Volume 2. Issue 3. FALL 2004.

VIEW POINTS:
I am often encouraged by INTO. In the midst of the natural building of a non-profit organization, they have chosen to obey God in doing their part to help build the very kingdom of God. It’s quite funny because many of us who support INTO see them as a ministry for those living in other countries that have far less resources than the average American citizen.

But in reality, the true ministry, like the one Zacchaeus received from Jesus is to the rich man, and not to the poor. Those of us who minister to the Body of Christ know that sometimes, the hardest part of kingdom building is maintaining what is already there. In the story of Zacchaeus, one of the lessons we gather is of a rich man’s response to salvation. Salvation came to the door of the rich man and in receiving Jesus into his home; his response to this salvation was restitution and seeding into the less fortunate.

Those of us calling ourselves Christians must ask ourselves this question: “Have we responded to the salvation of Jesus?” We may have received eternal life, but the evidence of one’s heart being changed should emulate the very heart of our God, to give from our abundance to those in need. Teaching and reiterating to the body of Christ their obligation and call, to touch the unbeliever and the less fortunate through their own resources, can be a labor and a sowing where the harvest one is called to reap seems to take forever to manifest. As their pastor and friend, I often look at their business as the True Christian Identity! Their call is great and their tenacity, impressive. I have felt more committed not only to sow from my resources but in fact, to seek God more on my call to be more like Him. Thank you, INTO!

Pastor Keymasha Knight
House of Healing Outreach Int’l. Ministries
(board member of INTO)

NOTES FROM THE JOURNEY:
The idea for INTO came from fasting and praying, asking from God a guide to form an integral project in which we would be able to share the Gospel and do a good work, serving others and giving ourselves an opportunity to pursue a productive career for the Lord. God heard our prayers and gave us the idea to establish an export business that would purchase the products of artisans here in Ecuador, giving them a chance to have a more sustainable source of income. In this way, we believe God will allow us to share His gospel little by little, forming leaders and continually planting God’s Word, a hope which prevents against emigration out of Ecuador.

To start we joined together an international group of Christian brothers and sisters in the faith. Each had diverse ideas and talents that would contribute to the development of this project clearly with the help of God. God sifted the group, consolidating the individuals until it was clear who would take on the project wholeheartedly pursuing its mission for the honor and glory of God.

The vision is two years old but we have directly worked in the mission one year and half. With fasting and prayer we strive to complete the Great Commission and fulfill the mandate that Jesus gave us which is faith and works. In reality INTO is made up of three individuals, two in the United States and one who works directly with the artisans in Ecuador. At first we didn’t know much about what it would take to run just the daily operations, but little by little we have learned how to export, the challenge of understanding commercial jargon, how to establish an Non– Governmental Organization (NGO) and familiarizing ourselves with the artisans’ culture and customs which are not our own. Every step makes up a beautiful process that involves first becoming the friends of the families we serve, entering their culture; desiring to share hope and faith.

The trips to the communities are wonderful however most difficult as they are located in remote areas, where at times vehicles cannot always reach. But none of the struggles we have encountered have stopped us from following the call God has put in our hearts. We have also been blessed by the chance to connect with distant cultures, striving to recognize the culture we all first pertain to in Christ. In this way, I share with you all the general experiences I have had working with INTO and the vision He has put in our hearts.

Henry Irazabal (co– founder )