Mid-day of Prayer for Lauren

We have received email and messages from Cambodia, Ethiopia, England, Ireland, Brazil and across the USA as people have been lifting up prayers for Lauren for the past 13 hours.

It is so encouraging to hear from brothers and sisters around the world who are united in prayer for one little girl in Jackson, Tennessee.

"LORD, may you hear the prayers of your children. Although we speak in many languages we speak with one heart in one Body and pray that would would be glorified as your mercy flows from the Throne of Grace."

Mission to Ethiopia and Europe

I recently had the privilege of traveling to Ethiopia with Noah and Shammah from Rose Creek Village.
I met Noah a couple of years ago when the Irish band from Rose Creek helped with the Robin Mark Fund Raiser for IOI. Over time we shared our visions for ministry and God knit our hearts together.
One project that I have longed to see come to fruition is Sanctuary Village. My hope is that it will be a place of discipleship and ministry, a model for Christian community in rural Ethiopia where believers share life together and reach out to the lost around them.
I met up with Noah and Shammah in Scotland, and we traveled by train to visit with a Christian community in Northern England.
In Ethiopia, we visited with many Churches that have partnered with IOI. We had a prayer meeting with many of the missionaries supported through IOI. We visited with some of the children and families that have benefited from the Child Sponsorship Program. We had an opportunity to visit an Orthodox monastery, where we met an evangelical monk. And we were able to see much of the beautiful countryside of Ethiopia along the way.
From Ethiopia I was able to visit with the Breitenmosers (missionaries in Germany supported through IOI), hold their newborn baby boy, Joshua, and attend a good board meeting.
It renews my zeal and encourages me to take supporters to Ethiopia. It also encourages the church in Ethiopia. We really can do a lot as we cooperate with local churches to benefit those in need and share the Gospel with those who have never heard. v

Breitenmoser Baby Born

Dear friends
Yesterday (14. of August) Nadine gave birth to Joshua Breitenmoser. It was a good and fast birth. He is 20.87 in long (53 cm) and weight 3770 gram (8.31 pounds ?).
Nadine is doing fine, but Joshua’s heart rythym is not correct. For that reason both are now in a special children clinic for better watch care. The doctors say, that this can happen, but normally disappears within a short time. So we will see, please pray for him. For round about a week Nadine and Joshua will stay in that clinic.
We will keep you updated.

Yours in Christ
Ecki

Patrick's Paragraphs - Eight Years Blessed

This January we quietly celebrated the eighth birthday of IOI. As a Board we agreed that this year we desire a renewed focus on our primary ministry of supporting indigenous ministers through prayer, financial, educational and technical support.
Eight years ago the list of ministers supported contained eight names. It was a new beginning and everything was new. We developed a simple system of support that has enabled the missionaries to receive their full support each month on time (which is still apparently a novelty in Ethiopia). Over time we added ministers, began supporting ORE (the ministry to orphans in Mekele, Ethiopia), began working with the Breitenmosers in Germany, started building community development projects, sent American volunteers to assist the work in Ethiopia and expanded to Brazil as the Teixeira family moved from Ethiopia to Brazil. Certainly most of these changes proved to be positive as the ministry grew and continued to mature.
This year I hope to see an increase in the level of giving to human needs in Ethiopia, while at the same time being very intentional in our effort to make disciples through theological instruction, mercy ministry and incarnational living. It is my hope that giving will increase both to Missionary Support and the General Fund to enable us to minister more generously. We hope to see the establishment of the new Sanctuary Village as a model for discipleship ministry. I also hope that we can begin supporting indigenous ministers who are working with the Teixeiras in Northern Brazil.
Many events are planned over the next 12 months that I hope will be a benefit to all who participate. Robin Mark will once again be joining us from Belfast, Northern Ireland to present a benefit concert for IOI in Tennessee on Thursday, August 16. An awareness banquet is being planned for the Tupelo, Mississippi area on Friday, September 7. Through these events and a series of Coffee and Conversation meetings we hope to raise enough funds over 2007 to host the largest IOI Bible conference ever on January 22-25, 2008 with VBS for the children, preaching and a variety if seminars to benefit the indigenous ministers we work with.
For all of this to happen we will need more donors and volunteers. It is my prayer that God will give us everything we need to accomplish these plans.v

Ecki's Trip to Ethiopia

German Port Minister Ecki Breitenmoser visited Ethiopia this January. He met with the family of an Ethiopian seafarer, preached at the IOI Bible conference, visited churches in the countryside and met with many of the Ethiopian missionaries supported through IOI.

Help Us Celebrate Christmas in January

Each year we try to give each of the Ethiopian missionaries and their families a small gift box with various useful items most of which can be purchased in Ethiopia (coffee, sugar, salt, paper, pens, crayons, flashlight, beans and candy). We also like to give each missionary an item of new clothing. These boxes contain about $15 worth of items.

This year in addition to the boxes for Ethiopia we are also collecting money for boxes that will be given to international sailors in Bremerhaven, Germany. In addition to various personal gift items, there will also be a personal letter and evangelical literature distributed in each box given to a sailor. These boxes will be distributed by Ecki Breitenmoser and his family as they visit and minister on ships from around the world.
To sponsor a box for a missionary family or an international seafarer, please write “Christmas Gift Boxes” as your designation.

Due to shipping costs and limited luggage space, we cannot accept items for shipping.

Ministry Update from Europe

By Ecki Breitenmoser

We have been back in Germany for almost two years. Many things have happened, both good and bad. We learn from the mistakes and take joy in the successes. For Christ the number of salvations or Bibles distributed are not important, but how faithful we have been to Him in both word and actions.
It is always very special when we have the privilege of bringing one or more seafarers to our home. Nadine is very hospitable and provides delicious meals, but each time the seafarers have one request. Yes, they are hungry, but for the Word of God. We hosted such a seafarer from South Africa recently. When we had all taken our seats he immediately said, “Come on, tell me about God’s word.” Moments like that are humbling to me as I witness what zeal and hunger these men have for feasting at the Lord’s table.

In the past two weeks I have received a lot of encouragement from different seafarers from around the world. A Russian seafarer wrote, “Many have visited the ship, but no one brought God’s word to us before. Thank you so much!” An Indian brother said, “Thank you so much for coming and the message from God’s word.” Another from the Philippines said, “Through God’s word you gave us hope in this darkness.”

To stay better informed about the ministry here in Germany you can log on to our website. You can also find current prayer requests, news and photos at www.scfs-bremerhaven.de.

Ministries Update (June 2006)

The rains came early and heavy this year in Ethiopia and with the rain the work in the countryside slows dramatically. Some of the villages where we minister are practically unreachable because of the mud and danger in travel. Yet the work goes on.
Reports from Ethiopia have been encouraging. There has been a heavy emphasis on the Oromo region which has witnessed a time of growth through church planting. At last count thirty boxes of Bibles had been delivered to the ten churches in the Oromo region, and teachers are being assigned to the region for the purpose of discipleship. The church has grown so rapidly that we are in great need of qualified teachers to help the fledgling churches develop a sound foundation. Negash reported that the congregations in Alemgena and Senkele have acquired land and begun to build meeting halls, sanitary facilities and housing for ministers (this is currently being done with mostly local resources and donors).
Operation Rescue in Mekele, Ethiopia continues to minister to over 200 orphans at their new campus that includes an eight-room school building. The construction of other buildings that will house a clinic, offices, a cafeteria and hygiene facilities is currently underway. The goal for the new campus is to increase the number of children ministered to by 100.
The Mathenias have returned to the States from Ethiopia for a time of physical healing and plan to return to Ethiopia by January 2007. The Lanes have returned to the States for the duration of the rainy season for the purpose of raising additional support. They plan to return to Ethiopia in September.
The Breitenmosers report that the ministry in Bremerhaven, Germany has been well-established and fruit is beginning to be seen. Not only has Ecki had the opportunity to witness on the ships, but he has also had groups of sailors in his home for worship, fellowship and Bible study. They are currently searching for a home that can facilitate the growing needs of their family and ministry.
Praise God for good news from distant lands!

2005 in Review

Our organizational goal for 2005 was to “speak the Gospel fervently by the grace of God.” God graciously allowed us to share His love in word and in deeds.

The number of missionaries supported in Ethiopia grew to more than 30. New churches have been started in the Oromo region of Ethiopia. Multiple families with special needs children have been assisted. Two American families moved to Ethiopia to minister through assisting with theological training, construction and children’s ministry. Volunteers help in the ministry and were themselves discipled. Two Union students served as interns in Ethiopia. “Mama” Mae Mitchamore completed her service in Ethiopia ministering to Women and Children. Operation Rescue completed a building that will house classes for over 200 orphans and former street children that they minister to. The evangelistic ministry in Germany was officially established. The office was expanded in Jackson and volunteers have helped to fill staffing needs. Our second semi-annual banquet was held in Jackson with guest speakers Negash from Ethiopia and Marciano from Brazil. Ethiopia Evangelists supported through IOI began regular support of two additional Ethiopian evangelists.
It has indeed been a blessing to watch the work expand and witness the faithfulness of God in His provision and love.

Once again, for this new year we make it our ambition to glorify God in all that we do and ask for His grace to share His love in deed, word and truth. Our goal remains the glory of God and our mission is to make disciples.