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Africa - The Latest Trend?

John Leland — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:07:00 GMT

I just finished meeting with two women from a local title company who came in asking what they could do professionally to earn my business. It didn't take very long for the conversation to shift from business pleasantries to a conversation of substance.

One of the ladies asked, "How is everything else going?” Anyone who knows me knows how I responded. My demeanor immediately brightened as I began to share about Letta MFI and the ongoing work of IAP. This is what Kim (my wife) and I are passionate about. This is what gets us up in morning. As one of the ladies sensed my enthusiasm, she shared with me her daughter's desire to possibly take off a year from college and get involved in Africa.

"In Africa? What does that mean?" That is the question this mother is asking herself and praying about. "Is this just some new fad or trend that has captured my daughter's heart or is there merit in this prompting?"

I challenged this concerned mother to nurture this dialogue with her daughter and commit it to prayer. She cannot discount that the Spirit of the Living God may in fact be behind all this.

I admit that as we watch the news and world events we are inundated with celebrities and people of notoriety who are turning their efforts and fortunes toward the continent of Africa. What is their motivation in this? I am not going to even begin to search their hearts and judge their motivations, but it is interesting that it seems like Africa is becoming a status symbol of sorts. Why is this?

Why is this happening...or...why is this interesting?

Oh, I know why it is happening. It is happening because the need is so great on the continent of Africa. People who are confronted by the reality of the situation are quickly cut to the heart and demand a response to the injustice of poverty and the fallout from such a crisis. The images of death, malnutrition, orphans, widows, blight, famine, war, genocide, disease, etc haunt those who have be confronted by this overwhelming reality. To not act would be inhumane (un-human). To not act would rob one of any hope or joy in their own life. Regardless of the motivation, there is a response.

What is interesting is that it has become a status symbol in some regard. Why? Why are the Bonos, the Dilians, the Jolies, the Pitts, the Clooneys of the world being noticed and placed on a pedestal by many for their philanthropic work in Africa? Simply and humbly stated, it is novelty. It is something new and newsworthy.

The fact is that even in times of immense prosperity here in the United States and other "civilized" nations during the 1900's (and truthfully even now) we have, as a people, turned a blind eye to the situation in Africa. We have simply chosen to forget or ignore our global community, so we could have more time and resources to commit to our self-indulgent lifestyles. I know that sounds harsh, but I am right there in the middle of that statement. We as a nation and more specifically as the American church have utterly failed in our response to the needs of the world. So because we have been apathetic and ineffective for so long, the world will take notice of those who have not.

Wow, John! Are you actually saying that the Ford Foundation, the Gates Foundation and individual actors and superstars have been more the "hands and feet" of Christ than the very Church that Christ established through his death and ministry!

What I know is this.

There are millions of people who, because of circumstances and not choice, wake up daily to "Africa" and everything that that word encapsulates. These people are crying out to the Lord of Hosts for reprieve and provision. The Lord is not going to ignore their cries. He will respond. He will use all means necessary to sustain those that love Him.

The true injustice is that God is not receiving the glory. As God uses those who are willing, to answer the cries of His people, His name is being replaced with names of men.

Church of God, understand that the plan for this world is you. You, being filled by God Himself, have the power and ability to return the glory of God to its rightful place. Africa is not a lost cause. It is not a stage on which to perform. It is not an outlet for my carnal need to feel good about what I am doing. It is an altar.

As the Church rebuilds this altar and sacrificing ensues, God's glory will be made known to this world and Africa will no longer be a trend, but a place of worship.

Daily Brokenness

John Leland — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:27:00 GMT

Father I pray that you will forgive my self-interests and remove all sin in me.

You are perfect and good; always forgiving when I confess; always providing your cleansing mercy.

Please accept the surrender of my spirit to your nature, as I plead to you to change and shape my thoughts, words and actions.

As you grant me life today, my desire is to honor, obey and yield to your leading.

Guard me from the cares of this world that attempt to steal me away from your gift of life through dependence on you. When I deny myself in obedience you become my true strength.

As I struggle with life’s difficulties and obstacles; persist in disciplining me from selfish pursuits. Continue to relieve, refresh, and reclaim me from the demands and evils of this world; less of me and more of you.

The more I pray and grow, the more I require your grace. Your gift of life inspires complete dependence and communion to live by the spirit you placed within me.

You have bought me with the your priceless sacrifice on the cross—you are glorified as I enter into any sacrifice or suffering for your names sake.

I place my weak self-centered nature under your authority and cling to your command each day by:

Denying my selfish sin, picking up the cross you have for me, and be made alive in Christ.

A Prayer of Faith & Commitment for the Board of IAP and all our Partners and Champions - by David Block

Unsung Heroes

Keith Davis — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:20:00 GMT

A few nights back my wife and I were watching Alex Bilodeau bounce down the Olympic mogul course in Vancouver and collect the gold medal at the end of this wild ride. The crowd went crazy and a new hero was born. Because of practice, discipline and skills that have been developed his name will beremembered by Canadians for many years.

My wife Karen and I over the years have read through most of the series of books entitled “Christian Heroes, Then and Now.” (If you haven’t read these it is a family must read series). Some heroes get presstime, but many are unsung. It is those unsung hero’s that challenge me.

A few years ago we visited a man whose wife has Alzheimer’s. These dear people were together battling a daily struggle to get through the day. We watched as Maynard tenderly cared for his wife. We heard the story of the daily service that was necessary, yet given without bitterness or despair. We saw and heard how his love deepened for his wife as he took on this difficult responsibility. We know that this man had times of weakness, but what a model of caring was seen that evening. He didn’t get a gold medal or any press, but to me he is a hero.

Visiting different countries gives us opportunity to rub shoulders with some of today’s heroes of the faith, people who have stood for Christ and have been persecuted for what they believe. Stories are told of the Elders in the Ethiopian church in Dilla that “have stayed the course” during atime of struggle and found themselves imprisoned. These men were taken from family, beaten for their beliefs and yet through the hard times their faith was strengthened. We have visited the building where some of the church elders felt the blows of their oppressors and lived in this atmosphere of hate. That building is no longer owned by the government, but the Kale Hewot churches in the southern zone purchased this place of bondage and turned it into a place of hope. Unsung to most of the world, but to me they are heroes.

Some of you are bearing a cross that we will never read about. Some of you are behind the scene, but are faithful and obedient to the Lord and His work. Some of us get to tell, see and live the stories. We get to channel the funds you provide. We are the recipients of the answers to our collective prayers. We are recognized while most will not be recognized this side of heaven. One day the unsung will hear the chorus of people from every tribe and nation saying thank you for your faithfulness. Until that day, let me say thank you for partnering with us as we touch a world in desperate need.

A Biblical Vision

Donald Scotland — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:39:00 GMT

What Is a Vision?

Proverbs 29:18—"Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy are he who keeps the law."

When you take the word "vision," drain it of all of the world's self-interest, cleanse it from its overdose of emotion and rhetoric, all you are left with is the naked fact that vision means revelation.

What kind and Whose revelation?

Solomon uses the Hebrew word "vision" in Proverbs 29 to speak of the revelation of God's purpose for our lives.

Purpose is the first and biggest issue of vision. The question of vision is: what does God want to do?

A biblical vision is not a goal or dream we can imagine for our future or ourselves; rather, it is God's divine instruction as it relates to eternal redemption in Christ. Put another way, vision is a picture of what God desires to do in His church and how you can join Him in accomplishing it.

When the revelation of His plan is absent, blurred, or ignored, the result is that people are left to their own unrestrained passions. There is no restraint morally, no direction spiritually, and no joy inwardly. Therefore, no greater calamity can befall a man than the absence or removal of God's vision for his life.

Why Is Vision Important?

God's vision is important because people need to be a part of something bigger than themselves. People want to give their lives to a mission, a cause, or a purpose. People want something to give their lives to, someone to share it with, and a practical way to achieve it.

This is what a vision does. It clearly and passionately explains how your ministry helps to fulfill God's purpose and brings glory to Him.

Your purpose or vision should be characterized by four clear marks:

1) It is biblical

2) It is practical

3) It is transferable

4) It is short

How Do You Discover God's Vision?

Discovering God's vision is not just a matter of reading the Bible. This is essential, however, because God does not speak outside or in addition to His revelation in Scripture. Nevertheless, there is a moral and spiritual component to discovering God's purpose. God's vision or revelation is given to those who know Him, seek Him, hear Him, and trust Him.

1. Vision involves knowing God's will in His Word. (Prov.29:18)

2. Vision involves seeking God's strength in prayer. (Jer.29:11-12)

God's will must be known and His strength sought in prayer before a picture of His purpose becomes clear. Why? Because God's purposes can only be fulfilled in dependence on Him for power (Ps.138:8). What are you depending on God to do? The answer is easy to discover. The things you are praying for are the things you are depending on God to do. The things you are not praying for, you are doing on your own.

How Do I Get Started?

• Prepare the vision.

• Define the vision.

• Plant the vision.

• Share the vision.

• Implement the vision.

• Deal with opposition to the vision.

• Make corrections to the vision.

• Evaluate the results of the vision.

• Give God the glory for the vision.

How Do I Communicate Vision to My Team?

Own it for yourself.

Live it in your life.

Share it from your heart.

Implement it with others' help.

Keep working at it.

Expect opposition.

Make it a part of the journey.

Make corrections as you go along.

Trust that God provides for His plans.

"The two prerequisites to successful Christian living are vision and passion, both of which are born in and maintained by prayer. Vision without a task makes a visionary. A task without a vision leads to drudgery. A vision and a task make a missionary."

Having trouble sleeping? Read a Company Mission Statement!

Donald Scotland — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:33:00 GMT

Oh I know that's rather cynical but let's face it - how many employees do you know have their corporate Mission Statement taped to the bathroom mirror because it gives them an emotional jolt on Monday morning? Now, how many employees do you know who frankly don't care if there is a Mission Statement or not? Exactly! What did we do before we had Mission Statements? Did we wander around in a pointless daze wondering what to do? Of course not! We did our jobs. Now that we all have Mission Statements what do we do? We do our jobs.

Does anyone else get the feeling that something is missing here? The "something missing" is called spirit. It's the fire in the belly. The light in the eyes. The spring in the step. The thrill of innovation. The pride of quality. The satisfaction of service. The delight in reward. Wrap these all up and you have something called Vision.

I define "Vision" as "seeing the future as though it were already here." The evocative phrase I like to use instead of "vision" is "The Richly Imagined Future." I think it has more life and action in it, more spirit than the simple words "mission" or "vision." It requires more than some vague goal hygienically written so as not to arouse provocation.

If I were to ask you to describe your richly imagined future, I would expect to hear something truly grand about how you imagine a better world tomorrow. It would be grand because imagination has no limits, especially if you are richly imagining it. It would be vibrant and tasty. It would be intense in color and depth. The richly imagined future is not anchored to last quarter's results or to political complexities. It is the world as you dream it could be

Economic or Ecological? Grand statements of intention can be created on one of two levels: an economic or an ecological level. Most corporate missions are economic - and that is where any possible passion is hissed out of the human spirit. Economy (from the Greek oikos nomos) literally means "the rules around here". It refers to those things we measure and for which we have hard data. Ecology (oikos logos) refers to what is really going on, the deeper meaning of the situation. The latter is a fuzzy area - "the soft stuff". We don't have ready language for it and it makes most corporate leaders uncomfortable.

The economic is more about "what" and "how". The ecological is about "why". Without an answer to the question "WHY?" there can be no purpose or passion. "Why?" is the universal question created into every human heart. We are born asking it and, unfortunately we have it pretty well bleached from our souls by the age of seven.

This is precisely what makes exciting our employees to vision so difficult. Most people go through life without a "Why?" The job and joy of leadership is to put the "Why" back! Why are you doing what you do? It does not take much to see that if we who lead the company do not have a "Why?" for ourselves, it will be impossible to instill purpose and passion in anyone else. So - why are you doing what you are doing?

If it is only because you are the fifth generation owner and you feel obligated to your heritage, so be it. If it is because it was simply the best job you could get at the time, that too is nothing to mock. On the other hand just do not expect anyone who works for you to wake with a burning passion to get to work.

Now, if what you do glows in your soul, so that as a manager you can't look at an employee without marveling at the responsibility you've been granted, you can't take a Sunday afternoon drive without seeing a new application for your product, you swell with pride when you see the team surpass an impossible performance goal, you bow in respect and admiration toward the one who went far beyond the call of duty to serve the customer - then we are getting close to the spirit of vision. Make your Vision ecological and your Goals economic. Without a "Why?" there can be no Vision!

Here is a typical why-less mission statement. "Our mission is to become the preferred supplier in our chosen marketplace." Sends shivers of excitement through your body doesn't it? NOT! This is no vision - it is a neutered statement of survival. If you walked into your doctor's office and read on the wall, "My mission is to reach a million dollars in patient billings" would you stay for a single minute? If that disgusts you, what makes you think that an economic mission statement would excite your employees or customers? I want you to make a fortune, but please, put your economic intentions into your goal statements not your vision statement.

Again, why does your company do what it does? Are you protecting treasured history? Are you bringing color and joy into people's lives? Do you bring wisdom to those who have to make decisions? Are you dousing the anger and self-destruction so rampant in our world? Do you bring nourishing food to kitchen tables? Are you keeping people healthy and safe? Are you preserving that which is precious? Do you help children get a decent start in life? In short, "How are you making the world a better place?" You will know when you have reached an ecological vision because it will make you stand back, almost like it is too big a responsibility. You will feel that you do not deserve such a privilege. It will make you tremble. And then you will begin to know the meaning of your work.

For those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ there is an even deeper and more meaningful reason to dicover the "Why we do What we do" in both our personal and business lives. Our "Why we do What we do" can be found in our desire and commitment to fulfill God's purposes in our lives and businesses. The question then is…What are God’s purposes in our world of influence and how do we develop a Vision for our lives and businesses that will enable us to fulfill His purposes.

Join me next time as we unpack this powerful and compelling question.

Grow Where You Are Planted

Keith Davis — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:52:00 GMT

I just read an interesting article off the web from the Business as Mission Network. The opening paragraph captured my attention. “The greatest 'unrealized potential' in the Christian movement for the next 20 years probably rests on the shoulders of Christian business people. That's great news for every Christian person who loves business. Talk about a life of adventure. What more could you ask for when your faith and your love for business intersect?”

They go on to talk about the potential of unleashing 6 million businesspeople with a vision of reaching the world. The potential not only makes sense, but brings us back to the Biblical model. It is interesting to consider the apostle Paul. Not only was he involved in touching lives and strategically planting churches, but he ran a business. And it wasn’t a non-profit business. Acts 20:33, 34 states, “I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know (Ephesian elders) that these hands have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.” Then he quoted the Lord, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul knew about profit and loss, keeping books, paying business taxes, marketing, sharing his wealth with others, etc. The marketplace was his mission field as well as a place of provision.

I was just with a man who has taken his business skills to another country. What an impact Steve has had in the lives of the national business team that he is apart of and in the lives of those that the business supports. I have known this man for some time and what struck me was his excitement when we talked about the business and its impact. He has found his niche and is living the adventure.

The moral of his story is you don’t have to be a vocational missionary or pastor; your current vocation has great opportunity for you to be salt and light. So take your skills and passion to the marketplace and allow God, through His Spirit, to work through you. So “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Grow where you are planted until He plants you elsewhere.

100% in 2010

John Leland — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:39:00 GMT

I typically don't use the IAP blog to make a direct ask, but this is too good to keep silent!

100% is the amount of your donation in 2010 that will go directly to those who need it most. IAP has received commitments from a couple key supporters who will cover all of the Letta Micro-Finance Institution's administration expenses for the entire year! That is a huge commitment! That means that all funds donated to IAP as loanable funds for the women & families of Ethiopia will be placed directly into the hands of the loan recipients. These micro-loans will be used to start small businesses which are key to bringing economic relief and ending extreme poverty in this region of the world.

Furthermore, IAP typically retains a modest 6% administration fee to cover the costs for running our organization here is the United States. This amount has also be underwritten, so truly every dollar that you give to IAP in support of Letta MFI will be placed in the hands of the loan recipients and used to build these small businesses.

IAP is committed to making every dollar count and provide opportunity for you to give generously knowing that your gift will be used to directly change lives around the world. Now is the time to partner with us. Your support is vital and it will end the cycle of poverty for families who have been praying for such a time as this.

Click on DONATE to place 100% of you donation into the hands of an Ethiopian family.

Who Will Remember?

Keith Davis — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 23:57:00 GMT

Recently I was struck by a quote that came from a workshop I attended. “Live each day as if it’s your last...because one day you will be right.” We all smiled when this was read because we knew it is true, but then came the challenging question and exercise. Where are you on your journey?

Take out your pencil and multiply your age by 365 days. Mine came out at 25,550 (you figure out my age...smile). Now subtract that from 27,375 days and you will have the estimated days you have left (assuming the average life span for those living in the U.S. is 75). That means I have a possibility of 1,825 days left on this side of heaven. Whoa!! That puts life in perspective!

However as I recall, Columbus opened up a whole new world in five years. I also realize that I have just as many hours in a day to make an impact on the world as Mother Teresa, Billy Graham or others that have helped to impact the world. The question is what am I going to do with the hours I have left? Waste them on me and my pursuits? Feel sorry because I am struggling in the valley of despair? Or will I take those hours and help change the world?

How many of us can name the most famous or wealthiest people in the world or past Nobel Peace Prize winners. Yes, I know most will remember Obama and Gore, but over the past ten years few are remembered...and probably by next year I will forget Obama and Gore. We tend to quickly forget those whom we have applauded because we have no personal connection with them.

However, there are some people that I remember very well and will until I die. A professor that challenged me to fall in love with Jesus. A coach that took time to pour more that baseball skills into my life. A mission leader that saw in me leadership skills and believed in me before I believed in myself.

Someone has said, “The people that make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money or the most rewards. They are the ones who care."

So how many hours do you have left? Want to make a difference? Invest in lives and it will be the best investment you will ever make.

Are You Willing?

Keith Davis — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:45:00 GMT

I have been enjoying Richard Stearns book, “The Hole in Our Gospel”. In chapter two he shares his personal testimony and the challenge to resign his position in the corporate world as CEO of Lenox and take a position in the non-profit world as President of World Vision. His story and openness of the struggle is worth the cost of the book.

A phone call is made by a recruiter for World Vision and is very direct in challenging Richard to become the next president. He didn’t want the job and gave all kinds of excuses. The tipping point was when the recruiter asked “are you willing to be open to God’s will for your life?” Great question!!

Almost 40 years ago we were pressed with the same question. I responded before Karen and had a couple of frustrating years waiting for my dear wife to catch the vision. One Sunday after church I had taken my children to the park while Karen cleaned up after dinner. I came back home to a sobbing wife. She related the story of how God got her attention while washing dishes and directed her to a devotional, “The Daily Bread”. The title of the devotional for that Sunday was “Channels Only”.

It reads:

The year was 1872. The setting was a small congregation gathered in a barn for a Gospel service. A quiet-spoken preacher by the name of Henry Varley was conducting a message on 1 John 2:17. Lifting his eyes to the nearby haymow where an interested youth was seated, he said with emphasis, "The world has yet to see what God can do with, for, in and through one man (or woman) who is fully consecrated to Him”. One of the listeners was a young man by the name of Dwight L. Moody. He was stirred by what Varley preached and Moody said to himself, “He didn’t say he had to be educated or brilliant or anything else.. just a person who is willing to be used! I will try and be such a man.

Karen read the words "just a person who is willing to be used" and her will was broken and declared to the Lord that she was willing. Forty years later we both look back and although the road was not always smooth we marvel at the blessing of obedience.

Question to you: Are you willing to be open to God’s will for your life?

You Are International (Part II)

John Leland — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:55:00 GMT

In my last post I left you sipping on your cup of coffee inviting you to be missional in your everyday life - considering the beneficiary of the products you consume or use on a daily basis. So what now? Two weeks have passed. What has been done to meet the basic needs of so many around the world?

Please friend, do not underestimate the power of awareness, because with awareness comes a response. But awareness does have an enemy. It is us. We as Americans have been so blessed for so long that we have begun to feel a sense of entitlement to what is "ours" and it numbs our senses. Entitlement? Really? What have any of us done in our own strength to achieve our current successes or lifestyles? If we pause and think honestly, we will eventually come to the realization that, though many of us have worked very hard, our society and upbringing are major influences in shaping who we have become.

It is hard to imagine, but every so often I place myself in the midst of poverty. Not as one working for an NGO or non-profit bringing humanitarian relief, but as one who has been born into a family plagued by generations of extreme poverty. Every morning I wake up to a life of hunger, sickness and death. What did I do to deserve such a state in life? What did my parents do to warrant such a task as feeding me and my siblings on a daily budget of pennies? The answer is...absolutely nothing.

There are no easy answers to why some have been born into a life of poverty and others into a life of abundance. The question should not be why this disparity exists; but rather, since we have been blessed with a life of abundance, what should be our response?

And that is the question I am working out in my own life. What should be my response? What does the Lord require of me as a result of His richest blessing and abundant provision?

God grant me Your wisdom as I seek Your will for me in my life. You have been so good for so long and for what? What do You hope to accomplish by blessing me so richly--a person who for so long has been so numb to the great need around me? You have awakened me to this disparity. What now? What do you require of me?

The Conduit Principle

Keith Davis — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:23:00 GMT

The news media continues to record the weakness of the American economy and the lack of values of men and women who fall to the god of wealth and corruption. We are seeing the practical application of the Bible verse “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” Yet it is in this environment that we find ourselves thinking and sometimes concerned about the future. Will I have enough to carry me through these “golden” years? What about the future of my kids and grandkids? What will happen to those faith-based ministries that depend on donated income (my focus)? These are trying times and certainly none of us escapes the questions that invariably come at such a time as this.

As I pondered these thoughts I couldn’t help but be reminded of the roads of this world where I have traveled and watched people who don’t know about stock markets or country economy. What they do know about is today. What is happening today? How will I meet the needs of my family today?

Someone has concluded that America is an enormous frosted cupcake in the middle of starving people. This conclusion doesn’t change inspite of the adverse economy that we find ourselves in today. We are still a blessed country. May we continue to take Christ’s admonition to heart when He said, “Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” In the midst of a financial challenge or financial blessing we need to make sure that we make wise investments. Could it be that the best investment is a pass through to those in need?

You Are International

John Leland — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:01:00 GMT

I recently returned from my 4th trip to Ethiopia in support of the Letta Micro-Finance Institution. It was another very productive and blessed trip of which I will blog about in the coming days, as I am able to meet with the team that accompanied me and debrief. While on the ground in southern Ethiopia the thought once again crossed my mind, if people would only come and see poverty first-hand this world would change. Immediately after thinking this I was deflated because the reality is the need of Africa is so great and the rest of the world is so consumed or busy with life to make significant commitment.

Forgive my cynicism.

After returning stateside and having opportunity to digest my experience I was reminded that we live in a global economy and we don’t have to look far to have an encounter with other nations and their influence. Even this keyboard that I am typing on was made in China. Robert Wuthnow in his book Boundless Faith takes a look at American Christianity in relation to globalization. He writes that over the last few decades America’s exposure to the world has increased exponentially and as a result the American church has stepped up its work abroad. An online review states, “This fresh and revealing book encourages Americans to pay attention to the grass-roots mechanisms by which global ties are created and sustained”. My take away is, that we have an amazing international network at our fingertips interwoven into our daily lives – whether it be from passed duty stations, family vacations, relatives living abroad, a friend who has adopted a couple African children or the simple cup of coffee that you just purchased at your favorite latte stand. All these have international scope. Are we going to take these opportunities for granted or embrace them as catalysts for thought, discussion and action?

I mean, how much more grass-roots can you get than a cup of coffee. But it is not just a cup of coffee; it is a cup of coffee brewed from beans roasted by a local roaster, who himself has a family and an international network. That roaster purchased those very beans from a trade agent at the Port of Djibouti in West Africa. That trade agent received those beans from a commodity exchange in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. That exchange accepted those beans from a Yirgacheffe coffee union in southern Ethiopia. That coffee union is comprised of 22 cooperatives which are operated by 43,000 coffee farmers in the hills and outlying areas of the small towns and villages of Dilla, Kercha, Chelchele and Yirgacheffe. This area is home to millions of people that wake up daily to a life of extreme poverty, but your cup of fair-trade coffee has provided one coffee farmer the money required to feed at least one of his children this morning.

I am going to leave you here for now with that thought marinating your mind. Let that thought bring joy to you as sip your coffee. But may it also haunt you as you finish your cup, because it is only in the next cup that the other children will have opportunity to be fed.

Living With The End In View

Keith Davis — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:25:00 GMT

Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Into this arena of power walk Asa and his son Jehosaphat. Both at different times stood as kings of Judah. It was said of them “they did what was right in the eyes of the Lord their God.” Yet in their last years when they could not only celebrate their past, but also enjoy the victories...they fell. They began to take situations into their own hands and not rely on the Lord. The past had clearly found them faithful, but the final chapter found them empty. Relying on ungodly men to get to their goals they were chastised by God. Forgetting to call upon Him and get His blessing before they made decisions was the key to their downfall.

How naive of us to think that we can’t fall. What will fend off stupid mistakes and help us finish the race well? One verse comes to mind Hebrews 12:1, 2. “Since we have we have such a huge crowd of men watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us. Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards.”

Let's Finish Well!

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

John Leland — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:47:00 GMT

Proverbs 2

1 My son, if you accept my words
       and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom
       and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight
       and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver
       and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
       and find the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
       and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He holds victory in store for the upright,
       he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
8 for he guards the course of the just
       and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just
       and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
       and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will protect you,
       and understanding will guard you.
12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men,
       from men whose words are perverse,
13 who leave the straight paths
       to walk in dark ways,
14 who delight in doing wrong
       and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
       and who are devious in their ways.
16 It will save you also from the adulteress,
       from the wayward wife with her seductive words,
17 who has left the partner of her youth
       and ignored the covenant she made before God.
18 For her house leads down to death
       and her paths to the spirits of the dead.
19 None who go to her return
       or attain the paths of life.
20 Thus you will walk in the ways of good men
       and keep to the paths of the righteous.
21 For the upright will live in the land,
       and the blameless will remain in it;
22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land,
       and the unfaithful will be torn from it.

--Please continue to cover the IAP Board of Directors and its Project Champions in prayer. IAP is the Lord's and we aim to honor Him in how we serve within this organization.--

Car Wash for Ethiopia

John Leland — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 04:02:00 GMT

Saturday, September 12th from 11:00 - 3:00, two men who will be traveling to Ethiopia with IAP are having a car wash at the Wandermere Pizza Hut in North Spokane to raise money for their travel. Bring your fleet of cars, trucks, buses, RV's, tractors, boats, etc...and help Billy Gaines and David Reinhardt meet their fundraising goal. Pizza Hut is offering great lunchtime specials, so grab a bite to eat while Billy, David and crew scrub away. See you there!

Letta Home Update (1304 West Dalke, Spokane, WA)

John Leland — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:07:00 GMT

Well we took possession of the home Monday of last week and in only a week's time we have been able to gut the home of what needed to be removed and are now ready to begin improving the property. An egress window in the basement has already been installed and we are going to begin cosmetic repairs tomorrow (Labor Day) on the exterior of the home. Anyone wishing to swing a hammer or participate in other areas of the remodel can call Neil at 509.290.4849 or John at 509.994.6767. Remember ALL NET PROFITS will be donated to IAP and this is a great way for you to partner with us and make a real difference as we strive to end poverty in Ethiopia. We look foward to a productive day tomorrow. See you there!

A Call For Action

John Leland — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 22:45:00 GMT

I would like to bring to your attention a new project that I have gotten into that I could use some help on. Natalie and I have purchased a fixer-upper home at 1304 W. Dalke. We are going to clean up and remodel this house and resell it with the net profit being donated to International Assistance Program (IAP) for the purpose of financially supporting the Letta Micro-Finance Institute, an Ethiopian microloan enterprise supported by IAP. Letta is owned and run by evangelical Christian church leaders in Ethiopia, and their purpose is to help very poor members of the church develop small businesses to support their families. Many of you know that I traveled to Ethiopia in May/June 2008 to become acquainted with the staff, clients and operation of Letta. Since then I have been involved with a dedicated group of volunteers, plus IAP staff, in helping support Letta. At this point Letta relies heavily on the financial support that IAP offers, but of course our goal is to raise enough capital to get them to a point at which they are self supporting. I feel that this house project can help us achieve progress toward that goal.

Here's how you can help: The house needs some repair and upgrades, and also a substantial amount of cleaning. We would be grateful for any time you would be able to spend. As we are taking possession tomorrow (Aug. 31), I will plan on starting the work on the home at about 9AM Monday, 8/31. There are several areas in which I could use some help - minor demolition, cleaning, minor framing, sheet rock repair/taping, a couple of window repairs, minor plumbing, extensive electrical (I'll probably sub this out), some siding replacement, some trim replacement and lots of painting. If any of you would like to help please let me know by email or give me a call on my cell (509.290.4849). Of course this is very short notice so I would be real surprised if any of you were able to help this coming week. (go ahead, surprise me!)

For more information on IAP and Letta, click on the following links.

http://iassist.org/current_projects/

http://www.lettahome.org/

Thanks for your consideration!

In Christ -

Neil Z.

509.290.4849

New Letta Home

John Leland — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:21:00 GMT

We recently introduced you to the Letta Home Program and a few of the ways that you can use your real estate needs to financially support IAP. Shortly thereafter, IAP was approached by a husband & wife team who wished to purchase a bank-owed property, rehab the home and sell it for profit. The profits from the sale of the home will be donated to IAP in support of the Letta Microfinance Institution in Ethiopia and the purchasing couple will retain their initial investment, rehab costs and costs of sale. This model of giving is one that takes full advantage of the current real estate climate and IAP is excited about the potential it has to truly impact our project in Ethiopia. What an amazing example of how God continues to provide and convict hearts even in this economy.

However, the work is not complete. IAP is calling on its supporters and friends to assist us in rehabing this home. The more labor and materials that we can have volunteered or donated, the larger the profit margin that will be dontated to IAP. Many of you have asked for ways that you can partner with IAP aside from giving financially. This is it! We need you to make this Letta Home project a success. If you have a desire to be a part of this effort, please contact the office of IAP at (509)466-5562 or email us at info@iassist.org. We have a need for general laborers as well as professional expertise. All skill levels are welcome and we look forward to seeing how God will use to you to bless so many.

1304 W. Dalke
Spokane, WA

The Letta Home Program

John Leland — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:01:00 GMT

Introducing an exciting, new way that you can partner with IAP in support of ongoing projects. It is called the Letta Home Program. IAP has established a partnership network with real estate agents across the United States and in 64 other countries world-wide, so that when you buy or sell real estate using one of IAP's partners, a portion (in many cases 100%) of the agent’s profits from the transaction will be donated to IAP. In 2008 alone, IAP was able to raise over $40,000 for the Letta Micro-Finance Institute in Ethiopia using this giving strategy. This year they hope to shatter that number, but they can only accomplish this if you buy or sell real estate using one of their real estate partners.

The beauty of the Letta Home Program is that you don't have to spend a dime of your own money to support IAP financially (although that is always welcomed). Simply use a Letta Home partnering agent to represent you with your real estate transaction and he/she will graciously donate a portion or all of the profits from the sale to IAP. It doesn't get any easier than that!

To find a partnering agent in your area, simply contact IAP and let us know that you would like to buy or sell real estate using the Letta Home Program.

Available Letta Homes:
(click on the link below to view the virtual tour)

5024 East Stoughton Road, Valleyford, WA 99036

$799,900

Prayer for those involved with IAP

David Block — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:55:00 GMT

Meeting today:

Lord,

Help me to understand the plan for my life, a plan beyond my own vision. God, You desire me to trust in You, and be obedient in seeking Your will first. Then, I will realize how to use any creativity or intelligence you give me; in all circumstances, no matter how difficult, I will follow your plan.

Help me to not run ahead of You, deciding on my own what is best without ever seeking Your direction. When I realize Your power, I can begin to understand the opportunities You provide will create the greatest fulfillment in life, no matter how difficult the path is right now.

Let me accept joyfully whatever You give me to do, no matter how small or how challenging. Let my daily actions bring You honor and joy.

Jesus In your powerful name I pray. Amen.