“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:1-3
This group of young Christian children attend a Lutheran school in Bainet called Freres Unis de Marre and there are 41 students there who eat lunch every day with these believers. This is Saturday and tonight in Gonaives there will be vodou drums pounding out a rhythm that is pleasing to the evil spirits. The ears of these saints may also hear the sounds of an animal being sacrificed alive while its screams of terror and suffering cut through the darkness of the night and that may be followed up by the shrieks from hell as evil spirits are awakened by the vodou priest. While living in Haiti this didn’t happen every night, but it generally did happen on Saturday. Depending on what part of Haiti that I happened to be visiting the likelihood of that happening would be more certain. The chance that these young believers from Bainet will hear the sound of vodou tonight is fairly high. Please keep all the believers in Haiti in your prayers tonight and always as they take the Light of this world into their country that is filled with hopeless souls living in darkness and following the lies of the vodou followers. I am closing today with the words from the hymn ‘For all the Saints who from their labors rest’ that were written by William W. How in 1864.
“For all the saints who from their labors rest, who Thee by faith before the world confess, Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest, Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress, and their Might; Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight; Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light. Alleluia! Alleluia! Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold, fight as the saints who nobly fought of old and win with them the victor's crown of gold. Alleluia! Alleluia! O blest communion, fellowship divine, we feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. Alleluia! Alleluia! And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long, steals on the ear the distant triumph song, and hearts are brave again, and arms are strong. Alleluia! Alleluia! But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day; the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of Glory passes on His way. Alleluia! Alleluia! From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Alleluia! Alleluia! The golden evening brightens in the west; soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest. Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths 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.