Surprise! Surprise!

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When I finally arrived tired and weary from my journey up from South Africa to the Orphanage,the last thing I expected when I arrived, was a surprise 50th birthday party. This had been put on by Martha's eldest daughter Grace, and hosted by the children from the orphanage. I was choked!

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All the staff from the orphanage, including our guard, plus twenty children, Martha's own family and some of the church, all squeezed in to Martha's front room in her house, for a special chicken and chip dinner, and a birthday cake, and bottles of coke.

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Squeals of delight went up, as I brought in the blankets and new school bags for the children, which I had just purchased in South Africa. Filimon could not stop grinning, as he opened up his new keyboard, and the party went on!

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RETURN TO MOZAMBIQUE

I have been back in the UK for the last five months, and have really enjoyed being back home with family and friends. Here I am now, back in South Africa, getting the Land Rover serviced and everything prepared for the exciting few months ahead of me. I am poised, about to go back across the border into Mozambique tomorrow, and about to step into some of the exciting things, which the bible says God has prepared in advance for me to do!

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Ephesians chapter 2 verse 10 talks about the fact that God has done exactly that for you and for me! Twenty years ago when I first handed over the reigns of my life to Christ I was remember being gripped by that staggering truth, and determined then, to walk in all that He said He had put in front of me.

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Years further on down that narrow pathway, I find myself more excited than ever, as I daily chat to God, and listen carefully for His direction, I see His plan gently unfolding before me. This year we will be holding our second leadership training program in Maxixe. Steve Thomas and Steve Parsons are coming out to help with that task.

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Amongst some of the practical projects, we will be building the medical centre at the orphanage and a new training centre at Maxixe. We will also be starting, this year, to introduce a number of small micro-businesses so that people can earn enough money to support their families. In addition we will be starting our new "home care" project, which will involve re-homing some of our orphaned children in families.

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I'd love you to journey with me this year, through to December, and watch to see what God does as we determine to follow Him, why not open your heart to the things God has put in front of you? You may not see a very clear path in front of you just yet, but let me encourage you to release the reigns of your life to the One who created you and loves you and let Him take control. He promises to lead you and guide you in the way you should go! It will not be long before you begin to see His skillful hand at work in your life.

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This year we also have a working trip out to the Orphanage in August, and still have some spaces left on that. If you fancy coming out, please email me: peterdhouston@gmail.com

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I will be trying to update my blog each week on a Monday if I can get to the internet! Please pray for me and the lovely people in Mozambique, that this year we can help to make a lasting impact in this beautiful and very needy country.

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Thanks very much and God bless you

Pete

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