Thankfulness of Hope Community Church

Last Sunday I asked my family at Hope to list the things that they were thankful for and I was excited by the response of my brothers and sisters at Hope. I had to make a summary of everyone's list because of my two finger typing skills. Here are some of the things Hope Community Church are thankful for:

1. Many were thankful for their family in Christ (Hope) and for their immediate family which gives them the opportunity to serve Christ.
2. Many were thankful for their jobs especially in this tight economy.
3. Health also made the list many times,many were thankful for their health and their families health as well as living in a nation that has the best health care available. (especially those just returning from Africa)
4. Many were thankful to have a roof over their head and food in their house.
5. Many were thankful for the freedom we have even though there seems to be change in the wind.
6. A few were thankful for their pets and I can understand that, but not cats.
7. The one that everyone was so thankful for was the the greatest sacrifice that was ever made, Jesus that gave it all so that we could have a relationship with God and life and thankfulness.

I wanted to stop at seven the perfect number and I hope I have included everyone's list that I received. I to will agree with with everything on this list but I wanted to add one personal thanks and that is to You that make up Hope Community Church. You are part of the Body of Christ and I am thankful for your dedication to first God and then to Hope. You have been such a blessing in my life and my family's life and I hope that you know how much I truly appreciate you. This day I pray that God would bless you Hope Community Church and prepare us for the great things that He has in store for us. I Love You Guys, byron


Just thoughts from a sinner on his way home,

peace, byron

Lessons from a Cookie!

Just made it back home and what a trip. Still trying to process all that took place, but there was one experience that my room mate had that will sum up the people in Africa we serve. My Roomy (Jeff Kidd) was experiencing all the great wonders of Africa for the first time being his first visit. He had already told me that he really did not know what to expect, he just knew that God was going to do something special. We had a long day in the medical and we had taken a break to have something eat to get the energy level back, meaning chapati bread, peanut butter, and banana. (Some refer to this lunch as the white African burrito.) No matter it is really good. Jeff had finished his lunch and was having an Oreo cookie when he noticed a little girl standing close by. He offered her a cookie to which she took and then she did something he totally did not expect. She took the cookie over to 7 other children and broke the cookie into 8 pieces and then proceeded to give each child a piece of the cookie. Jesus said that we can be taught and led by a little child and after hearing and seeing the stories from the children of Africa I know what Jesus was talking about.Look around God may be wanting to teach you something today.

Just thoughts from a sinner on his way home,
peace, byron