It’s the same for grape vines or fruit trees: fruit doesn’t come all at once.

First, the roots must be established to send life-giving nutrients to the plant. The leaves sprout, giving energy for growth. How sweet it is when fruit is finally produced! It’s the culmination of a long season of development. 

Is it any wonder that missions is intrinsically tied to the metaphors of planting, cultivating, and harvesting? 

Gospel work takes time—sometimes shorter or longer depending on the soil of people’s hearts or the soil of entire cultures. 

But how sweet it is to gather the fruit. 

In this issue of Advance, savor the sweet joy of a season of harvest and relish the fruit of your prayers, gifts, and support that helped make it possible.