Editorial: The Barnabas project ripple effect

We at Barnabas Aid never cease to be grateful to God and to our generous, prayerful supporters for the difference we have been able to make for millions of suffering and persecuted Christians around the world.

Each one of our projects has helped to improve the lives of our brothers and sisters – sometimes in small ways, sometimes in bigger ways.

And often, our projects have a positive impact on more people than those who were first helped.

Pakistani Christian brick-kiln labourers, freed from crushing debt, work together to free others in the same way. Church leaders, trained through Barnabas Aid’s Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life, use their new skills and knowledge to train others. Barnabas-funded schools, health clinics, small businesses or church buildings continue to serve as a blessing to more and more believers.

Projects like this demonstrate a ripple effect – the ripples of blessing continue far beyond the original impact. This ripple effect can result from major projects, but also from small-scale projects that could easily be dismissed as unimportant or lacking in value. All donations – large or small – can have an impact greater than we imagine.

The Barnabas-funded rice milling machine in South-East Asia is just one project with blessings that have continued to ripple out.

As of August 2023 more than 13,000 impoverished rural Christians have been provided with rice from the milling machine. This in itself is wonderful news.

But there is more.

Already the mill has provided an income for seven Christians. At the time of writing around 90 rural Christian women have received business and logistical training at the rice mill. The rice bran – a waste product from the milling process – is being used to feed animals. In turn, manure from the animals can be used as an organic fertiliser to increase crop yields.

We are humbled and thankful to see how the Lord has used your faithful giving to do so much for our brothers and sisters in Christ.