This week, you stepped into the midst of the massive death and destruction in Sulawesi and took the first steps toward recovery.

And you didn’t even know you left the country, did you?

You made a difference there because you’re partners in our ministry. Let me explain.

An earthquake and tsunami hit Sulawesi last Friday.

So over the weekend I was corresponding with our folks in that part of the world; ensuring that there was a way people could give online; and reading dozens of emails and consulting news sites to pull together an update. That work carried over into the day Monday, on top of two other major projects I’m part of.

That’s probably why, about 4 p.m. Monday, I sat back for a moment and thought, “Wow, what a week,” before remembering it was only Monday.

Mind you, I’m not complaining. My house wasn’t reduced to rubble. I have access to water and power and food. The ground isn’t shaking under my feet every few hours.

In fact, it felt good to be helping the people who are facing that. It’s a welcome addition to my workload here, because I’m here to serve God and I’m blessed to have opportunities to do that.

I also believe that God’s people are blessed by being able to give to His work. Paul quoted Jesus as saying, “It’s more blessed to give than receive.” (Acts 20:35) So I know my work here is a channel to help people in need, as well as a channel of blessing for God’s people.

And the role you play in our ministry makes that possible. Thank you!

Opportunities

To pray:

Pray for the people of Sulawesi. Even with relief flights, they’ve been dangerously low on food, water and medical supplies, and many continue to sleep outside. Disorder and violence have erupted. Pray for the orderly distribution of aid and care.

Pray that people will respond to God’s prompting to give so that Julie and I can continue to provide avenues for people to be involved in God’s work, such as helping after disasters. (See below for more details.)

And if you prayed for us, please let us know — it would be a great encouragement. Thanks!

To give:

You can give to disaster relief in Sulawesi.

Or you can multiply the impact of your gift. How?

We want to be here, serving God, helping address this disaster and disasters to come, as well as helping provide for Bible translation and gospel presentations and church planting, and helping more people become involved by praying and going out as missionaries. We believe this is our calling, and we are grateful to you who help us live out our calling.

So we need to tell you that we could use more help. This year we are on course to be more than $30,000 short of our ministry budget. Even if Julie and I do not spend the money we think we should on our ministry, we have less than $20,000 annually to live on. And with recent losses in support, 2019 looks worse.

Would you please consider a year-end gift to our ministry?

You can give online, or by sending a check made out to Ethnos360 and mailing it, along with a note designating it for the ministry of Ian and Julie Fallis, to: Ethnos360, 312 W. First St., Sanford FL 32771

To learn:

The blessing you receive from giving is only one of the reasons to give to a missionary’s ministry. There are at least six more. Find out what they are in Seven Reasons to Give.