To Christchurch:
We came to bring you hope
to you who have been shaken
who had the very ground disapear beneath you
to you who have been steadily broken
time and time and time again.
September shook your foundations, February broke your backs. And this Monday wrecked your spirits.
We came to show you that hope is not in the physical. That peace is in the unbreakable spiritual.
In turn you showed us what hopelessness is
You showed us what fear is
You showed us what anxiety is
You showed us what frustration is
You showed us what it is to feel what you feel
And now we know what this Hope that weve been given can mean to you. It means you do not have to be shaken. You do not have to be disowned. You do not have be discouraged. And most imortantly, this hope is a house that can not be Red Zoned
Now, this is to Christchurch, thus it is to the people.
To you Cindy, who selflessly brought a Holy annointing in worship, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you Linda, who has faith that God has oh so much more, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you Pat, who unknowingly blessed, and humbly surrendured your home, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you homes with wide open doors giving what you can, you are the Hope of CHCH
To each household humble enough to ask for help, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you Ashley, for helping others before yourself, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you Matthew, for lending a hand and expecting nothing back, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you Michael, for listening and interceding, you are the Hope of CHCH
To you May, for undying belief, even in the Red Zone, you are the Hope of CHCH
To you Sienna and Paige, for lighting up the world with smiles, you are the Hope of CHCH
To you Michael, for recognizing that the physical had nothing left for you, and discovering what Hope is,
You are the hope of CHCH.
To you Erin, for accepting the rest and refreshment God has for you, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you Paul, for having sure faith in all, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you Steve, for leaving your passion of rugby, for one even greater, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To YALL at Grace Vineyard Youth Ministry, for giving yourselves, you are the Hope of CHCH.
To you Steve, for relying not on your own understanding, for listening, for responding, for interceding,
for serving selflessly, couragously, quietly, and with passion, for sacrificing all for your city,
and to all others of CHCH who lean not on their own strength,
YOU ARE THE HOPE OF CHRISTCHURCH.
How do I know this? Because, Jesus is our only Hope. And I have seen him in each one of you.
Thank You CHCH
In Love
Eric
