“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:45-49
Trinity/HOPE is providing food purchased in Haiti for over 22,000 school children like these attending 115 Christian schools throughout the whole country…today. And it is our Hope that one day in the tomorrow of our journey that these same Christian schools will be in total control of their feeding programs…that we helped to start. It is not our desire to adopt these children and bring them to our country…Haiti is their country. God began their journey there and is using Trinity/HOPE donors to help educate and provide them a meal so they will become on fire for Jesus, in their families and for the people within their neighborhoods. It is not our mission to feed them forever but we will be praying for them until that last sun sets on our journey. Abide with them Lord Jesus and also with us. I am closing today with the words from a favorite hymn, ‘Abide with me! Fast falls the Eventide’ that were written by Henry F. Lyte in 1847.
“Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me! Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see. O Thou, who changest not, abide with me! Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word, but as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord, familiar, condescending, patient, free. Come not to sojourn, but abide with me. Come not in terror, as the King of kings, but kind and good, with healing in Thy wings; tears for all woes, a heart for every plea. Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me. Thou on my head in every youth didst smile, and though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee. On to the close, O Lord, abide with me. I need Thy presence every passing hour; what but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power? Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me! I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies. Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!”
Dear 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