Joys of 2011: Good Fruit

One of the things we love most about working for MCC is having time to really learn about the community we've come to serve.  In year one, you're just figuring out what is happening.  In year two, you start to think about what to do and realize half of your ideas (if not more) don't work.  In year three, we have finally been able to get in a groove, supporting the partners, knowing what to say or not say, knowing where we have the ability to bring about change and where we need to simply bring things to God in prayer.

By God's grace, these efforts have begun to bear fruit.  Throughout the area, self-help groups are springing  up as a way for the community to critically identify and solve their own problems.  The GAR staff has made leaps and bounds in understanding their work and how to help people move forward and not just stay put in the role of "needy."  All of these areas of growth were revealed to us metaphorically through Matt's passion fruit.  After months of care yielding little results, the rains came and the vines exploded with new growth, new flowers and new fruit.

In all areas of our lives, we've been so blessed to have the opportunity to see the fruit God is bearing through us.  We pray that as we transition home in 2012, we can continue to be faithful stewards over the new land God will entrust us with that some day it too may bear good fruit.

The Najile Self-Help Group meeting in front of our house