Readers’ notes make me realize what a small world we live in — and how much faith matters | Opinion

There are times when I share my faith, I feel like not too many are listening (reading) to what I have to say. Too often, I feel like I’m “preaching to the choir,” so to speak.

Then I get this email all the way from Kenya. I am presenting it just the way it was written.

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Hello Hines,

Christian Salutations, blessings, best wished and great peace to you in the Name of our living and Mighty Lord. How I pray and hope that this finds you doing fine and in good health.

I am Nicodemus writing from Kenya. I am writing to thank you sincerely for the wonderful and uplifting article I read that you posted. The title was: “CHRISTIANS, JEWS AND MUSLIMS CELEBRATE THEIR FAITH.”

I was truly touched and inspired. I was left asking myself how I would connect with you and know you, the words you spoke here spoke to my heart wonderfully and amazingly! May the AMAZING GRACE OF THE MASTER, JESUS CHRIST, THE EXTRAVAGANT LOVE OF GOD AND THE INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.

I humbly urge you I the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you read this letter and let me hear from you. Your world and our world is waiting for the LIGHT YOU CARRY.

Sincerely,

Brother Nicodemus

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Brother Nicodemus’ email speaks to my heart. Reading it makes me to realized how very small a world we live in. And how much our faith matters. It tells me not to give up; to hold on to my faith; that it is not in vain. It tells me that someone, somewhere out there is hearing what I believe the Lord gives me to say. And those persons are hanging on to every word, which I hope and pray, are bringing them hope and needed encouragement.

And it tells me that I have a purpose. We all do.

Perhaps you haven’t found your purpose yet. That doesn’t mean your life is purposeless.

It is amazes me that someone, halfway around the world, has been able to connect with me because he read my column. It tells me that God is real. It makes me happy to know that I have a whole new family of Believers that I have never met, who are praying daily for me. What a comfort.

I am happy to report that since this first email, Brother Nicodemus keeps in touch. He lets me know that I have other Christian sisters and brothers, who along with him, keep me lifted in prayer.

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Here are a couple more emails I received on a different topic — gun violence:

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Bea, you wrote an impressive piece. I have fled from the USA because I could no longer endure the climate of fear and violence. But there are plenty of great people there, and you are one of them.

All the best to you and your family and keep writing. Sending much love from Spain.

— Evert Jan Bos

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Good morning, Bea.

As I read your article this morning, “What in the name of the Lord is going on,” the first thought to pop up I my mind was the Lord.

We applauded the idea as society, that He was no longer in our schools, and the Ten Commandments [is not] staring down at us as we had a moment of silence in our classrooms. We made sure there was no reference either in our courthouses, though our country currency [still] thankfully says “In God We Trust.”

Then we celebrated freedom for women to have sex, with the if needed. If not, there was no problem raising a child without a father around.

And here we are. A godless, self-serving, empty-shell-of-a-country.

I pray for our country’s conversion back to God every day. That is the best I can do.

Have a blessed day, Bea.

— Susan Martin

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There are more letters, but not enough space for them. I just wanted to share a few with you today to encourage you to keep writing.

We may not always agree, but one thing for sure: We are in this mess together.

‘Twelve Good Men’ honored

Congratulations to my friend and brother in the Lord, the Rev. Dr. Walter T. Richardson, who along with 11 other outstanding men were honored with the 2023 “Twelve Good Men” award. The honor was presented to the men Thursday, April 27, at a gala luncheon held at the Loews Coral Gables Hotel, 2950 Coconut Grove Dr.

Richardson is chairman of the Board of Trustees, Public Health Trust, Jackson Health System’s governing board; and he is also chaplain coordinator at the Miami-Dade Police Department.

The other honorees are Alonso Martin, M.D.; Anthony Lopez, an attorney and chairman of the Consumer Protection Alliance; Jeffrey Levinson, senior vice president, commercial lending, Valley Bank; Joseph Milton, president and CEO, J. Milton & Associates real estate company, and head of the Jose Milton Foundation; Maximo Alvarez, president, Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc.; Michael Capponi, CEO and president, Global Empowerment Mission, and Patrick Morris, director of civic and philanthropic partnerships at the Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor.

Also, Richard P. Cole, founder and managing partner, Cole, Scott & Kissane; Robert Shelley, a director of the Goldsmith Family Foundation; Taylor Collins, a managing partner and co-founder, Two Road Real Estate Group; and Vince C. Lago, mayor of Coral Gables.

The luncheon is the premier fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. The money raised at the luncheon helps fund the operation budget of the Ronald McDonald House.

Pre-Mother’s Day Banquet

The Words of Wisdom Ministry of Bethel Apostolic Temple will host a Pre-Mother’s Day Banquet at 4 p.m. on May 13 at the Ensueño Banquet Hall, 4684 W. Fourth Ave. in Hialeah.

Tickets to the event are $40 in advance and $45 at the door, and may be purchased by contacting Dr. Annie Temple, hostess of the event, at 786-546-4782.

If you go, guests are asked to wear white. Call Sandra Cannon at 305-331-7964.

Bea Hines can be reached at bea.hines@gmail.com