A Message From An ICC Pastor
This is a new feature. It will be an ongoing column written by pastors and chaplains from the ICC family around the world.
By William Hurtado
2022 came with Omicron, affecting a major part of the global population. Several of us at the ICC office got COVID this year. ICC’s children and staff around the world got it too. Thankfully, everyone afflicted with the Omicron variant recovered.
Did you or anyone in your family get hit with Omicron? A better question is, do we live in fear that we will catch the virus, or do we prepare for our time to be sick and fight the virus with the medicinal arsenal God gave us?
I believe resilience is built on preparation through troubles. Resilience — or confidence in Biblical terms is the ability to face hardship with the knowledge that God’s presence and blessing continues to be with you. Paul (and others) in scripture acknowledged God’s presence and blessing in their lives, even as they suffered in prison — even as they struggled with their temporary “COVID” affliction.
One reason why you and I support ICC is because it is a global statement that we — the children that we care for and all of us adults — can be resilient, even in the midst of suffering. We may not be able to change our circumstances, but through Christ, we can respond to them with confidence. As we learn to trust in Christ, His blessing will be upon us, regardless of what happens.
Please keep praying that God will transform our children’s hearts, and the hearts of the adults as well. Let’s also pray for a Spirit-filled 2022, regardless of the circumstances! Because with Christ, Satan’s attacks can’t touch our bond with Christ. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8: 38, 39
Prior to joining ICC’s support staff, William Hurtado served as a pastor for 20 years. Long before working for ICC, William and his family sponsored ICC children. He is passionate about helping orphan children experience a better life in Jesus.
