VBS and Construction Pics

Beth, Josh, and Dan made signs to help keep the kids off the new tile. They rock!












Pastor Jeff and I put new tile on the wall where the kids put their dishes after eating. Much easier to clean up.











Inside the new building. This is the cafeteria that we painted.












The new dorm building. It was started in October 2009. Downstairs is finished, but the are working on the upstairs.











Brian and I talking after devotions













Some of the crew at the devos on Wednesday.













Beth, Ris, and Heather showing us their painting skills. I worked with them for two hours and got my back and my shorts painted by them!















Meg and Chanelle. The white powder on her forehead is flour. Evidently, they flour, egg, and put water on people for their birthday. She helped get our cook Ramor :)













Meg and some of the kids.

VBS Day Three and Four

Yesterday was the third day for VBS, and I must say that VBS down here is totally different than VBS in the states. For one thing, they don't have nearly the equipment, props, resources or money to pour into elaborate themes. They simply come to hear the Word of God, play some games, and do some crafts. They love getting attention from everyone here, and sometimes they can even try our patience as they push the boundaries in behavior. Many of the kids here are new to the home and what they came from never had the discipline like many of us our used to. They are starving for love and attention. It was very encouraging to see our team loving on the kids and sharing the love of God, our theme of VBS, this week. The kids were definitely blessed by them. I will say this though, these kids here know the Scripture. In fact, one of the kids in my group kept quoting the Scriptures that Gerry was using for the VBS. Each time he said the passage, he would shout out the passage. It definitely puts us to shame in America. Many of us don't hide the Word in our heart like these kids do. I know it's really challenged me to memorize more of God's Word.

Last night, we had some devotional time with the older kids, and I must say that it went really well. We sang one Hillsong worship song and then the older kids sang some Jamaican worship songs. It is really neat to be able to sing and worship with people from a different country and race. Jesus Christ is the one that keeps us all together and unifies us in Him. I am so glad that our team was able to talk with the kids and be encouraged by what they shared. There is one young man here named Brian who shared his testimony about coming to Christ. He was in another home, on for bad kids even though he wasn't bad, and he got saved at a church service while in that home. The kids at the home would ridicule him and make fun of him for being a Christian but he was able to stay strong in his faith. A short time later, the director of that home moved Brian over to New Vision. I felt very strongly that he has a mantle upon his life as he spoke and just encouraged him that it was no mistake that God moved him to this home. He was to be a leader for those kids coming up. After service all the kids stayed up to play some foursquare and work on some crafts for the next day's VBS.

Today was the final day of VBS and it was pretty cool. All the kids had a great time this week and we made lots of new friends. We have also been doing some service projects here as well, like painting, cleaning rooms in the new building, and some other odd jobs around the grounds. The team has done a great job with everything. They took a trip around the farm with Mr. Bunny this afternoon to see some of the things they grow here at the home. I would have to say that sugar cane is my favorite. They cut the stalk and you chew and suck on the juices. Once the juices are done, you just spit the stalk out. It's pretty cool. God is doing some great things here. I keep hearing all the kids singing some of the VBS songs. One girl kept singing about Daniel and the lion's den, the lions den, the lions den, and I just had one of the boys come in singing, "Dig a hole, Dig a hole, Dig a hole, and put the devil in it!"

The week has been great and we are tired! Tomorrow we are heading back to Montego Bay for our fun day. The beach, shopping, and some good food! I can't wait for that, but I also can't wait to sleep in my own bed!

p. jon

VBS Day Two - Pictures

Making some lifesaver necklaces showing us that Jesus saves! They also made some wordless bracelets to show that Jesus changes us.











One Way, JESUS! Geraldine the puppet leading the way (top left).












Too cool for school!

VBS Day Two

Today was our second day of VBS and we had a BLAST!!!!!!!! The kids learned about Zacchaeus today and how Jesus saved and changed him. The kids acted out the story and learned a new song about Zacchaeus, the wee little man. They enjoyed it so much that we actually had one kid say, "I don't want to go to the game station, I want to learn more about God." I thought that was an incredible statement!

I am really proud of the team and how the teens are connecting with the kids. They truly are ministering to them in a variety of ways. Even though they are tired (probably because they stay up in their rooms until late at night talking) they are working really hard. After the VBS this morning, we helped paint and clean up the new building. There was a lot of dust as all the buildings here are concrete, but they worked without complaining the entire time. They should be really tired tonight! We are looking forward to two more days of VBS and working around the home. It should be a great time!

p. jon

VBS Day One - Pictures

My new besty, Ryan.


















Worship time!














Foursquare!














The team watching some of the kids play soccer.














Reds, Ryan, and Megan Lemons hanging out.

VBS Day One

Well, today was a day full of firsts. We kicked off out VBS with the little kids. They are a great group of kids with A LOT of energy! Needless to say, we had our hands full for the morning. It was awesome to see the teens connecting with this kids and ministering the love of Christ to them. The kids are such a blessing and they don't even realize it. How can you not fall in love with them as they come up to you and grab your hand or reach up to have you hold them? The Bible is very clear about loving orphans and widows. This week we have an opportunity to love the orphans here at the children's home. After VBS, we were able to relax and get some lunch in order to get working on some of the buildings they have here. We started painting the cafeteria where the kids eat this afternoon. The team did a great job and was able to get whole room cleaned and half of it painted before the kids came in to eat dinner. After dinner, most of the kids played four square or futbol (soccer), or basketball with the kids. It's a great time of connecting with them. Tomorrow Gerry is going to show the older boys how to tie some knots.

The second first experience that I had today was that of going to a hardware store here in Christiana. Interesting is how I would describe it. To begin with, our trip to the store was an adventure. It's only a couple minutes up the street, but half way to the store Jeff and I found ourselves being passed by a car in the middle of the road while another car was coming down the street! Thank God that the road was really wide at this point or else it would have been a collision for sure! Driving is no joke over here. Your reflexes really get tested. Any how, we got to the store and it was quite and experience. Everything we needed to get went through the ladies behind the counter. Nothing was out for display like our self serve Lowe's or Home Depot. And it took forever to get a few parts! I am so thankful for what we have in the states. We finally got our parts and supplies and were able to head back to the home for some work. It was pretty neat.

Looking back on today (as the neighbors are blaring Kenny Rodgers and making the dogs howl), I am so thankful for the love of God. He has saved us from our sin and He is faithful to provide our every need. Too many times we think we have to have material things to satisfy us, but these people down here have hardly anything and they just keep on going. God is sufficient for everything! I pray that He will continue to challenge the team to draw nearer to Him and use us for His glory!

p. jon

Jamaica Missions Trip Pictures

Some of the kids on the flight to Montego Bay. So excited at this point!

Jamaica Missions Trip Pictures

The house Megan had to use the bathroom at. There was a hole in the floor outside that I told her was the restroom...she didn't appreciate that very much:)

Jamaica Missions Trip Pictures

Megan's face as we drove through the mountains. My arm was hurting at this point!

Jamaica Missions Trip

We are in Jamaica, mon! The journey began Friday, July 24th as the team spent the night at the church to prepare for an early departure on Saturday. We got up at 3:30 a.m. on so that we could leave by 4:30 a.m. Our flight left JFK International airport at 10:32 a.m. and landed in Montego Bay, Jamaica at 2 p.m. Everything was great! We got through customs and the airport without any problems, and then into the bus to start our two-hour journey to Christiana. That's where the fun began! I thought that drivers in NYC were crazy, but they don't hold a candle to the drivers in Jamaica. Once we got off the main roads, the turns were pretty crazy. It was bumpy, curvy, and hilly! The driver used his horn every five seconds to warn other drivers that we were coming. Megan was so freaked out at some points that she was hanging on to me and the bus for dear life! I will post a picture, once I figure out how to do that :) The drive was going well, even with all the turns and cars swerving to miss one another, until the bus started to overheat. The driver stopped immediately on a hill to let the bus cool down. We stayed there for about an hour, praying that everything would turn out fine. Our driver, Ricky, was afraid it was something serious, but we eventually got it cooled down and drove the rest of the way to the Chrildren's Home. I had to laugh at Megan again though, because she had to go to the bathroom really bad. She only had two options: 1. go in the woods on the side of the mountain, or 2. ask the family whose house we were stuck in front of to use their restroom. She was insistent that she could wait until she found out we were still an hour away from the home. She chose to ask the family there. I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go :) We got to the New Vision - City of Refuge home about 6:30 p.m. We unloaded the bus, got settled into the team cabin and had some sandwiches and pumpkin soup. It was delicious! Spicy, but delicious! We concluded the evening by going over some of the rules with Jeff and Becky and then it was off to bed as we were exhausted by the long day of travel.

On Sunday, we were able to sleep in till about 8 a.m. because church service didn't start until 10:45 a.m. Pastor Gary had Jeff introduce the team and called me up to greet the congregation. The service was awesome, although I must admit it's very different! The atmosphere was very laid back and unconcerned about the "technical" side of church. Their slogan down here is, "No problem, mon!" That definitely fits them well. Nothing seems to get them worked up. The power went out during the message and Pastor Gary kept on going like nothing was wrong. Even though the attitude is more laid back, they definitely know how to praise God! Time was not an issue as service ended about 1:10 p.m. and it could have gone on a lot longer. The rest of the afternoon has been filled with the students getting to know the kids in the home much better as they play foursquare, soccer, b-ball, and other games. Tomorrow we will start our VBS for the kids in the morning and some construction work in the evening. We are excited as a lot of neighborhood kids come out to play on the b-ball courts and soccer fields. We are praying that we can do a sports camp that we can use as an opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus with them. Continue to keep us in prayer as we are here!

p. jon