The hottest commodity right now is not whatever the grocery store is out of. It’s HOPE.

How do we have hope in the midst of the uncertainty and the questions of a pandemic? How long will it last? What if we get sick? What will happen with my job? With school for the kids? Will we have enough?

And how do we give hope in the middle of it all to our STC children and families in Liberia, India and Zambia, who were living day to day before the pandemic, and who now face even more desperate challenges?

Where does hope come from in the midst of trauma? When people can’t think straight and only have the energy to deal with the present crisis, how can we have and give hope?

Firstly, as Christians, our eternal and present hope is in Christ Himself, and in His death, resurrection, rule and return. If we know Him as Savior, we have this sure hope of eternal life, now and in the future. This is not a maybe hope, like, “I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.” This is a rock-solid, base your life on, strength and joy for today, and yes it’s going to happen hope.

Secondly, as human beings, because God is good to us, we have been given hope through the kindness and care of others throughout our lives. Parents, family, teachers, counselors, friends, mentors and all those God has provided who have cared for us and encouraged us to keep going forward, whether they be few or many.

Because we have the hope of Christ in our hearts, the love of God compels us to help others in crisis in whatever way possible, even as we are affected by whatever is happening. Spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally – our fellow humans made in God’s image need us to help them deal with crisis in practical, tangible ways. We can only do this as we depend on God for our strength and wisdom, and as we come together and support each other with encouragement and help, remembering to keep close to our Lord and take care of ourselves so we can be effective.

Hope grows when people see and experience people helping others, when there is calm strength from God instead of fear, when there is listening and understanding, and even when there is opportunity for those who are cared for to help others in some way.

We can’t do everything, but we can do something. God has prepared each of us to be and do that something for such a time as this.

Will you join us in praying for Raghu’s family and all the other children and families STC serves?  Will you join us in trusting God and having hope that comes from God alone during this time?  We are all in this together!