Come See the Harvest

By Stephen Kennedy
Missions Coordinator
There are many things that you should know about as supporters, but the medium is limited. So much has been going on in Ethiopia over the past few months. The childcare sponsorships have rendered amazing testimonies. The church has been growing like wildfire. Wells are being dug. Widows are receiving housing. Orphans are placed into homes and schools. The gospel is being proclaimed in the highways and byways. Brothers and sisters have experienced great joy and some great sorrow. There is a dream of sanctuary village that may be coming to pass soon. This is only the beginning.
Good news from a distant land does bring joy to the heart, but I cannot tell you how that joy pales in comparison to embracing these dear ones in person. As the church we rejoice to learn of Christ, but what we long for is to touch Him and to see Him face to face. We at IOI have seen how good it is to tell you about the work going on in Ethiopia, but when we see supporters observe the work first-hand, there is something deeper that takes place which pictures and stories cannot tell. I am a testimony of this. I went to Ethiopia over four years ago simply wanting to see what foreign missions looked like on the ground. There was no thought in my mind that such a love and passion for this work and these brothers and sisters would be born in my breast.
Truly not all are called to go and some are hindered, but for those who can and long to, this call goes out. Come and see the harvest. Their faces are beautiful. Their voices are many.
Over the next few months and years there will be more and more opportunities to go and see, so consider this possibility. Come for a short trip to embrace our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia.