.
… This is the kind of fasting I want;
Share your food with the hungry,
And give shelter to the homeless
Give clothes to those who need them
And remove the chains that bind people…”
And remove the chains that bind people…”
~The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, Yahweh~
(Isaiah 58:6-7)
From the first moment we heard about ICM (International Care Ministries, www.caremin.com), I was blown away by their mission, vision, and activities. In the last two years of college my heart has been crying out to know what the church is really supposed to look like. Is the body of Christ to be others-oriented and focused on giving and pouring out? And if so, how are the individuals to be taken care of? Somehow I know it is supposed to be a harmonious combination of pouring out our lives for others and caring deeply for one another.
Their Vision: Assist the Poorest of the Poor in the Philippines.
Their Mission: Summed up in a saying… “Give a man a fish and he will be full for a day, Teach a man to fish and he will have food for the rest of his life”.
Their Activities: You may be able to get a better picture of their ministry if you read the website, but I will do my best to explain. They connect with Pastors in different cities and towns surrounding Dumaguete to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual support to those who have next to nothing. ICM teaches the people to grow vegetables that they can either eat or sell. They have worm cultures that they would give the people. The worms were used to create rich soil for the plants that are growing and as the worms reproduce, they can then be re-sold in kilo’s to those who are interested. Along with all of this, they are taught about hygiene and how to prevent sickness through cleanliness. Depending on the program, these sessions occur once a week for 2 – 6 months and along with each of the teachings, a pastor gives some teaching from the Bible.
As we spent four weeks with the ICM staff, their passion for Jesus became more and more apparent. When we worshiped together, the singing gave me a slight picture of what it will be like when we are finally in the throne room of God. They were tireless in their pursuit of God’s heart and the hearts of the people for God. Their desire was that every living person bow and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I was given the gift of seeing the church function as the body of Christ.
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” (Acts 4:32)
When Jesus tells us that “what we do for the least of these we do for Him” (Matthew 25:40) I see that the ICM staff consistently shows their love for Jesus over and over again. My heart was changed as I was blessed to see a people serving their God without reservation or fear. I got to see these people participating in true fasting as they poured out their lives as drink offerings. They are being richly rewarded with gifts of joy and perseverance here on earth. Isaiah 58 tells us about people like the staff of ICM and we were so encouraged to laugh and cry with these people. My heart is forever changed because of knowing them and my spirit will miss the Philippines and its joy and peace.
Then your salvation will come like the dawn.
Your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward
The glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
When you call, the Lord will answer quickly.
Your light will shine our from the darkness.
The Lord will guide you continually.
Giving you water when you are dry.
And restoring your strength.
You will be known as a’ Rebuilder of Walls’ and a ‘Restorer of Homes’
~Yahweh~
(Isaiah 58:8-12)
