Why would an individual in North America decide to care about the life of another individual in a far away country where they speak a different language, practice different customs and understand life from varied perspectives?

Why would someone in North America care about fair trade, economic justice, or social responsibility because someone else in a different country lives without the same economic privileges one can find in countries like the United States?

Shouldn't we take care of the poor and underprivileged in the United States before we help those in other countries?

While all of these ideas above constitute valid concerns INTO would like to suggest a different perspective. While INTO works with all people our motivation and foundation are deeply rooted in biblical principles which strongly encourage love for our fellow man and woman as well as a responsibility to serve the needs of those less fortunate. Throughout the Old and New Testament numerous authors emphasis the importance of recognizing and meeting the concerns of the poor and needy.

In Proverbs 10:31 we find a message that clearly states this principle: "he who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy." Jesus Himself depicts this reality when He states:

"I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give you drink? When de we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the kind will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me". (Matthew 25:36- 40).

If these were the only Scriptures we found in the Bible which illustrate the need to serve others a believer would find plenty of reason to help in a soup kitchen or build houses for those who were without shelter. However, our awesome Savior is the ultimate example of what it means to sacrifice all that one has so that others might have life.

In 2 Corinthians 8:9 Paul writes: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."

INTO recognizes the great strength that comes in the revelation that we are all part of the Body of Christ.

In Romans 12:4-5, Paul explains, "for as we have many members in one body, but all members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

As Christians thus we have not only a responsibility to recognize the needs of those less privileged but we hold a corporate accountability to one another.

So then why can't we just serve the needs of those closest to us? While it is important and essential to recognize the needs of those in our immediate locations who live without basic necessities Paul does not write of one body in North America, and one body in South America and one body in Africa.

The Body is not limited by physical boundaries. When Paul writes of the Body of Christ he describes all, no matter nationality or ethnicity. When Christ talks of the hungry or sick he does not speak of those only in your town or neighborhood.

The Bible states in Deuteronomy 15: 11:"

For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you saying, You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land."

Although it might be easy to use this scripture to push an agenda which only meets the need of those in 'your own land.' However that would ignore the fact that numerous countries enjoy more economic privileges than others at the cost of others.

Instead INTO encourages a perspective that acknowledges the needs of the entire world. Although we are presently serving artisans in Ecuador the vision of INTO incorporates the entire world including those who are less privileged more 'developed' countries.