About
Pastos Verdes Story
Orlando and Lisa were both called separately into Mission in Mozambique in 1996/99. Both of them trained and worked with YWAM for many years in different locations, Orlando serving on base leadership, before meeting Lisa at a YWAM Bible School in 2004. Since marrying in 2005 they began to serve in the outskirts of Lichinga, Niassa Province.
They founded and registered the work under the charity Pastos Verdes in the UK and in Mozambique in 2006. The aim is to see the people of this community come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, to care for orphaned boys and those in need. After many years of building friendships in the village, many villagers are sharing their struggles and wanting to hear about God.
Once the building of the Children's Home was completed it was opened in April 2017 with the first three boys. The numbers will slowly increase with each intake until reaching a capacity of sixteen boys.
Since 2016 Orlando and Lisa under Pastos Verdes, have received their first long term volunteers and thus have been able to set up more ministry projects now that we are a team of five.
The heart to reach peoples physical needs alongside their spiritual ones is realised through our various programs and outreaches. There are food and clothes projects, newborns, children's and youth work, vocational training, basic health care, Bible storytelling, work with local Pastors and local churches, and care of orphans.
Orlando And Lisa Muerasse
Orlando and Lisa worked for a while with YWAM, in different locations before they trained together at a YWAM Bible School in 2004 and married the following year. Orlando is Mozambican, Lisa is British, and they have two children. Their sending church is St Mary Bredin, Canterbury. They founded Pastos Verdes in 2005.
Orlando loves to encourage the local pastors, reach out to the men in our community and teach the PV children carpentry, welding and mechanics. He oversees the food garden project, building and maintenance needs on-site and admin requirements for Mozambique. His practical skills draw local men to work alongside him, learning new skills and sharing the gospel.
Lisa’s heart for children led her to start the Children’s Club and have the vision for the Boys’ Home. She also runs literacy classes, health care for pregnant/new mums, discipleship/youth group, evangelism in the village and oversees the accounts and UK admin.
Esperança & Jairosse Botomane
Esperança and Botomane joined the Pastos Verdes team in April 2021. They both have theological degrees with the Xai-Xai Bible College, and pastor the Emmanuel Wesleyan Church of Lichinga. They are from Niassa Province, Mozambique and have 1 niece living with them.
Botomane serves as a father figure to the boys in the Home. He works with them in the food garden, teaches them sport, runs Bible studies and provides homework help. He also oversees the running of 3 football teams in our village, encouraging the players and sharing God’s word and love with them.
Esperança works with Lisa in the running of the Boys’ Home, literacy help classes for the village children and the Children’s Club.
Ermelindo Fernando
Ermelindo joined the Pastos Verdes team in April 2021. He trained in missions in 2001 with YWAM and worked with them for several years. He is now working in the Educational Department of the provincial government and is helping Orlando part-time with the Mozambican administration for the mission. He is from Niassa Province, Mozambique.
Trustees
The trustees of the UK charity are Nick Ratcliffe (Chair), Orla Garratt (Secretary), Jim Leeves (Treasurer), Keith Ackland and Helen Hay