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Maybe you have noticed that the IOI blog has not been updated since December 2010? But, did you know that we are on FACEBOOK?

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indigenous-Outreach-International/330705503101

We are hoping to have Aaron Hardin join us full-time as our media coordinator, but until that happens we do the best we can with communicating the awesome things God is doing. At the moment Facebook has proven to be one of our most effective means of sharing prayer requests and news from the field.

You can also receive weekly prayer alerts and our quarterly newsletter by email. Sign up today athttp://ioiusa.org/index_files/Page521.html

N. Ireland Mission Report from Heath Flynn

Heath sharing in the morning session for Spark Ballymoney

It was such a joy to serve in Northern Ireland. The trip was completely different than Ethiopia, but I am thankful for all we were able to do there. We stayed at the Wilson's home for the week. The Wilson's are such a great family and I am thankful for there hospitality and the friendships built with the whole family. It was also nice to have some homecooked meals as well. Liz is an amazing cook. I enjoyed getting to know James as well. He is a great source of information for just about anything and knows just about everyone in the city of Ballymoney. I am excited and praying for the city outreach to come in Coleraine.

For the week, we came alongside 35-40 students ranging from middle school to early college to serve the community through various projects. The days began with Stephen teaching from Romans 8 and how we are to conform to the image of Christ. It was such a refreshing start to the day. I was greatly encouraged by his teaching. The morning session was followed by lunch. We would all gather in the gym of Trinity Church and share meals together. After lunch, we would break up into teams and do community projects throughout the city. These projects consisted of gardening, painting sheds and fences, and other general cleanup of family's homes in Ballymoney. What a great opportunity to serve others and build relationships with these students. The students were such a joy to work with. They were such a welcoming bunch. I felt a connection with all of them instantly. They worked so hard and I never heard one complaint from them. I continue to keep in touch with some of them and I am excited to see the work the Lord will do in each one of their lives. Projects in the afternoon were followed by outreach in the evening. We encouraged the students to invite their friends to come and hang out with us at coffee shops and other local hangouts to share the Gospel.

One of my favorite days came in the middle of the week. We assembled a small group of individuals and set out for the streets of Ballymoney where we interviewed some of the locals to hear what they believe about the Gospel. After each interview, we had the amazing opportunity to share the Gospel. Many heard the good news that day. It was such a joy to take part in the spreading of the Gospel. I felt this was an eye opening experience for the students as well. A few students after we were done stated they had no idea how lost some people really are. It also goes to show these students there is a world to be reached right in their own backyard. You don't have to go very far.

The last morning session, Len and I were able to share about our trip to Ethiopia and encourage the students to take a trip there. I pray that many will take hold of this opportunity. A trip there would truly be an eye opening experience and good for there spiritual walk.

I am very thankful the Lord opened the door for me to go here. I have always wanted to go to Ireland. It is very hard to be back in a lot of ways. I desire to come back and I hope the Lord will allow me to soon, but I will be patient seeking Him and the authority he has place over me in my church. His will be done.

-Heath

(Heath Flynn traveled with Len Kennedy and Stephen to Ethiopia and Northern Ireland July 30-August 14 of this year)

Merry Christmas

Missionaries Support At-Risk Child

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

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

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

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

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

A Mission to Share

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

JACKSON, TENNESSEE, USA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visit www.jacksonsun.com and share your thoughts.

- Tracie Simer, 731-425-9629

Media Release for SPARK Ballymoney

Stephen teaching team at morning session

outreach at castelcroft square on a rainy day where the team sang hymns, painted children's faces and talked about Christ to passers by

more team outreach

designing flyers for Oxfam at Borough Council building

SPARK – The Good Samaritans of Ballymoney.

Last week saw the impact of the SPARK programme in Ballymoney. A group of youth Christians from the partner churches, going out into the community and being good Samaritans to that community by way of acts of practical Christian kindness.

Area Co-ordinator Keith McIlroy was full of praise for the faith and enthusiasm expressed by the youth people involved. “We have had a tremendous response to SPARK, with teams involved in projects ranging from; litter picks, some serious garden makeovers, painting garden sheds to youth clubs, helping with summer schemes, and being the official partner in the Borough Council Oxfam appeal.”

Keith went on, “ I would like to thank all the churches and individual Christians who supported us by prayer, donations and food. We could not have done it without you. Thank you in the name of Jesus.”

The spiritual needs of SPARK were ministered to by youth pastor Stephen Kennedy, mission co-ordinator of Indigenous Outreach International, Jackson, Tennessee. Stephen delivered the morning bible readings to the team and was on hand to provide counselling, and was very clear on SPARK’s ethos “ Spiritual nourishment and good teaching is an essential part of discipleship. Everyone does good works, be they Buddhists, Moslems or atheists, but Christians should do good works only because they are walking close to a living personal Saviour ”

Stephen concluded “ We pray that the communities and individual lives of the residents in Ballymoney have been touched by the love of Christ this past week. And that the young team members have grown in grace and discipleship through His service. If your life has been affected by SPARK, then please let us know through this newspaper. The peace and grace of Christ be to you all.”


Further Information - DR S J WILSON – 07513 86 35 38

Kennedys Arrive in Belfast

Stephen, Shelley and Addison Kennedy arrived safely in Belfast on Wednesday. After a few days of rest and seeing the sights they will be participating in the SPARKS program in Balleymoney. Afterwards they plan to have a well earned holiday in Scotland.

Please pray for the Kennedy's as they complete the tasks assigned to them, and that they would have many providential encounters along the way.