Please Pray for Registration

Dear Readers,
I would like to ask you to pray for IOI's work in Ethiopia. For almost 12 years we have supported indigenous ministries and ministers. Until now we have worked through existing churches and organizations like Operation Rescue Ethiopia (the childcare project in Mekele).

The need to register IOI as an NGO (Non Governmental Organization) became apparent a couple of years ago. As an NGO we could own property and import materials to advance the ministry. Registering as an NGO would also provide some legal protection for those involved in the ministry. Also, if you know much about IOI you know we plan to build a model village in Ethiopia where we train students in theology, agriculture, health care and vocation.

After almost two years in process we have been told by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that our application will be rejected. This news has been disheartening, especially since we have funds, materials and volunteers committed to make this vision become a reality.

We have been told that we can be "religious" or "charitable", but not both. Ironically the word "charity" is a Christian idea. In Websters Dictionary the definition is "(Christian theology) ...love for one's fellow man". Many secular organizations have been involved in welfare projects and are even called "Charities" - in many minds charity has been divorced from Christianity. How bizarre that a government institution would try to separate Christianity from charity.

We know that when God closes one door He often opens another. We are confident that the training program will progress, most likely through the churches of Ethiopia rather than a campus. We are also exploring ways to invest in the people of Ethiopia in an effort to help the poorest of the poor work their way out of poverty.

Please pray that God will guide us through this process and that the end of the matter will be far better than the beginning has been.

Yours in Christ,
Patrick

Tinsae Library Opens in Lafto

by Mary Evans
March Mission Team Volunteer
I struggled with how to describe my trip in a brief and edifying manner. But I will say that I saw the Lord’s hand in this trip- how it came about, the make up of the team that went, and the unity we had as a team. To describe the trip in a few ways, it was enriching, eye-opening, heart softening, and humbling.
I shared with the indigenous missionaries that I felt at home in Ethiopia, not because I had lived in Africa most of my life, but because they were indeed my brothers in Christ. I had been praying for an opportunity to see the Body of Christ in a new and refreshing way in Ethiopia. He was faithful in doing that.
On the first day in Ethiopia our attempt to visit a church out in the countryside hit several obstacles. Oceans of deep mud ended up turning us back while Negash, Nadine and Bobby walked 3 hours to make it for the end of the baptism of more than 30 believers.
Our goal of setting up a library (organize and catalog over 400 books) was met; it just took 2 days longer than expected, but I saw how the Lord was sovereign in the fact that I work in a library and was able to help in coming up with a cataloging system that would work in Addis.
Our team was able to witness the baptism of an Ethiopian lady who lives and works in Lebanon. Pray for her to live out her faith as she returns to Lebanon.
I was humbled by the poverty and beggars. I mentioned previously that this trip was heart softening. I think I saw so much poverty growing up in different ways but I was able to see it in a new light and process it too.
Thursday we fellowshipped with the missionaries who were fasting and praying for their ministry and families.
Friday was the grand opening of the Tinsae (Resurrection) Library and we were able to dedicate it to the Lord. Our prayer is that through this Christian literature, people would come to know the written Word and Jesus Christ the Word.
We were able to visit the children’s’ ministry that IOI supports, and give out the gifts to about 102 kids. These kids are being supported on $25 dollars a month, and their education, school uniforms and other physical needs are taken care of. We had the opportunity to visit Buruk’s home – a tent in the middle of a dump. What was a humbling experience for us was an honoring time for them.
I’m still not sure what the Lord had in store with the trip except to Glorify Himself, and I pray that was indeed what took place. There was evidence after evidence of His faithful work and creative handiwork.
Please join me in prayer for the evangelist Kasau, Amsala one of the few women IOI supports, Fikadu as he helps set up a new ministry within IOI, for Fikere as he and his wife run the café/library area. And for the other missionaries that are selflessly serving the Lord in their homeland, Ethiopia.

The Tinsae Library was established in part by donations from the USA and the UK. Special thanks to donors of financial resources and to Union University for the donation of over 400 books!

Slowly by Slowly now on sale!

Available at Xulon Press , http://www.bishopbeard.com/ and Barnes & Noble

Tangible Ministry in Ethiopia

By Stephen Kennedy
Mission Coordinator
The emergency assistance fund was established last year as we heard of the tangible needs of some of the ministers in Ethiopia. In January we left $390 USD with Negash to use for meeting emergency needs for the missionaries. On behalf of all the ministers who received help in tangible ways, he wrote last month, thanking from his heart all who gave. Below is what all was able to be done for less than four hundred dollars.
Aid for Merkebu, Seyefu, Gelana and their wives on the occasion of them all having children born into their families. Yerga and his family received some help toward a new house. Kaleb received an MRI to see if surgery would be able to help reduce the pain in his hips as he walks. Awash Buni Church was given assistance toward buying a house church near the main road. Chaka’s wife was helped with some medical expenses. Mellese was able to go to the eye doctor and get glasses.
After all of this there is still more for Kaleb to return to the doctor and to help Matteows who will see a doctor next month.
I was amazed and very encouraged by how much was done with so little. It is a blessing to serve these dear ones in Christ not only with a little monthly support but to also come alongside of them in times of need. We continue to have the emergency assistance fund available for the brothers and sisters in Christ that He has yoked us with in love.

Cafe Ministry Planned for Addis

A plan is developing to open a coffee shop, guest-house and English language reading room in Addis Abeba for the purpose of outreach ministry and discipleship, as well as a means to facilitate future teams through IOI.
A similar ministry in another part of Addis facilitates over 1,000 students per week and many students have been converted.
We are currently seeking investors for the coffee house venture. The estimated cost of this phase of the project is $20,000.00 US.
There is a need for a team that will go to Ethiopia to establish this ministry. There will also be future opportunities for interns to teach ESL.
You may receive a pound of Ethiopia coffee for donations to this ministry through www.BishopBeard.com. Donations go toward the establishment of the café ministry in Addis.

Churches supporting the new SPARK Outreach Programme

BALLYMONEY, NORTHERN IRELAND, UK
Published Date: 13 May 2009 (Ballymoney Times)

CHURCH leaders gathered at the Mayor's Parlour in Ballymoney last week for the official launch of the SPARK 09 Outreach Prgramme.

Press officer, Dr. James Wilson, thanked the Mayor, Councillor John Finlay, for hosting the launch.

He said: "I am absolutely thrilled that so many of the Reformed churches in Ballymoney have opted to support the initiative."

I first came across SPARK whilst working amongst the communities in Ballymena, and was impressed how it motivated young Christians to get out of their confounded holy huddles and get out amongst the people, showing the characteristics of the Lord Jesus in their community; loving compassionate, kind, humble - loving their neighbour in practical ways."

The SPARK programme will effectively run from Monday to Saturday, August 10 to 15 and will involve projects such as: litter picks, free face painting, free games, free gospel concerts, night time coffee bars and free football coaching by the highly-acclaimed FIFA approved Coaching 4 Christ team.

The teams will be drawn from local churches and the teaching pastor for the week will be Stephen Kennedy from Indigenous Outreach, Jackson, Tennessee.In his reply, Cllr. Finlay congratulated the Ballymoney churches on adopting SPARK.

He said: "One hundred and fifty years ago young men from Ballymena carried the spark of the '59 revival to Ballymoney."As Mayor of the Borough and a committed Christian, it is my sincere prayer that the actions, deeds and witness of these young people will, indeed, be the spark mightily used by God in transforming lives and reviving our churches again."

Sanctuary Village Update

We were recently notified that the Ethiopian government has ceased all NGO registrations for the time being. This means that our progress in acquiring land for Sanctuary Village has stalled. There is no indication when the process will resume, however progress in the discipleship ministry continues.
Fikadu has been spending his days doing research and proposal writing in preparation for the resumption of the official paperwork process.
A plan is developing to open a coffee shop and guest-house in Addis Abeba for the purpose of outreach ministry and discipleship, as well as a means to facilitate future teams through IOI. This company may also serve as a vehicle that provides local funding and a legal entity for the establishment of Sanctuary Village.
All funding given to date for Sanctuary Village construction is being held in an account, and will not be used for the coffeehouse ministry. Therefore we are currently seeking investors for the coffee house venture. The estimated cost of this phase of the project is $20,000.00 US.
Proceeds from the sale of The Bishop’s Beard Coffee will go toward the establishment of the coffeehouse ministry in Addis. www.BishopBeard.com v

Mission to Ethiopia

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Greetings in the name of Christ.

Dr. James Wilson from Northern Ireland and I just returned from Ethiopia after having an encouraging and challenging visit with our brothers and sister there. Dr Wilson was there to observe the work “on the ground” as well as to see about the logistics of bringing teams from the UK to Ethiopia to work alongside our ministers. I was sent to meet with the missionaries and see how they are doing personally and with the ministry. I was also to chronicle our time there with photos and video footage.

Dr. Wilson and I thought we would do more observing than hands-on ministry, but the Lord had other plans. We went to watch the ministers, but ended up laying hands on them and praying for their needs. We went to hear of the work, but ended up speaking words that were given from the Lord for the building up of the saints. In short, we went with good plans, but the Lord had good works which He had foreordained that we should walk in them. I am glad that God had better plans for our days in Ethiopia because even though we accomplished many things we thought we needed to do, we also were able to be vessels used by our Lord for honorable uses that we could have never foreseen. As I think of all that we were able to see and do, I am reminded of the psalmist saying “bless the Lord, oh my soul, let all that is within me bless his holy name.”

There were many things that I heard while meeting with the missionaries which were of great encouragement, and I look forward to sharing them with their supporters in updates which will come soon. There were two things which I heard over and over as I sat and talked with each minister. These two were encouraging but also an exhortation or a challenge to continue boldly with the task the Lord has given and so I would like to share them with you.

First of all, there was a desire by the ministers to remind us that the ministry of IOI goes much deeper than financial support. The missionaries there have been meeting weekly for prayer and sharing of burdens, along with giving and receiving counsel. One minister said that the money seems insignificant compared to the fact that he has gained brothers and sisters to minister alongside of him. He no longer ministers alone, struggles alone, or carries the good news alone. He is part of a body; he has those who know the burden and uplift him as he walks.

Second, I heard the missionaries saying that they wanted to see the ministry expand and for many others to receive the love and support in the ministry that they receive. More ministers having the blessing of others bearing with them their financial burdens as well as the fellowship and accountability of being a part of the IOI group is a great desire.

Hearing these things encouraged me that we should continue on with what has been given to us. This is a good work and the church is being built up, so we should desire to see more benefit as the missionaries do. So the question is how? I believe by striving for what has already been our burden to see Sanctuary Village built, and Lord willing, 300 ministers will be raised up alongside of those already in place. A place where fellowship and the bearing of one another’s burdens is part of life. We long to see what the ministers long to see. As we embark on this ambitious project, we believe that it can be done if God will give us 100 partners who give $200 per month to raise up these 300 over the next seven years. Please pray with us to this end that the Lord who owns the cattle on a thousand hills will give us what we need to do what He has called us to do. He has done this in the past and we believe He will continue to do so in the future. You all are an encouragement to us. May the blessings of our Lord be with you. The missionaries send their greetings in Jesus name.

Peace of Christ to you all.

By the grace of Christ,

Stephen A. Kennedy
Mission Coordinator

The Video is Finished!!!

Sanctuary Village from Patrick Beard on Vimeo.

Big thanks to Julian Williamson from Bluesland Films for all his hard work on this project!

Sanctuary Village Logo

The Logo is Finished! Next comes the video -- keep watching the website and blog for it.
Now all we need is $1.5 million, a good piece of land and seven years... LORD willing.

Sanctuary Village is our vision to raise up 300 Ethiopian ministers over seven years in an agrarian community where theology, agriculture, basic health care and vocational trades are taught and practiced through a lifestyle of prayer, mercy ministry, study and labor.

The campus of Sanctuary Village will include homes for families, elderly, disabled and singles. Plans include a minor medical clinic, pharmacy, store, primary school, meeting hall, sports field and cafe that will be located in the public areas. Micro-farming, animal husbandry, well drilling and home building will be taught and practiced on the campus in the vocational/farming area. Both short and long term residents would live in the Village.

Theological training programs would be offered in residential and commuting programs. Classes will be taught in ten terms of two intensive weeks over three years. Residential students will have schedules that vary with the growing seasons, but will include daily prayers, vocation and mercy ministry.

During their time on campus residential students will be pared into teams of five in preparation for replication of the ministry on a small scale within existing villages. Ideally each team will have a preacher, educator, administrator, medical tech and an agriculture/vocation tech. These teams would serve as a group of elders for new churches.

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.

Prayer for Ten-Time Multiplication

We have entered our tenth year as a ministry. Stephen Kennedy (IOI’s Mission Coordinator) and I have begun to pray a radical prayer and ask God to multiply the ministry of IOI ten times.
We really believe in what we are doing.
Asking God to increase the ministry by ten will not cost ten times as much.
Our budget last year was $161,260.31 which supported 25 children, 36 missionaries, mission trips and the administration Stateside. For just over three times as much financial support we could be doing ten times more ministry! This is possible because our costs Stateside would not increase very much.
We could be supporting 320 Ethiopian missionaries, 250 children, 30 Brazilian missionaries, build a discipleship training center in Ethiopia and administrate the mission for just over $500,000.00 per year. That is over 600 families for less than $830 per family per year!
Sanctuary Village Discipleship Training Center
The Church is growing quickly in Ethiopia and we see an urgent need for good training in the countryside churches. Many of the new churches that have been established in the past three years have leadership with little or no training in theology or Bible. I do not want my zeal to overshadow wisdom. There is no quick fix, but we do have a plan.

Our hope is to establish a training center called Sanctuary Village. The idea is to bring people from the countryside to live in a village much like their own village while they learn to grow their own food, learn a trade, study scripture, pray and practice ministry among the poor. In time we believe this ministry will be self-supporting, and need little assistance from us. It truly is an opportunity to invest in the future as we both give our brother a fish, and teach him how to fish.
I have begun to pray for partners in this task that will be willing to invest seven years of sowing to see a harvest that could last for many years to come. I am asking for help to raise an army of missionaries in Ethiopia who will be equipped for the days ahead.
I would love nothing more than to have invested the next seven years into hundreds of Ethiopians who are committed locally-supported disciplemakers. I believe this could happen.
Already we have witnessed ministers who no longer need our support and have directed their sponsorship to others. Over 50% of the churches we work with have begun to support their ministers. The support that has come from America has been a catalyst for change, and an encouragement to our poverty stricken brothers and sisters in Christ.

Janaury Mission to Ethiopia

Each year it is our privilege to host a Bible conference in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. This year the teaching was done by both Ethiopian and Western teachers. Ecki Breitenmoser (SCFS missionary from Germany) and I were joined with Anthony Mathenia (a missionary from Christ Community Church of New Albany, Mississippi) and Douglas Merrick (an American missionary with Last Call Ministries of Shreveport). Mellese, Getachew, Getu, Kaleb and Negash were the Ethiopians who taught.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Holiness—the Fruit of the Spirit.” The topics covered were love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I honestly believe this was our best conference yet, and it was attended by most of the missionaries and spouses supported through IOI.
We also had the privilege of hosting a medical team, that was organized by John McNally (director of a partner ministry that works with local churches to meet needs), that visited with all the missionaries and families at the end of the conference.
My sister, Arlene Norton, also joined the team in Addis after spending a week in Mekele working with the Operation Rescue childcare program. She is making a video about her trip and the child sponsorship programs that are offered through IOI. She has a goal of gaining 100 sponsors for the orphans and at risk children in Ethiopia. If you would like a free copy of the video email info@ioiusa.org or call (731)664-9960.
It was a fruitful trip that ended sadly with the news of Amber Mathenia’s (wife of Anthony) death. Anthony and Amber had been volunteers with IOI before moving to Ethiopia as career missionaries sent by their local church. Amber was killed in an automobile accident just hours before Anthony returned from a trip to Ethiopia where he taught at two Bible conferences.

2008 Bible Conference Funding Needed

We have planned a Bible conference for the indigenous missionary families in Ethiopia for January 2008. The expenses for this trip include renting a location for the conference, transportation to and from the location for all missionaries, food, materials, and medical supplies for family check ups. We are seeking funding for the conference and appreciate gifts of any size. For more information about what we will be doing or how you can help, call the IOI office or email Stephen.

Four Need Support

There are times when the Lord gives us the need for more supporters through bringing new missionaries. There are also times when new supporters are needed because some of those who have supported in the past discontinue their support. At this time we have both new missionaries and a couple who formerly had supporters.
Yerga Berta has been with IOI for almost seven years. He has a wife and two sons. He works in Addis Abeba doing evangelism and church planting. Kebebush Gudeta has been with IOI for almost four years and is a dear sister who is praying that God would give her a good husband. She works in Addis and in the countryside as an evangelist and has a wonderful prayer ministry. This brother and sister have been faithful ministers in Christ and are a true joy.
The other two who need support are new to IOI and working in regions that we have been praying that God would expand this work to.
The first is a Baptist congregation in the northern city of Mekele where the ORE childcare program is located. The pastor of this church is doing full time ministry but the congregation is not able to fully support him on their own.
The other church we would like to partner with is being planted in Debre Tisge which is about 40 kilometers northwest of Addis. This church was formerly opposed by many in the area. New laws in Ethiopia require local governments to give fair treatment to all religions. City officials were seeking to display their progressive thinking and gave the new congregation a plot of land approximately six acres in size which is a large lot in Ethiopia. The church planters involved have recently rented the house of a witchdoctor to use for a temporary meeting place. The church now needs support to be able to build on the land and have a full-time pastor.
You can support one of these missionary families for only $60.00 USD per month. If you are interested in supporting any of these ministries, please contact the IOI office. Please pray that God will provide supporters where there are needs for our brothers and sisters in Ethiopia.

Orthodoxy & IOI

Over the past few years it has been a prayer that we could begin working more closely with Orthodox believers in Ethiopia. God has begun answering that prayer. On Patrick’s recent trip he and Negash met an Orthodox monk who is clearly a brother in Christ and knows the gospel proclaimed in scripture. Negash is meeting with this brother and encourages him to remain Orthodox. Our mission is to make disciples not to promote a particular denomination. Please pray that more doors open to work with Orthodox believers both in Ethiopia and here in the US.

Patrick's Paragraphs -- Making Progress

“Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
I John 5:5

A friend of mine recently said, “When we feel like we are making progress God will show us that we are not.”
On the surface this quote might seem a bit pessimistic, and imply that we cannot make progress as Christians. I have certainly witnessed this brother in Christ making progress for the better part of 20 years. He obviously does not feel like he has progressed much since his salvation, but his walk with Christ is identified by persistence despite his experience.
On the other hand, certainly there are those who feel that they have made progress in the faith. However, if they despise the Church, and have inflated thoughts of their own righteous deeds it might be evidence that they have not progressed as much as they think. In deed they may not know God at all.
One thing I see in common to most men that I admire is their humility and a almost constant feeling that they simply don’t measure up to God’s standards. Throughout history we read personal biographies of missionaries, ministers and saints who felt that they lacked much more than they had in the realm of spirituality. Indeed even Jesus tells a parable about a justified man who has humbled himself prostrate in prayer, while a pious Pharisee stands looking on in thankfulness that he is “not like” the sinful man on the floor.
As I turned 40 this past month, I have reflected on so much of my life that has been wasted, how little evidence that I see of the faith I proclaim. So much of experience seems to contradict the faith that I claim, yet I know that Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life. I believe by faith that Jesus is Lord and God has raised Him.
Watchman Nee said, “Faith follows truth and experience follows faith.” Our faith is based on what is not seen, otherwise it would not be called faith. Certainly we should see growing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our lives. Good works should be our lifestyle. But, rather than looking to our experience, we look to Christ himself.
Do you love God? Do you love His Son? Do you love His Bride? If so, that is progress.

Patrick's Paragraphs - Prophet of the Poor

“He has told you what is good; and what the LORD requires of you to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Micah 6:8

I was reading from the book of Micah recently. Some scholars call Micah the “Prophet of the Poor” because of his emphasis on injustice, and God’s word to the downtrodden. It is fitting that we named our benevolent fund the Micah Fund, but it was named after a little boy who died from complications associated with malnutrition.
I heard an economist on the radio today. He said that poverty would virtually be a memory in about 50 years from now. He sited South Korea and other developed nations that were considered “Third World” countries just 50 years ago. “Industry and technology have made it possible to overcome poverty,” he said.
I hate to be the prophet of bad news, but Jesus said, “the poor you will always have with you.” The sad fact is that the world is not getting better. It is true that there is more wealth and prosperity than any other time in history, and the wealth is being spread around to more people. But it is also true that greed is prevalent and sin is in the flesh of men.
We have seen in recent years that democracy nor wealth bring peace. The most miserable people on the planet are some of the most free and affluent. Granted, to be poor in America is considered rich in many nations, but every city in America has neighborhoods where people seem not to be able to afford what many have come to see as necessities.
The Good News is that there is a day of peace coming. There is a day when all suffering will cease. Until that day, we have been commanded to bind up the brokenhearted and set captives free. We have been told to practice true religion and care for widows and orphans. We have received the word from God to love our brothers and our enemies. In doing these things, we will see His kingdom come and His will being done. Those who have been faithful in these small things will see the day of resurrection with great joy.

Expanding Ministry in Brazil

by Patrick Beard

As I arrived at the airport in Memphis I felt unprepared and anxious about my return to Brazil after 18 years. I had plenty of reasons to go, but the timing seemed off.

I was scheduled to meet Joe Spell, my traveling companion, in Houston, Texas. Bad weather at some other airport had delayed my flight and it looked as though Joe might be traveling alone. I certainly did not want to go if it were not God’s will, and missing my flight would have been fine.

I walked up to the gate to see a very relieved Joe and heard the final call for boarding our flight to Sao Paulo. The whole episode served as a confirmation to me, and I was put at ease about the trip.

After a nine hour flight we arrived in Brazil in plenty of time to catch our three hour flight to Joao Pessoa, Brazil. Following a stroll along the beach and a good night’s sleep we met Marciano who drove us another five hours into the interior of Brazil in a region that is known as the Sertáo.

The Sertáo is a mostly arid, poor region in Northeastern Brazil. The people are a mixture of Portuguese, Dutch, African decent and native peoples. The Portuguese is spoken slowly with a thick accent, and at times sounds more like Spanish. The foods vary slightly from Brazilian cuisine in the south, but beans and rice can be found at almost every meal. The traditional music of the region sounds more like Arcadian, than Samba. It is a unique part of the world, and easy to enjoy despite the harshness of the climate.

Another aspect of the Sertáo is the utter spiritual poverty of many towns and villages. Certainly there are churches, and many have adherents attending on a daily basis. However, a short conversation with most people will reveal a religion of tradition over substance, and more superstition than truth.

Marciano had a full schedule for Joe and myself. Just a couple of hours after our arrival at the Teixeira home in Patos we were on the road again about an hour or so to the village of Mato Grosso where we participated in a church planting week-end.

The week-end was sponsored by three or four Baptist churches in and near Patos. The team canvassed the area with a survey during the day and slept on the concrete floor of the local primary school in the evenings.

As we visited with many of the village’s inhabitants, we heard common complaints. We don’t know the priest, and we don’t understand very much of what he says. The same was said of a local protestant pastor. It became obvious that the people of this village were hungry for truth, and starved for love. So often religious leaders in this part of the world seemed to be more concerned about building an empire, than binding up the broken and setting captives free.

“Our pastor told us we would go to Hell for shaving our legs,” said one lady. “And I could not come to worship unless I was wearing a dress. I don’t even own a dress.”

It was painfully obvious that the few ministers who would brave the harsh rural life of these small towns and villages need good theological training. It was also just as obvious that any true success in ministry would be carried out by love in action.

About ten miles down another dirt road another village enjoys the presence of the Church. A small pink stucco home is now a meeting place for a church. As we got out of the truck a lady came to us and asked, “Are you going to preach today? I want to follow Jesus!”

This village was much poorer than Mato Grosso, and the people had a much more positive impression of the Church.

The growing congregation was begun by two young Brazilians who ride their bikes up the rugged dirt road to both preach and spend time with the people. These young men want to help the entire village by providing a water pumping station.

“The government does nothing for us,” one villager said. “The Church is the only one who helps us.”

The question still remains, “Who will go for us?” Another question adds, “Who will train the ones who will go?” Marciano and his wife Christina answered the first question when they left their native lands to start the ministry of ORE in Ethiopia. Today they plan to answer the second question as they establish a missionary training center in Marciano’s home country of Brazil.

God has already provided a farm for a training center that is located on 150 acres in rural Sertáo. Plans are to begin training the first 12 Brazilian missionaries this coming January. In addition to formal classroom style training, students will be paired with experienced missionaries and mentored into ministry. The farm is large enough to house groups of people for seminars and camps. Marciano hopes that the farm will eventually be self-sustaining from the agricultural pursuits on the acreage.

On our return to the States Joe and I visited with a missionary friend in the modern city of Campinis, Brazil. Ministers there are working on training videos to be distributed all over Brazil.

It was good to see just a small part of what God is doing in a dark world, and to investigate what greater part we may have in building God’s kingdom.

Jesus said that we are the light of the world, and salt of the earth. He also said that we would be known by our love. It is our hope that God will continue to use IOI as an instrument of His love as we support the work of missionaries like these in Brazil.

Ben and Caleb Arrive in Ethiopia

Ben Hickey and Caleb Burke arrived safely in Addis Abeba yesterday. Both Ben and Caleb plan to spend about three months in Ethiopia.

Ben will be marrying Pepo Negash, Negash Gemeda's daughter. The wedding is set for July 8.

Caleb will be working alongside Negash and other indigenous ministers.