Bittersweet

The feeling is bittersweet.  We just purchased one-way tickets back to the States for January 9.  As many of you know, we announced in September that we will be ending our ministry in Buff Bay, Jamaica at the beginning of the year to begin a new season of work and schooling.  Our plan is to live in Ocean City, NJ until early August when we will move to Louisville, KY where I will begin full-time studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Last weekend we said goodbye to our last short-term team (from Sovereign Grace Chapel in Massachusetts who are faithful partners in the Gospel) and are now in full transition mode.  Selling off our stuff and packing our lives into barrels and suitcases will take up a big chunk of our lives.  In addition to the packing and selling, we will be spending the upcoming weeks sharing quality time with dear friends and continuing to teach in the churches while handing off ministry responsibilities to faithful saints.

Over the next several weeks we expect to be hit with a wave of emotions.  Jamaica has left an indelible mark on our lives, and God has used this ministry in so many ways to grow our faith in Him.  To be honest, the saints (and folks around town) have served and loved us well.  As a result, our goal is to leave well.  One way we will do this is by trusting the Lord to build His church.  There are many needs, but God has not and will not forget Jamaica.  Pastor Allen continues to be a tireless minister of Christ, and the saints are growing in and around Buff Bay!  Our leaving will create a gap, but we believe this is only for a time.  Jesus is building His church and He will provide all that is needed.

Please pray that we will remain focused and use our time wisely.  Pray also for the transition in ministry areas such as - preaching, youth fellowship, choir, and leading mid-week Bible studies in the circuit.  Lastly, pray that we will trust God with the work we have done over that past three years to accomplish all that He has planned and that He will continue to work until Jesus returns!

Alive and Well

We are still alive and plugging along here in Buff Bay.  Here is the latest:

Over the last two weeks, we were blessed and encouraged by a youth group team from East Brandywine Baptist Church led by Josh and Jen Park, Kirsten’s cousin and his wife.  Their ministry was widespread but concentrated on building into and challenging our Youth Fellowship and teens from Buff Bay.  A “Five Night Frenzy” helped achieve these goals as the evenings were by and for the young people.  Throughout the week, several teens professed faith in Jesus Christ and even more rededicated themselves to following Jesus wholeheartedly and running the Christian race hard to the end.  It was extra special to have served alongside family members who are always encouraging and uplifting.

The next four weeks are packed with camp, camp, and more camp.  From children’s camp this week to continued planning to youth camp the second week of August, we will be running around preparing and building deeper relationships with young people.  Please be praying for the children and teens as they come to their respective summer camps.  God has been moving in the hearts of many of our Buff Bay young people, and we trust Him to draw young men and women to Himself even this summer.  As you intercede for the young people, please also pray for Jon and the other men as they teach God’s Word, pray for Kirsten as she prepares activities and picks up random pieces, pray for Trevor that he will continue to be a blessing in the community, and pray for the upcoming teams that they will grow in grace and encourage the youth to seek the Lord. 

Lastly, your Trevor update.  This little boy loves to move!  Whether running around the house, church, and yard or swimming in the ocean, he rarely stops moving until he falls asleep – sometimes quite literally.  Trevor’s happy, friendly spirit brings us great joy each day and we thank God for this precious gift.

Elder Installation Service

Last night (Sunday) was an important night in the life of the ministry in Buff Bay - another gentleman and I were each installed as an elder/pastor within the circuit of churches.  The service was both meaningful and humbling.

The six churches came together for a special service in the evening.  One thing was clear throughout; Christ is the true and ultimate Shepherd of the flock.  In the days and weeks leading up to the service I prayed that God would be glorified and that I would be reminded of my great need for God's grace in order to carry out the duties of under-shepherding the flock of God.  There is no doubt in my mind that God was glorified in the service.  There was very little about us (the new elders) and much of our need for Christ to lead!  My heart was full as we looked to Christ, the pioneer and finisher of our faith, the one who goes before us, and walks with us! 

Sharing with the church my salvation testimony

In some informal remarks about the role and qualifications of an elder (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-10), Pastor Allen emphasized the need for faithfulness specifically among the men in the church.  He called the men to "rescue the brotherhood" from the cultural malaise and rise up in the church.  It was also a charge to the church ladies to fulfill their roles in the church with zeal and joy.

When we first moved to Jamaica, it took a while to adjust to the shouts of "Hey, white man!" and other curious looks as we walked the streets as the new neighbors.  However, last night reminded us of God's provision and call to Buff Bay.  The church was so excited to install us as elders and call us "Pastor."  My heart was full and a bit overwhelmed at God's grace in preparing the way for us and using us in the churches.  My heart was thankful and overjoyed at the bond we share in Christ race/ethnicity fade into background in light of our oneness in Christ!

Prayer with men from the circuit of churches

Please pray for us as I assume a more specific role within the churches as an elder.  Pray that my heart would continually look to Christ, the Good Shepherd, for wisdom, grace, strength, and joy.  Also pray with us concerning the next group of elders.  We do not know who they will be, but God does - pray that He, in His time, will make them clearly known so that the work of the church circuit around Buff Bay may continue on.

An invitation

Below is an update on Kirsten's family that was just sent out; the news is too good to confine to one sphere of the internet.  Consider it an invitation to praise the Lord with us!  Without any further ado, here you go...

Thank you so much for your continued prayers on behalf of my sister, Katie, as she progresses in her recovery.  We are praising God today that she is able to feel her toes on both feet and wiggle most of them!  Her left leg is healing well, but her right leg was damaged much worse and, therefore, faces more obstacles in the recovery process.  Katie was released from the hospital over the weekend and was able to spend time with her husband as well as our parents and brother who is home for spring break from Moody Bible Institute.  I spoke with her today and was encouraged to hear how God has been growing her and healing her body, mind, and soul. 

Please continue to pray for Katie and her husband, Nate, as they face this next year.  You can pray specifically for the following: (1) that God will draw them closer to Himself and each other through this trial; (2) that Katie's legs will heal properly and fully, so that she might walk again; (3) that a rehabilitation facility will accept Katie so that she might get the constant care she needs; and (4) that God will strengthen and give great patience and compassion to those who are and will be caring for Katie long-term (Nate, my parents, nurses, doctors, and therapists). 

As for my mom, she is doing well.  A pace-maker was placed in her heart following her collapse and is now working as it should, and any acute pain is gone.  She is still experiencing discomfort but is thankful to have been in the hospital and received great care.  Continue to pray that God allows the pace-maker to settle into place properly and that He gives her strength and energy to care for Katie well.

We continue to rest on God's sovereignty, goodness and faithfulness as our family faces this road to recovery.  And we are so thankful that you have joined us in praying to the Great Physician for full healing and restoration!  

grace and peace,
Kirsten, Jon, and Trevor

Thank you so much for walking with us through these difficult times.  We are thankful for you and thank God for the joy and encouragement you have so faithfully shared with us! 

In like a lion

March is said to come in like a lion, and go out like a lamb.  This is a false statement in Jamaica.  It is false only in that it is not March that comes in like a lion, but February!  Let me explain.  

The month of February is an exciting time in Buff Bay.  Every February for the last 24 years a team led by Pastor Ed Moore and his wife Anna descend on the town and do all sorts of ministries.  Among the primary ministries are Bible school for boys and girls, mercy ministries such as visitation of hospitals and even bringing a full team of doctors (5 dentists, dental hygienist, dental assistant, and a medical doctor) to serve the local community completely free of charge, and an in-depth discipleship/ small group ministry for church members.  We, and the people here, have been tremendously blessed through these ministries.

Secondly, the final week of hosting the team this year, Kirsten and I also had the joy of having my parents here for a quick but good visit.  They were able to tag along with us as we served with the team, which allowed them to meet a bunch of the folks we have the privilege of serving day in and day out.  We were also able to show them some of the beautiful sites that the parish of Portland has to offer.  And, of course, they got to be with Trevor!  (...Oh yeah, and us too.) 

Getting back to a normal pace, with our more normal, every-day duties, is refreshing.  We always look forward for the adrenaline rush of the mad dash that is the month of February, but we are also glad to resume our Bible studies, reading classes, and other more regular responsibilities.  In fact, we actually feel energized by the structured, planned madness in a way that breathes life into our ministry.  For this, we thank God for healthy dose of divine B-12. 

P.S. - Kirsten's sister, Katie, is stable and has had operations on both of her legs.  Plans and a timetable for her to leave the hospital are still being worked out.  Please continue to pray for the family as they make decisions on behalf of Katie and serve her through the recovery process.  

Updates

In just a couple hours I am going to be heading to the airport to pick up Kirsten and Trevor.  As you know, they spent the last couple weeks in NJ/PA to be with her family after her sister's accident.  The report of her sister as of last night is this:  Katie is still in a tough spot but is showing signs of improvement.  She is scheduled to have an operation on one leg today (a six hour procedure) and if all goes well a second operation is slated for later this week.  They put off this surgery due to Katie's lung collapse and a subsequent infection, which to my non-medical mind caused to not heal and be strong enough to endure the surgery.  However, the doctor's have decided that she is well enough to now handle the surgery for which we praise God!  Please pray for Katie, Nate (her husband), the family, and medical staff as she goes into surgery today.

Since Kirsten and Trevor left, I have been in go, go, go mode.  With Pastor Allen off the island for a week and a team arriving just a day after Kirsten and Vernon left I assumed more responsibility in organizing rides, schedules, and the like for the team.  Therefore, I apologize for the delay in the updating.  However, Vernon is now back, the second wave of the team is now here and I have some slightly more time to post this update.  The team that is here are our dear friends from North Shore Baptist Church in NYC.  The majority of the team members come every year and this year is no different.  It has been a great blessing from God that even while Kirsten and Trevor have been away, I have been kept company and fed by dear, godly friends!  Please pray for the teams ministry over the next two weeks that God would cause it to be successful and that the saints would be strengthened through their work.

Lastly, here is our latest newsletter.  We wrote it awhile ago, but have yet to post it because of all the other more pressing news.  So, without any further ado - here it is!

Winter 2012 Newsletter

Soli Deo Gloria

Below is an email that was sent to those on our email list, and I thought it would be appropriate to post it here as well with some brief additional comments.

Hello Friends,

Last Monday we received news concerning Kirsten's sister, Katie.  Katie had been in a terrible accident and needed to be rushed to the hospital.  Katie sustained major injuries, is still in the hospital and will be for weeks to come.  We praise the Lord that she has no injuries to her head, neck, or back!  We also praise the Lord that she is alive!  Her legs, however, were badly broken and will need both surgery and an extensive time of rehabilitation.  We also praise the Lord that she is alive and that her recovery is underway!  In addition to this, Kirsten's father had surgery Friday morning on his shoulder - a (scheduled) follow-up to a surgery he had over the summer.  After prayer and thinking through how to love our family best, we decided that Kirsten should head up to the States to be with her family for a few weeks and serve (with Trevor) as the encouragement squad while I hold down the fort!  Please pray for them as they are in NJ that it would be a sweet time together as family even in the midst of rough seas.

In addition to the news about Katie, on Monday we also received word that my grandmother suffered a mild stroke and was hospitalized for a few days to be monitored and have tests taken.  She is home now and trying to take it easy.   

Lastly, two young boys (15 or 16 years old) from Kingston drowned yesterday afternoon.  One of the boys was from our sister church in Kingston and a regular at camp.  Many of our young people are understandably shaken up and are mourning. 

Please pray for these items with us.  Particularly pray for Katie, the medical teams around her, her recovery, and the family as they stand with her.  Pray for my grandmother that the doctors can regulate medicine and that she would take it slowly over the next couple of days and weeks.  Lastly be in prayer for the family of these boys who drowned.  Also be in prayer that even through this difficult and confusing time - God would be glorified.  We are thankful that we serve a Sovereign God who is not surprised by any of this news.  God is good even when we do not understand how all things are working together.  Job said it well - "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"  Even in this we can say with Job, "blessed be the name of the Lord"! 

Grace and peace,
Jon (for Kirsten and Trevor)

Despite the string of unwanted and troubling phone calls and breaking news, we see God clearly at work.  For example, in order for Kirsten and Trevor to go back to the States and return to Buff Bay without any hassle they needed to get new visas.  However, in order to do that, we had to wait on our work permit paperwork to go through.  The paperwork had been submitted in early December, but with the recent election and other bureaucratic issues we were waiting, illegally, in limbo.  Literally seconds before finding out about Katie's accident - we received the call from the Ministry of [Labour].  

Additionally, we have seen the great joy of belonging to the local church.  The people in Buff Bay have been fantastic in loving us through the storm.  Not only is the support here, but it is State-side as well in so many kind words of encouragement and solidarity sent to us!  

Times are hard and not how we would have planned them.  However, God is good, and He wills for our sanctification - that is our growth in personal holiness, with which we may see and enjoy Him (1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 12:14)!  

Soli Deo Gloria! 

The Times They Are A-Changin'

This past Sunday evening the circuit churches made BIG moves in our members' meeting.  In short, the churches are moving toward the biblical model of having elders and deacons lead the church.  The first step involved appointing elders.  Each of the elders will oversee (as is their biblical responsibility - see 1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9) two of the circuit churches.  As Pastor Allen shared at the meeting, we must be doing more than maintaining our position in the churches.  We must work to grow, develop, and nurture the folks in each of the churches, while investing in the communities in which they are located.  The current model of the four preachers visiting each of the circuit churches once, maybe twice a month is not effective.  The biblical model of elders meets this current challenge while opening the door for greater "member-care"(different from "Obama-care" or "Romney-care") being headed up by each of the elders.

Of the four men who serve regularly in the preaching ministry within the circuit of churches, three are now elders - Pastor Allen, of course, Pastor Gilmore, and yours truly.  The fourth pastor has commitments outside of the church that keep him from being able to commit full time.  However, he will still serve within the circuit, which is a tremendous blessing because he is a gifted teacher and a wise, godly man!  Mr. Gilmore and myself were voted on by the congregation to assume the role of elder this past Sunday.

Ten years ago, the last thing I wanted to do was be in church - now the church brethren call me Pastor (pronounced PastAH Jon).  God works in mysterious and amazing ways!  Kirsten and I are really excited for what this means for the churches in the Buff Bay circuit!  We are also humbled that the people would choose us to be part of the leadership team.  Please pray for this big change within the churches and pray for me as we step into a more formal role within the church.  Also, pray that this would foster great growth within the spiritual life of the church members, as well as an expansion of each church's role in the life and happenings of their respective communities.

Photo-mania!

Happy New Year!  The past few weeks have been busy but good.  We trust that you had a blessed Christmas and a great New Year - we do hope that this year will be one of great joy for you and your family.  Due to computer issues - that is, mine breaking completely and Kirsten's lacking space - we have not been able to be as plugged in as usual.  We have especially been lax in uploading pictures, so this post is a picture album post of our recent activities.  It is our hope that you will enjoy, share, and rejoice with us in what God has been doing in our lives these past few weeks and months!

More Youth Conference photos

More dedication photos

More Trevor adjusting to life in Jamaica photos

 

More family visit photos

 

More Christmas photos

 

Youth Christmas Trip