12-9-09: "With Many Hands, the Load is Light"

“Which 4th period class can raise the most money for Friends of Fort Liberte by December 18?” was the challenge given to Dock students by Ms. Johnston in today’s chapel.

“Friends of Fort Liberte” (FFL) projects are not funded by large donations from individuals, but from small amounts contributed by many people. The fundraiser at Dock is one such example. This manner of fundraising is perfectly described by the Haitian proverb, “with many hands the load is light,” said chapel presenter Annette Crislip. Annette is the co-founder of FFL and a friend of Ms. Johnston’s.

The creation of FFL began in 1973 when West Virginia architect J. D. King (Annette’s late husband) met Pastor Andre Jean of Haiti. Over the next few years, a Haitian child sponsorship program was begun, leading to the formation of the non-profit organization in 1993. Today FFL has constructed churches, a primary school, a secondary school, a clinic, and an orphanage in Haiti in addition to continuing the child sponsorship program. This trans-denominational organization’s mission is to “help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, relieve hunger and homelessness, encourage education and help individuals achieve their full potential.”

The funds raised by Dock students, faculty, and staff will be used to build an addition onto the orphanage, which is deteriorating. Students in the 4th period class that raises the most money will receive a free lunch.

For more information on FFL, please see the December issue of Newsline (page 9) and the Friends of Fort Liberte website.

The Uniqueness of Jesus

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
- John 3:16-17

God chose to come to Earth in the form of an apparently ordinary human being. But Jesus was not just an ordinary human being; He was amazingly unique, too. It was through His miracles that He showed this uniqueness to others, and finally through His death and Resurrection.

In our own time we are surrounded by many seemingly ordinary people who display their amazing and unique gifts to the world. One such person is amateur singer Susan Boyle, who appeared last spring on “Britain’s Got Talent” and became an overnight internet sensation. People feel they can relate to Susan Boyle because she appears so ordinary; she is an average person with an incredible gift. She made something amazing and unique happen on stage.

Watch the YouTube video of her audition on the show. Listen to the skepticism of Simon Cowell and the other judges as they interview Susan before she sings. Then watch their skepticism melt away to amazement when they hear her unique voice.

In this world, people focus on uniqueness. When you apply for a job, no one asks, “What makes you average?” People want to know about your unique gifts and talents. They want to know, “Why should I hire you instead of the 12 other candidates for this job? What is it that makes you special?”

We cannot perform miracles like Jesus, and perhaps not even sing as well as Susan Boyle, but each of us is unique. No matter how ordinary each of us may appear, we all have a God-given and wonderful uniqueness to share with the world.

Losers Who Said "Yes"

“What does it take to be a part of the genealogy of Christ?” As chapel presenters Nate Stuckey and Kenda Creasy Dean read through the genealogy, they decided that there are two things needed to make someone part of the genealogy of Christ: one, the person had to be a “loser,” and two, they had to say yes to God.

If God comes to the world through losers, then He can use losers like us to do His work. There are many “losers” in the genealogy of Christ: Jacob, for example, who deceived both his brother and father, or even Mary, a fourteen-year-old girl at the bottom of the social ladder.

There are lots of reasons to say “no” to God, but a simple “yes” can change everything. There were many reasons for those in Jesus’ genealogy to say “no,” but instead they chose to say yes and accomplished amazing things: Moses said “yes,” even though he did not speak well, and led the Israelites out of Egypt; Sarah said “yes” to God and had a son, Isaac, though she was much too old to have children; Mary said “yes” and it changed the world.

To connect Mary’s story to our own time, clips were shown of FOX’s new show Glee. These clips dealt with another young woman, Quinn, a high school cheerleader and glee club member who has gotten pregnant. In the final clip, the glee club members perform Bill Withers’ Lean on Me, a reminder that they will support Quinn during this difficult time. It is also a reminder that God will support us.

Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for miracles. We wait for someone to hold us and tell us everything is going to be all right. But maybe we are not the only ones waiting. Perhaps God is waiting, too – waiting for us to say “yes.” God sends us love letters, letters of affirmation and invitation. He affirms that all is well and invites us with hope and His plan for our future.

Working for God and with God is not about the self. While working with God, the miracle comes to the forefront, and the self is pushed into the background. Thus, the “loser” becomes transformed. The sign for loser is created by folding down all your fingers and then extending the thumb and index finger to make an “L.” But if you then extend your pinkie finger also, you make the American Sign Language sign for love. This is a simple yet powerful reminder that God has the ability to transform “losers” by the power of His love, if only we will say “yes” to His call.

As a sweet reminder, Hershey kisses were given out at the end of chapel to remind us to say “yes,” even when we feel unqualified.