Jamaica Debrief Sunday, April 29

Our Jamaica 2007 Mission Trip Debrief Meeting is set for 2 p.m. We'll have some drinks and refreshments there, but NO MEAL! We will meet in the Student Lounge of the Student & Family Center.

Mark Olson and his family will be here to join us. I expect our meeting to last no later than 3:30 p.m. Mark is headed to Florida through Atlanta for a family vacation, so I thought it would be good to give you the opportunity to see him before he enters the military as a chaplain.

Some of you have asked what exactly a "de-brief " is... it's simply an opportunity for our Jamaica participants and their families to get-together to share about what God did while we were in Jamaica, to share stories, photos, videos, etc. Also, a de-brief time is used for:

- Discuss ideas for future involvement
- Share what God is doing in the lives of participants as a result of their experiences
- Mission Trip accomplishments
- Recognitions, etc.

Additionally, Mark and I have a gift for each participant...so you won't want to miss it, even if you can't stay for the entire time!

Jamaica 2007 Mission Trip Video

We had a great presentation on our Jamaica trip during 141 tonight! In case you missed it, below is the video we showed. Photos from the trip are posted here:

Our Jamaican Mission is Coming to an End!

Monday’s visit to one of the local Kingston high schools was a special time for everyone. We were privileged to be part of their annual Easter Service, something that would never be allowed in a public school in the United States. Our students sang, Mark shared from the Bible and Tim prayed. At the end the service, a number of students raised their hand to indicate they had asked Jesus into their heart for the first time. Principal Hines presented the group with a large basket of fruit.

As the bus was getting ready to leave, a young girl named Shanique approached me to share that she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart. Shanique recited the sinner’s prayer for Jesus to be Lord of her life. Shanique gave me her phone number so one of the local churches could follow up with her. As we left, Shanique ran our bus down and handed me a small stamp with a Golden Retriever on it to remember her by. Meeting Shanique has been a personal highlight of my trip.

The Vacation Bible School held at Gardener’s View Monday went really well. Hannah reported to our team that a boy named Kevin prayed to accept Jesus into his heart. She said it was the first time she had ever led someone to Christ on her own. We are all very proud of her.

For the VBS our mission team had everything ready – crafts, music, balloons and Bible stories – for the 70 or so children there from the community.

Tuesday morning we were at one of the local mixed schools of both elementary and middle school age children. The students sang songs, shared testimonies, and handed out salvation bracelets to the entire school. Following a devotion time led by Tim and Mark, 11 students raised their hands indicating it was the first time they had asked Jesus to come into their heart.

Later Tuesday, we went to a Jamaican children’s home/orphanage where Sister Jackie serves several hours a week. All the children live there and either have no home or have been taken out of their home. They have been abused, are orphans or suffer from some other time of illness. Our students read stories to them, sang them songs and did crafts. Everyone left with a heavy heart for these children.

Mid-day our team went to the market in Kingston where students and leaders purchased souvenirs and crafts.

Tuesday evening the team wrapped up its mission efforts with another Vacation Bible School at Hanover Street Baptist Church in downtown Kingston. We had about 150 kids there. It was chaotic to say the least.

Today (Wednesday), we all went to Ocho Rios for a day of recreation and sightseeing. Everyone had a blast swimming in the ocean and climbing the waterfalls near the beach.

--Tim

A Wonderful Day of Worship!

We had an absolute wonderful time worshipping at Gardener’s View this morning. Hannah sang the song, “You are God Alone,” as a solo, and the entire group led the congregation in “Waves of Mercy” – complete with hand motions! Personally, I was never good at hand motions…I guess I’m just not that coordinated!

For lunch our group was treated to traditional Jamaican-style food featuring jerk chicken and red beans and rice. Following fellowship at the church, we returned to the Shirley Retreat Hotel where students readied materials for the Vacation Bible Schools for use on Monday and Tuesday.

About mid-afternoon we were all treated to I-Scream ice cream at the Devin House visitor’s center.

Tonight, we’ll be a Hanover Street Baptist Church in downtown Kingston for services.

Note: Photos are from yesterday.