of the the gospel of Jesus Christ!

From there we will be getting back on air Canada as Mawande will be finishing his Christian Leadership/Church planting degree at Steinbach Bible College this Fall. We will continue on doing ministry, myself full time, and Mawande in between his studies in our local church and community as the opportunities are many and very exciting. Nations to Nations is the branch of Ywam we will be working under in Canada as missionaries, as we will be coming back to Cape Town with Ywam after Mawande’s studies are finished in about 2-3 years time. 

Personally, I am full of excitement to sow back into the rich soil of support and prayers and love this community and church I call home in Canada has invested into me for the last 5 years in missions. Now to have this opportunity to come back and work alongside the beautiful ministries God is growing in my hometown, re-connecting and partnering with my brothers and sisters makes so much sense and gives me so much joy! It was one of the hardest journeys to uproot my life, and now, our gracious Father is giving us a season to re-establish ourselves here again for a time, indeed Mama and Papa Fast are just a wee bit excited let’s just say, family camping summer 2017 booked!

Of course, many tears will now be dripped on the Southern side of things, as South Africa has shaped me deeply, I feel like I barely identify with the Charlene that showed up on these shores those years ago. Its been through the beloved people of this land, our church, our family and dear friends that have introduced me to a God of the Universe so in love with every nation, expressing Himself uniquely in each different shade of skin, each new tone of the human heart.  Finding Him here, through this culture, in the eyes of this people, Ive been able to then see, and more fully understand who I am in the reflection of my Maker. I keep praying that mediator Jesus keeps reassuring our beloved family here that out-of-sight, does not mean out-of-heart. We will deeply miss this home every day away. We carry you all in our hearts, irreplaceable.

Oh South Africa, your people’s gift of reconciliation keeps challenging and changing me, your grace for me to learn is healing. Thank-you. The nations need you.

So, that about wraps up this segment of his eye is on the sparrow: South Africa, as the Canadian geese shall fly home soon…so shall the Manis follow. And thank-you for journeying this leg with us, See you on the ice…where the fires of revival are already burning in the great white North!

Love The Manis