“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.” Acts 9:36
The seaport of Joppa will long be remembered because 2,000 years ago a faithful church worker lived there, her name was Dorcas. She may well have been the founder of the ancient LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League). She is legendary because of her work for charity. She was rich in both giving and in personal service; honoring God and helping her neighbor for Jesus’ sake.
During the midpoint of her lifetime, she became ill and died. The grieving was hard by her fellow believers and we read on in Acts, “Peter went with them, and when he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes, and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.”
Along my journey, there have been many who are like Dorcas in their service to their Lord. There are many children like the two girls from this Lutheran school in Gonaives in the attached photograph who may have never met their “Dorcas” face to face, but will when they receive their glory in their heavenly home.
There are many in the ranks of the Trinity HOPE volunteers and supporters who could wear a “Dorcas” nametag when they get up and begin the next day of their journey; serving Him. On behalf of these two children from Gonaives in the Artibonite District, and the over 60,000 other children in over 260 Christian schools with Trinity HOPE feeding programs in Haiti, we say “Beni Soit L’Eternal!” (pronounced ‘Benny-swa-lay-terr-nell’ and translated ‘Praise the Lord!’) for your continued support.
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, 8not 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