Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “The fear of not having enough”
Our Bible verse for today: “I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability, they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints …” 2 Corinthians 8:3-5 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Thank you, and please pray for us.”
As you read this I am preparing to take a mission team to Haiti. We leave early Saturday morning and will be there for one week. Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. The depths of poverty are mind numbing. Political corruption, foreign exploitation, natural disasters, and the practice of voodoo have all historically combined to keep the country impoverished and unable to develop in any meaningful way.
Fortunately over the last 20-25 years there has been widespread spiritual awakening in Haiti. The churches are full, Christianity is spreading, a large percentage of the population have forsaken voodoo and embraced Christ, and things are turning around. In addition to spreading the faith, the Christian community operates orphanages, runs the best schools in the country, and is having a positive influence across society.
The goal of our mission teams is always to find Christians in the country who are doing good work for the kingdom of God and to partner with them. We come alongside of them, bring our short-term team and resources, and plug into their long-term goal. We want to help strengthen their presence in their community, and help them to move a little further towards accomplishing their God-given long-term objectives.
Our primary partner in Haiti is Grace International. Grace International has a network of more than 200 churches across the country. Most of the churches sponsor at least one orphanage and a school. Grace also runs feeding programs, job training programs, and a small hospital.
Our team will spend the week helping to put the finishing touches on a new transition home for young adult women who were raised in the girl’s orphanage but who are not yet married and not ready to live out in the community. This home will be a safe haven for them. We will also participate every day in preparing and serving hot meals for hundreds of children, and we will assist with orphan care.
This is an expensive undertaking and is only happening because of the generous donations of many faithful Christians. Between airfare for the team, food and lodging expenses, and then close to $15,000 raised for construction and food supplies, total giving to help make this mission trip possible is in the tens of thousands of dollars. That money has all been provided by Christians who, like the Macedonian Christians referred to by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthian 8:3-5, have overcome the fear of not having enough for themselves, and therefore are able to give generously to those in great need. Thank you.
This will be the last daily devotional message I will send out until I return from Haiti. The next message will come to you on Monday October 2nd. Therefore I would like to ask you to hang-on to this one, read it every morning, and use it as a reminder to pray for our team.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 