



Welcome to the first update of 2023.
Praying this finds you all well so far this year. We think about you all often – scanning social media for glimpses of your lives. Know that we share in your joys and sorrows and pray for you all. Please let us know if there are specific prayer requests you would like us to agree with as we all pray.
2023 is off to a busy start. We have seen an increase in teams this year – some have been here already and quite a few are yet to come. While the basic setup of each team is similar (airport welcome, ground logistics, etc.), it is absolutely amazing to see the ministry opportunities that God has set up for each one of them – they are vastly different. It is a privilege and blessing to be part of and to watch as each person on each team carries out their purpose for being here. We have seen people make lifelong friends, meet their sponsored children in person (always emotional!), some have even bonded with a child here that is in need of a sponsor and filled that need while they are here! Teams are an awesome part of what we do here.
With April comes a month long break from school for most kids here. They start in January, attend for 3 months (term 1) then have a month break. This is repeated 2 more times (April, August & December are the holiday months) to complete the school year. It is much easier to think of a new school year starting with the new calendar year. It’s a little hard explaining the US school year/system sometimes. In addition to assisting with mission teams as they come, we also sponsor kids here. We currently have 13 kids we help. They range from elementary age up through college. We help with things from school fees, school supplies, transportation to and from school (no school buses here), food, uniforms, extra lessons (tutoring), shoes and fees for their exams. I don’t think we will ever get accustomed to the reactions when we help a student continue on with school. It means the difference between being able to go to school and having to drop out. Several have been the first in their family to ever attend university.
We would like to thank each and every one of you for your support – both prayers and financial. Without them, we would not be able to do what we do. In addition to the 13 kids we sponsor, your support also helps us: assist with medications and physician visits, register patients for hospice, provide a warm blanket to new moms and a number of people without any blanket at all during winter; food for those who have lost a loved one and are grieving, transportation – most people rely on public transportation and have no way to get to events, services, etc.; transporting teachers to/from a reading program; helping with reading practice; and many more!
Please continue to pray for not only us, but the country of Zimbabwe, our leaders, provision for the people, the right words to encourage each other and those we meet daily. If you haven’t already, please consider becoming a financial sponsor in addition to a prayer partner. Any gift helps us and all we do here. The recurring gifts help us not only to budget but to plan ahead.
Thank you all for your love, prayers, and financial support.
Mike & Jennifer
The easiest and quickest way to help is through our website www.mikepier.org Click on the DONATE tab at the top. Other methods listed below. Thanks again for your love and support.
FOR TAX DEDUCTIBLE GIFTS:
- DONATE ONLINE!
WorldOutreach.org/068
- MAIL CHECKS:
World Outreach Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box B
Marietta, GA 30061
(designate for our account)