Report about the earthquake in Haiti...
Dear Bishop!
I would like to report on what happened in Haiti, and also share a reflection on the same theme.
Last Saturday, there was an earthquake with an intensity of 7.2, in one of the most important cities in Haiti, which was bigger than the one in 2010 that destroyed Port-au-Prince.
According to reports from the Pastor responsible for the country, the city suffered a lot of destruction and, unfortunately, many lives were lost. But, thank God, the church and the members didn't have any harm.
The Pastor there told me that people, in the midst of despair, ran out of their homes, only wearing a towel or clothes on their backs, leaving everything they had behind. Nobody bothered to take any goods, money, jewelry or anything that was considered valuable, they all left EVERYTHING for one reason: to save their lives.
After talking to him, the words of Jesus came to mind, saying:
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:25,26
People were able to LEAVE EVERYTHING, not caring about anything, because everyone wanted to save their life, but this life, in one way or another, will come to an end, and here comes the question: what are we willing to do to have ETERNAL LIFE? What are we willing to leave behind in order to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit?
The truth is that many have not received LIFE because they are still stuck with something they don't want to let go of, deep down they are not willing to really leave ALL to receive What is eternal and which is really the most valuable.
This Fast of Daniel is the best opportunity for those who really want to have the Mind of Christ, and are willing to definitely leave behind everything that prevents them from saving their lives in this world, and thus reaching LIFE, not the one that perishes, but the ETERNAL!
God bless you and Mrs. Ester so much more!
Bishop Franklin Sanches