Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit ~ Rex Chapman
Bring me to see that what I have is there to be shared.
Bring me to see that what I have is not the last word in life.
Bring me to see that ultimately my security, my peace of mind depends not on my talents, not on my achievements, not on the status that goes with these, but on knowing that all that I have gains its meaning from You.
To know this, Lord, is to know both poverty and riches.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Prayer for Tuesday
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday Montage
Remember Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life? "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings." Well today we figured out that "Every time the breeze blows, someone is praying for us." So we'd like to start today's blog by saying thank you, and we beg you to pray a whole lot more! It's a stiffling kind of sticky-muggy-humid here in Mo Bay. Even the folks who live here all the time acknowledge that it is HOT.
But the good news is that Quita's presentation went well. The teachers and principals were excited to see the manipulatives that ETA Cuisinaire donated and most of them were eager to learn how to use them. Some of these teachers had to really step out of their comfort zone when Quita "forced" them to put their pencils away and solve problems with Base 10 blocks, but in the end they liked such a visual, tactile and kinesthetic approach to math.
This evening after a dinner of sweet and sour fish (which wasn't as scary as some of us had envisioned) we had a social. No one quite knew what to expect, but a good time was had by all. We played some classic party games like Musical Chairs, Black Magic and Pebbles in a Pond. We all just got silly and did some dancing and a whole lot of laughing. Janice showed off the dance she learned last year at Knockpatrick, and Maureen and Sammie had the opportunity to participate in the balloon burst relay. (Don't ask - you'll have to wait for the pictures!) It was a great chance to build some unity. The social let us break some barriers between deaf and hearing, CCCD and MMBC, and the three individual campuses.
I must cut my post short because Sammie needs the computer to make some adjustments to her PowerPoint for tomorrow. She and Laura had more opportunity to talk to the teachers and see what they needed, so they are being flexible and modifying their presentation.
Praise God that Quita's lesson was a success and pray that teachers can interalize what they learned and bring it back to their classrooms. Pray God's blessing and guidance on Laura and Sammie as they present tomorrow. And please... pray for a breeze!
But the good news is that Quita's presentation went well. The teachers and principals were excited to see the manipulatives that ETA Cuisinaire donated and most of them were eager to learn how to use them. Some of these teachers had to really step out of their comfort zone when Quita "forced" them to put their pencils away and solve problems with Base 10 blocks, but in the end they liked such a visual, tactile and kinesthetic approach to math.
This evening after a dinner of sweet and sour fish (which wasn't as scary as some of us had envisioned) we had a social. No one quite knew what to expect, but a good time was had by all. We played some classic party games like Musical Chairs, Black Magic and Pebbles in a Pond. We all just got silly and did some dancing and a whole lot of laughing. Janice showed off the dance she learned last year at Knockpatrick, and Maureen and Sammie had the opportunity to participate in the balloon burst relay. (Don't ask - you'll have to wait for the pictures!) It was a great chance to build some unity. The social let us break some barriers between deaf and hearing, CCCD and MMBC, and the three individual campuses.
I must cut my post short because Sammie needs the computer to make some adjustments to her PowerPoint for tomorrow. She and Laura had more opportunity to talk to the teachers and see what they needed, so they are being flexible and modifying their presentation.
Praise God that Quita's lesson was a success and pray that teachers can interalize what they learned and bring it back to their classrooms. Pray God's blessing and guidance on Laura and Sammie as they present tomorrow. And please... pray for a breeze!
Prayer for Monday
For the Seven Gifts of the Spirit ~ Bonaventura
Lord Jesus, as God’s Spirit came down and rested upon You, may the same Spirit rest upon us, bestowing His sevenfold gifts.
First, grant us the gift of understanding, by which Your precepts may enlighten our minds.
Second, grant us counsel, by which we may follow in Your footsteps on the path of righteousness.
Third, grant us courage, by which we may ward off the Enemy’s attacks.
Fourth, grant us knowledge, by which we can distinguish good from evil.
Fifth, grant us piety, by which we may acquire compassionate hearts.
Sixth, grant us fear, by which we may draw back from evil and submit to what is good.
Seventh, grant us wisdom, that we may taste fully the life-giving sweetness of Your love.
Lord Jesus, as God’s Spirit came down and rested upon You, may the same Spirit rest upon us, bestowing His sevenfold gifts.
First, grant us the gift of understanding, by which Your precepts may enlighten our minds.
Second, grant us counsel, by which we may follow in Your footsteps on the path of righteousness.
Third, grant us courage, by which we may ward off the Enemy’s attacks.
Fourth, grant us knowledge, by which we can distinguish good from evil.
Fifth, grant us piety, by which we may acquire compassionate hearts.
Sixth, grant us fear, by which we may draw back from evil and submit to what is good.
Seventh, grant us wisdom, that we may taste fully the life-giving sweetness of Your love.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sunday Sum-up
The sun rises early in Jamaica, but it's so beautiful, we didn't mind! We had a nice breakfast together as a team this morning of scrambled eggs, fresh pineapple and toast with much-anticipated guava jam. Then it was off to Sunday services with Ms. Russell at Rose Mount Missionary Church. It was a huge blessing to be so warmly greeted by the family of Christ, to worship with them in song, to share the Lord's Supper together and to hear biblical principles applied in a different culture.
Then came the fun part of the day - Doctor's Cave! After tuna sandwiches in our cute little kitchen, Ms. Russell drove us down to the beach and we (finally!) got to experience the part of Jamaica everyone else usually gets to see. We floated in the clear blue water and snorkeled just swimming distance from our big umbrella in the white sand. It was cool and refreshing in the ocean, but the quality girl time was refreshing, too. (Maureen wasn't up for swimming and stayed at CCCD. She got some quality work done on her presentation and had great fellowship with the Mo Bay teachers helping them get set up for the workshops.) After all the stress of organizing our teaching materials, packing ourselves and our families for a week away from home and actually getting here, it was really nice to take a few hours off.
But before you start fussing, turning green with jealousy or calling our missions pastor in indignation, please understand our real work began at 6 when we sat down for dinner with our teacher-friends from Mo Bay and the newly-arrived teachers from Kingston and Knockpatrick. It was an informal get-to-know-each-other kind of evening, but it was very important to start building (and re-building) relationships with the teachers. Just like doctors make the worst patients, often teachers make the worst students. It's our goal to give them practical, useful tools they can take back to their classroom and not just talk at them. That has often been their experience and they are tired from just finishing the school year.
After dinner we headed into tomorrow's meeting room to set up math manipulatives, reading cards and the door prizes we'll hand out to the teachers. It's now 11:30 - we're going to have to "sleep fast" because devotions begin at 6:15 in the morning!
Please pray for Quita has she presents on Math (or Maths as they say here on the island) tomorrow and for the rest of us as we adjust our schedules and our presentations to be sensitive and relevant.
Jen
Then came the fun part of the day - Doctor's Cave! After tuna sandwiches in our cute little kitchen, Ms. Russell drove us down to the beach and we (finally!) got to experience the part of Jamaica everyone else usually gets to see. We floated in the clear blue water and snorkeled just swimming distance from our big umbrella in the white sand. It was cool and refreshing in the ocean, but the quality girl time was refreshing, too. (Maureen wasn't up for swimming and stayed at CCCD. She got some quality work done on her presentation and had great fellowship with the Mo Bay teachers helping them get set up for the workshops.) After all the stress of organizing our teaching materials, packing ourselves and our families for a week away from home and actually getting here, it was really nice to take a few hours off.
But before you start fussing, turning green with jealousy or calling our missions pastor in indignation, please understand our real work began at 6 when we sat down for dinner with our teacher-friends from Mo Bay and the newly-arrived teachers from Kingston and Knockpatrick. It was an informal get-to-know-each-other kind of evening, but it was very important to start building (and re-building) relationships with the teachers. Just like doctors make the worst patients, often teachers make the worst students. It's our goal to give them practical, useful tools they can take back to their classroom and not just talk at them. That has often been their experience and they are tired from just finishing the school year.
After dinner we headed into tomorrow's meeting room to set up math manipulatives, reading cards and the door prizes we'll hand out to the teachers. It's now 11:30 - we're going to have to "sleep fast" because devotions begin at 6:15 in the morning!
Please pray for Quita has she presents on Math (or Maths as they say here on the island) tomorrow and for the rest of us as we adjust our schedules and our presentations to be sensitive and relevant.
Jen
Prayer for Sunday
To Him Be Glory ~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Lord, help me to glorify Thee. I am poor, help me to glorify Thee by contentment. I am sick, help me to give Thee honor by patience. I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee. I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve Thee. I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but Thine, and glow with no flame but affection for Thee. I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee. Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord; show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose.
Lord, help me to glorify Thee. I am poor, help me to glorify Thee by contentment. I am sick, help me to give Thee honor by patience. I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee. I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve Thee. I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but Thine, and glow with no flame but affection for Thee. I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee. Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord; show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
We've Arrived!
It was an eventful and blessed day. Once we made it to the airport, we collectively held our breath for the luggage weigh-in! Praise the Lord only one was overweight, and they let it slide. The next adventure happened after we boarded the plane. We were sitting on the tarmac - waiting, waiting, waiting when the pilot came on and announced they were waiting for a part. Always a great feeling when you are about to fly! After an hour delay, we finally took off!
Praise God we have arrived safely in Montego Bay. We had a nerve-wracking adventure in Jamaican customs. We were going through the "nothing to declare" line. The customs agent asked why we were there and why we had so many bags. We explained we were volunteering and we brought school supplies. She waved us over to the "declaring" line. It was a bit scary because they could charge us or even take some of the things. Prayer ensued, and the lady asked to see four of the bags. Quickly, we found the bags with only supplies in it. She was satisfied that we were the honest, hard-working women we seemed to be!
Once out of the airport, we were warmly greeted by Ms. Russell, the principal at the Montego Bay campus. It was a bit of a task getting 12 bags, 6 ladies, and 12 carry-ons in a little van! We knew God didn't get us through customs to leave some of it on the side of the road. We are staying in a three-bedroom house on campus that normally houses an American, single male! It is comfortable and clean and has an Internet connection.
Tonight we were treated to local fare at the Pork Pit. It was a fabulous meal of jerk chicken, jerk pork, and spare ribs. Chipotle's got nothin' on the spice down here! Sammie survived the heat of the jerk!! Yippee!! Afterwards we treated our host to ice cream; Devon Stout was her frozen confection of choice. You'll have to look that one up - we never did figure out quite what flavor it was, but the Jamaicans said it was rum.
Our next stop... the Mega Mart! One of the deaf ladies with us, Andecea, told Janice that we had to be careful in the Mart because there were wild animals waiting to bite us. All through the store she kept "caring for" the lion so it wouldn't bite us. Janice asked her why the lion wouldn't eat her. The response was, "I'm Jamaican, they won't eat me." Quickly, Janice retorted, "Do they only like white meat?" We thought Andecea was going to die of laughter.
Tonight was a wonderful experience "hanging out" with several of the teachers, cooks, and Ms. Russell. We are all exhausted and ready for bed, but feeling so blessed to finally be here. Ms. Russell told us that church would probably be louder than we are used to, and the pastor might switch to "Jamaican language."
Saddle up our horses, tomorrow is another adventure.
Praise God we have arrived safely in Montego Bay. We had a nerve-wracking adventure in Jamaican customs. We were going through the "nothing to declare" line. The customs agent asked why we were there and why we had so many bags. We explained we were volunteering and we brought school supplies. She waved us over to the "declaring" line. It was a bit scary because they could charge us or even take some of the things. Prayer ensued, and the lady asked to see four of the bags. Quickly, we found the bags with only supplies in it. She was satisfied that we were the honest, hard-working women we seemed to be!
Once out of the airport, we were warmly greeted by Ms. Russell, the principal at the Montego Bay campus. It was a bit of a task getting 12 bags, 6 ladies, and 12 carry-ons in a little van! We knew God didn't get us through customs to leave some of it on the side of the road. We are staying in a three-bedroom house on campus that normally houses an American, single male! It is comfortable and clean and has an Internet connection.
Tonight we were treated to local fare at the Pork Pit. It was a fabulous meal of jerk chicken, jerk pork, and spare ribs. Chipotle's got nothin' on the spice down here! Sammie survived the heat of the jerk!! Yippee!! Afterwards we treated our host to ice cream; Devon Stout was her frozen confection of choice. You'll have to look that one up - we never did figure out quite what flavor it was, but the Jamaicans said it was rum.
Our next stop... the Mega Mart! One of the deaf ladies with us, Andecea, told Janice that we had to be careful in the Mart because there were wild animals waiting to bite us. All through the store she kept "caring for" the lion so it wouldn't bite us. Janice asked her why the lion wouldn't eat her. The response was, "I'm Jamaican, they won't eat me." Quickly, Janice retorted, "Do they only like white meat?" We thought Andecea was going to die of laughter.
Tonight was a wonderful experience "hanging out" with several of the teachers, cooks, and Ms. Russell. We are all exhausted and ready for bed, but feeling so blessed to finally be here. Ms. Russell told us that church would probably be louder than we are used to, and the pastor might switch to "Jamaican language."
Saddle up our horses, tomorrow is another adventure.
Prayer for Saturday
Prayer of Faith and Declaration ~ Tommy Tenney
Lord, fill my heart with passion from Your heart. Fill my mind with the thoughts and principles of the mind of Christ. Fill my mouth with the words You wish me to speak, and strengthen my soul with the courage to declare them to the desert of death and prophesy them to the winds of adversity.
You have commanded me to speak, so I speak as an oracle of God with the ability You supply. You have anointed me to minister, so I serve with the humility of a servant and the love of my Savior.
I declare a season of resurrection, a season when the glory of God will fill the earth and Jesus Christ will be glorified through the Church. I release the healing power of the blood of the Lamb over my region to the glory of God.
I release the passion of God in my home, my church and my city to open the heavens. I release the resurrection power of God to destroy the works of the Enemy and to raise up the lost souls of my city and region.
I declare with divinely delegated authority based on God’s unchanging Word that Jesus Christ is Lord over my life and all that concerns me. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Lord, fill my heart with passion from Your heart. Fill my mind with the thoughts and principles of the mind of Christ. Fill my mouth with the words You wish me to speak, and strengthen my soul with the courage to declare them to the desert of death and prophesy them to the winds of adversity.
You have commanded me to speak, so I speak as an oracle of God with the ability You supply. You have anointed me to minister, so I serve with the humility of a servant and the love of my Savior.
I declare a season of resurrection, a season when the glory of God will fill the earth and Jesus Christ will be glorified through the Church. I release the healing power of the blood of the Lamb over my region to the glory of God.
I release the passion of God in my home, my church and my city to open the heavens. I release the resurrection power of God to destroy the works of the Enemy and to raise up the lost souls of my city and region.
I declare with divinely delegated authority based on God’s unchanging Word that Jesus Christ is Lord over my life and all that concerns me. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
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