Jamaica Teaching Ministry 2015

Arriving in Jamaica never gets old or routine.  As the plane dropped out of the sky on the edge of the ocean, I was filled with emotion and excitement.  I passed through customs uneventfully and more quickly than ever before.  Since the Rathbuns are in the U.S. awaiting their visa renewal, I was met at the airport by Pastor Madden of Hillview Baptist Church.  We had a lovely time of fellowship on the 45 minute drive up the mountain to Fairview.  I had barely settled into the "big house" when visitors started arriving.  It was wonderful to see my Jamaican friends again.

Today I attended Bird Mountain Baptist Church.  It included a rugged one hour ride on a road that wound through the mountains and got increasingly narrower until it was only one lane.  I marvel at how fast they drive on these roads.  I was able to see another province of Jamaica (Westmoreland) and some beautiful views of the mountains and sugar cane plantations.  The service began at 10:30 with a unified Sunday School and concluded just after 1:00 p.m.  Then we had a "snack" of sandwiches and pop and a time of fellowship.

I am in Jamaica during the rainy season.  Do you remember that huge, heavy rainstorm we had in June?  Multiply that volume a few times, add a lot of very loud thunder, and you will have an idea of the rain we received here this afternoon.  When it finally cleared, I hiked up to the Wrights home for dinner.  Mrs. Wright specializes in baking cakes - so much for my idea of losing weight on this trip.

If someone had suggested five years ago that I would be here today, I would have laughed incredulously and begun naming reasons why I could never do it.  But on that first Jam 2013 trip, the Lord carved a place in my heart for this ministry.  My love for Fairview and its people far outweighs the challenges of heat, humidity, and wasp nests.  Now I understand all those missionary presentations I heard while growing up, and I have my own story of God's amazing plan for my life.  Thanks be to God!

The building before and after...

The building in November

 


The same room after some work.

Why Fairview? Helping, Equipping and Promoting

Why is EBC investing in Fairview Baptist Bible College in Jamaica? 

There is a January post answer this question.  Click HERE for that post.

I want to share a couple of other answers to this question.

First of all, ongoing support of someone from our church and school is a great investment.  Ken Rathbun is a graduate of Emmanuel Christian School and is the Dean of Academics at FBBC. 

While this is a good reason, one individual is not a reason to support a ministry.

Second, supporting Fairview Baptist Bible College is a multiplication ministry. 

As we go down and lay tile, paint walls and burglar bars and install windows, it equips Fairview staff and students to better serve churches in Jamaica and around the world through leadership preparation, camps and other events.

Third, supporting Fairview Baptist Bible College is supporting a like-minded ministry.

Like minded in doctrine

Like minded in philosophy, Biblical Counseling.  They asked us as a church to send one of our pastors down to teach a Biblical Counseling class.

Here is the description of the class I taught this fall at Fairview.

This class will assist the student in understanding and developing a Biblical counseling ministry in the church.  General Biblical principles along with specific tools to be used in counseling depression, anger, addiction and other problems will be studied.

Helping one from us who is Taking the Word to the World.

Equipping current and future leaders in the church.

Promoting disciple making through Biblical counseling.

Pastor Dave with some of the students
from Fairview Baptist Bible Bible College

Lou's Blog Post

Here is Lou's blog post from Jamaica.   

This was supposed to be posted earlier but we are on Jamaica time.

Lou has been on over 20 mission trips from Columbus, OH to Canada to Brazil to many other places.  He was able to be on this trip with his grandson, Adam. 

Well we have been here for eight days and tomorrow (Monday, April 6) will be leaving.  I must admit I'm really sorry that work is over because we were not able to finish everything we wanted to get done but I think we did enough work to help Dickie and the other men that are going to finish the work before the May 1st deadline. 

When you go on a trip such as this you learn about things about people.  Things you didn't know before.  It is great to hear the testimonies. What is really great is that they'll be your friend as long as you're seeing him because you remember the things that you did on the trip. 

I'm thankful for God and his grace during the trip and the memories He brings to me of past trips.

He is Risen! Prayer request and update

HE IS RISEN!!!!!!!

PRAYER

Pray for us as we lead the children's lesson today at Baylife.

Pray for Adam.  He stepped on a nail on Friday.  He has some medicine and is doing better.

UPDATE

In 2013 they underestimated what we could get done in a week so this time they gave us a lot of work to do.

Brian knew we were not going to get every project done.  

We did the following:  

lots of painting, 

set two bathrooms (one has two stools and two sinks and the other has two stools two sinks and two urinals), 

set drywall to make up three offices did not get it mudded and taped

three security doors set

laid a lot of tile outside

got most of the building's electrical done.  

So there was a lot done.  

While there is more that we would have liked to get done, we are very pleased with what was done.

Last Day of Work!!!

Be sure to check back tomorrow night for Lou's once every two years blog post.

We completed our last day of work at FBBC.

While there is more we would like to have gotten done. 

There was a tremendous amount of progress.

The young and not so young working together.

Soul Care group members (Pastor Shane and Mindy) along with Lynette posing in front of just some of the doors they sanded, stained and shined up.

 

Our group of very diverse people came together and got a lot of work done and grew together through times of testimony, work and fun.

Members of our groups became known as plumbers, dry-wallers and tilers as they were stretched to learn new skills and work together.

Even meal times provide a great opportunity for the team to work together.  

Rainy Wednesday &Extreme Work Thursday!!!

UPDATE:
Rick is back in the states.  We have not yet heard how his dad is doing.
Krista's arm is doing much better.
Thanks for your prayers.

WEDNESDAY
We had a great morning at one of the nearby elementary schools.

The neighborhood elementary school we visited.

Students singing Jesus Loves Me! with Autumn and the teens.

Abbey shared her testimony and had her picture taken
with one of the students.

Work related, the rain made it a challenging day!

But the team worked hard.

THURSDAY
Schools were not in session so the teens and adults got to work first thing in the morning.  

With much better weather, we were able to get a lot more done.

Special Prayer Request

Rick has been working hard at Fairview but will be heading home early.
He is planning to head out tomorrow (Wednesday) to be with his family.
His dad had a brain aneurysm this past weekend.

Pray for Rick to get a ticket and have a safe day of travel.
Especially pray for Rick and Amy to continue trusting in God and be an encouragement to family and friends.

Some Prayer requests for Tuesday.

Even though this is supposed to be a drier season, it has rained quite a lot each day.

While this has made the temperature cooler, it has the potential to make our work days challenging.  

Here are some specific prayer requests...

Pray for Rick.  His father, Richard, had a brain aneurysm this past weekend. 

Pray for Krista.  She was bitten or stung by small bug Sunday night on her arm. She doesn't feel sick but it's red and a little swollen. We are praying about having her see a doctor later today.

End of Work Day 1

Day 1

A good visit to an elementary school.

A lot of painting today!

Pray for Pastor Dan, doing devotional, and Alex, sharing testimony, at an area high school Tuesday morning at 9:30.

Also, another day of painting.

Each night we have gathered together to hear group members' testimonies.  

Tonight we heard from Renee, Lynette and Lou.

Settling in for the night

We arrived in Montego Bay safely!

Here is a quick video update from Pastors Shane, Dave and Dan that will be shown at EBC ,




Be praying for an exciting ministry day tomorrow at Emmanuel and in Jamaica!!

26th day of prayer March 28: travel

God-glorifying travel.

Some have said that if you listened to Christians' prayers you would think their biggest goals were arriving safely and never getting sick.

While we want to pray for safety and health, even more than these thing we want to see God glorified.

Pray that we would make the most of the opportunities God gives us in our travels.

We are scheduled to leave Detroit very soon.

Thanks!

23rd day of prayer March 25

Paula Knoblaugh

22nd day of prayer March 24

Amy Taylor

Pray for a serving, humble heart/attitude.
Pray Nick as he takes on daily responsibilities at home and taking care of Dylan while I am gone.

21st day of prayer March 23

Hailey Snyder

20th day of prayer March 22

Bennett Longacre

19th day of prayer March 21

Rick Bartkiewicz

For steadiness on his feet, for minimal pain in his feet and his back, also for no asthma symptoms in the humid weather.

For spiritual growth and an increased hunger for God's Word as he spends 10 days with other followers of Christ.

18th day of prayer March 20

Chandler Friesner

17th day of prayer March 19

Lynette Powell

16th day of prayer March 18

Lexi Giljum

15th day of prayer March 17

Autumn Brown

14th day of prayer March 16

Everett Ferradino

My prayer request would be that I would have the energy to work hard while there and to have a heart to do whatever is needed to help out.

13th day of prayer March 15

Renee Mungons

12th day of prayer March 14

Brian Smith

11th day of prayer March 13

Pastor Shane, Sarah and Abbey Miller

10th day of prayer March 12

Bill Schwind

Pray for continued good health; strength and physical stamina to perform the work needed; safety and protection at the worksite and as we travel from Montego Bay to the college; that I will enjoy the trip and the fellowship with the others on the trip; 

Pray for Barb while I'm away.

9th day of prayer March 11

Tony Davis

Pray for Missi' health while we are gone.
Safety for my and other family's while we are gone.

8th day of prayer March 10

Mindy Delvaux

• my niece Kayla and her baby be safe and secure being alone in my home.  
• My Mom Mary to have peace and comfort with me being away
• for my dogs to adjust with me not being there.

7th day of prayer March 9

Pastor Dan Neighbors

1. Heart will be prepared and read to put aside distractions and take every opportunity to serve and share Christ
2. God will protect, keep healthy and take care of my family while I am away.
3. God will give opportunities for me and the teens to be used to share Christ and to be discipled and grow.

6th day of prayer March 8

Alex Purnell is looking forward to working in Jamaica.

A couple of things you can be praying for him are that God would use this trip to help him grow closer to God.

Pray that God would use this trip to help him and Autumn Brown, his fiance who is also going on the trip, grow closer together as they serve the Lord in Jamaica.  Pray that God would use this mission trip example and other ministry experiences to grow him into the leader he needs to be in their marriage.

Also pray that God would use Alex to help others, especially his brother, grow in godliness.

5th day of pray March 7

Lou & Adam Regnier

Adam (grandson) and Lou (grandfather) are going to Jamaica for the second time together.

Please pray for both of them.

Also, pray for Adam and his family because they are having some car problems right now.

4th day of prayer March 6

Jon & Melanie Nichol

Please pray for our Children:  

That God will watch over our children while we are gone, for their safety, for their attitudes and actions while other are watching them.  

Pray for Fairview Bible College:

Pray that we can be an encouragement to them, that we can show God’s love to them, that God will provide for their needs so that they can strengthen men and women to raise of Biblical leaders that will bring God’s word to Jamaica, that we have all the supplies we need,  that we have an environment that allows us to get things accomplished, that the skills of our hands and the choice we make bring the most glory to God.  

Pray for our team: 

That we will work well together, that we our safe through this trip, that God will provide opportunities for us to minister to the people of Jamaica,  that new friendship will grow out of our time together, and existing friendship will be strengthened, That we allow God to use us, that all that we do honors God.  

Pray for our teen’s and those who have opportunity to go out and preach the gospel:  

That doors will open, that hearts will be prepared, that seeds will find good soil, that courage will come easy, and that God’s word will be clear.  

Pray for our church:  

That we will be an encouraged by our willingness to go out, that God moves people’s hearts to serve him more, that we continue to see the value in going out, and that God will continue to bless us so that we have the resources to serve Him greater in the future.  Thank you for your prayers.

3rd day of prayer March 5th

Pray for the students at Fairview Baptist Bible College as they study and prepare for what God has next for them.

2nd day of prayer March 4th

David and Krista Rodgers
From Pastor David.
I am very excited to go on this mission trip with Krista.
It will be my fourth time to Fairview Baptist Bible College in Jamaica.
This past fall I taught Biblical counseling for two weeks.
In 2007, I went to FBBC through Baptist Bible College.

When I went with the 2013 Emmanuel team it was exciting to see 2007 students serving as 2013 pastors in local churches.
That is why I love these ongoing ministry trips.

Some specific prayer requests for Krista and me regarding the trip:

• We are very thankful for Krista's parents and my mom taking care of our children.  Pray for all of them while we are gone.
• For my health while in Jamaica.  Especially for my sugar levels with the different diet and climate.

26 Days and praying

Each day until our departure day of March 28, we are going to post at least one specific prayer request for our JAM 15 mission trip.

Our 1st day of prayer is March 3...

Pray for Ken Rathbun and the workers at Fairview Baptist Bible College as they do the preparation work for our team.  

They are buying supplies and preparing the site for our arrival.

Why Fairview Baptist Bible College?

Emmanuel Baptist Church has invested money and time into Fairview Baptist Bible College.
Why?  

This video explains the ministry of FBBC.

Investing time and money in FBBC is part of our 2015 theme of Taking the Word to the World. 

Fairview Baptist Bible College is training pastors in
  Expository preaching
  Biblical counseling

You can find out more about the college at www.fairviewbbc.com