Feeling at home

As I sit here looking out the window at the sun setting over the Caribbean Sea, I'm reminded just how awesome God truly is. He is a God that is so amazing that it seems impossible to know Him, yet I feel as if I'm coming closer to Him everyday. As we are praying for God's perfect will for our lives, I'm blown away by the fact that He knows everything about me, even what is yet to come. We are beginning to feel more and more at home here in this quaint town of Whitehouse, Jamaica. The customs, though different, are coming more into view. (Though it will take a long time to understand them all, if ever!) The people are friendly, and the country so beautiful. The kids at My Father's House are becoming more comfortable with us and beginning to trust us more and more. We've both had some opportunities to minister to the kids here in tangible ways. The teenage girls are beginning to open up to Dulcie and ask advice. And God is using her to help reinforce some of the lessons Mama Penie has been teaching them. We've been challenged as their competiveness comes out during summer camp activities, and as typical kids, the arguments fly. Helping them remember to act and talk as Jesus would is something we do everyday...Especially with our own kids. But this has been a great week overall.

We may not be doing the type of ministry that is in your face evangelism or doing skits on the streets, but we are helping to instill Godly principles in the lives of 30 kids. Day to day life-living ministry is much harder to do than one day events, in my opinion. Even when I'm tired and frustrated, I must teach and live Godly standards. Jesus impacted the world by impacting 11 men day to day for 3 years. Those men in turn, took the world for Christ. Some may look at what we're doing as "fun stuff", and in a sense it is, but it is also a lot of hard work. The devil recently tried to discourage me by telling me we weren't doing much, but God has reminded me that we are impacting the lives of 30 children.

I'm beginning to see different doors that God may be opening for us to minister to some of the adults in the neighborhood. A few weeks ago, we walked through the house across the street that some Jamaican men have been renovating and we met a man named Elvis. The house has been empty for about 5 years, so it needs a lot of work. Anyway, Elvis and his friend were kind enough to show us through the house. Every time that he is there, he makes a point to stop and talk to us. Sometimes it's just a simple hello or to ask for water, but I believe there's a reason. I am praying for an opportunity to talk more significantly. Only the Lord knows.

Currently we have a team from a Four Square church from the Dallas, TX area with us. There are 20 of them. What an awesome group! Dulcie and I had the privilege of driving to Montego Bay to help pick them up. They have been a real blessing to the house, and have such a heart of servanthood. We are hoping they will be able to help us unload the container, as it STILL has not come. Jim is having to go to MoBay several days a week to work on releasing it. Please pray they will release it soon, as the drive is very tedious, over the mountain on very narrow and windy roads. Not to mention the stress of dealing with corruption in the governmental departments. But God is working, and we are praying it will be here soon.

We had the honor of attending a sport's day on Saturday. One of the local churches hosts this every year. There were over 400 people split into 4 teams: red, white, blue and purple. We were on the purple team. They do foot races, bag races, egg and spoon races (for all ages, even us adults). They also play football(soccer), cricket, cheerleading, volleyball, food eating contest, pop drinking contests, etc... It is an all day and night event. Our girls helped the girls from My Father's house in the cheerleading event. They won first place! We were so proud of them all. A few of the kids won some of the races. It was really a fun day, but was too long for us to stay the whole time. Plus, it was really hot!

Our kids continue to amaze us. They are doing great. When asked if they miss the states, their reply is always, "just my family and friends". Alyssa said she missed McDonald's, but only sometimes. Jaycee misses air conditioning. Overall they are adapting very well. Levi really made us proud this week. On Sunday morning before church, Penie passes out tithe to the kids based on what their allowance is. Levi did not have any chores this week as it was one of his off weeks. Dulcie asked him if he had gotten his tithe and his reply was, "Mom, I didn't think it was fair for me to get tithe when I didn't work." Remember that he is only 5 years old and already has a concept of: I didn't work so I shouldn't get paid. He received double tithe. What a kid!

As you can tell, we're having a great time. Please keep praying for us and check out our pics on www.jaminjamaica.com. See ya soon.