“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17
I can assure you that the attached photo of this “LWML kitchen” (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) at the Messif School in Ouanaminthe is much like at least 200 other kitchens at schools throughout Haiti. Nothing fancy, a big pot of rice and beans setting on top of some burning embers just waiting for a horde of hungry children to come running and excited for their lunch.
Reading the exchange between Jesus and Peter draws me back to that photo, back to that pot at that school. Jesus basically tells Peter again and again “if you love me, take care of my sheep.” Not a lot of direction, pretty simple, take care of my children, feed them…take care of them if you love me. Peter, make sure to fill that pot every day.
There is one element about Trinity HOPE that I have always admired, they are focused on feeding His sheep, all of the over 65,000 of them at the present time. Trinity HOPE doesn’t build schools, dig latrines or wells, purchase school supplies or buy land with any funds from the support that is donated from people like you…they feed children. Back in the day, while living in Haiti, I witnessed too many well-meaning organizations try to do too much, go in too many directions, trying to please everybody in Haiti and in North America and they ended up being similar to the Platte River in Nebraska with their accomplishments…a mile wide and six inches deep.
Getting so spread out in different directions, doing so much but not doing it very well…using God’s resources in ways that were not the best use of the support that had been donated. Christ told Peter quite simply to feed and take care of His sheep; fill the pot with Hope.
Trinity HOPE has continued to do one thing very, very well…feeding children attending Christian schools in Haiti. Thank you for continuing to keep the kettles at our schools in Haiti full of beans and rice every day. Thank you for answering the call of our Savior in John 21.
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