Then there were two

It was quite a treat to work alongside the team from Massachusetts this past week. They had their work cut out for them this past week, but they didn't flinch! The weather was cold (smirk if you want, but for Jamaica it was COLD) and wet. From the day of their arrival to the morning they left, the rains hovered over Buff Bay. This is significant because most people walk to church and will typically not come out, especially for extra church services. However, God in His goodness held off the rain each night from 5:00-11:00, which gave people enough hope to make it out to the nightly meetings hosted in three of the six circuit churches.

The team also had an incredibly ambitious schedule each day. They began at 6:30 AM and went straight through until 10:30-11 PM each day. They hosted Bible studies in two communities, vacation Bible school, which on the last day had over 80 children, and various street meetings in different communities each day. The team flat-out worked! Each team does get a rest day during which they do some of the tourist things around the island, but the weather was so bad that we had to skip going to the beach.

I think this is exactly how the team wanted it, or at least that is how they made it seem. They knew that they had a week to do ministry and wanted to make the most of it, and they certainly did. The Bible studies were a great way to encourage the faithful saints in the churches because they are fed spiritual food with extra emphasis. The children were taught substantial lessons at VBS, which we believe is a seed planted for the Sovereign Gardener to water. The street-side meetings and evangelistic conversations were helpful and encouraging, and many were given tracts and the opportunity to ask questions about the faith. Finally, through the nightly meetings, a handful of people heard the call of God on their lives and made professions of faith in Jesus as their Savior and Lord! Please pray for the group of men and women who professed faith in Christ. Pray that they would be encouraged and continue to desire to grow in their faith. Also pray that the work of the team would yield a great harvest in and around Buff Bay!

As for Kirsten and myself, we had a great time connecting with old friends and making new ones! We shared many refreshing and encouraging conversations with the team members; we also had free dinner for a week at the GLOBE! However, we are now back to our normal schedule and routine. With that, I have a Bible study to study for...talk to you next week!