A rooster crows, letting the world know morning is near and he stands ready to protect his territory. My slumber is disturbed, and then I hear another rooster, this time not so near as the first. Continued sleep is no longer possible, for off in the distance I hear yet another rooster. I look for my watch in the twilight hour and realize it is but 4: 30.

In the next moments my senses begin to remind me of where I am. The room is different from my customary home, the bed not as comfortable nor the temperature as agreeable. The air is subtly filled with the aroma of old cook fires and poor sanitation – a mixture which is not pleasing to me. Now fully awakened I remember I am on a mission trip to (Nicaragua, Kenya, Haiti, Honduras, etc…) visiting with missionaries who are helping people grow food.

The rooster crowing is a great symbol to me that people are the same in many areas of the world. Like the similarity of the rooster’s crows, so is the poor persons struggle for daily sustenance. The poor everywhere wake up each morning concerned about making ends meet within their own territory, for their own family, and perhaps ending the day with a full stomach.

Waking up in the early morning hours to greet the new day is not just for roosters. I have learned that whenever and wherever I have traveled to help the poor and hungry that most of the people I strive to serve wake up early, or earlier, as well. The needs of the day are real, yet the new dawn brings a sense of new hope for something which may be better than yesterday. Just because they are poor does not mean that they are not working to live better lives. I have come to appreciate that for most poor people the situation they are in is not entirely of their own making, but rather they are victims born into a circumstance they are forced to deal with.

“There are so many of them… just so many poor and hungry! It never changes.” Have you ever said that to yourself and wondered: “What can I do?” Let me share with you that many are indeed doing something.

Let us not forget that within the ranks of the poor and hungry God has called up workers who use what God causes us to send. The native workers within each poor country have the strongest and most lasting impact upon change and improvement. Such workers have made a great impression on me.

Within the photos you will see people at work trying to better their lives. Please see that they are not just poor, but much more than that… people who wake early with each new dawn with new hope for a better day, and a better life. And you can know that these photographs were taken by Christian missionaries and mission teams, sharing the Love of Christ in special and personal ways. You have been there as well through your donor support.

May the roosters crow allow each one of us, poor and donor alike, to see the hope for each new day in sharing the Gracious Love of Christ to a hungry world.
May you enjoy His Grace, Joy and Peace.
Mike Mueller
Executive Director

Let’s take a look at 2004
Each year we review our financial position and business activities. Every credible charity must do this. Every two years we engage for an independent audit, alternating with a financial review by the same independent accountant.

The year 2004 was an interesting year for us, one of new opportunities and struggles. During the course of the year we moved to our new location which brought about many new and exciting changes. It also disrupted our packaging of seed and volunteer hours. Therefore we actually sent out less packets than in previous years. However we strategically placed what we had with the workers who could make the greatest impact.

We are most happy to share with you that your support allowed us to make a move which will greatly enhance our ability to serve many more people in the future years. And with your continued support we will be able to put into action many plans to expand our efforts in sharing seed and developing our new facility.

Where does the support come from?

76%
14%
3%
3%
2%
2%