Preparations

As we prepare for the Harvest, it is exciting to see our to-do list get shorter (or at least not grow immensely), see others catch the vision, and see things beginning to come together.  Last weekend, Rachel, Denise and I gathered at my house to put together a short movie to advertise HOT.  We wanted to have something we could show at Lakeway, Crossings, and any other churches that were interested.

Even though we each cracked up as soon as the camera was turned on us, Matthew Davidson did an awesome job editing and think it turned out pretty cool!  It was great to make the video and spend a little downtime with these great girls.  My favorite part was just talking about the Harvest.  We had each researched certain aspects to talk about and it was so cool to hear how we can each use our talents to serve God.  I get excited when I think about how God can use each of us to serve His purposes and the interconnectedness of it all.  I love how God can use a 20-something teacher in East Tennessee to feed a 60 year old man in Africa!  Making this video reminded me of how big our God is and how He can use each of us to fulfill his purposes.  I hope you all get to see it soon!

Have any of you thought about how you can use your talents to help others around the world? I'm thinking something along the baking/cooking line.  I might also do a gift certificate for tutoring sessions.  Leave a comment with your suggestions to give others ideas!

-Katie

Thankful

    Over Thanksgiving break I was able to have some much needed time of reflection. Fortunately I was able to go to the National Missionary Convention right before the holidays. I have to admit that the day before the convention started I had a really foul attitude and perspective on my life and feeling overwhelmed with daily responsibilities.
        At the convention I had the opportunity to go to lunch with my parents and a man from Myanmar. Over the course of this lunch I began to learn a little more about this man's story.  His home village was kicked off of their land by the local government. He appealed to IDES to help out his people.  He was a recipient of HOT money and has continued to help out local villages and has also started a boarding school for children. As I listened to this humble man I was blown away by his continued service in the midst of hardships and trials.  At the end of the convention this man was up on stage singing a hymn with a choir. The camera focused on him when the verse said," Well done my good and faithful servant." This brought tears to my eyes as a reflected on how selflessly this man has served and how he has handled this responsibility of caring for his people.
     He taught me an important lesson without even knowing it.  He realized that it wasn't his mission. It is God's mission of bringing people back to Him. He also realized that he doesn't have to tackle this mission alone. He appealed to the global church to come alongside of him. Through this act of humility, look at all that God has done! It reminded me of the parable in Matthew 25 of the bags of gold. God has given each of us talents and if we are willing to use them to glorify Him, He will bless and multiply those gifts.
      I often times get so caught up in the daily tasks that I forget that I have so much to be thankful for. Everything that I  love and enjoy is a gift of grace from God. It is nothing that I deserve or have earned. Along with those great blessings, I feel a great responsibility. However that responsibility is not my own, we are in this together. God has equipped each of us with different gifts and talents to use for His glory. He will do the work if we are willing to take the step of faith.  Harvest of Talents in East TN is a huge step of faith, however it is exciting to think of all the ways that God will use this to bring people closer to Him.

- Rachel

HOT Testimony

NICM uses money from HOT to feed children
at a village school.

A missionary who uses Harvest of Talents funds wrote us expressing their thanks, 

"I want to express a big thank you to IDES for the funds you have granted. We are so blessed and we praise God for organizations like IDES who stand along side missionaries to provided needed resources. I would share with you how much the HOT program has meant to us over the past 2 years. During that time we have fed thousands of children, homeless families and lepers. It has opened more doors to the Gospel than I can ever tell you about.

NICM uses money from HOT to feed members of a local
leper community.

For example, the HOT program has given NICM the means to reach out to the people at two leper colonies and life there has improved in so many ways. At that time the only means lepers had to obtain food was by begging. Some days they would receive enough to buy a meal and somedays they they did not. Now, through the generosity of the HOT program enough rice is provided each month for one hot meal a day. Through this outreach, we have been able to share the Gospel and today many of the colony residents have accepted Christ as Savior. It is amazing how the love of Jesus, exhibited by the giving of a bag of rice in loving kindness has brought happiness where there once was none." 

HOT is Evolving!

EEE!!! It is so incredible to see the passion and excitement about HOT already! Crossings of Knoxville is jumping on board! Crossings will host a live auction in the Square Room in Market Square! This will serve as phase 1 of HOT East Tennessee. Can't wait to see your talent contributions and definitely your support in MAY!

An Official Location!

Ladies & Gentlemen! We have a host! Lakeway Community Church has graciously volunteered to host Harvest of Talents 2012. The location is perfect, with plenty of space for shopping, auctions, games & activities, mini talent lessons, and FOOD! We will hopefully have a combination of indoor & outdoor fun. THANK YOU Lakeway! For this huge contribution!

The Harvest that Started it All...

Unity Harvest 2011: Batman, Piggie,
& Butterfly... taking part in the face-
painting talent of a Unity Christian Church
member.

Last month, these three college roommates embarked on an adventure to Marion, Indiana. For Katie and I, this was our first HOT ever. For years we have heard Rachel rave about Harvest of Talents and bubble over with excitement and passion about the time & energy that these people are investing to do their part in relieving world hunger. Finally, Katie and I had our turn to travel to Marion... and the experience was life-changing. We were so inspired by the love and generosity of the community there. We knew that this was something that our community in East Tennessee needed to experience! We are confident that our community is stock-full of big hearts and amazing talents. So now we  embark on yet another adventure... planning HOT East Tennessee! We are so excited to share this year with all of you! 


Totally excited!!!
HOT Team Member,
Denise