Julie and a Mozambican teacher with one of the first pre-school classes.

Short History of iReachAfrica's Education Program

Jesus told me to build a school, and then another, and then a third. I am an educator, yes, but had never planned on doing anything beyond teaching a classroom of students. But when He gets ahold of your heart, everything truly does change.

It began when I moved to Mozambique in 2008. I wanted to go, but my heart's desire had been to get married, have children and then go as a family. And I was single and 30. (I feel like that’s quite often how the Lord works. He asks you to do something that feels so beyond your abilities and stretches your heart and your faith to the limits). In moving there, I was not only saying 'yes' to the Lord, but I was also saying 'yes' to my destiny. It was all a part of His great plan. For 8 years, I did so much more than I thought possible. When I look back upon that season of my life, I can clearly see that it was the Lord who was doing the building and the investing; it was the Lord who gave me the courage, the wisdom, and the strength to do all that was accomplished. It was one of the best seasons of my life. I fell in love with the people, the nation, and the culture of Mozambique.

In the midst of those beautiful years, I met my husband. He was co-leading a team from a church in the United States. We spoke one night, dated long distance for a year, and then married. I actually flew home (to Michigan) to get married and then we moved back to Mozambique, together.

I felt like I had given my life to serving the people of Mozambique, but after two years together on the mission field, we felt a shift. I wanted babies and my husband felt the Lord prompting him to go back to school, to get a degree that would, ultimately, serve part of the calling on his life. So, we prayed and God did a miracle. A wonderful, God-fearing woman from England said 'yes' to His call on her life and came to visit me. On her flight home, she felt a shift in her heart. And knew she was called to return. Anna Capener is there today, continuing to raise up leaders and grow what He is doing through her. 

Anna with some of her students.

Julie with teachers and staff in March 2023.

Happy Pre-School Students!

And I am here in the United States, raising my babies and teaching them about the people of Mozambique. They're always asking about when they can go visit their friends there. I continue to fundraise for the schools and made a visit earlier this year. My hope is that, through your prayers and support, we can continue to grow our work in Mozambique. And build yet more schools. Join me on this journey.

You can read the first of my quarterly blog posts by clicking below.