Well, day four of five in Jamaica is in the can. I think that's the right movie phrase. Maybe it's "that's a wrap," or "it is finished", or even "we be done." Ok fine, I will quite trying to be funny, however, the truth is that we are almost complete with the Jamaica part of our trip. One more day of teacher training and vacation bible school and I am already feeling like I miss the people we have met here.
Today, like every other day so far saw an increase in kids. I'm not sure how many kids came today, however, between kids and adults most every chair in the tabernacle was full. Thank you Jesus.
We started our day today a bit different. Instead of doing our team daily devotional teaching before leaving "home", we did it at the training site. There were a couple of Jamaican ladies who had arrived a little early for teacher training. They joined us, and I pray they were encouraged by the study as much as I personally was by their participation. They added some wonderful insights to the lesson.
Speaking of ladies from the church. Yesterday, near the end of our day, I was sitting with a group of three of the local church ladies when a man approached. Immediately upon seeing him all three ladies jumped up in unison and standing side by side confronted him. The first lady held out her arm with the palm facing the newcomer in a blocking maneuver and sternly said "NO". She second lady began pointing away from the meeting area with a gesture that I interpreted in no uncertain terms as "go away". The third immediately began to pray. There are some dark forces at work all over the world, and it was obvious representative of that darkness had just be met and turned away. You could feel Jesus standing beside us and I don't think I recall a time I have ever felt such peace in a confrontation. There was definitely a hedge of protection around us and the entire tent of meeting, and 24 hours later, I still feel it!
Our last post included a challenge to memorize 1 John 1:9. I am happy to report all five of us were successful. How did you do?
I have seen and heard a couple of requests for specific prayers. Here are a couple.
We have one last day in Jamaica, and need to wrap up. Pray that we are able to finish the curriculum and help to equip the local church's kids ministry for the role God has for them. In the not too distant past, the building the church met in burned down. So, they packed up and moved the church into a tent on a nearby vacant lot. They will be rebuilding, however, their kids ministry was pretty much dissolved in the move. It is very hard to have a kids ministry when the entire church meets in a one room circus type tent. Part of our reason for being here is to help start the rebuilding process. I love that one of the first things to be rebuilt is the kid's ministry.
Also, I know that the darkness that tried to creep in yesterday was not a one time thing. Please pray for these wonderful brothers and sisters who are spreading the light of Jesus in a dark place. I don't even want to think what it would be like without them.
Bless you all for your support and prayers.
Your Fifty5five travel team
Theresa, Becky, Claire, Gwen, and Don
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 NIV
That just happened to be the verse of the day in the bible app that I read right before reading this blog post. Thank You Lord for Your covering over Your people. Please continue to water and nurture the seeds You gave planted trough this team. May there be a magnificent holy bloom under that tent that continues to grow and takes over the entire neighborhood around it! In the name of Jesus, amen