Encouragement in Jamaica

            “Some people come down here to build buildings, and you’re building lives,” said Randy, the leader of the Institute for Vocational Training and Development.  Thanks to your prayers, we were able to invest in the lives of precious people in Jamaica.

I taught 16 classes (they worked me hard for 4 days!), on such topics as Anger Control, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Tolerance, and Self-Control. Imagine how encouraging it was, when I asked the students what they were going to take away from the teaching, many of them said, “I learned that I need to forgive!” Such a truth can be life-changing, and it was very gratifying to hear. 

Discouragement is a frequent visitor to Kingdom workers, and Jamaica is no exception. The old Christmas Carol “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” says in verse 3:

And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

We felt that way at times!  But then we looked up the lyrics, and were rejoicing to see verse 4:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

The weekend we left, two staff from the school, the principal and the guidance counselor, were in bad car accidents. It sobered us to think of the spiritual warfare going on, and we are determined to pray diligently for them. (They have been discharged from the hospital, but are in pain, and their cars are totaled.) “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper…” Is. 54

Gail and Jill did a lot of counseling, which is so needed and they are very gifted at it. They also gave a presentation on Self-Care to the staff. Every year we’ve gone down there, the staff is more open and trusting of us. This time they were really engaged and open to what we had to say.

Last year there were 175 students at the Vocational School. This year, it doubled to 350, and it is still growing! Apparently the Jamaican government recently allocated more money to help the youth gain career skills. An answer to prayer for the country.

Jamaica is beautiful, diverse, and full of very talented people. We covet your prayers for the land, that God will pour out His Spirit on it and that many can see who they are in Christ.

Please pray for the school:  1) Wisdom to deal with such rapid growth; 2) Safety for Randy and the staff, they are under attack; 3) More young people to catch the vision to go down to Jamaica and invest in the precious people there.

Again, THANK YOU for your prayers! When we gather before the Throne, with people from “every tribe and tongue, and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9), many will thank YOU for investing your prayers in them. “The wrong shall fail, the right prevail…”

Encouragement is needed everywhere, whether in our homes for our spouses and children, our neighbors, friends, as well as to the uttermost parts of the earth. Let's be encouragers! Literally it is from the French word coure which means heart. Let's strengthen the hearts of people we know and love...