I had the pleasure of ringing in the new year in Ghana with staff, mothers and children. It was an explosive night of prayer, worship, and prophecy regarding 2019 and what God has in store. It was my favorite new year spent to this point, and there was no place I would rather have been than celebrating with joy exploding from our hearts, and worshiping Jesus as a family.
It is clear that 2019 is going to be a year of new levels for all of us. I sense the Lord calling us to walk with a deeper dependency and greater intimacy with him. I saw the Lord bring children, staff, and mothers under one vision that united each of us for the cause.
2019 will be a year of advancement in many areas especially for the nation, but I feel from the Lord that this will be a year of expanded reach, territory and impact. I believe the Lord is calling each of us to be fully present with him. I was challenged to devote myself to be present with Jesus at all moments, no matter where I am or what I am doing.
“For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.” Isaiah 61:11
As I spent the past two weeks in the Village of Hope, I witnessed first-hand a greater hunger arising in our children. To see the Holy Spirit move and touch each child was inspiring in ways I cannot explain. Many are hearing his voice, having visions, and are worshiping him with their own songs, and are being filled with the Holy Spirit.
We welcomed a new boy and dedicated our newest infant, Joel, who is now six-months-old. One of our oldest boys, Felix said it like this; “I love my home and my family. I love my lovely brothers and sisters. This place is my home, this place is my family.” The children enjoyed a wonderful Christmas, and holiday break from school. We also enjoyed many excursions during this time. God continues to do transformative work in each heart, because of friends, supporters, prayer warriors, and donors like you who make this work possible.
We pray 2019 is a year that will build off of what God began in 2018, and that there will be acceleration and favor. I want to personally thank each one of you for continuing to partner with us on this mission for the orphans of Africa. Because of you, lives are being changed, restored, set free, and many are coming to the knowledge of Christ, and are building a relationship with Jesus.
I am seeing Jesus touch this generation with power, and I simply want to say that we are all a part of building this nation! Each child is a dream, a revival, a God-idea wrapped in flesh, and once that is realized and embraced; what Jesus will do through their lives is limitless for their nation and all the nations of the earth.
“In his name the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 12:21
We are on a God adventure, and because of his grace we are able to “do what we do.” 2019 will be a year of greater advancement for our children in Ghana.
We are on track with the construction for the Village of Hope in Zambia. How exciting! I imagine the laughter, smiles, and joy coming forth from that land, and the peace of the Lord will accompany each child that will call the Village of Hope home. I pray for the children we will soon bring in, that God will keep and protect them until that day. He sees them at this moment.
You reach a nation through its youth when you show them what life with Jesus looks like. You raise a nation by raising children. Thank you for making this a reality and let’s continue to dream about the harvest that lies ahead in the continent of Africa. Let’s join hands to stand in the gap for the plight of orphans, and pray that there would be salvation and hope for each soul!
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
I am reminded of a phrase that grips my heart in ways I can’t explain. The famous words of a mighty man of God Reinhard Bonnke, an evangelist to the African continent who said; ”Africa shall be saved from Cape Town to Cairo.” Hearing those words after an encounter with the Lord, Reinhard saw the African continent washed with the blood of Jesus. I continue to hear this phrase ringing in my ears, heart, and soul. I fully believe that. I want to encourage you to not only pray for this project but the continent as a whole, and all that God will do.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:36-38
My heart is to see this continent saved, and set free with the power of the Gospel. My heart is to see this harvest reached with laborers from around the world! Let’s continue to give God a wholehearted YES to the unknown, to be vessels fully yielded to the Holy Spirit. Let it be said of us that we withheld nothing from Jesus!
Love and many, many blessings in 2019.
Devon Leondis
Zambian children excited about their future home