Good Morning

Man can live for about forty days without food, and about three days without

water, about eight minutes without air...but only for one second without hope.

-Hal Lindsey-

Good Morning,

Sharron and I spent the Easter weekend in the Marshall Islands. This is the second time that I have had the privilege of doing so; Sharron’s first. What an incredible weekend. We shared Good Friday Services at the Rita Corps, Easter morning in Laura, and had a united service in Rita Sunday night.

Majors Benton and Pearl Markham joined us for the trip. Majors Markham were the first officers to be appointed to the Marshall Islands in 1985. They talked about their first Sunday here; which was held in their single wide mobile home, with ten people in attendance. Sunday night there were over 400 in attendance; and, I had the honor of enrolling 25 Junior Soldiers and six Senior Soldiers.

Major Ben gave the message on Sunday night. He spoke about Overton Clarence, the first soldier in the Marshall Islands, and his undying determination to bring The Salvation Army here. Overton wrote letters to everyone from the General to the Hawaiian Islands Divisional Commander, asking them to send an officer to begin the work. His faithfulness paid off, as today there are over a thousand soldiers in the Marshall Islands. The Army’s work has now spread throughout all Micronesia. It is because of the faithfulness of Overton Clarence and Majors Ben and Pearl Markham that The Salvation Army is in Micronesia today.

It is appropriate that Sharron and I spent Easter in the Marshall Islands. Easter is day of hope, but it is also a day of faithfulness. Jesus was faithful all the way to the Cross. He could have quit any time; however, thank God, He never did. Today we can share a right relationship with God because of His faithfulness. It is because of faithful people like Majors Markham and Overton Clarence that thousands of lives have been impacted by the ministry of The Salvation Army.
You and I may never have the chance to have such a dramatic impact on so many other people. However, God presents us with countless opportunities everyday to make a difference in the lives of others; by sharing a kind word or a gentle response. God doesn’t require great things of all of us; however, He does require great love in little things.

Blessings,
d

Good Morning

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.
-Billy Graham

Good Morning,

What an incredible weekend! We had 165 people at our annual Youth Councils where we taught our young people to fight. They were taught to stand and not back away; to be bold and not be afraid. Okay, calm down…the fight is not against each other, but against social injustice, poverty, addictions; they were taught to boldly stand for God and doing right.

It seems like every time I open a newspaper I read something bad about a young person. We read about rising high school drop out rates or frightening crime rates involving youth. This weekend ran totally contra to everything that we read today.
Saturday the delegates went to Aala Park and feed the “houseless;” they went to our Silvercrest (senor housing) in Wahiawa and pulled weeds and cleaned up the area; they picked trash along the road side and in the parks around Haleiwa. They proudly wore shirts that stated, I’LL FIGHT on the front. On the back were the words of General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army:

While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!

On Sunday I was moved to almost tears (okay, to tears) when I saw them stand up and boldly make commitments to God; determined to become all that God wants them to be.
My thanks go to everyone that contributed to make Youth Councils a success, especially to Captains Neil and Rubina Navarro. Each of you gives me hope, not only for tomorrow, but for today.

While many were at Youth Councils; stating their commitment to God for their future, there was a funeral service for our dear friend Brigadier Adela Acosta in Hilo. She, along with her husband, Bienvenido, served as Salvation Army officers for 29 years. She leaves a legacy of passionate service to God and others. She was happiest, according to her family, when she was serving other people. In The Salvation Army, we use the term Promoted to Glory; and rightfully so, as we believe she is now at the loving side of her Savior. Our prayers are with the Acosta family during this difficult time.

Blessings,
d