The Heavenly Feast

“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29).
Sunday, April 22, Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Madison, WI, hosted the 20th anniversary of Gift of Life (GoL), originally the Medical Clinic on Wheels. The Mission Festival began with services of thanksgiving. The Rev. Steven Petersen, ELS Mission Counselor and Administrator of Thoughts of Faith (ToF), who had served the Holy Cross congregation in the past, was welcomed as the guest preacher. After the services, Nicholas and Kerry Laper, GoL administrators, made a presentation on “Gift of Life—Hope to People in Need.”
A Ukrainian-style lunch was served to over 140 people complete with sparkling grape juice, canapes (colorful open face sandwiches), veronicky, borscht, and other Ukrainian dishes. Attending the luncheon were those who masterminded and spearheaded the original outreach.  Several of the first volunteers who traveled with the clinics to Ukraine in 1992 were also present. GoL consultants, former ToF board members, pastoral mentors, and various other past volunteers were honored as well.
Later, following the luncheon and speeches, a young woman said, “that was just heavenly!” Well! I am thinking to myself that the dinner was not as authentically Ukrainian as it could have been. Interrupting my thoughts, she said, “Oh! the food and drinks were colorful, beautiful, plentiful and tasty and the speeches, very interesting. But then as I looked around I saw close relatives, old friends and new people I’d just met, strangers and even those I’d given Christian witness to. And so, I had a vision of heaven. Look! There’s Saint Peter, there’s John and Paul—we’re all gathered at the table enjoying God’s blessings together.”
Through the generosity of Cross-stitch and many others, nearly $12,000.00 has been raised to help GoL provide humanitarian assistance to the most needy in Ukraine. Twenty years later, the clinics and counseling centers continue their mission of mercy, saving babies’ lives and doing good for thousands every year. More importantly, Gift of Life provides opportunities to tell of God’s love found in Christ Jesus, His Son, who suffered and died to pay for our sins, rising and ascending into heaven to seal our salvation. Because of the Holy Spirit working through His Word and through you, who knows whom you will see at the eternal feast! To God be the glory!
Nicholas Laper is co-adminstrator of Gift of Life Ukraine.