Missionaries Support At-Risk Child

I received word today that the missionaries supported through Indigenous Outreach (who receive and average of $60 each per month) not only support 5 indigenous ministers from within Ethiopia, they have collected amongst themselves to support an at-risk child through the TLC (True Light Childcare) project.

Asenaku Wube (center wearing blue sweater) is pictured with some of her indigenous supporters.

"What amazes me," said Patrick Beard, IOI Executive Director, "is that the missionaries did this completely on their own. It was their idea. It both humbles ad encourages me greatly."

The TLC project serves over 100 at-risk children (children who come from poverty stricken families, some of which are orphans). Supporting a child for $20 per month provides education, clothing and food assistance as well as participation in a Bible club program. Sponsors are asked to add an additional $5 to their monthly gift to help defray administrative costs of the program. "We believe in (the TLC) program so much that we will send the $20 per month at our cost so that 100% of the gift benefits the children and families served," said Patrick.

Go to www.ioiusa.org to find out how you can join with fellow believers from Ethiopian and America to support children in Ethiopia.

A Mission to Share: Indigenous Outreach International celebrates 10 years

photo by Aaron Hardin
story by Tracie Simer
The Jackson Sun Friday, September 25, 2009

More than 12 years ago, Patrick Beard and his wife, Lana, moved to Ethiopia to become missionaries. Their dreams were ended when they had to return to the United States because she had a complicated pregnancy.

"I came home sick and beaten," he said. "I just knew our missions career was over."

However, he soon had a vision to help native missionaries and pastors like the ones he met in Ethiopia. That vision became Indigenous Outreach International, which celebrated 10 years of ministry Thursday night at Union University.

The ministry now supports 38 missionaries in Ethiopia, two in Brazil and one in Germany. The organization also provides a child care service to meet the needs of 100 poverty-stricken children in Ethiopia, Beard said.

After six weeks, the ministry was supporting seven missionaries for about $250 a month, Beard said.

"Indigenous Outreach International was born in suffering, carried out in simplicity and grounded in ancient roots," he said. "It's simple, really - we saw brothers in need, and we had compassion. We're simply doing what the apostle Paul did when he helped out young missionaries and churches."

Steven Kennedy, missions coordinator for the ministry, said the celebration was a way for people to learn more about what the ministry does and hear about its progress.

"We wanted to make the Jackson area aware of what this ministry is doing," he said. "Scripture says that good news from distant lands brings joy to the heart. We want to encourage (people) that God is working around the world and using people in Jackson to help around the world."

Beard shared the stories of a few missionaries who receive support and who have started their own ministries. Future projects include opening a cafe in Ethiopia to help raise funds and creating training centers for missionaries there, Beard said.

"God has done some amazing things," he said. "I hope we can continue to help others in need."

Kennedy said that aside from financial support, Indigenous Outreach International also offers technical, educational and prayer support.

Visit www.jacksonsun.com and share your thoughts.

- Tracie Simer, 731-425-9629

Church in Agemba Receives Land Grant

In 2004 the village of Agemba was bulldozed down by the government due to a legal misunderstanding. The church there had built a building and was excited about serving the Lord in this new village, but when the village was bulldozed so was the church building and the believers were dispersed.
They have been meeting in rented space and struggling to pay the rent as it keeps being raised on them. The church applied for compensation for their land and building which was lost, and the Oromo government gave them twice as much land as they lost in compensation for the building.
The church has already been raising funds for a new building. Praise God for this good news and pray that He would provide for these dear ones that as they have sown in tears may they now reap in joy. v