Jamaica Journal October 19

Sunday, October 19, 2008 10:45PM. 4 ½ days until we arrive in Jamaica

Mission Work, done well, takes a lot of communication. Next week at this time, God willing, I’ll be sitting on a rooftop in Hopewell hearing the sounds of dogs barking and reggae music blaring.
This past month has been filled with the sounds of communication. A phone card from OneSource.com has enabled twenty five cents per minute calls. These calls have been made to renew relationships, to set expectations, to make arrangements. I’ve spoken with Allison McGee and Mrs. Brown at the Lethe school; with Delores Moore who runs the guest house; with Teka and her mother Joan in Copse; with Rev. Llewellyn who is the Methodist District Superintendent (actually the Senior Pastor of the 11 church circuit in Montego Bay / St. James). We have a tentative schedule arranged, and a budget that is as reasonable and definite as we can make it. I write the schedule below for the posterity of historical record and the amusement of seeing how much it will change:
Friday we land in Montego Bay at 1:00 pm
We hope to meet the Lethe staff at about 3:00pm
We are hoping that at that very important meeting we will assess the needs of the children, and begin to formulate a plan for sustained involvement. We also have requested a pairing with one or two families who are in significant need, that perhaps we can visit with them on Saturday and Sunday. Teka’s family is expecting us on Saturday. She has a job now; last year at Christmas her family had nothing to eat.

On Sunday we will worship with Mrs. Moore. Hopefully we will also meet with the St. James Poor Relief agent. Monday morning we are scheduled to meet with Rev. Llewellyn at his office in Montego Bay.

I am very excited to see again the children from last year, and to renew those very early friendships.

In my most sincere dreams, I hope to somehow connect in a meaningful way with an urban center for street kids, or perhaps plant the seeds of creating one and getting in at Blossom Gardens. Perhaps, if that home for infants is hurting as much as it appears, we can make a real difference there. We also hope to explore the possibility of feeding the children in Lethe, either the forgotten children on weekends, or the children that don’t qualify for government food during the week.

This week, I must buy gifts for Daniel (backpack, shoes), Teka and her family, Mrs. Moore, the Lethe school, and Rev. Llewellyn. I also would like to see if my friend wants me to take Sasha anything.

I pray that our team will be bold in faith, yet secure in God’s protection. I pray that we will be at the same time humble and effective in accomplishing God’s purpose, not ours. I pray that we would see our Jamaican friends as God sees them, and that our hosts would see Christ in and instead of us.

This morning, the congregation prayed for us at 8:45. It was a very sacred and humbling and powerful experience. We do not really take anything but openness, and some long-sought direction. We trust totally in God’s love and the Truth that God’s word does not return without accomplishing its purpose.