“The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) Mark 7:1-4
When were you taught to wash your hands before meal time and say a prayer before you eat? As a child, I remember getting my fingernails checked by my mom’s hands and eyes after I had ‘washed’ my hands. Just splashing some water on my hands didn’t suffice. When my dad came in from the farm chores and scrubbed his hands with Lava soap, I still recall how white they looked and how clean they smelled.
In the attached photo the children attending the Lutheran school in Cap Haitian are washing their hands before they enjoy their Trinity HOPE lunch. This is one of the ‘lessons’ that is done at every Trinity HOPE lunch program, along with prayers. Washing of their hands is so important now especially with the cholera epidemic of recent times. We probably take washing our hands for granted as we have a faucet inside our homes. Seldom will you find a faucet in a Haitian school or even a home.
Trinity HOPE is not just about feeding body and soul in Haiti, they also teach hygiene and reinforce the importance of turning our thought of giving thanks for all that we receive every day from our Heavenly Father. Thank you for continuing to be a blessing to each of the over 51,000 souls who are so thankful for your daily touch in their lives.
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