Recently during a Mass I heard a priest say, “Pray, HOPE and don’t worry!”
Those words struck me, because they certainly could be the motto for Voices of HOPE. Countless times throughout the past two years, we have had to trust in the words of our fearless leader, who reminds us constantly that this is God’s project. And time and time again, God has showed us that this IS His project.
In June of 2010, two UC instructors went to the Holy Land to educate teachers there about ADHD. There were some disturbances going on and right before the professors were to depart for the Holy Land, we were unsure how many or if any teachers would be able to attend this seminar. At one point we were hoping for at least 10. Again, our leader had no fear, if only ten could come, then that is how God wanted it. But, within days of the seminar, teachers from the most remote and most needed areas of Palestine were given passes to attend the meeting. A total of 30 attended, which far exceeded our expectations!
Early this year the steering committee of Voices of HOPE were making plans to go back to the Holy Land. A few months into the planning someone associated with the State Department advised we did not go there this summer. Many felt let down, but again, God showed us that this is HIS project!
So, God changed our plans and this past spring we began preparing for 12 Latin Patriarchate teachers to come here. Seemed like short notice for them to get their visas, to find a place or places for them to stay, to get funding for the whole visit, etc. But, this IS God’s project and things have fallen into place better than anyone could have planned. There have been times when some have wondered if this would ever happen, and there are those who have learned from the past, to wait patiently, and let God do His work.
And so we continue to, “Pray, HOPE and don’t worry”…for this IS God’s project!