Zimpeto 20 Years Later, the Mission Remains the Same

When Heidi and Rolland Baker first settled in Mozambique, they settled in the capital of Maputo to begin the work of the Gospel buried deep in their hearts. They started several bases including the one at Zimpeto. It would be the place the Bakers began to reinforce the Stop for the One lifestyle by pulling kids from the trash heap, showering them with love, and showing them the power of Jesus Christ.

At the most, Zimpeto housed over 500 children, and today is it home to just over 200 children. Their are several reasons the number of children has declined in ZImpeto, and all of them are good. 

We've seen a relatively long period of peace and political stability in Mozambique after years of violent conflict. We believe this peace is partially due to the work the Lord has done through the people in Mozambique. As such we see less orphaned children than we did before. 

In addition to social and political stability, we at Iris Global and Stop for the One have adapted our approach to serve the needs of Zimpeto and their children. In addition to caring for children we also focus on what will empower the community to keep families intact. We have seen considerable fruit in our schools as we provide a safe environment for our children to learn and grow in Jesus. 

Agape Kids Club

Five days a week our Pemba center fills with children from our community who come for the Agape Kids Club in the Centro de Esperança de Communidade – the Hope Community Center. Each day our doors are open for anywhere from 250 to 500 kids, ranging from 3-14 years old. Any child in the surrounding community wishing to have a plate of rice and beans and hear the Good News is welcome. These two things may not seem like a big deal, but for them, they are huge!

Hope Families - Muaguide Village

Hope Families is a program that encourages families within our Iris churches to care for the orphans in their communities. In collaboration with the local churches, Stop for the One supports these families through assistance that provide quarterly food, school materials, hygiene supplies and more. This collaboration encourages not only the heart of stopping for the one, but also community building and local outreach.

Inside the Pemba Classroom!

Stop for the One exists to glorify Jesus and express His love to the poor, broken, and forgotten. God has called us to stop for the one in front of us. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Daily we see the simple power of love transform lives. In our latest video we see how He is instilling hope and vision in the children at Escola Comunhão na Colheita. 

Children in Mozambique face a variety of hurdles which make the pursuit of an education difficult. Years of civil unrest and natural disasters have limited educational opportunities, and most children cannot afford to attend school. Of the students who do attend classes, many are under prepared as they lack proper supplies needed to be successful in the classroom. Adequate nutrition is also a concern as many children do not have enough food to maintain the necessary energy to stay focused on their work.

Through Stop for the One and our generous supporters Jesus is working to change the destiny of thousands of children in Pemba, Mozambique. The Escola Comunhão na Colheita currently teaches over 3,500 students every day. Our sponsorship provides each student with the tools and nutrition to be successful in the classroom. We are honored to be a part of what Jesus is doing in their lives.

Enjoy this powerful video to get a better glimpse into what Jesus in these precious children!

Click below to learn more about each class and how you can help reach a million kids!