“I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit; just as it has taught you, remain in him.” 1 John 2:26-27
The ancestors of these children who attend the Lutheran school in Merrotte arrived at Haiti in the mid 1700’s chained in racks aboard French slave ships. In 1804 there was a slave rebellion and Haiti became free from French rule and they proudly raised a new flag over ‘their’ country. Their flag continued to fly generation after generation enduring many corrupt governments throughout its history. When you visit a Haitian school at the start of the day the flag will be slowly and reverently raised and the children will honor it with their pledge and sing their national anthem and not forget the past, but learn from it and look towards the future because they have Hope in a bright tomorrow because of what Christ did for them on Calvary. They don’t take a knee for what France did to them or what two centuries of oppressive leaders who have kept them broken in poverty. They stand and give respect to those who made it possible for them to be in Merrotte on that day and offer a prayer for the One who has brought Hope into their future. Today, I am closing with words from the third verse of the hymn ‘I AM forever Who I AM’ from Kurt Von Kampen.
Our lust for power, wealth and land diminishes the earth You planned. Prevent our crimes and futile wars, convince us that all things are yours. We rage and burn and kill and steal; but You redeem, restore and heal. I AM forever WHO I AM. Above you, beneath you, around you and within you; be still and know that I am God.
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