Mi tired mun...

I knew when we returned from the USA two weeks ago that we were coming back to the hottest time of the year for Jamaica. I have almost chuckled out loud as I read on facebook all the crying about the 100+ temps occurring over portions of the United States. However, for those of you up there just remember how blessed you are to have air conditioned homes and workplaces to enjoy. Not so down here. In the midst of all of this extreme heat, our first summer mission group arrived from LaGrange, NC. Not only did they come in the hottest time of the year, but they came to work in the toughest VBS group we currently have and in some of the roughest conditions. Did they let either of these factors intimidate or discourage them? No mun...not at all.

They arrived here last Friday with smiles on their faces and an arsenal full of goodies and fun for the children of Deeside. They went and ministered in the church at Deeside (Harvest Baptist) without either of us with them as well since we are fully engaged in ministry at Bay Life Baptist. Even this didn't really seem to bother them. After a three hour service (and test of endurance in the heat) they were still pumped and ready to start VBS on Sunday night after only two hours break in the afternoon. There was no grumbling, complaining, or even a whine heard from any of them.

VBS started out with a bang. The Pastor went out twice with his 12 passenger Hiace van and brought in over 50 kids in two loads. (We know how to pack them in down here) After registering over 150 kids, we literally stopped counting because they just kept trickling in all night. They came in ages ranging from little babies all the way to senior adults. This was repeated again on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Sunday and Monday we held VBS in the evening...much cooler but a whole lot more leg chomping mosquitoes. Tuesday and Wednesday were held in the blistering hot morning because the facility at Deeside has no lights except for some strung from the neighbor’s house to the main room. There are no lights in the back rooms at all. Since we needed every available ounce of space the decision was made to move it to the morning. CAN YOU SAY HOT??? The group just handled it all with grace.

Our last day of VBS on Wednesday morning was one of mixed emotions. The kids that the group had loved on all week would soon no longer be a part of their everyday routine. The relationships that had been started and nurtured would soon become just a stirring memory. I watched with a full heart as tearful goodbyes were said. Tempering the sadness was the sheer joy of knowing that many of those children had given their lives to Christ during the 1/2 week of VBS. We won't even know this side of Heaven the difference that was made in the lives of the children....or the group from NC for that matter.

It is always a blessing to us to be a small part of what God is doing to not only change the lives of our Jamaican people, but also to change the lives of visiting mission groups. Part of the goal of having mission teams is to allow God to change them...to see how God melts their hearts with a burden for the rest of the world. This week was no exception. Our tearful testimony sessions each day was a clear indicator that God was at work this week. Are we tired??? Yes mun...mi tired. Mi also full of joy....for God has done GREAT things.

This has been another rambling of one very tired Jamerican...SELAH!