God is awesome!!!
The Jamaica trip was amazing. I really feel like I had the opportunity to experience what GOD can do in whole new way. It was great to get a break from the mundane life that I sometimes feel and see hundreds and thousands of lives changed in a week.
The Rock Sports experience was exciting. I had the opportunity to work one on one with hundreds of kids in teaching them how to box. It was great to see the smiles on kids faces when they put on the boxing gloves and position themselves into their boxing stance. The smiles that came after each kid boxed was truly rewarding. Knowing that the boxing gear that we left behind will continue to be used is very encouraging.
God Bless.
Mark
The devil has been doing nothing to me this week but tearing away at my heart. The only thoughts going through my head are ones of discouragement. The devil is telling me over and over there is no reason for me to be here and I have nothing to offer. I did nothing last night but pray for opportunities to serve God today. My day started with frustration, but it ended with joy.
I’m with the school assemblies team and today we had an opportunity to speak at an all girls school. When we got there is when I was feeling my worst inside. We spoke to the girls in a large group, and then had the opportunity to spend some one on one time with them for about 10 minutes afterward. I was very close to stepping outside and waiting for things to end because of the way things were going in my mind. I was able to ignore those thoughts from the devil, and I’m now praising God that I stayed. I grouped together with two girls and before I knew it 10 minutes was up, and I was just getting started. Somehow another 30 was added to the time and God filled my heart more every minute.I was able to help one of these two girls come to accept Christ for the first time, and the other, who already had, was encouraged to live for him. The devil’s plan was for me to run, but with God’s help not only did I stay, but I was able to help another beautiful girl come to know Jesus. The devil always thinks that he has the best plan to mess things up, but since I’m as close with God as I am it never works!
Today, there was evidence of the darkness in this land, but the light was brighter. The people of Jamaica are turning to this light, the Lord Almighty. I saw a 62 year old Christian woman who had been beaten by her husband just the night before. He is committing adultery. She was received, cared for, loved and prayed for by our counselling team. When I saw her next, she was renewed with the Holy Spirit. I finished my exam. Then we held each other as I again praised God for His glorious love for us and asked for His protection, strength, mercy and help to overcome this woman’s circumstances. I prayed for her husband and this other woman to be released from the darkness and bind them to the power of the Lord Almighty. She has hope again and knows to go to her church sister for protection. Praise Our Lord. June Melin, M.D.
At our clinic today at Flanker’s, a 6 year old girl came into see the doctor. He prayed with her, and because her responsiveness to the prayer was remarkable, he realized this was more than a 6 year old girl, but a very spiritually mature and anointed being. He felt God asking this girl to pray for him, after asking, she was quick to say yes. As she prayed for him (and later, 2 other ladies on our team), there was authority and power in her prayer. She had annointing, clarity, focus, and simplicity that could have come from a preacher! All were in awe of the Lord and the faith of this 6 year old child!
well, where do i start? i know i asked for all this but when it rely begins to happen somtimes u wish that maybe u never prayed for it to happen. my prayer was for god to take ahold of my life, strech pull and push me. break me and mold me into what he wants me to be. and now i see it happening right before me. i mean i’ve done missions before. i’ve been to mexico. i got this or so i thought. i am seeing a whole new side of god, and a side of satan that i prehaps never wanted to see. god works in mysterouis ways. im part of the school assemblies team here in jamaca. i wasnt quite ready for what i’ve seen here. i mean i know that there was poverty but when u see it up close and personal it stirs u. these kid literaly have nothing, yet they are so happy. its truly amazing to see this. we went up in the jungle to this little remote (i geuss ud call it an) orphaniage. this place was awsome! we did our thing up there and then we had some time to talk and just hang out with the kids, i met this one little boy named devon. i asked what he wanted to be when he grew up and he pretty much name every thing there is to name. it was a blessing, these kids didnt even have shoes they all had sandals, and even there sandals where jacked up and broken. and still these guys had the biggest smile on there faces just to see us and talk with us.
that was just one of many experiences that me and me team have had here. and not all of them good. i wont go into much detail but there is a definat need for christ here. and the fellow brother and sisters down here in jamaca have been praying for this for such a long time. im shure that they are just as amazed as i am in seeing all of it finaly coming together.
While many hours were put into play in preparing for the children’s ministry portion of this trip, only God could really call the shots on where we’d be and what we were going to do. One of the reoccurring lessons the children’s team faced was the fact that we needed to be flexible. We needed to be prepared. We needed to have complete faith in the purpose of God’s mighty call.
Daily schedules were given out weeks in advance, however upon arrival and even up until the moment we stepped onto the bus for the day’s lineup, anything could change. Wednesday was a great example of exactly that. The team of 27 was still split in two and scheduled to regroup at one final stop in the late afternoon. We were always eager to find out just a hint of how many children to expect. Of course, that information was never accurately released - can you wonder why God made it that way?
One group of ladies (and a gentleman) eagerly headed out to a school, told to expect approximately 120-some children. Were they in for something that was going to blow their mind. As they got to the school, the reality of 120 kids quickly faded and revealed 800-some kids! With no PA system for a setting in the great Jamaican outdoors, the team lead the children in worship, a short message and prayer. One member of this group continues to say, “You just have to be flexible.” Nothing had gone according to plan for them this entire week for the team, but they reached out to the children with such fire.
Our other group had a full lineup, too. Ready to visit 3 different schools throughout day, that agenda was altered as well. Word traveled quickly about the children’s team from school to school as local outreach ministry guides enthusiastically arranged for more visits each day. An extra school was added and what a joy it was to be with those children. It was definitely less affluent than the earlier campuses by the looks of its schoolroom and playground. Though it was small, it was evident that there was much pride in their humble beginning. We quickly started our program by singing at the top of our lungs. Every school has had its unique flavor, but the surprised smiles on the faces of these children at this tiny school will never be forgotten.
Another added stop of the day was a visit to the nearby straw market. “Pass out rave cards and tell them about the crusade!” was the objective. We didn’t sign up for the street evangelism team, but it didn’t matter. Spreading the news and maybe even having an opportunity to pray over someone couldn’t be passed up. For an hour and a half, the team mingled with the vendors, passed out fliers and absorbed a little more of the culture. A few of the ladies even had a moment to lead one man to Christ and encourage that new commitment with a prayer.
Looking back on the week thus far, God showered us with so many divine appointments. From onlooking kids who wanted to experience the programming but couldn’t because their parents weren’t well off enough, yet heard a story anyway, to children praying for us, how could we have said, “No,” when another stop was requested? The truth is, if we are obedient to a call, in responding to that call we will be blessed many times over.
The point to all of this? Don’t question God when He calls- just get ready and GO.
WOW. Today was amazing. Our team, Medical Team 4, also known as “Wandering ROCKers” and “Medical Migrators”, went to Salt Spring Baptist. We also had the pleasure of welcoming a new member, Tiffany Scott. When we arrived at the site, we were welcomed by worship songs and cheers of joy. The congregation had arrived early and organized themselves in the church “waiting room.” This was such a contrast to what we saw yesterday. Today we had patients waiting and already checked in. We just had to set up and get started. We were welcomed by Deacon Garfield and assisted by Joanna, Anne Marie and Charles. They helped keep the patients organized and made sure we had everything we needed to ensure a successful mission.
Many of the patients today needed to see Optometry. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the equipment to take care of them. Dr. Clifford made a quick call to St. John’s and a couple hours later, God sent Katie Venittelli and Ariana Valasquez. These two wonderful women made a huge difference in the lives of our patients. They brought the gift of clear site. Once again Med Team 4 worked like a well-oiled machine and saw close to 200 people! We saw everything from the common cold to scabies to bacterial and virus infections. It was a busy and frenzied day indeed.
We had a special treat today from the local Jamaicans. They brought us a wonderful lunch of fried chicken, fish, red beans and rice, and coleslaw. To wash that down, we had homemade chocolate cake and casava loaf. Yummy - a nice welcome from the PB&J, although we LOVE our PB&J made with love and prayer by the Hospitality Ministry. THANK YOU - we love you!
One of the most touching stories today was from Sean and Danielle. A 60 year-old man with one leg came to visit the clinic after we were closed. He was told, “we are sorry sir, we won’t be able to see you.” He said, “OK, no problem, I understand.” He stayed in the church for a few hours with a huge smile on his face and approached Sean and Danielle to let them know how blessed he felt that we came all this way to help the people of Jamaica. He had so much joy and couldn’t stop thanking the team for all we’ve done. He said, “You have come here just for me.” This exact quote was mentioned by Sean at the first meeting with the medical team last fall. He said that we’d meet someone who would say, “you have come here just for me.” God works in mysterious ways. Sean just knew what the Lord had in store for us.
Danielle asked the man if he had a chance to see the doctor. He said no because he came late. Here was a man who was simply happy to be part of the experience, even if he didn’t have a chance to see the doctor. After a prayer was said with him, we were able to fit him in with an appointment. Sometimes we can learn a lot about gratitude by just watching simple examples from those around us. God shows us the goodness all around, we just need to open our hearts and allow Him to do His work.
We are looking for a wonderful day tomorrow at Church on the Rock. We can’t wait to share our new experiences with you.
God bless and good night!
Love, Medical Team 4
Last night(Tuesday night) Miles ahead team did an exercise in the holy spirit. As I got on my knees I just prayed that God would give me his heart for his people and I confessed that I am open vessel, and for God to help me be more sensitive to the holy spirit. I was filled with an acheing heart and cried for quit some time. After weeping I tried to leave the main hall but again had a huge ache in my heart and just began to cry again…so I went back to my seat and wept some more. I cant really fully explain how this felt but all I can say is that it was the holy spirit for sure and that Ive never had my heart ache like that ever!!! When I felt God was finished I went out of the meeting hall and went back to my room….out on the balcony of my room- I cried yet again and read psalm 139. When I went to sleep I really didnt know what all of this meant but I knew it was the holy spirit(which is always good). Today at one of the medical clinics I was able to pray a girl into the kingdom of God! As I talked to her, I couldnt believe some of the things I was saying! As I prayed for her I felt very strongly about some of the things that were on my heart(which was the holy spirit). Wow…this girl, after praying- opened her eyes and said I feel so light right now! I praise God for his holy spirit and for letting me be sensitive to it! Later that day I met her sister and found out that she had been praying for her for years.
JAMAICA - MILESAHEAD 2008 – Childrens Ministry
The childrens ministry went to New Haven, a home for developmentally disabled kids. When we got there, we didn’t know what to expect at all, and there didn’t seem to be anyone there to give us direction. There were 4 houses, each housed about 21 kids, and only 2 workers in each house. You could tell that the caregivers are very over worked, and at first none of them would even smile at usl You could tell also that some of our team didn’t quite know how to react to some of these kids. There were a lot of kids with cerebral palsy to varying degrees, some mental retardations, one boy with cancer, and a couple autistic kids.) We decided we couldn’t really do our lesson as planned so we all just started loving on them. I saw two boys in wheel chairs, went over to them and tried to talk to them. Neither of them would respond or even look at me. I learned from the caregiver their names were Javon and Renaldo, and that of the 83 kids there, only 5 of them have any relatives that come to see them – I knew then that these kids had to be starved for affection. So I just did what I would have done to my grandkids . I pulled their wheelchairs by my sides and started rubbing both their backs at the same time. We connected. As soon as I stopped, they both turned their heads and looked at me, and started rocking in their wheel chairs. So I continued– really we had a Touch Ministry.
Then I saw the physiotherapy room, so I ventured in and met Mrs. Cummings – this teacher was extremely loving, when I met her she was helping a little boy write a love letter. Then she introduced me to Carrie (who was severely crippled – but was very bright, and she had a beautiful voice, so I asked her if she would sing a song to me, she began singing…..”this is the day that the LORD hath made, I will be glad and rejoice in it”, that’s when I shed my first tear. After she finished we went outside and Mrs. Cummings brought the music outside, she put on a Christian kids CD, and that started the Dance Fest!!!! The kids all came over, they loved to sing and some of them could really dance, they started teaching us their moves. We had so much fun, during that time I saw tears in almost every team members eyes. When we first got there we were focused on how different these kids were from us, and then when we were all praising God, and dancing before him I realized—there is no difference — we are all God’s children - all of the same spirit! Wow, what a moment, I just felt Gods love pour out all over me. Here we were to minister to these kids, and it ended up that they ministered to us.
What an awesome God we serve!
Penny Richardson, Children’s Ministry Team
Today I met a guy name Glenrick who, I felt, love to talk about God in analogies like myself. For me relating something in the bible to things that go on in my everyday life is the only way I can understand. And so I found myself in a classroom today with Glenrick talking about our Lord. The appointment wasn’t anything short of being divine, and I am thankful I did not let this oppourtunity pass me by. That’s it, of course a lot of things happened today, but for me, that was the higlight of my day.
