And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Our drive back to the hotel was filled with discussions around the number of kids who had showed up on the last day. Obviously, it was the first day that some of them were coming and we were taken aback by that. However, the way we figured it was that these kids would rather one day to no day at all and so we had embraced them as we did all the others. We had heard of two churches that were interested in our program and because we do a new program every year, we left copies of the "Joseph in Egypt" curriculum for those churches to use. Perhaps they could use it to reach children that we did not reach because at the end of that day it was all about touching hearts and changing lives. We were just a part of God's design in that regards.

Now, we just needed to catch our collective breaths, go put our feet up and get ready for our last night service.

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Ours was a busy scheduled but we were not too busy to notice beauty when we saw it.


The view from the balcony...


Another one...

You guys remember Stacey, the 16 year old young lady I had "adopted" from my 2008 visit and who I had committed to helping? Last year I told you that she along with her mother and aunt, had driven to see me on one of the evenings, and this year she, her uncle and cousin drove up again. Helping her through school since 2008, we have been in touch regularly since then and it is always a thrill catching up with her in person. To have her call me up every couple of weeks just to see how I am doing is awesome and she is so consistent at it. She continues to do well in school and when I saw her she was anxiously waiting for her exam results. Since then, both her mom and her called to let me know that she passed all nine subjects she took I couldn't have been more proud of her. Now she is off to sixth form as she continues on her journey to becoming a nurse. She was apprehensive about sixth form at first because of the cost and her family situation, but I encouraged her to go and assured her I would be there until she was finished. It really isn't about the time and money invested in this young life. It is about the opportunity for her to realize her dream and it is a tremendous honor and privilege to be a part of it. In her words, "I have a lot to give God thanks for." Me too. She is one exceptional young woman for whom the sky is the limit.

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

One side story to all of this centered around the owners of the Ocean Breeze. They had sent their teenage daughter to every day of VBS and she was at every night service. We were very delighted to find out that they did this because as they watched us over the past three years we stayed with them, they felt "you guys are the real deal." My mind went back to the year we stayed there and got flooded out as a result of the hurricane. At that time, those of us who were there then took the whole thing in stride and even went down to help bail water out of the lobby and hallways with mops and buckets. Little did we know that our attitude during that adversity was being observed. As a matter of fact, it didn't occur to me that we were always under observation. But over the years we had interacted with staff and we just loved on them whether it was around the breakfast table, in the hallways, or just the way we kept our rooms. The motto was "In everything you do preach Christ and if necessary, use words." We hadn't used much words but they noticed. And on this particular night, the owner and his wife would be at the night service. We were thrilled but humbled. Isn't God awesome?


The daughter with a couple of our team leaders...

Our last night's service was one of celebration. As we thanked them they thanked us. We had come to bless them but we were leaving blessed. Ours was a wonderful partnership.


A beautiful soul who loves to dance. Once the music started, she would make her way down to the front and she would dance like any young girl Being short, she didn't discriminate in her choice of "partners" to dance with and the times we greeted each other, I had to reach down to hug her. But that didn't stop her from dancing with all the tall men when she hit the floor. Hers is a very powerful testimony and I remember her fondly.

The youth did a wonderful dance to Hillsong's "Worthy is the Lamb"

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Beautiful performance...

<span style="color: #000099"><span style="font-weight: bold">Worthy is the Lamb</span>

Thank you for the cross Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love Lord
Thank you for your nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crowns
You reign victorious
High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb
</span>

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Friday morning...</span></span>

Our last morning together. A couple team members were flying back to Toronto and the rest of us would disperse over different parts of the island to spend time with family and friends. All week long our devotional times were rich and this morning was more of the same. It was also a time of reflection and we took turns talking about what the time together and the week in general meant to us personally. As was to be expected, amidst the laughter there were some tears. After a week in close proximity with the kids and given the emotional investments made, leaving was proving difficult. The newbies spoke of friendships formed the awesomeness of the experience of serving, often outside of their comfort zones.

In our church, each individual is engaged in areas of ministries suited to their strengths. On the trip there was not that comfort zone. Each person did what needed to be done, and though we were all aware of our deficiencies, we found that collectively our skill sets were complementary. And so we found things like the new believer's class being done by two team members who had never done that kind of thing before, yet with some coaching from those of us who knew how to do it, they did a great job.

For us as a group, we had grown together and will forever be linked by the shared experiences. Beyond seeing each other in different services and the occasional interaction around church stuff, some of us did not know each other well on a personal level. The week changed that, and we committed to keeping those deepened friendships going.

So it was with hugs and celebration that we wrapped up another successful year in Jamaica. Personally, given how the year had gone to date, this was exactly what I needed. God is good and to Him be all the glory.

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Some random pictures. In these ones, the views were outstanding...

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives


Houses sprouting up like weeds...




I love the &quot;character&quot; of this building. A new and bigger church is being built to the right of it.

[trelawnysmall]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

bravo

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

On the way to Kingston...

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives





<span style="font-weight: bold">That's all folks. Thanks for tagging along</span>

My next pit stop - Zambia and South Africa in October training some church leaders. Say lots of prayers for me for the finances and everything else

[Compry]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Excellent...looking forward to next year's report, God's willing. Also anticipating the reports from Zambia and South Africa.

[Magician]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Great sequel to last year's report!

The smiles on the kid's faces must have been a greaet reward for you and your team.
Love the music clips too.

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TSmall</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> bravo </div></div>
Thanks much

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Compray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Excellent...looking forward to next year's report, God's willing. Also anticipating the reports from Zambia and South Africa. </div></div>
Thank you. We expect VBS to keep growing and there is already quite a bit of excitement from some who want to come along, especially after they saw the video highlights we put together. We got word from the Pastor that since we left, there has been one baptismal service and a wedding (a new convert) - both a direct result of the week of meetings. God is good. As for next month's trip, I can hardly wait. Should be a lot of fun..

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Magix</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great sequel to last year's report!

The smiles on the kid's faces must have been a greaet reward for you and your team.
Love the music clips too. </div></div>
Thanks, Magix. Yes, the smiles on their faces was all the reward we needed. We continue to miss them.

[Stormmey]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

CD great report you always deliver. I like this pic as it signals an ending until you return



The mountains in Jamaica are awesome!! some of your pics reminds me of some of the sights here in B.C. take care and all the best for your time in Zambia