After 19 years, it’s still one of those vivid sensory experiences. It was the moment that the hope of Jesus sparked in my heart. Who could know that the spark would fan into a flame that would lead Margaret and me to launch a ministry and disciple Africans?I can still feel the dry chill against my face, see the stars over the mountains and smell the burning pinon from the kiva fireplaces as I walked alone past homes decorated for the season in my former neighborhood nestled on the high plain of Santa Fe.
I was not a believer in Jesus, but as I walked and looked up at the crystal clear sky, I wondered aloud, “Is this what the night was supposed to be like when Jesus was born?” A Christmas carol, “O Holy Night,” came to mind. The first verse practically stopped me in my tracks:
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
A thrill of hope! Could it all really be true? For the first time in a long time, I realized I wanted it to be true. God gave birth to hope in my heart. It took time and some difficult family experiences to break me. But among the howling coyotes of the high plain on my walk that night, the Hound of Heaven (as Francis Thompson wrote in his famous poem that C.S. Lewis further popularized) was closing in.
My capture was sure and now my faith and hope overflows. Margaret and I are overwhelmed that God has used us as leaders of The Rock to share the hope of Jesus in spiritual and practical ways with so many people in Africa, of all places. Men are building stronger homes and churches through the business discipleship program, university students are blossoming into strong disciples and role models and young children rescued from the street are cared for in a loving Christian family environment.
The fruit from the simple hope of Jesus is inexhaustible and uncontainable! You have played a big part in spreading that hope through your support of the ministry. We appreciate you and need your continued support. For 2009, Margaret and I met less than half our need in personal support.
Our Hope fluorishes. Please help us as we share the best gift of all: The Thrill of Hope. Merry Christmas!
Mark and Margaret Noblin
