Greetings Friends,

The drug accusation situation in Mozambique is improving. I will copy a letter I got from Teisa, the gal they threatened to put in jail.

Unfortunately Shara, Heidi's personal assistant apparently has malaria and is in bed, with many things to get done before they come to the USA. Please pray earnestly for her.

Also please pray for our scheduling the rest of the summer and fall. We do have some scheduling conflicts to work out and they are all important events.

Tonight we will be ministering to many young adults along with others in a very full house in Lake Zurich. Please pray for a strong anointing and wisdom for how to minister best to everyone.

We love you all and thank you so much for your love and prayers. God has been answering your prayers. And to those who have felt led to help us with finances, including a couple of anonymous donors, you have no idea what a timely blessing your gift has been.

Ben and Brenda

Here's the letter from Teisa:

Dearest Pastor Ben and Brenda,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! His word has carried me! I am so grateful for your love and support--Jesus spoils me thru awesome lover-warriors like you!

Did you get this update? Just in case....

Dearest Friends and Prayer Warriors,

Greetings from a most blessed Pemba, Mozambique!

Thank you so much for praying for me/Iris Ministries during this intense
time! We are so encouraged by your love, prayers, and partnership in the Kingdom. We are so grateful for the glorious intercession going forth from the Body of Christ around the world. Thank you for your emails and scriptures-what an awesome sources of confirmation and strength. Although the drug allegations are not completely resolved, we know God is turning everything around for His glory. We wanted to testify about the greatness of Jesus and update everyone on the current situation (so you can keep praying!!!!)

Personally, I had total peace until I called the US Embassy last Monday.
The officials told me some horrific stories of foreigners dealing with the
Mozambican justice system..especially Christian foreigners in a Muslim
province. Two different officials encouraged me to leave the country. When I got off the phone, I began to cry out to God with all my "whys and what if" questions. The Holy Spirit brought me to 1 Peter 4:12-15. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trail you are suffering as though something strange was happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you." Wow.ya know..this situation (threats, slander, imprisonment) should not be a surprise. This is all part of a normal Christian life! This is why I am in Mozambique-- normal stuff like this.

We continued to make daily trips to the police station. By the grace of
God, our staff was never officially arrested or detained in prison.
Mid-week we experienced an amazing breakthrough in the Spirit. After hours of dark, ominous clouds hovering over Pemba, it suddenly began to rain! Everyone was shocked by the downpour because it never rains in July (winter in Moz). Soon we knew why.our wonderful Father in heaven sent us the most unbelievable double rainbow!!! Most people know the ministry is named after the Portuguese translation of rainbow Arco Iris. Indeed, Jesus wrote His promise to us in the sky (Gen. 9:13). Our children and staff excitedly danced about in the puddles rejoicing in God's covenant. People ran to get their cameras and capture the moment. His magnificent colors filled the sky and His overwhelming love filled our hearts. Nothing is impossible with our
God! Our Jesus is amazing!!!

We are still under "mild suspicion" for drugs. We believe this is due to
the inadequate testing within the Maputo laboratories. When initially
tested, the vitamins failed the test due to a "stimulant." Therefore, the
assumption was made that the stimulant was cocaine or heroin. The vitamins are currently being retested. Please keep praying with us for proof needed to drop the charges completely. Currently the vitamins are in police custody in Maputo.

Please continue to pray:

1. Reversal and complete vindication from all charges and threats from the police.
2. Release of all our vitamins.
3. Abundant blessings over Iris Ministries and Heidi & Rolland Baker.
4. More normal Jesus stuff in my life.
5. Full salvation and transformation of Pemba/Cabo Delgado through the
saving power of Jesus.

God continues to speak "Shalom" over us. Because we have His peace, we press on! Every day we are seeing signs and wonders among the previously unreached Makua and Macondie tribe. Hundreds of people are getting saved weekly. On Sunday, we baptized many new believers (ex-Muslims) in the Indian Ocean. This week, we welcomed twenty new children into our big family. Praise Jesus, lots of normal Kingdom stuff.

Friends, thank you again for standing with us in prayer. Please keep
praying! May God arise and His enemies be scattered.

I love you!!!!

Teisa