Bibles for Haiti

Towards the end of 2012 The Bridge did an event called Bibles for Haiti. We could purchase bibles that would be given out when our team went at the beginning of 2013. We were asked to write a little note to them that would be translated and take a picture with a chalkboard sign that had a few sayings about how much we loved them written in their language as well.

I remember that Sunday I almost didn't go. I was tired and being crabby and didn't feel like my one bible would matter much in the grand scheme of things. But then I felt the conviction set in and I decided to go.

I remember writing a sweet note, taking my picture and paying for my bible and that was it.

Fast foward to the end of the 2012. The last Sunday of the year a few friends and I attended another church and I absolutely loved the sermon. The pastor preached about what we can do for missions in 2013 and shared this book in the bible:

3 John 1


New International Version (NIV)

1 The elder,

To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters,[a] even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. 7 It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. 8 We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. 10 So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, spreading malicious nonsense about us. Not satisfied with that, he even refuses to welcome other believers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 12 Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true.

13 I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.

I highlighted the verses that stuck out to me and I was dumbfounded. Verse 7 and 8 talk about how they set out for the sake of the Name. These people that went out under the banner of Jesus to share the gospel and proclaim the greatest story ever told. Many of us are unable to go on these trips because of work or obligations but Jesus calls us to partner with those that are able to so that we may work together for the truth.

This past week our team left for Haiti and I have several friends that were able to go on this amazing trip. Funny how God has a way of making everything come full circle. Today while at church I got a text message from one of my friends that is there and it said this: We handed out some bibles and I saw your picture. Made me tear up a little. Miss you a ton. As I read this text message I started to tear up! Here was my note of love and encouragement tucked into a corner of a bible that was handed out today at a church service in Haiti.

I can't think of a more amazing way to start the new year then to be able to share the gospel with my brothers and sisters in Haiti. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" 3 John 4