The Mega-POST!

We have been slowly turning into Jamaicans over these last three weeks in Buff Bay.  Our sincere apologies for not getting you updated sooner, but the internet connection from our neighbor has been fickle. 

This is a longer post than normal, but there is much to share from arrival, to getting settled in, to our ministry (so far)…

Arrival
As many of you know, our plans to arrive on the 14th of December were foiled by American Airlines.  As a result, we spent our last night in the States eating hamburgers and french fries that were incredibly greasy and wonderfully tasty at the airport hotel lounge; it was the only venue open that would take our food vouchers.  We also enjoyed some Monday Night Football as we ate, which we have been really missing.

Our Tuesday morning flight was much better, and we arrived in Montego Bay, Jamaica with no problems, in good time, and into great weather.  Our immigration officer let us pass through without difficulty as did our customs officer!  The lady at the customs desk saw two people with 14 bags with only books, clothes, and random personal effects and was bewildered at best.  After looking through two bags she decided it was better not to bother!  We attribute these to God’s faithfulness and provision.  We praise God for all of our luggage arriving and going through so easily without having to pay any duties. 

Pastor Allen, his son Marc-Andre and our friend Marcel met us at the airport.  We had a long drive to Buff Bay that was broken up by a lunch stop for our first Jamaican meal...Burger King!  There are no fast food places in Buff Bay, so when people leave the town they love stopping at BK or KFC!  On arrival in Buff Bay, we were met by a decorated guest house, the GLOBE, and a wonderful dinner hosted by the Women’s League Fellowship of the church.  They greeted us and gave us the key to Buff Bay (pictures of the key are forthcoming), a few house-warming gifts, and genuinely showed they were happy for our arrival!  Kirsten and I praise God for this gift from Him in that many of the church are excited that we are here to work alongside them; we had prayed for those sentiments exactly!

Settling In
We stayed at the GLOBE for a week while Pastor Allen graciously drove us around the island helping us get all of our household items.  The day after we arrived we were able to purchase living room furniture, a refrigerator, kitchen table, bed, and some other items in Port Antonio (the parish capitol).  We had to make a couple other runs after this, but we were able to work quickly (mostly because all of your gracious and incredibly kind gifts) to get set-up and move into our new house in a week! 

So, for the last two weeks Kirsten and I have been living in the house and are beginning to feel like it is home.  We certainly miss some of the aspects of home that we do not have here (like packaged boneless chicken breast, American football, strong water pressure in the shower, etc), but our house is great, our landlord a great blessing, and our neighborhood a place where we feel like we can do ministry. 

Please pray that we will use this house as a place of refreshment to our souls and to bless those who come.  Almost every night people from church come and stay late talking and hanging out, which has given Kirsten and myself good company and great relief.  We have said from the beginning that we believe that God has blessed us so that we may be a blessing to others.  Please pray with us that we will continue to be reminded of that principle, especially as it connects to our home. 

The Ministry
Upon arrival, Pastor Allen wanted us to get familiar with the lay of the land for a couple weeks so we could get our house in order and our sea legs underneath us.  This Saturday gone (as the Jamaican say) we sat down with Pastor Allen to lay out the areas for which we will be responsible. 

Kirsten will:
    Lead the adult choir at church and play the keyboard (when we are able to be at the Buff Bay church in the morning). 
    Help me in the overseeing of the Youth Fellowship (YF)
    Lead a young ladies Bible Study for those in the YF
    Assist occasionally with the children’s choir
    Teach some piano and general music classes at the church and the church’s Basic School
    Tutor some young people in English and some other subjects

I will:
    Oversee the YF and be its primary teacher
    Preach on the circuit of churches on Sunday mornings (There are six churches on this circuit; I will be one of 5 men who are in a rotation for teaching in these churches)
    Teach at the Tranquility (see blog title picture) church prayer meeting Thursday nights

We typically have mornings and afternoons off, which allows us to prepare for lessons and responsibilities.  Please pray for and with us as we officially begin these ministries this week! 

Pray that we minister only after we have met with Jesus in study and worship ourselves, that we may be able to break through the cultural barriers quickly, that hearts may be changed and even saved by the hearing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that the church is blessed by our being here, and that some pressure of responsibility is relieved for some of the church members.  As always, pray for God’s grace as we are in way over our heads and need His Holy Spirit to guide, minister, encourage, and work!


Grace and peace,
Jon and Kirsten

PS-Sorry for the length of the post.  When we get our email they will be weekly updates and not as lengthy!