International Prayer Day First Monday each month 10 am

Joel Griffith 9/30/25 Joel Griffith 9/30/25

Do what is right.

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

Many voices in our sinful world tell us "Don’t get mad…get even." Don’t know if this would have been something said in Paul’s time but this type of thinking makes it sound like we are totally in control of a painful situation.

The attached photo is a glimpse of evil. The building within the corrugated metal fence on the left side of road between Cap Haitian and Ouanaminthe has many colored flags; a vodou temple. Each flag represents a powerful evil spirit that the local vodou priest has at their bidding. To the Christians living in Haiti this is the competition that is far more dangerous than the economic hardships and living conditions that challenge the inhabitant each day.

The vodou priest will call upon evil spirits sent from satan to bring problems and illnesses to rain down on innocent lives. Vodou is work of the devil and is not of our Triune God. There are over 52,000 children expecting to be fed this coming year by a Trinity HOPE feeding program every day they are in school learning more about the Triune God and the power of the Holy Spirit that will drive evil spirits away. These children are placing their trust in Jesus as He has defeated satan and His truth covers the lies of the vodou priest. Thank you for helping to prepare these young missionaries living in Haiti as they take the Gospel message to those still living in fear of the neighborhood vodou temple. In 1874 Frances R. Havergal wrote the words for ‘I am trusting Thee Lord Jesus’ and the last two verses are a wonderful way to close this devotion.

“I am trusting Thee for power; Thine can never fail. Words which Thou Thyself shalt give me must prevail. I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus; never let me fall. I am trusting Thee forever and for all.”

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

Joel Griffith 9/29/25 Joel Griffith 9/29/25

Lean on Him.

“The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm.” Isaiah 51:5

Hopefully, you and I will never experience more than one or two, truly severe trials in our lifetime; Job has been one for sure. The trials of a North American are greatly different than the Haitian boy in the attached photo. Too often what seem like a trial to us can be eliminated with the swipe of a credit card or the writing of a check; too often we fail to turn to Him with our trials.

The child in the photo attends the Messif School in Ouanaminthe and the trials that they face daily force them to place their trust in God alone. When there is no food for their table and no human deliverance is possible, they must completely place their trust in our Heavenly Father. The severe trial is a blessing to them, and could also be a blessing to us if we surrender our all to Him who created us.

Our world will tell us to look to ourselves for the escape route from trials but this young boy and his family have nowhere else to turn; they run into their Heavenly Father's arms and receive His blessings as promised. Together we join our brothers and sisters in Haiti and lean on His everlasting arms. Elisha Hoffman penned the following words in 1887 and are still true today.

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms; what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms. Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, leaning on the everlasting arms; oh, how bright the path grows from day to day, leaning on the everlasting arms. What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, leaning on the everlasting arms.”

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 9/27/25 Joel Griffith 9/27/25

Everyday blessing.

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

Every so often, someone sends me a greeting card here at the Facility and recently one had the words “Everyday Blessing” that really touched me; cause that is what they are to me. Is there anything on the face of this earth that could be an everyday blessing to you? Solomon was one of the richest men in all of History and he said that when he considered everything that he had accomplished and accumulated, it was all meaningless.

There are people in your life that bless your journey from time to time, but sad to say people ultimately disappoint as we are by nature sinful and unclean. The greeting card was directed to tell the recipient how their life had brought countless blessings into the life of the sender. The children from Bois Marchand in the attached photo would probably tell you that the plate of Trinity HOPE rice and beans in front of them is their “Everyday Blessing”. Truth is, the only real and sure “Everyday Blessing” is Jesus Christ. I heard a Kenny Rogers song recently “I can’t unlove you” and the lyrics caused me to think about a number of things.

“Postcards and letters and pictures made to last forever; to be boxed up and tossed away. Knickknacks and souvenirs in an afternoon, they're out of here. They'll disappear without a trace but what they mean to me can never be replaced. I can't unthink about you, I can't unfeel your touch, I can't unhear all the words unsay all the things that used to mean so much. I wish I could unremember everything my heart's been through; I'm finding out it's impossible to do. Oh, it's no use, I can't unlove you.”

When you see these children, the future of Haiti who will bring Jesus to the lost in Haiti, it is difficult to not love them. When I consider the many of supporters who are ambassadors of Christ and bless these children with their gifts and prayers; it is difficult to not love them. And once again, the truth is, we can’t unlove Jesus. His ‘everyday blessing’ for us was shed on the cross of Calvary.

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 9/26/25 Joel Griffith 9/26/25

Have it Your way, Lord.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

It is difficult at times to admit that we are vessels created by our Heavenly Father to ultimately do His work. Our vessels are needed to carry water, wine, dry goods and sometimes waste. We each have been given specific ways to use our talents to do His work, according to His plan and in His precise time.

When people learn about Trinity HOPE feeding children they generally think about that in North American ways. Our support is wired to Haiti and the school feeding program administrators purchase the ingredients from the local vendors in Haiti and then take it to the schools where cooks prepare the food over a fire and feed the children. You’ve seen a few photos of children praying before they eat, washing their hands, carrying the plate and eating but consider what is taking place in the attached photo.

There are so many different people in His plan that use their vessels to accomplish His work. The two men in the attached photo are wading through a river carrying supplies to a Lutheran School in the Les Cayes District where hundreds of children eat daily. The taptap or small pickup truck couldn’t drive through this swift river and to ne able to reach this school a person needs to wade through the river.

Thank you for answering His call to provide support for this school and the other 259 schools that have Trinity HOPE schools in Haiti. When you give thanks add a special petition for the countless people in Haiti that make these feeding programs accomplish His goal of training young children in Haiti to be His missionaries. The song “Have Thine own way Lord” which was written by Adelaide Pollard (1862-1934) is a great reminder of how our Heavenly Father continues to use the ‘special’ gifts that each of has to accomplish His will.

“Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Search me and try me, Savior today! Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now, as in thy presence humbly I bow. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Wounded and weary, help me I pray! Power, all power, surely is Thine! Touch me and heal me, Savior divine! Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!”

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 9/25/25 Joel Griffith 9/25/25

All knowing.

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:11 (KJV)

How many times have we been in the same predicament as Moses and told God “who am I to do your work?” Isn’t it a blessing that our God is so much more ALL KNOWING than our ‘brilliant’ minds. Too often we question God’s motives for using us, as surely He knows our limitations. How do you say NO? A man that I respect uses the following that I too have come to use at times when asked to do something that I don’t feel is within my abilities; “You know, I don’t think that will be a good match for my schedule at this time.” Trust me, this reply works really well; thanks Pastor Luke.

Jonah didn’t have a choice as God sent a great fish to rescue him from drowning and swallow him and later spit him out on a beach and then repeated His marching orders, go to Nineveh! Have there been any trips to Nineveh that you have either placed on hold or just decided not to go there? There have been a few times when I had been planning to take a mission team to Haiti when members of this world’s genius clubs were telling me to just stay home when planning, coordination and financing were taking a toll on my life.

I have spoken with a few people who won’t give a nickel to provide a meal for a child attending a Lutheran school in Haiti. Their response is to let their parents take care of them like we do here; be careful what you do or say, God has a way to nudge you to do His work. Our Triune God has a plan for your life, you were put here for a reason; His reason. Don’t be swayed by the ‘thinkers’ of this world and follow the wisdom of this world. Seek His wisdom through prayer and follow in the direction that the Holy Spirit nudges you. Whether your gifts and directions are to be used to feed children in Haiti or the homeless in your community, follow His lead for your life. I close today with the words to the hymn ‘Every morning mercies new’ that was written by Greville Phillimore in 1863.

“Every morning mercies new fall as fresh as morning dew; every morning let us pay tribute with the early day; for Thy mercies, Lord, are sure, Thy compassion doth endure. Still the greatness of Thy love daily doth our sins remove; daily, far as east from west, lifts the burden from the breast; gives un-bought to those who pray strength to stand in evil day. Let our prayers each morn prevail that these gifts may never fail; and as we confess the sin
and the Tempter's power within, feed us with the Bread of Life; fit us for our daily strife. As the morning light returns, as the sun with splendor burns, teach us still to turn to Thee, ever-blessed Trinity. With our hands our hearts to raise in unfailing prayer and praise.”

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 9/24/25 Joel Griffith 9/24/25

Shine the Light.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Back in the day while living in Haiti, I was told that there were several lighthouses on the coast line of Haiti; I looked and looked but only found one in the Jeremie District but didn’t think to take a photograph as it was not very picturesque. Just a rod with a light. There are probably quite a few lighthouses throughout this world that are not worthy of a photo or a painting but remain as only a memory.

Jesus Christ is the light of this world…and I don’t have a photo of him either. The girl in the attached photo attends Pont Quenepe School in Gonaives and she is a lighthouse of sorts. Her witness sends out a saving message to those lost in her neighborhood in Haiti. Consider yourself to be an integral part of the lighthouse as you provide the oil for her light. Your quarter each day keeps her light shining brightly.

I heard a song by Randy Travis and a group of ‘famous’ singers recently titled “Didn’t we shine” and the words caused me to consider what you and might say to this young girl from Gonaives when we meet in Heaven; didn’t we shine? What a glorious time we will have in Heaven, with her and with Him smiling about how He used us to reach so many who needed the light of this world to bring them to safety.

“Hello, it's good to see you, just how long has it been? I've often wondered what I'd say if we ever met again; if I'd try just being clever or pretend not to remember. But it's funny how you've lingered on my mind. Didn't we shine? Didn't we shine? Didn't we share and care and lay our hearts on the line? Maybe it wasn't meant to last till the end of time; oh, but while it did didn't we shine. I still have some blue days that I could do without and when I have my blue days; you're all I think about. But I've long ago forgiven you for what you did or didn't do. Now all I can recall are the happy times. Didn't we shine? Didn't we shine? Didn't we share and care and lay our hearts on the line? Maybe it wasn't meant to last till the end of time; oh, but while it did didn't we shine.”

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 9/23/25 Joel Griffith 9/23/25

The village.

“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.” Luke 24:28-29

The two disciples were walking down the dirt road to Emmaus, a journey of about seven miles, when Jesus came up and walked with them. Their exchange recorded in Luke provides another account that assures us and all believers that Jesus Christ defeated death and the devil.

Members from a gang tearing up Port-au-Prince last year wanted a change of scenery and headed northwest to the village of Pont Sonde; they killed, robbed and raped some of the people there. Didn’t matter if they were believers or vodou followers; they were attacked. The people that live near the vodou temple near Pont Sonde in the attached photo, will tell you that the Gospel of Luke is nothing more than a story, a fable…a lie. The vodou priest has assured them that satan defeated Christ on the cross. The vodou spirit or war, Ogou, defeated Jesus Christ. Ogou hasn’t been able to stop the gangs or the Holy Spirit. Children attending Christian schools in Haiti know the truth and face the mighty challenge of sharing the message of their risen Savior with the lost who have closed their ears to the truth; members of gangs and vodou followers. Thank you for providing prayers and support for their ministry efforts. Henry Lyte wrote the words to the hymn ‘Abide with me’ in 1847 and the words provide comfort for us, for the children in Pont Sonde and direction for those lost and waiting to hear the Gospel message.

“Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, help of the helpless, oh, abide with me! Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; change and decay in all around I see. O Thou, who changest not, abide with me! Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word, but as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord, familiar, condescending, patient, free. Come not to sojourn, but abide with me. Come not in terror, as the King of kings, but kind and good, with healing in Thy wings; tears for all woes, a heart for every plea. Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me. Thou on my head in every youth didst smile, and though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee. On to the close, O Lord, abide with me. I need Thy presence every passing hour; what but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power? Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me! I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; ills have no weight and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still if Thou abide with me. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies. Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; in life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!”

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 9/22/25 Joel Griffith 9/22/25

Road construction.

“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 63:7

I was riding home from church yesterday and was thinking about all the road construction I had seen this year while riding in other people’s cars around Bloomington and Normal this past summer and how the streets that I was on yesterday seemed a little rough. Then yesterday afternoon, while looking through photos that were taken in Haiti, the attached caught my eye.

This is on the main highway between Cap Haitian and Gonaives and this particular place is probably a few miles south of Limbe. The road is surfaced but is rough; you don’t see many speed limit signs in Haiti because a vehicle generally cannot drive very fast under normal conditions to warrant a speed limit sign.

The woman on the left side is walking to a market to try to sell her goods; it appears that it might be a large pan full homemade peanut brittle in bags. I was grumbling about a slightly rough road and this woman is walking for miles to sell her peanut brittle. Satan caused me to be discouraged and unhappy with this life and I was reminded of life in Haiti and now things are back in a proper perspective; for the time being.

Constantly being in the Word is His way of keeping each of us in that proper perspective. The children attending Christian schools in Haiti are also in His Word daily and they too are being reminded of how blessed we truly are being His children. Mr. Dennis Jernigan wrote the song “You are my all in all” and its words are a wonderful reminder of how important it is to keep our Heavenly Father in our daily thoughts and prayers.

“You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all. Seeking You as a precious jewel Lord, to give up I'd be a fool; You are my all in all. Taking my sin, my cross, my shame; rising up again I bless Your name. You are my all in all. When I fall down You pick me up. When I am dry You fill my cup. You are my all in all. Jesus, Lamb of God worthy is Your name.”

May God be with you,

Jay

Joel Griffith 9/20/25 Joel Griffith 9/20/25

One church.

“I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” 1 Kings 9:3

Way back in the day, prior to living in Haiti, it was my perception that a congregation worshipped in a ‘Church’ and if the congregation had a day school, that too was another structure. Most of the churches that are in Haiti are more like the early Church in Acts.

The attached photo is of the Lay Pastor standing in front of the Lutheran Church at Berjot which is located on the East edge of Les Cayes. This Church also happens to be his home and the woman standing in the doorway is his wife. This photo was taken in 2002 and at that time the Pastor also had a few children from the neighborhood come to learn about Jesus Christ. Pastor Israel Isidor advised that this part of Les Cayes not only had a strong vodou presence but also had many cases of leprosy.

Whether you worship the Triune God in a large brick or stone Church or a small concrete block building tucked into a small neighborhood; He is always there. The hymn ‘Christ is our Cornerstone’ was composed by John Darwall in 1770 and translated by John Chandler in 1837 and its words still provide us with the importance of Who is the cornerstone of our Church and lives; here in North American, in Haiti and throughout the world.

“Christ is our Corner-stone, on Him alone we build; with His true saints alone the courts of heaven are filled. On His great love, our hopes we place of present grace and joys above. Oh, then, with hymns of praise, these hallowed courts shall ring; our voices we will raise the three in One to sing. And thus proclaim in joyful song, both loud and long that glorious name. Here, gracious God, do Thou forevermore draw nigh; accept each faithful vow and mark each suppliant sigh. In copious shower on all who pray each holy day, Thy blessing pour. Here may we gain from heaven the grace which we implore, and may that grace, once given, be with us evermore. Until that day when all the blest to endless rest are called away!”
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

Joel Griffith 9/19/25 Joel Griffith 9/19/25

What is rwslly important?

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

What is really important to the child in the attached photo? This young girl attends the Lutheran school in Cap Haitian and on this day was visited by a Trinity HOPE mission team and received a bracelet that was used to help tell the story of our Triune God. What is really important to the life of this child?

She no doubt lives in a neighborhood where the vodou drums are pounded in the evening and animals are sacrificed. She no doubt has some members of her family that still visit the local vodou priest in hopes that they can receive healing or an answer to a problem that is happening in their lives. What is really important to the life of this child?

She has heard the Gospel message; this little lamb is saved. Her light is being refueled to shine brightly in a neighborhood of darkness. The cupboard in her house is most likely empty each morning but she is being fed at school every day. Her light is shining brightly as she takes the message of the Triune God into the neighborhood of doubt and fear. In the same manner as she hears the Word daily, she, and us continue to ‘do what it says’ as we continue along on our earthly journey doing His work and answering His call. In 1834, Edward Mote wrote the words for the hymn ‘My hope is built on nothing less’ and as you read those words, consider her life, your life and what our Savior accomplished for us and continues to accomplish through us.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. His oath, His covenant, and blood support me in the whelming flood; when every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh may I then in Him be found; clothed in His righteousness alone; faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

May God be with you,

Jay