“Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.” Matthew 13:47
I lived in Haiti for 33 months and after leaving, I took many trips back to Haiti when possible and coupling those many sights and sounds with every minute now spent looking at photos the question arises “what will it be like in Heaven?” Will it be more like here in Normal or Haiti? Will I even care? When that time comes. I will probably not care and probably will not recall all the worldly questions that were asked throughout my lifetime.
The attached photo was taken on Sunday, October 3, 2010 in Bon Berger Lutheran Church in Caredeux, Haiti. This was about nine months after the deadly earthquake shook their homes, schools and this church. There were close to 300 dear souls in the sanctuary on this hot morning and at about one hour and fifty minutes into the service the distribution of Holy Communion was taking place. It was a somber time for me as there were several faces that were not present, as their work on earth was completed and they were with Jesus in Paradise.
Alexa played a song recently, an old Gospel song titled ‘Never grow old.” The words brought me to think about what Heaven will be like for the souls in Haiti and in Normal who will one day come together in Paradise.
“I have heard of a land on a faraway strand, tis a beautiful home of the soul; build by Jesus on high where we never shall die. Tis a land where we shall never grow old. In that beautiful home where we’ll never more roam, we shall be in the sweet by and by; happy praise to the King through eternity sings. Tis a land where we shall never die.”
Considering what Heaven might be like through these words, it sounds like it will be an improvement to everyone on this planet, no matter where we are now living or in whatever our present situation may be; rich, poor, healthy, sick, hungry or starving.
Continuing with verse three; “When our work here is done and the life-crown is won, and troubles and trials are o’er; all our sorrows will and our voices will blend with the loved ones who’ve gone on before.”
All of God’s children will be in Heaven, yellow, black, white, doesn’t matter; they will all be there. American, Canadian, Sudanese, Haitian and Indian; doesn’t matter they will all be there. What a shame if the lost didn’t hear the message of salvation. Jesus said in Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." That is the call to the believers in Caredeux and to you and to me…”seek and save the lost.” Thank you for supporting the children in Caredeux, Cap Haitian, Jacmel, Jeremie, Gonaives and all the other hundreds of schools throughout Haiti with Trinity HOPE feeding programs.
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