A Tribute to a Life Lived For God and God Alone - JFJ Hope Centre

Margo’s WordThe Spirit of theSovereign LORD isupon me, for the LORDhas anointed me tobring good news to thepoor. He has sent meto comfort the brokenheartedand to proclaimthat captives willbe released and prisonerswill be freed. He hassent me to tell those who mourn that the time of theLORD’s favour has come. Isaiah 61:1-2While reading through the Book of Isaiah I cameacross these words, written by the prophet thousandsof years ago. You don’t have to read thesewords more than once to recognize that Isaiahunderstood the job God had assigned to him.God had appointed Isaiah to bring good news tothe poor, to comfort the broken-hearted, to proclaimthat captives will be released and to tellthose who mourn about God. It’s no coincidencethat a huge portion of the Book of Isaiah focuseson Christ: his birth, his life, his sacrifice. In short,that God was and is with us, and is reaching out toa struggling humanity. This was the good newsthat God wanted Isaiah to communicate to thepoor, the broken-hearted and those imprisoned bythe burdens of life.It’s interesting how similar Isaiah’s assignment wasto the job God has entrusted to us at Jewels. Thepeople we help are in the same situation as thepeople Isaiah helped. The good news that Godwants us to communicate to them is the samegood news. The comfort and release from burdensthat God offered thousands of years ago, he offersstill.We've just come through the Christmas season.The time of year when we, as Christians, focus mostpurposefully on the good news that God is with us.During this season we at Jewels take full advantageof the opportunity to celebrate the goodnews of Christ's birth, life and sacrifice with thosearound us. Similar to Isaiah's audience, many of thepeople we help are experiencing poverty, manymore are in need of comfort or relief from the burdensthey're carrying. In short, they need us tobring them the comfort, hope and good news thatIsaiah brought thousands of years ago.Isaiah's words made me think of this year's CareCupboard Christmas party. It was, as usual, a wonderful,fun, successful event. The many familieswho attended were overwhelming in their expressionsof appreciation. This was echoed by theexcitement of the children as they enjoyed theparty and anticipated what treats were hidden inthe gift bags they received. But, during the party,the conversations also meandered through life situationsand, inevitably, the struggles that had followedthese families into the Christmas season:Christmas in a one parent home, broken marriages,unemployment, health issues and traumas of evengreater impact. We clearly minister to the poor, thebroken-hearted and the oppressed. And I realized,as I spoke with them, that they weren't here justfor the gifts, pizza and cake. They were herebecause of the hope, the good news, they find atJewels For Jesus. We are bringing good news tothe poor and comforting the broken-hearted, andthis is bringing hope to the people we assist. Thisis what Jewels is all about.As we gear up for 2011, I want to thank you foryour part in making 2010 another successful yearof ministry and for helping us continue to deliverGod's message as Isaiah did so many years ago.Margo Semple,Executive Director