Two weeks.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I.  Send me!” Isaiah 6:8  

Two weeks from today, my oldest granddaughter turns five. A few days ago, I asked Audrey if she was going to be seven and she said “no papa, I’m going to be five!”  I’m happy that she doesn’t want to grow up too fast.  Two weeks from today, I am having a tumor removed from my brain.  The surgery had been scheduled for March 23 but the pandemic put that on hold and now I can hardly wait to get this procedure completed and prayerfully, some of my life will return to normalcy.  

I was listening to some Kenny Rogers music on Alexa last weekend and the song ‘The Gambler’ was on and there are some wonderful words of wisdom there, at least from my vantage point.  The song was written by Don Schlitz in August, 1976 when he was 23 years old.  I want to share just the words from the chorus.   “You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away and know when to run.  You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table; there'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.”  There so many words of wisdom there that I would like to share with Audrey, but she’s only going to be 5 and not 7.  There were so many times when I should have folded them, walked away and even times when it was clear that I should have run away…but didn’t.  There are so many lessons learned in our lives and unfortunately, sometimes it takes a couple of hands to learn them.  

I have always been haunted by Isaiah 6:8, where the prophet says, “here I am, send me!”  He was hearing the Lord calling for workers, and was ready to go, without delay.  I’ve known many people who have been called, me included, but the caller wasn’t the Lord.  You got to know when to fold them and wait for the real deal. 

I read a devotion from CPH today that had some wonderful words of wisdom about getting a call and while it was directed for a high school or college graduate, it could be for my little Audrey Sue or maybe for you.  “Son, you do not have just one calling, or one chance to decide once and for all what you’re going to do with the rest of your life. Life is made of many callings, big and small, work and non-work. You may have callings for an individual day, or you may have callings for a lifetime. Roll with it.”  

Blessed are all Your saints, O God and King, who have traveled over the tempestuous sea of this mortal life, and have made the harbor of peace and happiness. Watch over us who are still in our dangerous voyage, and remember such as lie exposed to the rough storms of trouble and temptations. Frail is our vessel, and the ocean is wide; but as in Your mercy You have set our course, so steer the vessel of our life toward the everlasting shore of peace. Bring us at length to the quiet haven of our heart’s desire, where You, O our God, are blessed, and live and reign forever and ever. Amen.  

May God bless you, Jay 

Prayer guide June 1, 2020

We begin our prayer time in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. + Amen.

‘Adoration’

Psalm 84:1-2; “How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!  My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”  

It is amazing how we can and really should be filled with such pleasure in seeing a small vegetable seed send a bright green stem up through the soil and watch it reach for the warmth of the sun and drink of the morning dew and be refreshed with timely rainfall.  HE made that happen every single season since the beginning of time.  Consider that same unbelievable work that He is accomplishing through each of the Haitian children who have spent the past year learning about His Son, Jesus.  It is taking place right before our eyes.  HE is in control of that seed, the seasons, the lives of Haitian children and us as well.    

A time of ‘Adoration’ to our Heavenly Father.    

Please take time to sit quietly and gaze at His creation and feel His presence in your life.

Think about the provisions, protection, hope and love that surround you because of His unfailing love for you.

Grasp the immense work that our Creator is doing in the lives of each Haitian child who attended a Christian school this past year.  

‘Confession’

Romans 10:9-10; “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” We were born, sinful and unclean, through no fault of our own, but because of the sins of our parents, grandparents…Adam and Eve. 

God sent His only Son to die for our sins. Jesus did everything right while he was here on this earth. He loves you with a love that cannot be measured.  He gave to the world when no thanks were returned to Him.  He healed when there was no hope, and He died without complaint.  Jesus did nothing wrong and everything right; all this for you.  He lived for you and died for you.  Our sins nailed Him to the cross on Calvary and kept Him there until His life on earth had ended. A time of personal confession. Our sins are placed at the base of the Calvary cross...His cross, and we give thanks that the times we have fallen short in the eyes of our Heavenly Father have been washed clean and we have been forgiven through the Blood of our Risen Savior Jesus Christ.  

‘Thanksgiving’

John 13:12-14; “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.  “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”  

These verses from John 13 caused me to recall back in the day, decades ago, when John and Carol Hall went to Haiti and met with Pastor Benoit and saw the 42 hungry children at Tarrasse, and John asked “How can I help?”  Jesus told the disciples in John 13:14 to go and wash the feet of others.  He didn’t say how; which kind of soap, the temperature of the water or thread count of the towel, no, He just go, and ‘do it’.  

And now, decades later after John’s question, Trinity/HOPE is feeding Haitian children and we are living in a world where a pandemic has its tight grip over our daily lives and we stop and spend time giving thanks that God has used us as a part of His blessing to the families of over 30,000 Haitian School children with a Trinity/HOPE feeding program since COVID 19 has closed their schools a few months early this year.  Trinity/HOPE has made it possible for families of their children to go to their school and receive the food their child would normally have been fed and take that back to their homes.  Haitian lives are still receiving God’s gift of food and Hope for tomorrow when the vodou priest gives nothing, but a gloom filled look at today, tomorrow and forever.   

Psalm 106:1: “Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”  

Heavenly Father, we come to You now with hearts, minds and words filled with ‘Thanksgiving’.” We give thanks for our Creator, Redeemer and Holy Spirit.

We give thanks for over 30,000 children who are still being fed during this pandemic for the remainder of the school year.

We give thanks our providence; monetary, food, clothing, timely moisture and shelter. 

As we give of our first fruits may we also give a portion of our best to His children in Haiti who need the assistance we can provide because Your abundant blessings continue to pour into our lives.

We give You thanks for Your healing touch on Mark Gudlin and the joy for him being back home with Denise and family.

Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for protecting each of us from this pandemic that has shaken our world.  

‘Supplications’

Acts 1:14; “They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.”  

The Trinity/HOPE Executive Board has been watching how the pandemic is affecting Haiti and is in frequent contact with Feeding Program Directors from around their country, and continues to read news accounts from Haiti.  I thought it might be good to share just a short piece from an article written in early May that gives a very good glimpse of what is taking place there.  “With just eight official virus fatalities as of May 9, the COVID-19 pandemic is still in its infancy in Haiti, where staying at home and social distancing are unattainable luxuries for many who make their living in the informal economy.  In an attempt to stem the spread of the virus the government of Haiti announced that wearing a mask would be compulsory in all public places beginning May 11.  Masks aside, for many Haitians the main question remains: Die of hunger today or coronavirus tomorrow?”  

Looking at this pandemic from “outside the box” it would seem that our Heavenly Father brought Trinity/HOPE together decades ago to feed as many of His children as was needed for this event in history; to spread the Holy Gospel and message of Salvation to as many lost Haitian souls as possible.      

Heavenly Father, we bring our supplications before You;  

Almighty Lord; protect and bless Your children and their families, here and there, during this pandemic during the summer months.  Lord of the Harvest, please bless the efforts of the Haitian farmers, may their gardens and homes be protected from storms this summer.

Almighty Healer and Shepherd of the flock; comfort, uplift and heal Beckie Rathke as she faces the challenge of cancer.  May she never doubt Your presence throughout her daily activities.Heavenly Father, please use this pandemic to draw us closer to You and place our needs in Your BIG Hands, instead of our weak and small hands.

Heavenly Father, please place Feeding Program Director Willy Dieudonne in Your constant care as he battles COVID-19 like symptoms at his home in Cite Soleil, Haiti.  Watch over him, his wife and their new baby during these challenging times.   

Lord God, bless Your Word wherever it is proclaimed.  Make it a Word of power and peace to convert those not yet Your own and to confirm those who have come to saving faith.  May Your Word pass from the ear to the heart, from the heart to the lip and from the lip to the life that, as You have promised, Your Word may achieve the purpose for which You sent it; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:11-14; “Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the saints send their greetings.  May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  

May God go before you to guide you; may His arms be beneath you to support you, around you to protect you and above you to bless you.  And may the blessings of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you always dear sister and brother in Christ,  

In His love, Jay Brinkmeyer 

Memorial Day.

“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10.  

After last week, it seemed like I am feeling much like this old Christian church near Moomaw Corner in Morrill County Nebraska.  Parts that used to freely open don’t, parts that used to hold me up won’t and a mind and hands that used to work in unison can’t.  Prayerfully, assembling a blend of photos, scripture readings, relevant stories, a song now and then and with these eight dead fingers that are becoming more useless, have been robbing the joy of doing this daily part of my life, that began over 12 years ago.  

This is my fourth attempt to write something today; the delete key has been very busy.  No easy way to say this; I am tired of doing this as it becomes more difficult for so many reasons.  I think that the Lord is speaking to me; “be still” and take some time off and maybe the joy will return.  Have a blessed Memorial Day; see you on the other side.  

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

May God be with you…Jay

You've been healed.

“A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”  Jesus was indignant.  He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”  Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.  Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you don’t tell this to anyone.  But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”  Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news.  As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.  Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.” Mark 1:40-45  

The healed leper was truly full of joy and could not keep quiet about ‘his’ miracle.  How would you have responded to being healed?  Had your illness been healed by Jesus and then you had been told not to tell anybody but it would be okay to show yourself without the scars of your illness to your Pastor; what would you have done?  I can only imagine that it would have been very difficult to contain my joy.   One dictionary provides the following definitions for the word ‘heal’.  1. To restore to health or soundness; cure.  2. To set right; repair: healed the rift between us.  3. To restore a person to spiritual wholeness.  4.  To become whole and sound; return to health.   

To me it seems that each of these definitions would cause one’s eyes to brighten and cause a wide smile to stretch across a face; healing brings joy to the one being healed and also to those who may have had a part in the healing.  Consider the children in the attached photo, they attend the one of two Christian schools in Ouanaminthe that have a Trinity/HOPE feeding program; they are being healed.  Their relationship with our Triune God is either being formed or restored and their physical hunger is being restored every day.   

I heard a quote on BOTT radio recently when an Evangelist said “We cannot make people love us, but we can let others love us.”  As a Trinity/HOPE supporter I have no intentions to ‘make’ these children love me, but rather I smile knowing their spiritual welfare is being strengthened each day as they draw closer to God and farther away from the vodou priest.  When I am able to visit them in Haiti, they can hug me all they want but all the glory belongs to God as He is the reason for their healing and also for my healing.  I close today with the words from a song that I heard on the internet written by Lenny Smith called ‘Our God reigns.’    

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news, good news; announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness: our God reigns, our God reigns!  He had no stately form; He had no majesty that we should be drawn to Him.  He was despised and we took no account of Him.  Our God reigns, our God reigns!  It was our sin and guilt that bruised and wounded Him.  It was our sin that brought Him down.  When we like sheep had gone astray our Shepherd came and on His shoulders bore our shame.  Meek as a lamb that’s led out to the slaughterhouse, dumb as a sheep before its shearer, His life ran down upon the ground like pouring rain that we might be born again.  Out from the tomb He came with grace and majesty; He is alive, He is alive.  God loves us so, see here His hands, His feet, His side; yes we know, He is alive.”  

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

May God be with you…Jay

Stay awake!

(Jesus said) "Therefore stay awake; for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake." Mark 13:35-37  

These verses in Mark give each of us a reminder to STAY AWAKE!  When I read these verses today, I was thinking that perhaps Jesus was telling me to stay busy, stay awake as the master may return at any time, nobody knows when but He has promised to return.  Do you suppose that we are to just be staying idle while sheltering in place, and watching and waiting for the Master to return?  It wouldn’t seem that is what Jesus would be asking us to do, considering the Great Commission in the final chapter of Matthew.  It would seem that we are to be working to bring more into the Kingdom and protect those that are already in His fold; protect the property and bring in more as the harvest is ready.  Be alert, don’t close your eyes and go to sleep, no…stay alert and watch for the Master.  

The children in the attached photo appear to be waiting…and watching.  Waiting and watching for their turn to receive their lunch at Petit Paradis in Port-au-Prince.  They belong to the King and have been told about the Master’s return.  The temptations and pressures of their world, and our world attack each of us every day; temptations that try to lure us into falling asleep, stop working and stop believing.  

We need to stand ready to receive our Master at each hour of the day, waiting and watching for that glorious day when the door will open.  Thank you for staying awake and helping to prepare these children to be ready for that day when each of us will meet our Savior face to face and be taken from this sinful world in a new Heavenly home.  

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

May God be with you…Jay

Ascension Day.

“He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”  Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.  He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.  Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.  And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” Luke 24:44-53  

Last Sunday, as I watched the online worship service from Emmanuel Lutheran in Hermitage, TN, Pastor Tim Hunze announced “that they would be observing Ascension Day today, cause it falls on Thursday, and our world doesn’t ever seem to celebrate it.”  Fantastic!  He is correct.  Ascension Day doesn’t receive any notice from Hallmark cards, candy makers, special feasts for the family or a day off from work; it should.  Pastor Keith Enko shared that this day is when Jesus punched our ticket for Eternal Life, just before He ascended into Heaven.  

Our world will celebrate Columbus Day, Arbor Day, May Day, Agriculture Day, President’s Day, Independence Day and Walk Your Brown Dog on your Neighbors Lawn Day but Ascension Day…never heard of that.  This world of ours has so many gods to worship and celebrate but sadly, we turn our eyes away from celebrating that day when the Son of God left this earth and returned to His heavenly home; Heaven.  

This is the day that Christians living in Haiti can proclaim that Jesus has not only risen, but ascended into Heaven!  This day brands the vodou priest a total liar as he always insists that Jesus is still in the tomb.  The ransom for our sins has been paid and our ticket is punched.  I am going to close today with a few of the nine verses from the hymn ‘Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness’ that always puts a lump in my throat.  It was written by Nikolaus L. von Zinzendorf, way back in the day, and sung by a small choir at the online service from Crown of Life Lutheran in Sun City West, AZ on last Sunday.  

“Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness, my beauty are, my glorious dress; ’midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head.  Bold shall I stand in Thy great day; for who aught to my charge shall lay?  Fully absolved through these I am; from sin and fear, from guilt and shame. The holy, meek, unspotted Lamb, Who from the Father’s bosom came, Who died for me, e’en me to atone, now for my Lord and God I own.  Lord, I believe Thy precious blood, which, at the mercy seat of God, forever doth for sinners plead, for me, e’en for my soul, was shed.  Lord, I believe were sinners more than sands upon the ocean shore, Thou hast for all a ransom paid, for all a full atonement made.  When from the dust of death I rise to claim my mansion in the skies, ev’n then this shall be all my plea, Jesus hath lived, hath died, for me.”  

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

May God be with you…Jay 

HE is here.

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.  As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.”  1 Peter 4:1-2  

Was looking through photos of schools that I had visited while living in Haiti and came across a few with memories that were not pleasant; but rather brought back images of dark long corridors in a labyrinth of uneven steps and uncertainty of what was around the next corner and who might be waiting there.  

Before leaving Nebraska and going to live in Haiti for several years, my prayer life was not always what it should have been and perhaps that is why God nudged me to go there and live with my fellow Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ, whose daily lives were filled with prayer.  Before entering a hallway such as the one in the attached photo taken while making my way to a school in PAP, prayers for protection for me and those with me would be offered.  Before turning the key in the truck, prayers were offered for safe travel.  Safety was always an issue, looking at who was walking alongside the truck in PAP, who was following me for more than a couple of blocks when driving home, who was watching my transaction at the bank, who followed me while walking in the market.  He was with me, always with me.  I recently heard a group sing ‘Majesty’ and those words reflect the comfort that was felt by me, and those living in Haiti as we walked with our Savior.  

“Majesty worship His Majesty unto Jesus, be all glory, power and praise.  Majesty, Kingdom authority flow from His throne, unto his own, His anthem raise.  So exalt, lift up on high the Name of Jesus.  Magnify, come glorify, Christ Jesus the King.  Majesty, worship His Majesty.  Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings.”  

My prayers are with the children in our Christian schools, with their teachers, principals, pastors and parents now, every day.  Thank you for also keeping them in your daily prayers as they do His work in the midst of unforeseen dangers.  

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.   May God be with you…Jay

Jesus, remember me...

“And he said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your Kingdom."  And He said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise."  Luke 23:42-43  

There were many times while living in Haiti that these verses from Luke came to mind; recalling the words of the thief that was hanging on the cross next to the Son of God, asking Christ Jesus to remember him when He gets into Heaven.  The attached photo was one of those times.  It was taken on the roof of the school at Village de la Paix which is adjacent to the Cite Solei slum in Port-au-Prince.  Just beyond the range of this photo was a barricade of tires and chairs that were placed there by a group of vodou people who were charging a fee to drive through ‘their’ territory, as they would say “you are obliged to give me $10 to drive through this street.”   

There are more vodou people in Haiti than Christians and quite often I would wonder what their remark would have been to the Savior had they been hanging next to him on Calvary.  Many of the children in our schools come from homes with vodou and they must be questioned by those who have not heard the truth about Jesus.  Their journey on this earth has to be difficult as they give an answer for the truth that they have been taught.  

Our Savior has assured them that they will be with Him in Paradise along with all who accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  Thank you for continuing to support these young children who carry that message to the lost souls in Haiti.  

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

May God be with you…Jay

Do you know any shepherds?

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”  John 10:16 (KJV)  

I’ve been watching several Sunday morning church services on line these days in my comfortable recliner, from different congregations than here in Normal.  A pastor in AZ asked viewers and also members of his virtual congregation if any of us were shepherds?  I don’t recall that there were many shepherds in Nebraska while I lived there; a lot of ranchers but seldom met a shepherd.  When we read about the work of the shepherds in the Bible it probably reminds some of us when we cared for small children and perhaps even brings back memories when our parents were raising and nurturing us.  

The verse in John causes us to consider that there are numerous ‘folds’ on this planet.  There are many flocks that are marked by the blood of Christ throughout this world that one day we will all be in the same ‘fold’; the gate of Heaven will open for each of us from every nation who have been called and redeemed by our risen Savior.  

Not sure where the two boys are from in the attached photo; not sure which ‘fold’ they are from.  They each have a different type of metal pan that they brought from their home and each is filled with their daily manna.  Thank you for sharing of your resources to bring this blessing to their school.  One day, they and you will be reunited in Heaven and together share in the eternal joy of being with our Savior, the Good Shepherd.  

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

May God be with you…Jay

Weekend meal.

“Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow?  I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.”  Job 6:6-7  

One of the tasks that a Trinity/HOPE team member undertakes when going to Haiti is to check the status of where the food is stored and to check on the supplies that are used for the food that is prepared.  Storage areas might be anything from a small building about the size of an outdoor privy with a chain and padlock on the door to a small storage room in a school, also with a locked door.  We check for any traces of rodent droppings or bugs or mildew; ensure the food is in a safe place.  

Supplies are generally a can of vegetable oil, a couple of bags of red beans, a large bag of rice, sometimes there are some raw vegetables (onions and carrots), a can of tomato paste, a box of Maggi which is a seasoning and usually there will be a container of smoked herring, or as is the case in the attached photo a box with some of the smelly fish.  You may be thinking “ew!” but the fish is used sparingly and gives the rice and beans a delicious hint of smoky flavor.   

My taste buds crave Haitian food from time to time and plantain, goat and rice and beans find their way into my kitchen quite often.  My personal favorite recipe for Diri ak sòs pwa is as follows; 1 cup dried pinto beans,  soaked overnight in 5 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/3 cup tomato paste, I medium white onion, diced, 4 cups white rice, 2 bay leaves, ½ tin of smoked kipper snack (smoked herring), ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, 3 large sprigs fresh parsley, 3 sprigs fresh thyme and salt and pepper to taste.  

In a large pot, bring the beans and their soaking water to a boil.  Lower the heat, cover the pan, and simmer about 45 minutes, or until they are tender.  Drain the beans, reserving liquid.  In the same large pot, heat the oil.  Add the onion and herring, cook, stirring and smushing for 2 minutes until the mixture browns lightly.  Next, stir in the beans and tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring.  Next measure the reserved cooking liquid, and add enough water to make 8 cups.  Pour it into the beans and bring to a boil.  Stir in the rice.  Lower the heat and simmer, stirring often, for 20 minutes or until only a little liquid remains.  Turn the heat to the lowest setting.  Stir in the bay leaves, salt, pepper, and cloves.  Place the parsley sprigs and thyme sprigs on top.  Press a large piece of foil directly onto the rice; many Haitian cooks use a large piece of plastic.  Cover the pot and continue cooking for 18 to 20 minutes or until the rice is very tender.  Remove parsley, thyme, and I like to add a dash of chili pepper before serving.  

Next get a metal pie pan or plastic cereal bowl and a spoon and place two and a half cups of rice and beans into your serving bowl and set it at your table.  Wash your hands under running water while saying the Lord’s Prayer, wipe them dry on a cloth towel, say your mealtime prayer and imagine that you are dining with a child attending a Christian school somewhere in Haiti savoring each spoonful of your only meal of the day.  A quarter from a Trinity/HOPE donor will be the cost for your meal.  

Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.  Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Amen.  

May God be with you…Jay