March 2023

Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.  Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon." But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, "Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us."  He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." He answered, "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. Matthew 15:21-28.

Dear Friends,

Many of you may know that this month International Global Women's Day was celebrated.  Women from different social economic, ethnic, cultural and political backgrounds were honored and uplifted, and I am very thankful for the journeys they experienced. But, a particular story of a Canaanite woman came to my heart and mind. I love this woman and (by the way) we don’t know much about her. We don’t know her name, what she looked like or her hometown. Neither do we know where she came from and where she was going. She disappeared the same way she appeared perhaps like a puff of smoke – but, in the few minutes of her dialogue with Jesus - she taught the disciples about genuine faith.

What is pretty remarkable about this woman is that she impressed God with her faith. In fact, he even said so, “Woman, you have great faith!” I do need to point out a few things about her short conversation with Jesus.  Too many, it derails them and to be honest – I was derailed for a time.

• Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon. But He ignored her – my first thought was, “How rude!”
• Jesus’ response "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Lord, give her a break, but that did not stop or intimidate her.
• But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."  Jesus’ response, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." "It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." Did Jesus just call her a dog?
• "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." What a gutsy lady,
• "Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly.

Did you noticed where I was derailed? It was with Jesus insults; did He really say those things? I was sharing this with a friend and she mentioned, Betty it was more tongue and cheek. He was checking out if she was serious.  The Canaanite woman was not insulted – she was desperate!!  Are you and I that desperate to hear from God? I want to be . . .I want to be desperate to see children, youth and families to experience God’s healing in touch.  Will you be willing to be desperate for our community.  Thank you for your continued love and support.

​On behalf of His children,
Betty Alvarez Ham
President