Our Visit to August Town & The Beginning of a Beautiful Garden

Children truly are a gift from God! Our visit to August Town was full of affection for the kids and appreciation received from the kids. It touched my heart to hear the children singing "Not forgotten" as they emerged from their classrooms to attend the assembly. Clearly, the songresonated within the hearts and minds of the future of Jamaica. How mighty is the statement that God has not forgotten you! I can only imagine the number of times the lyrics may have ministered to the children individual.

My heart was filled with joy! Joy and hope! When I looked into the eyes of the children, I saw such promise and innocence. It was an answer to my prayers from last year's visit. Jamaica is notoriously known for a high tolerance of perverse sexuality and robbing the youth of their innocence. However, I knew that God had honored my request when out of the lips came cheerful hellos and "Do you remember me?", and "I remember what you told me last time and I've been good." Today my prayer is that God continues to protect the hearts, minds, and souls of every child at AugustTown.

Later in the day, the Ten Days team rolled up their sleeves and got their hands dirty with our service project - the Papine farm. At a glimpse, anyone can tell that the farm had not been cared for in ages. With the help of the team, hard work, and Godly laughter, we prepared the land for what God intended for it to be. Looking at the service project as a whole, I likened the experience to God taking the time to carefully prepare each of the team members for a season of fruitfulness/harvest. Initially, like the farm, we all started as unmanageable weeds with potential to grow into our full capacity - yet directing our growth along the wrong path. God, the ultimate caretaker, took the time to show us love by digging up our roots, plucking off old leaves, planting new seeds, watering us, fertilizing the soil, and watching as we blossom into his beautiful creation. With that revelation, I observed how each person in our team had blossom in such a short amount of time since arriving in Jamaica. While the team is diverse with seasoned pastors and the willing hearts with less evangelizing experience, I could recognize a difference. God had used this trip to fertilize his Ten Days crops, so that they would have the nutrients necessary to sprout in order to feed his people (Papine, August Town, UTech) while we were here. I am amazed at God the creator and have a new appreciation for farmers.

Talk with you tomorrow!

One Lord, One God, Many Nations

Crystal

The Harvest was READY!!!!

Christie, Michelle, & Masani

Where do I begin on today's post? So many great things occurred today and I'll try my best to give an account for every stirring encounter.

The team rose early to eat breakfast and do our daily devotion on "perseverance." Amazingly, God would have us to study that character trait to prepare us for our journey throughout the day. Several times throughout the assembly the children tested whether we'd persevere. In complete respect for our men on this trip, I admired how they stepped to the plate and pressed forward to get the message to God's people. I kept thinking, "That's an awesome love that God has for these kids. He cared so much for them, that He touched people's hearts to give in order to send the right missionaries to share the gospel of Jesus Christ." Wow!

Each morning I pray that God would allow me to lead at least one person to Christ. As I sit here at the end of my day, I'm grateful to God because He honored my request. Not only did I lead one person to Christ, but also four others. My first encounter was at Papine. After the 1st shift assembly, I was lingering to see if there were any needs unmet or if someone just so happen to decide to give their life to the Lord. I striked up a conversation with a young man that grew into an opportunity to minister. He said, "Miss, I know I need God but I'm afraid that my life/actions won't reflect what it is to be a TRUE Christian." My heart melted for his sincerity in taking the next step by committing his life to Christ. I shared a little about what God expects and how God has ALWAYS given us a way of escape in any situation/temptation we may encounter. He agreed and I could see that everything within him wanted a personal relationship with Jesus. I happily lead him to the Lord. But that was just the beginning of what God had in store for me today.

Being on the mission field and engulfed by the many opportunities to minister, I found myself at a table full of ladies around the age of 14-15. Casually, I asked if they'd heard of the God Test after cracking the ice with a few truths and jokes. They all agreed they hadn't and I couldn't believe that my first chance to share the God Test was with 4 individuals. Slowly, I went though each question and the answers were candid. Right before my eyes, I could see that the questions were making them challenge their personal religious philosophies. By the end of the discussion, they were ALL willing to submit their lives to God. I prayed with them and encouraged them to encourage one another.

On another occasion - I was reunited with so many old friends. I had no idea how excited they would be to see we returned. It meant the world to them that the team didn't sweep through to save the week last year, only to not return this year. They were appreciative that we cared so much for them that we returned. Oddly enough, one particular young lady's reaction blessed me -Shanika. She was part of my group when we visited National Hero's Park and I had to show her tough love. When she recognized me today, she ran to wrap her arms around me and welcomed me back. What a blessing for me to see that after all was said and done, she knew that I loved her with the love of Christ.

The last event of the evening was spent engaging the students at UTech! It was raining, the team was tired and quite frankly, we were ready to call it a day. Ps. Lyndon and Ps.Gregg pushed us just a step further. They challenged us to mingle with the university students and try seeing if God would show himself mighty as we ventured out to give the (cue music) GOD TEST!!!!! :-) Reluctantly, I persevered and there was such a great reward that was given due to my obedience. Immediately, I walked to a crowd of students that were gathering under a building to keep from getting wet. Glancing over the faces, I stopped right in front of a young lady who politely dealt with my conversational questions (Are you from Kingston? What are you studying? What is your classification?). However, the more I talked with her, the more she began to relax. Finally, I saw an opportunity to go in for the kill. I asked if she would be willing to take a simple test and she agreed. Again, she concluded that she wanted to go to heaven but couldn't say that she was ready to turn from her ways. I explained the meaning of true repentance and how God loves us so much that he continues to chase after each of us. Regardless of how far away she may be from God, He's never so far removed that he won't welcome her back in. Then the lightbulb went off and she allowed me to pray with her the sinner's prayer. (All this time, people were walking up to purchase items from her portable store.) After praying, I asked her name and would you believe that her name was Cristal. "Ah! Now I know for sure that God sent you to Jamaica for me." she said. Instantaneously, I was energized and wanted to go save the world. Slowly, I walked away but realized that I needed a picture with her. We posed and I asked a young man, Kushna, to take our picture. Before I knew it, I was sharing with Kushna through the God test. As I reflect, God's strength gave me what I needed to minister to him. This science major, was the last person I wanted to get into an in-depth discussion about religion. However, God had me to address his main concerns before he mentioned them. At that moment, he respected me more for tackling the issue of how to prove that God is real. After an amazing discussion, he allowed Samon and I to pray over him. My prayer? God make him miserable until he seeks you for himself and help him to realize that because of him submitting to God others will follow his example. A quick exchange of facebook info and I was heading towards the bus. Right as I got ready to load the bus, I said hello to a gentleman. He stopped and turned around, thinking that I said more. Since I was on a roll, I took the opportunity to share Jesus with him. After I finished, I asked his name and whether he had siblings. He revealed that he has an older sister whose name is "Crystal". The gentleman then began to proclaim, " This must be God. My sister gives me the God spill almost everyday." I smiled and said that God and his sister had planned this encounter supernaturally. Clearly, I was sent as someone to water the seed that his sister planted. There's no doubt that God will be Lord of his life soon!

Cristal (UTech) and I

Kushna (UTech) and I

I could go on for days.......... more to come!!!!! :-)

One Lord, One God, Many Nations,

Crystal

End of Day 2

Really?- All God really wants us to do is to willingly give ourselves to his work so that we can reach the lost. Today was a day of reflection for me. In our group study, we prayed for a spirit of compassion. In my opinion, compassion begins when we reflect on God's goodness, grace and mercy. Truly, any member of our team could easily be in a worse predicament than where we are today. Starting the day with that devotion in mind, prepared my heart to be more fleshlike- feeling and savoring the moments/encounters with the Jamaican people.

It's amazing how prayer can set the pace for the entire day. My dear sister and fierce worship leader, Tokigui, wasted no time to usher us into a place of worship. As I surveyed the room, I noticed that not everyone was fully engaged. Some passively worshipped. Intuitively, Tokigui sensed the lack of desperation for God and for his will to be done. Eyes begin to open and the people realized the need to seek God with desperation and the praise heightened. LaWanna had a moment to minister and God's presence saturated us with an outpour of power. Later in the service, the team and I had the opportunity to share out 2 minute miracles. Harriet's testimony, being the highlight of that moment, displayed what the team wanted the people of CLF, Kingston and Jamaica as a whole to see - that we came to partner alongside of the works being done. We're no different than them; God saved us from our mess just like he did with them. Together we have a mission to reclaim the island of Jamaica and bring restoration to the people, stir up the gifts lying dormant, prepare the next generation for greatness!

Sitting here, I almost got discouraged that I didn't have a defining moment with at least one individual. However, God used me in the ministry of song. Praise and worship is so powerful! My prayer is that someone was ministered to through the lyrics I sung, maybe the sound of my voice, or perhaps by witnessing my freedom to worship. Lord, give me what I need to minister for each day. If that be a song, a word, a deed, or a listening ear - I give myself to your work.

On another note - It's beautiful seeing God touch my team members that have never been on a mission trip. What they are witnessing is something completely different from what they know. Ruin them for your kingdom God!!!

Tomorrow - We're out for blood! On to Papine High School and to the university to try out the God test. Pray that every team member's tongue has utterance to preach the gospel, share God's word and BOLDLY proclaim that Jesus is the way! Can't wait to do the God test!

Stay tuned....More to come!

One Lord, One God, Many Nations

Crystal

Day 1 & 2 (I Give Myself Away)

Well....After a missed flight, I finally arrived in Jamaica at 9:30 last night. Beyond the hustle and the bustle of getting from the airport to the hotel room, I tried my best to soak in the beauty of the island once again. On the ride to the hotel, I prayed that God would give me a "fresh" experience on this trip. I didn't want to take anything for granted. God honored my request this morning at service. In the midst of reuniting with my Jamaican family, God used the team and I to minister in song. The sound was resounding! It permeated throughout the building and I was completely overwhelmed by God's presence. Moved so much, I made the decision to give myself away-totally- to this trip. As God moved, we worshipped more and a word from Mike Williams was given to the men. His passionate delivery opened the hearts of the men to what it really means to be a man of God. So much more to tell, but I gotta go with the team on trip for jerk chicken! Ya mon'! Until later, here are a few pics from today...so far!

One Lord, One God, Many Nations

Crystal

Two Days Away from Jamaica Part Deux!

I'm two days away from being reunited with my Jamaican family and so many emotions are running through my head. How awesome is it that God would have me to have another encounter with my beloved Jamaica! Fundraising was quite the journey, but every step in the process has brought me a clearer revelation of what perseverance means -steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Surely everyone knows that it was not by my own might or power, that I am able to take this beautiful journey once again.

At my very core, I pray that God does a work within me to share Christlike love to every person that comes across my path while in Kingston. I'm willing and ready to roll up my sleeves in order to do a greater work. Sacrificing myself, giving myself away to His complete work on the mission/battle field. May this trip be both refreshing and transformative! Purge me oh Lord, that I may be used by you - my savior and king! May the warmth of your love transcend cultural barriers and permeate the hearts of the Jamaican people as you shine through me, your servant. The look of desperation that so many will have in their eyes, I pray that Jehovah-Jireh (God of provision), honor the request of humbled hearts.

Excitement is lurking all around me in my final preparation for this trip! I know there will be miracles, fun and unity amongst everyone. Ahhhhhh! Just to bask in the glow of the sun....I can't wait!

Jamaica, land I love!

One God, One Lord, Many Nations!

Crystal