Celebrating seven years of partnership between the Port Antonio Baptist Circuit of Churches and First Baptist Church of Dalton, Georgia.
You have read many expressions of testimony in our daily blogs, and will certainly hear more as you encounter members of our mission team in the days and weeks ahead. Lives were changed and we can't keep this good news to ourselves!
I'd like to take this opportunity to share a few of my personal observations. At the conclusion of each day, during our devotional time, Christian B. would ask us, "Where did you see Christ today?" These were significant times of reflection and celebration shared first in our family groups, and then with the whole group.
The following are examples of where I observed our mission team being the hands and feet of Christ this week:
*Garrison offering to send his keyboard ("that's been sitting in my closet") to Pastor Grant, who said that Norwich Church did not have one, and it would be greatly appreciated.
*Emily, gently motioning instructions to Molly during our Sunday morning rehearsal for worship.
*Emily and Molly singing enthusiastically, "I'll Fly Away" with the people at the Infirmary who joined them in singing with great enthusiasm.
*Each of our youth, sitting next to the Jamaican choir members on Sunday, learning from each other and praising God together.
*A birthday celebration in the middle of worship. At the "Passing of the Peace" time, church members moved around the room to hug and speak to folks with July birthdays. We had three with July birthdays (Patti, Colton, and Garrison). One dear lady stepped across several youth in order to give Colton a big hug. It didn't take long for Colton and Garrison to move to the end of the row to receive all the hugs given for their birthday.
*Bread baked by Cheryl Stalans was used during Communion. Jay, Katie Beth and Christian B. helped distribute the bread. Watching the breaking of bread in fellowship with Christ and with one another - hands reaching in love and service.
*Trisha Thompson carefully explaining Jamaican culture to us, helping us to understand and more readily embrace the praise and worship offered by all of God's people.
*Josh Brubaker quietly reaching out to one of our Jamaican friends (I think his name is Jay) who became a bit overwhelmed after joining the tree jumpers who jumped into the chilly river at Frenchman's Cove.
....Speaking of tree jumping: While standing in the tree, Colton sang "In Christ alone, I place my trust." after landing in the water, he completed his jump singing, "in every victory, let it be said of me, my source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone."
*Josh McCraven eagerly receiving tambourine lessons and then with Molly and Ethan, playing the conga with a young Jamaican friend at our last night together (during the Cultural Exchange).
*Blakely, Maddie, Ashton (and most all the youth at some point in time) taking every opportunity to play with and "love on" the children.
*During our residential home care day, each one of us were the hands of Christ repairing a roof, cleaning the grounds around the homes, making beds and folding clothes, reaching out to touch and hug these dear people.
*I have numerous pictures in my head of our youth giving a cup of cold water (hot chocolate) and a loaf of bread (journey bread) to those who were hungry.
*Ethan always asking, "Is there anything you need help with?"
*Patti graciously and determinedly learning new Jamaican praise songs for worship.
*Sheridan making friends with two children as we were helping feed the homeless. She sat between them and talked with them, showing them God's love.
*Debby joyfully embracing two homeless women in the park.
*Jennifer wearing her stinky missions t-shirt one more day in order to give her clean one to a young friend. She had folded it, tying it into a package with strips of her bandana, and accompanied the gift with a personal note of love and encouragement.
*Mary Anna being filled to overflowing as she sang "This Little Light of Mine" at the Infirmary.
*David teaching one of the special needs children to play his mandolin.
*Shelby befriending a young Downs syndrome child.
*Chandler walking beside the Port Antonio Primary School, hand-in-hand with an adoring young girl.
*Sheridan's eyes as Victoria joined her in singing "Amazing Grace" at the Infirmary.
*The Port Antonio youth giving of their energy and friendship as they guided us through their town - to the pier and beach, through the market, at KFC, joining us at Frenchman's Cove, and even traveling with us back to the airport on Thursday.
*Marlene, Mary Anna and Christian Caldwell (and most ALL the girls) sitting patiently--dare I say joyfully?--as the school children braided their hair.
*Jay expressing love and care for some of the children, even purchasing ice cream and a soccer ball for one of them.
*Tommy sharing how Jesus loves all the children of the world at the Norwich Infant school (preschool ages 4-6).
*Blayne climbing a make-shift ladder (risking life and limb....I thought, until I saw her climb the "jumping tree" SIX TIMES) helping repair the roof of a home.
*Colton wrapping his arm around the shoulder of a man in the Infirmary, singing into his ear so he could hear the words.
*Walking the streets, and sharing Christ's love with all we encountered. In my small group, we were led by Maddie who asked every person she met, "Do you have a church home? You should come visit Port Antonio Baptist Church. It's a GREAT church!" . . . or Colton asking, "How can we pray for you?" and then praying specifically for each person and their expressed need. At one point, Colton started to pray, "Dear God, we pray for...ummm, wait....What's your name? (Cleveland). Dear God, we pray for Cleveland. Help him to find the work he needs and bless him today."
*Alan's quiet strength throughout the week and his deeply rooted love for the Jamaican people
blog by Susan Deal
