You Send. They Reach.
Every month, ITMI supporters faithfully give, helping our partners live and minister in their field. Most of partners minister to people who speak the same first language and come from the same or similar cultural background.
This means when our partners do community events, they are so much more than encapsulated events. They also serve as springboards that are able to launch our partners into relationships with new people who may be open to Christ's work in their lives.
These relationships can grow throughout the year because our partners are members of their communities and can respond to the Spirit's leading to develop these potentially redemptive relationships once the event is over.
Your support of our partners is an important part of each of these stories!
Zambia
Tears of Gratitude
ITMI's Excellence Christian Academy in Zambia's main mission is to provide a quality Christian education for students in Zambia.
This is quite the task under normal circumstances, as many of the students' families are unable to pay full fees. With support from ITMI donors, ECA helps as many of them as they can, but this means funds are always tight.
That doesn't stop them from using what they have to bless others, though. ECA has never been content to keep their hope in Christ confined to their classrooms. They have always participated in multiple community outreaches.
Under the leadership of the principal and founder, ITMI's Eugene Kalunga, staff members regularly visit a local women's prison to share Jesus with the inmates. Many of the inmates have responded positively to the Bible studies and many have expressed a desire to learn to read and to be able to study the Bible on their own in between visits.
The school also regularly supports the Caleb's House Center for Children with Autism with supplies. ECA has also used some of the Project Joseph funding from ITMI to bless the Caleb's House families with food supplies.
One of the Caleb Center parents crying with gratitude for the parcels she received.
A group photo of the Caleb Center families blessed by ECA, Project Joseph and ITMI!
Everyone enjoys the Christmas meal.
The meal ready to serve.
Parents chat and enjoy fellowship after eating.
India
Seventeen children, mostly from Muslim families gathered in the space above David and Taru Kumar's home in Bangalore, India.
The space above their home was constructed and finished for this very reason. David and Taru wanted a place where they could minister to their neighbors. Their neighbors are invited to use the quiet space to pray anytime, except when the space is being used for outreach events.
This event was a Christmas celebration for the children in the neighborhood.
The children were from varying backgrounds. Most were from Muslim families. One was Hindu and another, a Christian.
The event was filled with fun, games, snacks and the Christmas story told by Taru.
Each child also received a gift from Taru and David.
"All of them expressed their joy and appreciation for being thoughtful and organizing Christmas celebration with them, " David writes.
Before leaving the premises they asked David to pray for them asking God to help them do well in their exams.
"Thank you, brother Steve and ITMI supporters, for helping us do this!" David writes.
South Africa
Kelly and Cherise's Unique Project Christmas Blessing
Kelly and Cherise Smith have been ministering in KwaZulu Natal for over 2 decades. Project Christmas Blessing was something they started as a way to reach the people in the community with the Gospel at Christmas time.
Every year, the family works hard to pick out gifts and prepare a fun day for the kids of local schools. The day includes a special meal and a kid-oriented Gospel message from their pastor in Zulu.
This year was a little different. For one thing, Kelly and Cherise were in the States on the day of the event, and their daughter, Fifi, organized it.
"I was very nervous at first organizing the ministry without my parents. As most of you know, I have been doing this big ministry with them...I'm very thankful God gave me the strength to do it," Fifi wrote.
The second big difference was that instead of running the event through local schools, they did the event for the kids who Fifi teaches soccer to on Mondays and Thursdays.
Thoughtful Giving
This came about because Fifi is very thoughtful as she ministers, always reading the culture around her and ensuring that Christ is glorified.
"My concern going through the school is the fact that the whole event became all about the teachers and parents," Fifi explained, "...We had to change how we can focus on the kids and serve them."
This year, all the kids received 2 sandwiches each, juices and fruits.
Fifi wrote,
The kids really enjoyed themselves. We spent some time playing netball and soccer. I wanted the kids to enjoy themselves, but mostly to see the love of Jesus through the message that was shared by Pastor Nzimande and through us as we love them.
I love when I see the faces of all the kids when they are given attention and loved. The excitement on their faces when they know we are there to love them and spend more time with them.
Growing up in the zulu culture and me being Zulu myself attention and love from parents or our guidance is not something that you get. It is always important for me when my soccer kids are shown love. I was so excited for them to get the presents and soccer ball.
Pastor Nizimande from Entabeni Baptist Church shared the Gospel with the kids in the Zulu language. He skillfully adapted the Gospel for their ages and kept their attention, even making them laugh.
What's great about this event is that Fifi will see the same kids two times a week when it's over.
She can continue building on and referencing what they heard as she builds relationships that afford opportunities for her to continually deepen their understanding of the Gospel and who Jesus is.
The regular support Fifi receives through ITMI allows her to live right there in the community where she can be most effective for the Kingdom!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steve Evers has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI’s Director, Steve served on […]
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