Jamaica - God was everywhere!

The Jamaica 08 mission trip was unexpectedly wonderful because it was not our plans that were being executed, it was His plan. From our first day attending a local church in Trench Town, Joy Town Community Church, the local people welcome us (not all but most). Pastor Eddie delivered the message with passion, not like I had ever experience before. Then the open air building turned into a fellowship hall, (during the week it is the school) in which we danced and the children touched my hair saying "its soft"...I got on the floor, we danced (the kids had not seen a crazy white man move like this, ha ha) and they all jumped on...it was great. Love was in the air and God was everywhere.

The next day we got our assignments, I had requested to work helping the schools with the kids, but again not our plans, His will be done. Jeff and I were assigned to the construction team, and our first task was to break a large (20 ft) section of concrete up and move it about 200 ft outside the build we were restoring. The challenge was that we had only one sledge hammer that was falling apart and that was when we met Tucker, a large Jamaican who became our good friend. We began each day with a prayer sessions and invited the local men, God was at work having us reach out to men. This nation, like ours, needs men to stand strong for righteousness and respect of others...to serve. We completed other projects, painting a 40 ft movie screen, Jeff and I are no longer afraid of heights. The media came Thursday night as we opened the Ambassador Theater again to the community with a movie and event night inviting all the community to attend.

The week ended with the "Best Dress 50 fest", an event that local business man sponsored for a week long celebration for Jamaica that had three locations and many events all FREE. Again Gods plan, we thought we were going to be ministering to kids and locals, but instead we were assigned "Security" duty standing a fence line for 9 hours each day. God's plan,while standing the fence we had the opportunity to talk about Jesus with so many people it as amazing!!! God was everywhere! http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080505/ent/ent1.html . Many, as Jeff ran into the crowd asking "who needs Jesus??", accepted Jesus as their Lord or came back to Jesus during our 10 day trip. God was everywhere!!!

On this trip I learned from many. From the Jamaicans, that although we know Christ..we all struggle with sin and need a savior. From the mission group how God, works his plan and we need to make ourselves available no matter what He requests. Finally I would like to thank all who supported us with your paryers...my biggest lesson learned...Pray about everything and worry about nothing...God has a plan and his plan is LOVE...let it grow inside us all!!!

Respect Him Mon! Be Blessed