First Baptist Church
1521 S County Road 75 W
Danville, Indiana 46122
Phone: 317-745-2266
info@firstbaptistdanville.com
Copyright © 2010 First Baptist Church of Danville, Indiana.
So much has happened in these last two weeks! God has amazed me time and time again, orchestrating each day of the week so that he would get all the glory. I’ll do my best to point out some of the highlights. On Sunday, March 13th, Mt. Stewart Baptist Church had a special Sunday Service called “Taxi Driver Sunday”, during which they focused specifically on local taxi drivers. Many of them are invited each week but that particular Sunday they came and were recognized for their service in the community, specifically prayed for, and given a Bible. It was a simple recognition but, however interested or uninterested the men were in the service, the effect was evident and powerful.
The very next day a wily, unpredictable, red-headed Jamerican arrived on the island. Stephen Crawford (Ben Crawford is already here) arrived in the country on Monday the 14th and traveled up on Tuesday to stay at the Bible College for the remainder of the week. In short, we had a lot of fun climbing mountains, getting lost in the Jamaican bush, and spending time catching up. Thankfully, we are still in one piece and things are still happening as usual on the island of Jamaica. In between adventures, I was able to be a part of some special, mid-week services at Mt. Stewart Baptist. We met on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and each of the services revolved around the theme of “staying connected.” How important it is to stay connected to our source of infinite power through the reading of the Word and prayer! As Pastor Llewellyn always says, if we aren’t spiritually “filling ourselves up”, how will we have anything to pour into others? I can’t neglect to read my Bible and cry out to God and expect to be of any spiritual use. And if I am “of no use” spiritually, the body of believers is affected because we are “one body.” There are a number of amazing passages of Scripture that speak on this topic and I would encourage you to read them (Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 12 are two).
A few days ago, I met with the believers at Mt. Stewart Baptist Church for my last Sunday among them. It was amazing time of fellowship and praising our God and, before our time was done, I came to realize just how close I have become with these people. They have been so welcoming and encouraging to me. I now have a more “complete picture” of the worldwide body of Christ and, even beyond that, a clearer view of the great need in the world. How dare I spend my life thinking only of me! Something about only having a week left has made me more relationally aware and more “conscious” of opportunities to build relationships. I have met so many new people and been able to talk with many even within these last few weeks. I would appreciate your prayers as I close out my time here. Pray for the people of Mt. Stewart and, specifically, for the believers at Mt. Stewart Baptist Church. Pray for the ministry partnership that is developing between our churches and pray also for the individual people (even if you don’t know their names yet). I have greatly appreciated your prayers these three months and knowing that you are praying for and thinking of me has been an amazing encouragement! I will continue to pray for all of you this week and I look forward to seeing you in just a few days!
We’ve officially entered the month of March and my perception of the length of my stay has greatly changed. During my first week in January, eleven weeks seemed like a long time; but as March begins, I realize that eleven weeks is just long enough to “scratch the surface.” I almost feel as if my relationships here have just started and yet it is nearly time to return home.
One of the joys, though, that I have been able to experience so far, and this week in particular, has been the coming and going of teams from all over the United States and even the world. I stayed in Montego Bay at Fairhaven Inn this past weekend and, while there, I was surrounded by five other teams. There were teams from Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, and New Hampshire and, even though we developed brief friendships, I was amazed that God had us all there at the same time working to serve the people of Jamaica for his glory.
As some of you may know, one of the teams that arrived this past weekend was a small, combined team made up of Jon Beight and Duane Bush from Rock Point Church and our very own Joe Steward. They built a low ropes course for Fairview Baptist Bible College to use in their summer camp ministry and Jon will stay on another week to continue training the students in how to properly use the course. Interacting with them this week has been a huge encouragement and I am thankful that the Lord allowed them to be down here working during my time here. Their words of encouragement, and Girl Scout cookies (I’m still trying to convince Joe that Samoas are indeed the best cookies), were just what I needed this week.
It has also been an exciting week with regard to the established partnership between Mt. Stewart Baptist Church and West Bridge Church (First Baptist). Pastor Llewellyn, Gary Crawford, Fred Cline, Jr., Ben Crawford, and I have been able to meet multiple times this week and pour over possible areas of ministry in the community of Mt. Stewart. The more we talked with Pastor Llewellyn and brainstormed together, the more excited we became over the wonderful possibilities down the road. Altogether, it was refreshing for me to get new perspectives and hear the others’ creative ideas for getting into the community and serving the people of Mt. Stewart. I must admit that, as time progressed, I drifted from our primary focus; this week of meetings was just what I needed to be reminded that the people of Jamaica are more important than any “project” I could accomplish. People are eternal, projects are temporary. I am excited for the amazing relationships that are going to be developed between people from West Bridge and people from Mt. Stewart because it will be on those relationships that we build an effective ministry.
Last but certainly not least, I am so thankful for the encouragement that Fred and Gary have been to me this week. Their insight, wisdom, and excitement have renewed my excitement for all that God is doing here in Jamaica!
It has been a busy week, to say the least, but it has been a good week. As I mentioned last week, I have had a number of opportunities to share God’s Word and encourage believers at Fairview Baptist Bible College and Mt. Stewart Baptist Church this week. This past Sunday was Youth Sunday at Mt. Stewart meaning the youth group was in charge of the singing and the message. “Representing” the youth, I spoke on how the salvation of God changes our perspective on events in our life. The way I worded that last sentence may make the topic seem deep and complicated. However, the idea was that when we are saved by God, we can rejoice even in the most difficult of circumstances. It looks and sounds ridiculous to the non-believer but Christ has changed our perspective.
In the course of my study, I rediscovered (or actually paid attention to for the first time) amazing passages of Scripture telling believers that we will face difficulty for the cause of Christ. We are even supposed to go so far as to praise the Lord for the trials we face, counting them as a blessing! While still reeling from that realization, I began to think over my own life. When was the last time I faced opposition for Christ? A scary thought then entered my mind. If I currently am not facing any difficulty or “opposition” for being a Christian, then is my faith apparent enough to the world? Now, without carrying this to ridiculous extremes, I would challenge believers to let that thought sink in. I’ve heard it put another way; if my church attendance and youth group attendance were taken away, would my life look any different from the lives of my non-Christian friends? I may have mentioned this before but one of the most difficult things for me to do is finalize my teaching topic. This is not for lack of topic choices, for there are altogether too many; but instead, it is because the topic (like the one above) ends up being something that I desperately need to hear!
As I have developed my friendship with Pastor Llewellyn, I have seen his boldness for Christ and his love for the people of Mt. Stewart. Two or three times this week we walked through the community, checking in on people, sharing the love of Christ with them, and praying for them. I was amazed firstly by the fact that he literally knew everyone; but secondly, I was amazed by how much the families appreciated a simple visit. We spent 10 minutes at some homes and 30 minutes at others but at each, we were able to leave Gospel tracts and pray for the family, asking God to open their eyes to the Gospel and show Himself to them. I could write more but I’ll conclude with one final thought. In the United States, we have tremendous religious freedom. The United States, however, is still spiritually one of the most dangerous places in the world because it is so easy for followers of Christ to do absolutely nothing. We are able to live within a nice buffer zone of relativity and spiritual routine while at the same time being spiritually dead. I pray that your desire and mine would be to live out our faith and live according to the Scriptures.
Please continue to pray for the partnership between our churches and the leadership teams from both churches. Please keep praying for Lando (see previous blog) and for those that are hurting emotionally and physically here. Pray also that the Lord would give me an even deeper love for the people of Mt. Stewart and that he would guide my future plans. Thank you so much for praying! I am grateful for your encouragement and support!
Slowly but surely Pastor Llewellyn and I have returned to what you might call our “weekly” routine, though no two weeks have looked exactly the same. Early in the week he was still battling headaches and stomach aches but, praise the Lord, he has been well enough to spend the majority of the week visiting and praying with various people in the community. I know that being down with the chicken pox weighed heavily on him because there are so many that need encouragement and prayer. “There are so many things to pray for”, he said to me as we walked up to church one day. I have to be careful because sometimes, out of nowhere, Pastor Llewellyn says these kinds of “spiritual one-liners” and by the time I finish thinking about their subtle but powerful meaning, my head hurts. I’ve learned that those thoughts simply pour out of a loving heart and reflect a love for people and a hunger for the things of God.
Many of the people who usually bring Ben and me drinking water have been out of town or even out of the country this week forcing us to trust the Lord to provide. He has in fact, through a variety of people, provided the water we needed just when we needed it. One of the local pastors brought me a few bottles earlier in the week, a Canadian missionary shared one of her extra bottles, and just today one of the campus staff unexpectedly dropped off 6 gallons of water. It is amazing what happens when I trust him with the simplest of things! It’s a spiritual truth (Matthew 6) that has always been there but it is one that I rarely act upon.
The past three Wednesdays Pastor Llewellyn, Pastor Frasier, Pastor Williams (many remember from Hopewell Baptist Church), and I have gone to a small prison down the mountain to do a short devotional. The six to eight men often in prison at Ramble are there for varying amounts of time, waiting to appear in court. If convicted, they are the transferred to a much larger prison somewhere else on the island. Pastor Williams has a burning desire to preach Christ to men and women in prison whose lives seem to be falling apart and in disarray and God has given him a thriving ministry at the small prison in Ramble. He has already seen many come to know Christ as Savior and, with the short time he can speak to them through the gates, he has been able to pass along materials and pursue discipleship. Please pray for the prison ministry all over the island and especially at Ramble, as there are even two men there who want to somehow be baptized!
One final thought before I leave you with some prayer requests. As I listen to Pastor Williams and others speak to the prisoners, I am astonished by how quickly they pull coordinating passages of Scripture from their memories. This is an area that the Lord been convicting me in for a number of years but most of the time I just never got around to it. I’ve realized that I take the Word of God for granted; the book that I have owned five copies of would cost someone their life in a different part of the world and yet I struggle to even open it consistently. Yes, we have the freedom to read our Bibles in the United States but, sadly, that becomes yet another reason not to. I want to offer encouragement by reminding you that you have God’s written Word and, if you are in Christ, the Holy Spirit to help you understand it. Read it and study it as if it won’t be there tomorrow!
Thank you so much for your continued thoughts and prayers! They have been powerful and effective. Please continue to pray that God would make himself known and that he would be glorified in all that is happening. Pray for wisdom and direction in our partnership with Mt. Stewart Baptist Church pray that God would help us to establish ministries that would meet the needs of the community of Mt. Stewart. Please also pray for me as this coming week has quickly filled up with lots of opportunities to speak. I will be speaking this Sunday at Mt. Stewart, Tuesday in the students’ chapel, and at the Wednesday night prayer meeting so I would really appreciate your prayers! I will continue to pray for all that is happening back in Indiana!
I’m sorry for letting two weeks slip by without sending any more updates! I had ready access to the internet all weekend but I think that I was too shocked by that fact to make much sensible use of it. I’m going to attempt to sum up the last two weeks in this one update; so, here we go. When I talk about “last week”, I’m talking about the last week in January. When I talk about “this week”, I’m referring to the first week of February.
I’m learning that it is never easy or comfortable to learn about areas in my own life that need changing. Last week, Pastor Dwaine and I spent many afternoons travelling to the homes of hurting people and praying with them. Some had lost daughters, some had lost husbands; but all were feeling the weight of grief and in need of encouragement. We entered one home and there on the bed was a young man who was maybe 16 or 17. His shirt was unbuttoned and I
could see bandages on his chest. He was clearly weak and unable to really move or speak. This young man’s name is Lando and he has been in the hospital since November. It is only recently that he has been able to come home. Lando’s kidneys are failing and those around him are unsure of what will happen to him. We spent nearly 30 minutes crying out to God to do a work in his body and regenerate one of his kidneys. I’ve never felt so inadequate, useless, and powerless. All we could do was pray. As soon as that thought hit my mind, it was immediately countered by another thought. All we need is prayer! We have access to the creator and designer of the body and he works for the good of those who love him. You see, Lando gave his life to Christ in the hospital and his heavenly Father knows exactly what he’s doing and what Lando needs. Therefore, we pray to God in faith, trusting him to work all things in our best interest and for his own glory. Praying and acting in faith; that is the area of my life that needs to be changed. As I stood there, praying for Lando, I kept wondering if I truly believe that God can do whatever he likes. Do I recognize the power of prayer and what an invaluable resource it is? I am inadequate and incapable; but the God I serve is not. I need to live in that.
I was able to travel to Fairhaven in Montego Bay this weekend and spend some time talking with Gary Crawford about all that happened this month. It was so refreshing and encouraging to spend time in the ocean and talking with the different teams staying there. I also was able to enjoy many of the things that I often take for granted, things such as the internet, washing machines, television, soft beds, clean water, pizza, Burger King, etc. I won’t continue, for fear of stirring up your jealousy, but other events may or may not have included kayaking in the Caribbean and lying on sandy beaches (Now you see why I didn’t send in my weekly report!).
Pastor Dwaine and I have not been able to meet this week because he has come down with the chicken pox; but I have been able to attend church and participate in various ministry opportunities when rides are available. I will go ahead and mention some recent prayer needs, seeing as Pastor Dwaine is the first! Please pray that he would recover quickly from the chicken pox and be able to rejoin his many responsibilities. There are many hurting people in Jamaica, as there are all over the world, and my prayer is that we would have the words to say to encourage them and show them Christ. Please continue to pray that God would open hearts to the Gospel. Finally, I would ask that you keep praying for the Fairview Baptist Bible College and the students as they seek to honor God in all they do. There are a number of building projects and future plans for their ministry and they need prayer for the necessary funds and for direction in using those funds.
Thank you so much for continuing to pray for me and for all that is happening here in Jamaica! I can’t tell you what an encouragement it is to me to know that so many are praying for each step of the partnership process. I will continue to pray for all of you and all that is happening back home. It’s always exciting to hear how God is using you and First Baptist to impact our communities!
[Also if you missed it - update #1]
I can hardly believe that another week has already come and gone but I am thanking the Lord for all that he has done in this last week. He has provided me with the strength, energy, and the desire to pour myself into each and every day. One specific source of energy and encouragement has been a small team from Michigan, here to help with the construction of the girls’ dorm. I met them when I first arrived at Fairview and, from that moment they did not stop showing kindness to me and reminding me that they were praying for me. They shared their water and food and even left Ben and I some of their extra supplies and some candy (important enough to be mentioned separately). I know that the Lord aligned our time in Jamaica so that we might be an encouragement to one another and for that I am extremely grateful.
I know that many are praying for the work here in Jamaica and the developing partnership with Mt. Stewart Baptist Church. I want to encourage you by saying that I am already seeing specific answers to prayer take shape. The Lord has allowed me to be welcomed right into the body of believers at Mt. Stewart and I have been able to meet many of them and fellowship with them numerous times. Please continue to pray for those developing friendships and that I would continue to meet people and find ways to be involved in their lives. God has also brought to light some of the needs within the church and possible ways that future teams might help to meet those needs. As Pastor Llewellyn and I talk, we are strategically praying and thinking through potential opportunities to reach the community of Mt. Stewart. Pray that the Lord would make those areas known to us and, even if it begins with future teams, orchestrate ways that those plans could be put into action.
My time in Jamaica has been full of opportunities to learn about the culture and the people but God continues to teach me more and more about him. The lack of “distractions” certainly helps me focus on him; but God is using my time here to realign many of my beliefs about him and his Word. He has convicted me of my careless attitude toward his Word and my neglect to study it and know it as I should. His Word is “more precious than gold, than much pure gold.” I would encourage you to read Psalm 19:7-11 and be reminded, as I was, of the importance and worth of God’s Word.
Thank you, once again, for your prayers! I appreciate them so much as I continue to rely on God for direction and strength. Continue to pray for the church at Mt. Stewart as well as the believers all over Jamaica and the world. Have a wonderful week!
Dear Indiana,
It sounds like I got out just in time. I hear we are having a snowy beginning to the year! While I can’t honestly say I’m missing the snow, know that I am definitely missing all of you. As I thought about the trip last week, I was nervous, excited, and apprehensive all at the same time. BUT, I also knew that, from the trip’s very conception, every part of it had been bathed in prayer. I need to thank everyone for the amazing encouragement I have received all throughout these last few weeks leading up to the trip. Your notes, emails, prayers, and words of encouragement have been such a blessing to me.
Ben and I have arrived safely in Montego Bay, Jamaica and, after staying one night at Fairhaven, are now 45 min. up in the mountains at Fairview Baptist Bible College. I knew that this was going to be a trip full of all kinds of adventures and challenges when I smacked Ben in the head with my guitar while trying to load it into an overhead bin on our first flight (It was at least funny for me). God has wasted no time, however, in reminding me that this trip is all about him and his glory. We were able to strike up a casual conversation with a lady named Debby sitting next to us on the plane. Our unique destination provided us with an excellent opportunity to make the conversation more than a passing triviality. When she heard our destination, she asked if we were headed there to party. Laughing to myself, I told her, “Not exactly.” We were able to share what the Lord is doing in Jamaica and the ways in which we hoped to be used by him there. Right away, I had experienced an opportunity to share Christ and we weren’t even in Jamaica yet! I am amazed by how God works.
At every turn, I have been continually reminded it is through God’s strength alone (and for his glory) that anything is accomplished. I can have all the talents, resources, and opportunities in the world but they are ineffective without the Holy Spirit. If I were to say I learned anything this week, it would be that.
The majority of my time this week has been spent adjusting to my new “home” and my new surroundings for the next 11 weeks. I now know most of the names of the people on campus and am slowly but surely developing friendships with them. I have been able to meet with Pastor Dwayne Llewellyn numerous times throughout the week and spend time praying and talking about his church. It is clear that he has a heart for the Lord, for the members of his church, and for those who do not know Jesus. I’ll continue to write more as the weeks go by but I want to at least leave you with some prayer requests. Please continue to pray for the ministry partnership between Mt. Stewart Baptist and First Baptist; pray that God would define and develop it for his own glory. Pray that Pastor Dwayne and Mt. Stewart Baptist would continue to have an effective ministry in their community. I also would ask that you pray for me as I continue to adjust to my different surroundings. Please pray that my eyes and ears would be open to what is happening in the community and to ways that First Baptist can serve the people of Mt. Stewart.
First Baptist Church
1521 S County Road 75 W
Danville, Indiana 46122
Phone: 317-745-2266
info@firstbaptistdanville.com
Copyright © 2010 First Baptist Church of Danville, Indiana.