After Browncroft, before Sudbury

Emotionally there's been a lot of ups and downs this week. Tonight I sit in our staff lodging room at the Sandy Bay Primary School and reflect on what God has done. I sit in the dark as the teen guys from Browncroft Community Church serenade the ladies with love songs. The current song is Edwin McCain's "I'll Be". Leading a team of 67 people sure has been a challenge, but it has been an experience i'll never forget. Nelson Jenkins is one of the most passionate youth pastor's i've ever met- I tried to recruit him to come work for PPM. He has the heart of someone who simply loves people, but especially youth- and has a desire to see them grow. I got feedback from Nelson today about their trip. He said they'd return, but only go on an international mission trip every three years. He also said he wished there was a bit more service work the team could have done for a couple of the days. It was a task trying to keep everyone busy and really just didn't happen at every moment we wanted it to. He also said, "We ate a lot of Chicken!". But he did assure me that this has been one of their best mission trips in recent years. They've enjoyed our staff (thank God) and have really liked working on the church projects and spending time with the Jamaican youth. The current song is James Blunt's "Goodbye my lover" that the Browncroft guys are gloriously singing. Now I look forward to what is next. I have three different groups coming in on Friday. In all they total about 51 people, mostly youth. It will be a different challenge this week. This will be my first trip with 3 different churches being involved. One church is Southern Baptist, one is non-denominational, and one is an African American gospel church. It should be interesting. I'm praying that God gives me the strength and poise to unite these three churches together to succeed in having a great week of ministry. We will focus on a construction project of helping pour a floor at the Bethtephil Baptist Church and we'll facilitate three different VBS ministries (one by each church at three different churches). We'll also be a part of the evening crusade services that begin on Sunday evening at the Sudbury Baptist Church. I pray that God gives me wisdom this week as I work with three leaders and a slew of other people from Jamaica and the USA. This evening I was sure discouraged in my ministry and I felt spiritually attacked. Satan was trying to tell me that I wasn't up to the task. But God reassured me and Emily was here to encourage and lift me up. It has been great having Emily on this trip, and she's going to do a great job leading her trip next week Here's to a great trip for Emily and Myself, and Grant Hoel too!