Tradition: \tra-’di-shan\ 1) an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom).
Lutherans are known to be rich in traditions. Whether you’re looking at our denomination’s roots in Germany, one of the many Lutheran churches here in the U.S., or a small rural Lutheran church in Haiti that meets under a metal roof in an open field with a cow not far away, one tradition you can count on is that the Word of God will be central to the message.
That’s also true in the 113 schools Trinity/HOPE serves throughout Haiti. Each school day we provide a noon meal to more than 22,500 children, teachers and cooks. Just as importantly, in addition to receiving a life-sustaining meal, every school we work with is a Christian school, allowing the children to hear the Word of God daily. These children then have the opportunity to go home and share what they are learning with their families. Because more than 50% of the families in Haiti worship Voodoo, these children soon become the most effective missionaries the local pastors can have. They bring their families to church (which are often tied to the school), and the parents are even more exposed to the Good News. The cycle is very simple, yet very effective. Christianity is now the fastest growing religion in Haiti.
The picture above, left, is of Alex Moise, one of Trinity/HOPE’s Feeding Program Directors, sharing the Word of God with a class of children at Mixte Boisrand Tonnerre, a school in Jacmel, Haiti. In addition to being a Feeding Program Director, Alex is also a Lutheran pastor in Jacmel.
Haiti has many unique and interesting traditions, however, we thank God for providing the whole world with His Word and allowing us to share the Good News with these hungry children. For more information concerning the work Trinity/HOPE is doing in Haiti, please visit our website at www.trinityhope.org.
By Keith Logan
trinityhope.kl@gmail.com
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