“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
God willing, Trinity HOPE will have feeding programs in over 270 schools in Haiti this coming year. It takes countless hours of work in Haiti and here in North American to get a school feeding program up and running. It is not as easy as wiring funds to Haiti so they can go purchase beans, rice, oil, tomato paste, a few pots and some charcoal and voila, you have a feeding program. Filling bowls in the kitchen at Gros Morne didn’t just take place; it took quite a while for these bowls to be filled.
If North American volunteers were idle there would not be a feeding program; the weak would not receive assistance. Our brothers and sisters in Haiti have countless days of work to do in preparation before their school can be considered ‘ready’ for a feeding program. Trinity HOPE doesn’t just ‘give’ bags of beans of rice to a school as that would not be a sustainable program. In the same train of thought, the Christian church in Haiti doesn’t just ‘give’ out Bibles and move on; they teach the Bible as many cannot read. The Christians in Haiti continue to memorize Scripture readings and recite them in Church and give thanks for a Savior named Jesus who has saved them from the vodou priest, death and the devil. Don’t be idle but seek to do good where ever possible. There is a song by the Kingsman titled ‘Saints will rise’ that is a wonderful reminder of what awaits us all when our work on earth is ended.
“When our work on earth is ended and the time has come to go; saints will rise, saints will rise. Headed for that blessed country that is Heaven I am told. Saints will rise, saints will rise. Saints will rise on that hallelujah morning when we hear that trumpet sound. I’m a going up to see King Jesus, saints will rise, saints will rise. Have you made your preparation; are you going to that land? Saints will rise, saints will rise. Jesus gave His life a ransom so that you could join that band. Saint will rise, saints will rise. I’m a going up to see King Jesus, saints will rise, saints will rise.”
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay