Linda's Gift

After the resurrection, before Jesus ascended to heaven, He commanded His followers to “…go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). “And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). How does one make disciples? Jesus says we start with love. At the Last Supper He tells those gathered, “…I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34-35). 

It sounds pretty easy. Love each other. But love is more than just kind words. Love is action. Jesus makes clear, in Matthew 25, He wants us to help feed, clothe, visit, and care for the sick. This is why we call our Haiti Mission – M25. Jesus’ brother James emphasizes this when he reminds us, “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’ – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” (James 2:14-17).

Seeking to be obedient and put love into action, South Church began a partnership with a sister church in Camp Perrin, Haiti, back in 2010. Our mission is to help Pastor François, his wife, and staff reach out to their community with the message of hope, promise, and salvation found only in Jesus.  

We do this not by just telling them God loves them but showing them. Over the past ten years, we have helped reopen their school, and continue to provide monthly financial support for their teachers and principal. We added electric lights to their school and worship space. Then had to reconstruct their building from the ground up, after the devastating 2016 Hurricane Matthew swept through. We send missionaries on a regular basis, and while visiting Camp Perrin, they run children and community evangelism outreach programs, as well as provide food assistance and a health clinic.

I mention this today, because of an amazing thing that happened here last week. Completely unexpectedly I received a letter in the mail from a Connecticut Probate Court. Linda Holbrook was never a member of South Church. She was a close friend of Rose Hubbard’s and enthusiastic supporter of M25. It seems, Linda has remembered us in her will. Some money will be coming designated to go to supporting our Haiti Mission. Now, I do not know if it will be $100 or $5,000, but the idea that a non-member believes in our efforts in Haiti so much is both humbling and a reminder of what God can do when He sees love in action. 

Our brothers and sisters in Camp Perrin desperately need fresh, clean, water. God bless Linda. Her gift might make that happen, as we hope to drill a well soon, or at the very least, begin the fundraising effort.

Remember today that you too are called to tell people about Jesus everywhere. How? Begin by putting your love into action. That’s all God needs to work with. He can do some pretty amazing things with it!           

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