Red Letters

Red Letters

Are you defined by adversity or opportunity?

posted by Tom Davis | 3:48pm Tuesday June 22, 2010

The Cape of Good Hope is one of the southernmost, and most beautiful, places in all of South Africa. From there  you can look out upon the meeting of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. You are standing on the edge of a continent at the edge of the world. It is breathtaking. See for yourself.

Originally, a Portuguese navigator named it the “Cape of Storms.” The navigator–who would have been intimately familiar with the wicked storms in this area–described the reality of his situation. It’s a cape filled with storms.

It was later renamed the Cape of Good Hope by a Portuguese king who saw that trade with India and the East was now possible. And that held a good hope for Portugal.

One man sees the terrifying reality of navigating a dangerous passage. Another man sees the promise of reaching new lands filled with exciting opportunity.

Are you defined by adversity or opportunity?

Millions of orphans are defined by the challenges they face in the “cape of storms.”   Those storms rage around them every day. Rape. Poverty. Slavery. Hunger. Disease. Abuse. Death. They cannot escape this stormy reality on their own.

Sadly, millions of children live in the cape of storms. They not much different than my son Gideon in the video. When you meet them and talk to them, they brim with the excitement and wonder of childhood.

Apparently no one told them that the odds were definitely not in their favor.

I think they know, instinctively, that they were made and meant for rescue. They hold hope in their little hearts that a better tomorrow is just a sunrise away.

The question is, will you accept the opportunity to rescue a child?

If we rallied together with the same focus, energy, and passion as the fans here for the World Cup, the U.S. Church could rescue every orphan in every country. Because if we don’t, who will?

Consider these opportunities:

  • 5 for 50 provides supplementary food for thousands of children at an average cost of 25-cents a meal. You can feed a child for a year for less than $300 a year. Sign up for a gift of even $5/month at 5 for 50.

  • Thousands of children need sponsors who will provide consistent prayer, financial support, and regular letter writing. Start a relationship with a child today and help break the cycle of poverty.

  • Are you a pastor or business leader? HopeChest’s unique “community-to-community” partnership model allows your church to connect directly to a orphan community. Right now we are looking for sponsors in South Africa. Find out more, and join our October Pastor’s Vision trip.


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Comments read comments(6)
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Tracy

posted June 24, 2010 at 10:26 am


“They know, instinctively that they were made and meant for rescue.” SO VERY TRUE!! –and don’t we all know that! Beautiful Tom! So blessed by your His work, through you!



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hannah c

posted June 24, 2010 at 12:33 pm


This is one of my favorite of your World Cup posts, Tom. Can’t wait to hear all about the trip.



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Joni Sweet

posted June 25, 2010 at 1:10 am


I’d really like to be ACTive rather than just sharing the links on facebook & my blog! Who does one contact for ALL the DETAILS of traveling on a mission trip?
Thanks Tom for all you & your staff does for God’s Children!!!
God Bless,
~Joni



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Sex Trafficking Must End

posted June 25, 2010 at 9:38 am


“Are you defined by adversity or opportunity?” Interesting how the two can be the same situation, just seen in a different way. Thanks for giving us this word today. Can’t wait to read Priceless by the way, looks amazing!
Michelle



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Tom Davis

posted June 25, 2010 at 10:19 am


Joni, you can e-mail Nicole in our office (nicole@hopechest.org) and she will get you connected to the upcoming mission trip opportunities.
Michelle, if you go to http://www.facebook.com/ChildrensHopeChest, we are giving away a free copy today.



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@nicolewick

posted June 28, 2010 at 1:40 am


This comment has absolutely nothing to do with the orphan topic but we’re friends so I know you’ll humor me.
About a year ago (maybe 2 years) I had a dream about the Cape of Good Hope. I’ve never been to South Africa and I have never seen photos of the Cape until reading this post. In the dream I was standing on some really craggy rocks and the waves and mist were lapping at my feet. I don’t know why I was in SA but I knew for certain that I was at the Cape of Good Hope. Anyway, a horrible storm was coming in and the sky over the ocean was black and cloudy, blacker than I’ve ever seen a sky before. I remember standing on the rocks thinking about how I was standing at the end of the earth. I was telling myself that I had to hold my balance and not slip on the rocks or else I would be lost in that awful storm. (By the way, I had no idea that the Cape was also called the Cape of Storms either). Anyway, I was terrified that I would fall off the end of the earth.
Strange that my dream looked just like your video. It even had the lighthouse (which is a little creepy really).
A dream analyst would have a field day!



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