The start of a new year is always exciting for me...it signifies new beginnings and fresh starts on many levels. However, if my life has any consistency worth mentioning, it would be that I always start with much enthusiasm...the finish is another story altogether! Can you identify?

 

As an educator and administrator of a school I experienced the exhilaration of new starts on an annual basis, but I can say with sad sincerity that I was not feeling the same energy or enthusiasm in June. My anticipation centered more around the thought of "when is this going to be over?" I do not have to pose the question of identifying with this feeling to any educators!  

 

When I was in the first stages of career retirement I was continually pressed with the weight of finding another place where I would feel the same satisfaction of meaning and contribution to others. There was also the realization that I was not at the beginning of the "race of life", but nearing the finish line...and I desperately desired to finish well - a goal that has eluded me my whole life!  

 

What attracted me to the work of ICC was not the projects or intrigue of foreign lands, rather is was what drove them to exist in the first place. I can't say it any better than how it is presented on our website.  

 

Ephesians 4:12, in the New Living Translation says, that because of the various gifts God has given to each of us, our "responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ." At ICC International we take that instruction very seriously.  

 

Mark 12:30 tells us that all of us are to "Love the Lord your God with all your HEART and with all your SOUL and with all your MIND and with all your STRENGTH." Dr. Luke echoes this in his gospel, adding, "and love your neighbour as yourself."

 

At ICC we are driven by Paul telling us to equip others, and by Mark and Luke telling us to address the emotional, spiritual, intellectual and physical needs of others, in love. Matthew tells us, in chapter 10, verses 30-46, that the body of Christ also includes those who are "hungry, thirsty, estranged, naked, sick, and imprisoned." So we come full circle by seeing the need to care and love, and then to equip.  

 

I trust that now you see what drives us, you will identify with this serious directive from the gospel, and it will drive you as well. We look forward to keeping you up-to-date on our various projects this coming year, and hope that you will be encouraged to say "Count me in" to begin this new year. We promise to do all we can to ensure that what you do will "Count for Him" in 2012.  Start strong - finish stronger, indeed!  

 

Many blessings in 2012,

Sharon Cracknell
Executive Director, ICC
sharon@iccinternational.org 

Grant & Simon

"The training was a great success bearing in mind the needs it was addressing in enhancing food security in rural Africa, an issue that has remained a challenge for so long a time. After attending the Farming God's Way training at Kijabe, I feel convinced that this is a method that, if put to proper use, can bring about tremendous results and help enhance food security in Africa.
From my training, I feel there is no time to waste."

For the complete report on Simon's training click here.

This month we were excited to present the work of ICC at Alpha Academy to an elementary school in the GTA. As a public school, the Principal and teachers wished to raise the awareness of their students to the reality of life in other countries and find ways to extend a helping hand. This particular school made it a school-wide project. Each class was given a 20 minute presentation of the needs and challenges at Alpha Academy that could be addressed with a little help. All the students decided they would participate by making Christmas Cards to be sold at their December Christmas Concert. All the proceeds from their card sales will be donated to the Alpha Academy project to help provide more playground equipment and new cement floors for the classrooms.  

We are very grateful for the thoughtfulness of the teachers and administrators of this one Toronto School for encouraging their young people to be caring and generous towards others, and to translate that into action. The leadership at this school is to be commended on not only providing an excellent academic education for their students, but also instilling in them the habits that will help them grow into adults who will have a greater impact on the world through their compassion.  
 
If there are any others who would like to have a similar presentation for their schools and churches, please let us know - we would be pleased to present the opportunities that are available to share our bounty with others. 

Today there is an abundance of things being said and written in the name of Christ, to the point where many grow weary of reading it all.  King Solomon warns, "be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." (Ecclesiastes 12:12)  Much of what is being said today is not only time-consuming but often also leads nowhere.  Only the Bible is of importance for everyone and its Author wishes also to be the author and finisher of our life.

In the preceding verses to the one above, we read, "the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd." (Ecclesiastes 12:9-11)  Christian Literature should convey the word of God.  Here are a few important things to look for:

To read more click here .