HOLD MY HAND

There has always been a sense of a strength in numbers for me. Don't get me wrong, I love my "alone time." Everyone who knows me well knows how much I enjoy being left alone with a good book. But when difficulty comes ... when I'm afraid ... or overwhelmed ... or lost ... I want as many people around me as possible. When I'm leaving the movie theater at night after watching a horror flick ... or walking down a dark, unfamiliar road ... or lost in a sea of strangers ... I want as many familiar faces around me as possible. I want someone to hold my hand. I find strength and comfort in numbers.

That's the sense I get from our Christian brothers and sisters in Africa. There were people here from Burundi, Nigeria, Kenya, and Botswana (as well as other countries around the world). And I get the same sense from each of them ... they want to be around as many Christians as possible. They, like me, draw strength in numbers. They want someone to hold their hand.

One conference leader pointed out that in one major city in Africa four public school teachers die every day from HIV/AIDS. "It won't be long before there will be no teachers left to teach the children," he said. Another conference attendee told me that half his family has been wiped out by the disease. He has chosen to fight back. Others just feel lost. And you can't blame them. I would feel lost too. These are scary, difficult, and overwhelming things our brothers and sisters in Christ are dealing with. And they want as many people around them as possible. Maybe that's the most important thing we do ... let them know we are around them. Maybe we're here just to hold their hands.

I don't know ... maybe.

blessings,

pastor ellis

Comments

[FLOR COX]

Pastor Ellis,
I really belive that you are doing God's will and at this time, at this moment those christian brothers need your hand to let them know that we are all here together as one for god we are the body of christ as a whole (hundreds of believers) we will continue our prayers for you and keep in mind that when they hold your hand and when they give you a hug you are hugging them for all of us as a body of christ.( i hope this makes sense)
praying for stregnth for you,

flor cox