The Fruit of Short-Term Missions
Hey everyone, Emily and I have been so busy lately it has been difficult to get a blog out. We can’t thank you enough for your support and prayer in this season.
As many of you know the parable of the sower…
If you need a fresh reminder turn to Matthew 13:1-23
We in Short-Term Missions have been sowing seeds for the last 5 months. The amazing thing is we are starting to see some fruit from what was planted in the previous season.
We all know the saying, “you reap what you sow.” Well thank you for sowing into the Kingdom work God is doing through us! May it return to you in heaven 100 times what you invested now.
Some of the fruit that that we have seen in the last month.
1. 12 missions trips went out in different cities of the US.
2. We have had testimonies from young people of radical encounters with the Lord
3. Church leaders are grasping the revival that the Lord is doing in this time
4. There is a deep sense of love, joy, and peace for those who are connected to the vine and walking in obedience
5. We have two people considering coming on staff to help expand the impact of Short-Term Missions
6. Emily and I had the opportunity to lead a missions trip to Bismarck, ND and saw 11 high schoolers have radical encounters with the Lord, count the cost and chose to follow Jesus!
7. We saw nations encounter the love of God through the missions team in Bismarck. Homeless were prayed for. Refugees were welcomed and love. Kids were encouraged and made friends. We even got to give ice cream away as a way to love the community!
8. Emily and I have experienced revival in our own hearts – a renewed passion for God’s people and lost children – new dreams and desires keep surfacing of visiting long-term missionaries and being a part of missions and outreach in the 10/40 window
9. God continues to use the ice cream shop – FOMO 10/40 Creamery – to bless the nations, love the community and fund long-term work among the unreached. Thank you for your prayers for the little ice cream shop that is making a local and global impact.
10. Despite the uncertainty, God is in control and we see that with each group that comes on the trip. The Lord is pouring out His wisdom, heart, and joy to those who are willing to receive him. We see the Lord doing His work all around and many are being drawn to Christ because of the testimonies of the youth!
Know that the fruit that is produced now can and will continue for generations. I think about what will happen in 10, 15, or even 20 years of time. These students who have a heart for the nations of the world and to see God’s Kingdom be brought to this earth. We are going to see nations turn to the Lord and many more will be celebrating with us on the final day when Christ returns.
I wish I could describe or even share the story better. Though I might not be the best story teller – my brother Ben has been using his gifts to share what God is doing through Short-Term Missions. Here is a video he made about the Chicago Missions Trip (click link or see below)
I want to highly encourage you to prayerfully consider supporting Ben Hershey on a monthly basis. He is about 35% funded and needs his funds in order to continue. Any gift of $25, $50, $100 a month could support Ben in his calling to share what God is doing through missions all around the world. You can sow into the ministry he is doing here: https://benhershey.myadventures.org/
This is just one of many and I hope and pray this touches your heart today. Keep up the good work, striving for excellence and discipling your family – bringing them closer to Jesus.
This is a race and we are all in it together! Please feel free to share this update as well as leave a comment as we celebrate what God has done the last 6 months!
Sincerely,
Andrew & Emily
