In Blessing I will Bless Thee: Green Bean Project 2019

In Blessing I will Bless Thee – Green Bean Project 2019

It’s that time of year again! As we set out on this year’s Green Bean Project, I have prayed much about where to focus. In the past we’ve focused on the Great Commission. We’ve focused on Giving a Gift to Christ. I had a theme picked out for this year, but the longer I worked on it the less I felt it was God’s direction. One thought, however, came to my mind over and over—just bless them! Bless their socks off!

Well, of course, our theme isn’t going to be “Bless their socks off!” (not officially at least) but here are a few reasons for my desire to simply bless these missionaries.

Why We’re Focusing On Blessing

Asia

Earlier this year, one of our Green Bean Project missionaries was in a terrible accident. It’s a miracle he survived. He had to leave the country in which he ministers to have medical care, including surgery, in another country where treatment was available. He has now returned and, though still experiencing much pain and difficulty, continues to care for the children God has brought to their children’s home. I know this has come with discouragement, but they have pressed on. That is faithfulness. Update: Since the original posting, the man in the accident has had to leave the country for medical care again. His bones are not healing. He will likely be in the hospital through Christmas. Even if you can’t give, please be praying for his healing!

Another of our missionaries has been faithfully ministering in their area for years. They have been praying and saving funds to purchase property and build a home for the children God has brought them, knowing they could take in more unwanted children if they had the space. Many of these children are the children of girls who have been used as slaves in temples. This need has been upon their hearts for so long. They have had to turn children away on multiple occasions. What a blessing it would be to bless them and be a part of rescuing those little souls!

Africa

Our third missionary has served faithfully, running three schools, a Sunday school, preaching points, and many other aspects of ministry on a minuscule level of support. For years they have done this ministry without a vehicle. They have walked from place to place or taken a taxi (which is nothing like our taxis) or rented a car. I cannot imagine how much time this adds to the other responsibilities they are balancing. And yet, they have remained faithful. Year after year. Update: The vehicle the missionaries are looking at for their orphans is approximately $12,000. We may not be able to meet that whole need, but we can help them get closer!

America

FTN’s local ministry is the fourth ministry included in the Green Bean Project, but I do not want us to linger there. God has done much through the project and through the local ministry this year, and we are blessed to simply be a part of it. We’ll share more of what’s going on here later.

Every year we have focused on specific needs for each of these ministries, but, while there are specific needs this year, let’s focus our hearts on blessing these faithful men and women of God and the children in their care.

In Blessing I Will Bless Thee

In Genesis 22:17, God said to Abraham, “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thee.” He said this after Abraham demonstrated that he would hold nothing back from God—not even his own son.

These missionaries have demonstrated to us what it is to give, holding nothing back. Can we not step in line beside them, take them by the hand, and say,

“We are with you! Here to support you! Here to encourage you, to hold your hands up as you labor, to bless you—holding nothing back!”

The Green Bean Project in its most basic form is a fundraiser, but perhaps we need to give something besides funds. Have we held something back that God is calling us to let go in order to bless others this year? Our gift may run deeper than simply writing a check, clicking a donate button, or filling a stocking for Christ. Perhaps it needs to start where the Macedonian believers started—with the giving of ourselves to Christ.

As we start out on this journey of blessing—for Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive—let us start there: holding nothing back, no dark, forgotten corner of our hearts. Let us first give ourselves and then ask Him what part He would have us take in blessing His faithful servants and their ministry to the fatherless.

With anticipation of all He will do,

Rachel Miller