Faithful Men Latvia Tour Update
Author: Allen Garrett
Nov 16, 10:24 AM
Posted In: Faithful Men, Latvia
Hello Faithful Followers,
It's Sunday, Nov. 16th and The Faithful Men Latvia 2008 Concert Tour is over. We have had a couple of days to rest after a very busy schedule. We are glad to be home but, as you may well know, our hearts may still be in Latvia.
This year is no different than previous trips to Latvia. Yes, some of the faces have changed but the end result is still the same. Once your heart is tied to a mission your life is changed forever. This trip is no different whether it's Latvia, Guatemala, Zimbabwe, Paraguay or Tongo. People of the world need to know that they are not alone. That they are in the hearts and minds of people they may never know or never meet.
It was a pleasure to have Pastor Jerry with us on the trip this year. Pastor Jerry spoke on John 3:16-17, "The love of Christ and how Christ loves the whole world." I think about the lives that were touched by the music, by the worship and by the word of God. But most of all, I think about how just being there and giving hope has changed the lives of men, women and children in need of hope.
I looked up the word "hope" in the dictionary and I was a little surprised at what I found. The word "hope" is defined as: to cherish a desire with anticipation. A very short and simple definition but a definition that says so much more.
Then I looked up the word "hope" in the Bible because I wanted to see how "hope" is described there. I found many references in the index but what I was looking for was why it is key to life. I found many scriptures on "hope" as it relates to past sin and "hope" in Christ.
When we see people hurting and in need, their faces always tell the story of their situation. Their faces tell the story of a need for "hope." In my life, I've read many books and news articles on tradgedies and catastrophic events and in each case the need is the same. The need for "hope"; to know that they are not alone, to know that someone cares about who they are.
We had a few people on this trip that this was their first mission trip. It is wonderful to observe how God takes them and changes their heart. It is also wonderful and amazing to see how God reaffirms the heart of those who have gone before as well. It is incredible how God uses something so simple as a bunch of old guys singing to provide "hope" to those who are hurting and needing to know that they are not alone.
I believe that the young mother who lost her 21-day-old son now has "hope." Hope in the knowledge that her child is with Christ in heaven and knowledge that her son will never know the difficulty of this world. I know God placed us in this young mothers life at the right time and He allowed us to place the Cross of Christ on this child so that she could have "hope."
Today will be just another day for a lot of people at Fairview and in Maryville and even Latvia. But there are many people throughout Latvia, and especially the mothers at the Hope Center, that now have "hope." To know that they are not alone. I also believe that God has renewed "hope" within in each of us through this trip. Some may have even found "hope" in a much deeper and meaningful way. I pray that you too have found "hope" in some way through this trip.
Thank you Fairview for continuing to support the Faithful Men in missions to Latvia. Thank you for your giving and thank you for your prayers. We ask that you continue to pray for us as we continue to listen to Gods call.
Blessings,
Allen
