The Lighter Side of Jamaica

As this travel experience draws to a close, I must say that Jamaica is quite a beautiful land.  During my first week here I was constantly reminded of Psalm 125: 2 - "...as the mountains surround Jerusalem,  the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever." Every where I lift my eyes, there is a mountain view.  It is the most breath taking and beautiful way to start the day.  While there is certainly much to said about the violence and poverty there is so much more to said about a people who have survived slavery and have fought for and gained their independence.  Jamaica is young country, 51 years August 6th, so in spite of the poverty and crime, they have already accomplished so much and continue to strive to accomplish so much more. That is why they are proud people! They remember from whence they have come.

 So, I thought I'd take this time to share with you some of the culture and creativity of JA.  I thought my favorite outing thus far was The National Gallery (I love fine art) but today I was taken to a sculpture garden on the campus of University of Technology.  Beautiful. Peaceful. Inviting.

 Last week, I went to Bath Fountain, a natural mineral spring at the top of a mountain in St. Thomas parish.  Yes, with assistance, I actually climbed to the top of that mountain.  It was the most amazing experience.  At the top of the spring the water runs hot, approximately 130 degrees.  At the mouth of the spring the water runs cold.  I had a natural spa treatment -- massage and mud detox upon the rocks!

My sulfur mud bath!

Massage upon the rock!

One of the highlights of my cultural immersion was the Boone Hall Oasis.  I immediately thought of Tavern on the Green, if any one remembers that spot in Central Park.  Truly an oasis.  Peaceful. Beautiful.  A great place for everyone.  The food?  Top notch!

The view while dining.

EMANCIPATION PARK

Well, let me end by saying that there is beauty all around us, if we see it with our hearts.  I still believe that there is far more beauty in the world than there is horror. Yes, even in Shanty Town.

Never underestimate the ingenuity and moxie this life takes.

  Once again, thanks for "listening".  Many blessings and good night.

VBS - The Real Story

So, how do you spell Vacation Bible School?  I'll tell you how, E.X.H.A.U.S.T.E.D.  Yes, that is correct if you check my dictionary my photo will appear right next to the word!  Yes, it was exhausting, wonderful, and exceeded expectations.  God can do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.  Tis' true.  We were hoping at best for 50 and perhaps with a bit of a stretch of the imagination 70 but 88 children were registered on the first day with a peak reaching 116.

As you can see our theme was "Kids in Training for God's Army".  That theme was played out from beginning to end.  Each child was issued dog tags with his or her name and held the rank of private.  In crafts each day they were able to create a portion of their uniform:  the belt of truth, breast plate of righteousness, etc.

Dressed for battle!

What I loved most about VBS is that it was a joint venture with the Jamaica Association for the Deaf, so we had deaf and hearing children as well as  interpreters each day.  Each morning the children spent time learning JSL (Jamaican Sign Language) and by the end of our time together we could all communicate in a bit of sign language (at least the basics).

Registration

Well, we ended with service on Sunday.  The children sang I'm in the Lord's Army, sang and did movement to our VBS theme song I'm A Soldier in the Army of the Lord, and recited their memory verses.  I preached the theme text of Ephesians 6:10-18, and we recessed with We are Marching in the Light of God straight out of the sanctuary and into the fellowship hall for some well deserved ice cream and cake!

Well, Major Oliver is signing off!  One battle won, many more to come.

VBS

It's that time of the year again!  I have had the pleasure of working with some of the most intelligent, creative, and resourceful young adults that I have ever come in contact with in the planning and preparation for VBS. It takes a lot to "wow" me, but they did. Certainly they have an excellent supervisor, Iris Soutar, but to watch them handle each detail: Bible lessons, arts and crafts, decorations and preparation of the venue, the incorporation of deaf culture, skits, planning and food prep was amazing. 

This VBS is particularly interesting because it includes deaf and hard of hearing persons as instructors as well as students.  I like that they are willing to be inclusive and to serve an under-served community.  Most of the children attending will be from other communities and many, if not most, of them will be un-churched.  Of course I love it when the church really acts like the church.  A VBS of this magnitude is challenging and costly but with willing hearts and hands do-able.  This has been the week of prayerful preparation.  I will update you as our week progresses.

SIDE NOTE:  Ok, if you read my blog "FRAZZLED", I mentioned that one of my pet peeves about Jamaica was that people burned garbage.  Well, one of our skits for VBS called for garbage bags and when I mentioned that I would purchase them I was told how expensive they were and they weren't necessary.  Ahhh!  I made the connection immediately.  It's most cost effective to burn!  I am reminded of how much I take for granted.

Weary, Wanting, and Waiting

I know.  Blabba Mout has been silent for a few days.  I have simply being trying to digest the outcome of the Trayvon Martin murder trial.  Yes, I cried.  I was overcome with grief. I hear the voice of my brother, crying from the ground. How many?  How many black bodies bathed in blood cry out for justice? I am weary.  Weary of the hatred, weary of the violence.  The fuel of my faith has once again collided with the roadblock of my reality and I find myself in that murky place where faith is made or broken. That place of tension that is thirsting to be quenched.  That place of  nebulous nastiness that longs for a tolerable and tidy conclusion.  Weary.  Weary, wanting, and still waiting.

I am wanting for the day when we will be as outraged by the killings of black children from Camden,NJ to  Cleveland, OH; from East St. Louis, MO to East Point, GA; from Baton Rouge, LA to Birmingham, AL and all those other cities across the country that could be named.  I am wanting for the day when every child's  life will be valuable whether s/he receives media coverage or not because we are not without knowledge of their stories.  I am wanting for the day when, whether by white hands, black hands, or the blue hands we will find ourselves aroused with the same ire and resentment and be compelled to raise our collective voices to hold systems accountable -- whether they be government systems, educational systems, or religious systems.  I am wanting for that day.

Finally, I am waiting.  I am waiting for Moses, for Joshua, for somebody!  For Paul, for Peter, for somebody!  It may be that if instead of saying, "I am Trayvon Martin" if I would say "I am Moses" something might change; and perhaps if instead of saying, "I am Trayvon Martin", you would say "I am Moses" something could happen.  After all, we are what we think.  

Political Humor

Today the $J101.80 to $1US.  Here's a little political satire courtesy of The Jamaica Observer.

Trouble in Paradise III - A Jamaican Voice

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”  
 ~ Aldous Huxley


 Bounty Killer is a Grammy nominated Jamaican reggae and dancehall deejay.

This is said to be his most profound song to date.  He does not glorify guns and the "bad man" life style but instead make an appeal on behalf of Jamaica's poor for a better way.

LOOK INTO MY EYES

Chorus:

Look into my eyes, tell me what you see?

Can you feel my pain? Am I your enemy?

Give us a better way, things are really bad,

The only friend I know is this gun I have.

Now you see the Nine are you worried yet?

You've been talking 'bout' you want the war to cease

But when you show us hope, we will show you peace.

Verse 1:

Look into my mind, can you see the wealth?

Can you tell that I want to help myself?

But if it happen that I stick you for your ring

Don't be made at me it's a survival ting.

Look into my heart, I can feel your fear

Take another look can you hold my stare?

Why are you afraid of my hungry face?

Or is it this thing bulging in my waist? ....

Verse 2:

Look into my life, can you see my kids?

Let me ask you this, do you know what hungry is?

Well in this part of town, survival is my will

for you to stay alive you've got to rob and kill.

Look into my house would you live in there?

Look me in the eyes and tell me that you care,

Well I've made up my mind to end up in the morgue

Right now I'd rather die, cause man a live like dog ....

Verse 3:

Look down on my shoes, can you see my toes?

The struggle that we live nobody really knows

Stop and ask yourself, would you live like that?

and if you had to then, wouldn't you bus gunshot?

Look into the schools, tell me how you feel?

You want the kids to learn without a proper meal

Denwhat you have in place to keep them out of wrong?

If they drop out of school dem a go bus dem gun.

Thanks for reading.  Good night.

Trouble in Paradise - Part II

Today the the USD is trading at approximately $1 to $100.86 JMD.  As I travel a bit more in Kingston (never alone for those of you who worry), I can sense the tension of poverty as I am out and about, whether it is grocery shopping or a walk through the mall.  This week I am paying particular attention to the murals and street signs which stand juxtaposed between national poverty and national pride, holiness and hellishness.  I see graffiti that reads "we are poor" next to or near a mural displaying the Jamaican flag and reads "proud to be Jamaican".  There are randomly placed signs with scripture verses that stand in contrast to images of power and violence.  As I interact with people just going from place to place (that would be mainly be from church to home) I sense a certain trepidation as I  am admonished to roll up my window and lock my doors.  Just as guns and gangs control the inner city streets of the US; guns, gangs, and machetes control the ghettos of Kingston.  Last night two men were beheaded.  Sadly, it seems that the politics and politicians of Jamaica are deeply entrenched in gang warfare, or perhaps gangs are deeply entrenched in politics.  I opt for the former assumption.   That being whatever it may, it seems that for many, hunger has become a best friend. On my way to Emancipation Park today, I saw a middle-aged man selling newspapers; his eyes were distantly weary, empty with hopelessness.

"...look around you at the multiplied number of beggars in the city and rural areas. More poignantly, take note of many who would hate to be considered to be among the rank of beggars who are forced to beg. People are losing jobs, bills are piling up daily, banks and other lenders want security, and persons from all strata of society are running out of cash.

If you doubt that scenario about cash shortage, ask the big consumer houses how their sales have been. They will invariably tell you their sales are down - in some cases, quite significantly. Consumers are short of cash...

The twin problem of hunger and poverty is moving up the social hierarchy. Many are still ashamed to disclose their need and their near destitution. More are being forced into the open by hunger, mounting bills and absolutely no cash in the kitty. Many entrepreneurs with small and/or new businesses are on the brink of failure and bankruptcy because fewer people can buy their products or services..." (Jamaican Gleaner, May 3, 2013)

Those of the upper class seem to give the illusion that all is well...  The gap between the rich and the poor is mind boggling.  I often feel as though I am in two very different Jamaica's and, indeed I am.  I am reading a fascinating book, Blood Bullets and Bodies: Sexual Politics Below Jamaica's Poverty Line by Imani Tafari-Ama which is a poignant look into the under-belly of the lives and culture of poor Jamaicans living on the Southside.  I was particularly interested in body politics, Jamaican women and the poverty and lusts and fuel the sex trade because sex tourism is the biggest attraction and biggest business.

I will close this entry by sharing that I visited the National Gallery last week.  I was intrigued by work of Edna Manley (wife of Norman Manley, Jamaica's National hero).  There were three distinct phases of her work.  Her early work reflected a European style and appearance.  Then her work began to reflect an African style and appearance.  These African images were quite uplifting.  She is most noted for "Negro Aroused".  When I look at this piece I see so much power and hope.  A strong body that appears to be pushing upward and looking upward... perhaps pressing toward a new and bright future.

 

The latter portion of her work, still reflected an African appearance.  However, the images really disturbed me.  So much so that I promised that I would revisit the gallery against with the sole purpose of contemplating her work.  This is one of the particularly disturbing piece for me.  It is called "Dispossessed"

While I cannot quite articulate it at this moment, somehow in the very depth of my soul, in every fiber of my being -- I get it.  I don't know if I am more overwhelmed by the poverty I see or by the privileged 10% who choose to be blind to the poverty.

"He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"  ~Micah 6:8

Blessed, Encouraged, Inspired

I have been incredibly blessed, encouraged, and inspired to have this opportunity.  It has not just been an opportunity to learn and observe ministry in another cultural context but it has been an opportunity to meet and see women in ministry who are strong and powerful.  Women in ministry who courageous, convicted, and in charge.  Women who believe the bible and believe God. Period.  Women who believe in truth, justice, integrity, and that the church is called to set the standard for the world and not the world setting the standard for the church.  Women who believe God is God.  I really can't take the time to explain this any more clearly than  to say that I have hope again for the church and more clarity than I have ever had about my calling.  This is a prophetic season and the church must be challenged, confronted, and called back to God.

Oh... and Another Thing

What I like and respect about the country of Jamaica is that in spite of it history of slavery, it is not a very racialized country.  The systems of racism that are weaved into the fabric of American society do not exist here.  Thus, the country's motto:  Out of Many, One People.  However, class is definitely an "ism" to contend with.

I had the opportunity to go to two graduations.  The first was Mona Prep, the elite prep school, the schools of schools.  If you are anybody in Jamaica, you more than likely attended Mona Prep.  Mona Prep has an engineering lab (ok, this is not high school this is what we call grammar school), they are top 3 in the nation in the math quiz bowl, they have 100% mastery in the grade 4 literacy test,  placed 4th in two football championships, 1st in the swimming championship, 3rd in the gymnastic championship, won 2 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals in the music competition, among many other accomplishments.  They score on average in literacy and math about 30 -35% above the national average!

This is a big change from the resiliency program!

 

This is the Minister of Education who I really appreciated.  Even though he put all 7 of his children,  2 wards (orphans), and 1 grandchild through Mona Prep, his message was one of encouraging Mona graduates to not think too much of themselves and sit on their laurels but strive to become accomplished in a way that will aid the entire nation in achieving great things and closing the literacy gap.

The other graduation I went to was Shady Hill Basic School.  We'll I don't have any pictures of that one but be assured if you imagine the disparity between Princeton High School and Camden High School, you will have an accurate picture.

I am grateful that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation they that fear God, and work righteousness are accepted with him.

Bigger Than You Know

One of the things that I love about God is that God's plans are always bigger than anybody can know.  So I come to Jamaica thinking, it's just a church placement, right?  I'll shadow the pastor, preach, do  VBS, you know, all the regular church stuff.  No problem, mon, that works for me.  Right?  Well almost right.... I do all the regular church stuff but, I have shared my own story and testimony more times than I can now count.  That is significant because my story has so many layers that when I share with someone or with the congregation, I uncover different details.  (That is one reason that I tend to record my sermons and talks now because as I talk about it, I'm regaining memory and clarity.)  So anyway, we are studying Jeremiah in bible study, and in making comparison to the doom of Jeremiah's prophecy a young lady insists that the devastation of Haiti was an act of God's judgment and pastor suggests that she didn't believe that was so.  The exchange goes back and forth, back and forth, and I'm sitting down taking in the comments.  So my eyes are looking something like this...

Then something like this...

I am both amazed and amused by the passion with which they both speak.  Soooooo....  later in the day, I am with the young lady who believes Haiti is under judgment from God said to me,  "You don't like confrontation, do you?  You didn't say anything today."  I really tried to smile quietly and move forward, but she persisted about how people have to "stand up for the Lord, and speak their convictions, blahbadee, blah, blah..."  Now I'm a feeling a bit agitated and I tell her this story (which, I've share with no one but my husband and my SD group).

I have had a glimpse of eternity and I have seen the Master face-to-face (of course, you know this is a metaphor but the only way I know to describe my near death experience).  This is what I learned when I was graciously returned to my body to dwell on earth:  Nothing is more  important than loving the Lord with all your mind, soul, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself for it is love that fulfills the law and without love, I am nothing.  We truly see through a glass dimly, at our very best.    So the long and short of it all is that I am amazed at what I am learning about Jamaican culture and myself too.

Another Perplexing Thought about Jamaica

You know how in the US, we always say that our moral condition is because we have taken prayer out of school, Christ out of Christmas, and (as Nicole would say) blahbbadee, blah, blah (which translates into etc.).  Well in Jamaica, God is in school.  They have devotions every day.  Schools have chaplains.  You see street signs with scripture, it's in the national anthem.  Politicians publicly acknowledge God and encourage others in this way.  BUT,  they are morally bankrupt too!  Makes

me think of 2 Tim. 3:2-5.  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, etc.

Just another of my random musings..... Thanks for listening.  Good night.

Women, Men, and the Whole Counsel of God

This is an excerpt from an article I read in the Jamaica Gleaner on Sunday, June 23rd by Carol Cooper.  The article is entitled:  Night Work for Women

"It sounds like progress. An old-fashioned law that curtails the freedom of women to choose the time of day (or night) they wish to work is under review. The 1942 Women (Employment of) Act says a lot about both class and gender politics in Jamaica. The act prohibits night work for women. And it's not about prostitution. These days, sex work is no longer gender-specific. And it isn't necessarily done only at night.
The act defines 'night' as "a period of at least 11 consecutive hours, including the interval between 10 o'clock in the evening and 5 o'clock in the morning". Work is described as "every business or undertaking carried on for gain, except a business or undertaking in which only the members of the family of the owner or proprietor are employed". I wonder why women in family businesses are exempted."

There are several exceptions that I (and the writer) found particularly interesting.  Though she listed all exceptions, I'll only list the two that stood out to me.

(f) carried on in a cinematograph or other theatre while such theatre is open to the public; or
(g) carried on in connection with a hotel or guest house, or with a bar, restaurant or club; or

Hmmmmmm,  Are vulnerable women being protected?  I wonder whose interest is being served by this???? Gosh!  Could it be the men who created the law?  (shaking my head, sighing....)  Part of the author's conclusion is this: " Are these night jobs similar to the world's oldest profession? Making money all through the night clearly takes precedence over protecting supposedly vulnerable women. The law keeps its eye firmly fixed on the bottom line."

After reading this, I continued on my course of thinking in regards to the church (of course, not all of them) and its' intentional oppression of the women in their midst.  OK, I'm not talking about your church, I am talking about church as I have come to know and experience it.

pa·tri·arch·y [pey-tree-ahr-kee]

1: social organization marked by the supremacy of the father in the clan or family, the legal dependence of wives and children, and the reckoning of descent and inheritance in the male line; broadly : control by men of a disproportionately large share of power

2: a society or institution organized according to the principles or practices of patriarchy 

That being said or read, something is inherently and divinely wrong with the way the gospel is preached in the churches that I have experienced.   The gospel is systematically preached to dis-empower women.  With the exception of Mother Mary, Lydia, Timothy's mother Eunice and grandmother Lois, I don't think I've ever heard anything good about a woman, and when I did, it only by honorable mention.  Ok, there's the Proverbs 31 woman who has be studied extensively but (in my humble opinion) so taken out of context that...(sighs)  If we are charged to preach the whole counsel of God why don't men preach about Zelophehad's daughters of whom the Lord required that they inherit their father's property?  How about Vashti as a model of resistance who refused to be objectified? Huldah the prophetess or Deborah the Judge who led Barak into battle?  By the way, who made Mary Magdelene a harlot?  Granted she had some demons, but God didn't name them and why should anyone else?  Why doesn't anyone talk about "those women who labored with me [Paul} in the gospel..."  I could go on but I won't.

This is problematic because if the church is to lead the world (and it should) then girls are getting these negative images and thinking they are ordained by God and therefore pleasing and godly.  These girls grow into women who subconsciously believe that the only godly thing they can do is serve men and suffer and if they perish, they perish. (Of course, you know the rest!  They are going to see the King which in translate these day into "heaven".)

Don't charge me falsely, I believe women should be great wives and great mothers and that family is a priority. However, how a family works out the roles that will best sustain them is up to them.  I believe that if we are going to shift this wave of gender based violence and abuse then the church has to begin to tell the truth about who and what God made women to be.  Chivalry is touted to be the ultimate form of respect that men have for women.  I stand firmly to say, it is not.  It is not respect.  It is kindness.  Who cares if you open a door for her or carry a bag for her if you suppress, oppress and ignore her?   How can God be just and then not speak to issues/needs of 51% of the population?  Either he's the same God that was yesterday or He's not and preacher, you can't have it both ways.

 I'm stepping off my soap box as I share this one last thought:  "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth,and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth." (Gen. 1:26)  So God gave man (and woman) dominion over the earth, so why is man not happy unless he can dominate a woman?  That's why the world is so unbalanced and out of order.  Sounds to me, guys, that you're living under your privilege, not reaching your fullest potential.  It's just one of those things that make me go hmmmmmm...... This is not a feminist rant, it just a plea for preaching the whole counsel of God.  Either we believe all of the Bible or none of it. (Just sayin'...)

 

Preaching

Preaching is the pivotal moment that will make or break you in another country/context.  I preached today and all I can say is, "Thank you, Lord!"  He was present and it went well.  I guess the first preaching assignment is so nerve wrecking because it determines not only how people perceive you but also how they will receive you.  Yes, my mother always said that first impression were lasting impressions and it is so true.  I am grateful that I was received well because it was terribly difficult preparing to preach in this new environment.  When I am home, and my family hears me preaching to to the walls and furniture, it's no big deal but when you are sharing space with people, preaching to inanimate object is a little... shall we say in the Twilight Zone. 

Besides that and being as frazzled as I was yesterday, I was disturbed so deeply in my spirit at the number of children missing in Jamaica.  If I recall correctly (don't hold me to this) there were over 2,700 children between the ages of 13-17 missing in Jamaica from Jan. 2012 thru April 2013; 75% of the missing are females.  It is guestimated that many of these children are involved in the sex trade along the coasts. 

Can you hear the cry of the lamb?

FRAZZLED!

Ok, so there are no specific spiritual insights, observations relative to social justice or any such ting today.  I'm just frazzled!  Yep, frazzled.  My two pet peeves about Jamaica have boiled over and I'm just out done.  The fact that I didn't get much sleep last night (Yeah, found a lizard in the shower with me, ran out of the bathroom so quickly, I thought there had been a miracle and I was totally healed!)

Pet peeve #1.  The smell of burning trash!  Yep.  People just burn trash.  Although I understand that there is a law against it, who would bother to obey the law?  Who would bother to enforce the law?  No one.  Sometime the smell just consumes me and make me a little nauseated.

Pet peeve #2.  Locks.  Not these locks.

It's these locks that bother me.

Yes, locks.  The gate to the driveway is locked.  The gates on the veranda are locked.  The bars on the windows are locked.  The bars over the doors are locked after the door itself is locked.  Psychologically I feel a bit imprisoned.  (Just sayin'.)

I just have travelers burn-out.  Nothing personal, Jamaica, just missing my husband and daughter.  I guess the fact that today's her sweet sixteen party doesn't help!  Add to the stress of having to preach in the morning, not having had a quiet moment to process, meditate, and work out my sermon in a manner I'm accustomed to certainly doesn't help either.

So there!  I've vented, I feel better, and guess what?  The mission must continue!

So I guess I'll just crash for a little while and get back at it.  I'll give it my best, God get's to do the rest.  Wheeewwwww!  Thanks for listening.

Child Resiliency Program Graduation

So here's what I love about children; especially badly behaved children, give them an audience and they become superstars!  That's just what happened at the graduation ceremony last night.  It was truly a night filled with promise because it not only shows the adults what is really in these children, the children see what's really in them too.  The video above is Dr. Kim Scott who is the director of the program who serves these children with the patience of Job and the love of God.  This program is run by Hope United Church with the support of the Japanese Embassy, a branch of the Jamaican government (Child Welfare or some such ting), and a few local businesses.  What I love about Jamaica and its government is that they have no problem including God in what they do.  (Of course with the crime rate, corruption, and murder rate one would have to wonder how much of it they believe, but the fact that God is included suggests that there's hope.)

At any rate, here are some of my favorite moments of the program:

This is the Japanese Ambassador giving a speech.   I don't think many of us understood a word he said but we certainly felt the sincerity of heart!   (Imagine the challenge of learning English in the midst of so many Jamaican patois'!)

These students were given an opportunity to share what the program meant to them and what they learned in the past two years.  It was heart warming to hear them talk about learning honesty, truth, and justice.  Each child wrote their own speech and gave honor to all of those teachers who supported them throughout their two year journey.

Adolescent boys dancing... hilarious!  But they were as earnest as they we uncoordinated!

This was the highlight of the program for me!  "I'm A Star"  I love the lyrics of the chorus:  I'm that star up in the sky, I'm that mountain peak so high, and I've made it.  I'm the world's greatest.  I'm that little bit of hope when my backs against the ropes, but I've made it.  I'm the world greatest.  I hope as that confront the challenges that life will bring their way these lyrics will remind them of their true identity.

Finally, I'd like to formally (ok, not so formally) introduce you to the woman who leads the Hope United Church and is the Executive Director of the Theodora Project, the Rev. Dr. Margaret Fowler.

 

Rev. Dr. Margaret Fowler

Well, that's all folks!

Trouble in Paradise

I had an opportunity to go camp this weekend but that is not what I want to talk about.  The journey up to the "Ochie" (Ocho Rios) camp site had a great impact on  my theological discussions, personal musings, and brief research on crime, corruption, and poverty of last week.  This is the Jamaica that many abroad have come to know:

 Yes, this is the Jamaica I have known as an American.  A touristy paradise.  I will agree that Jamaica is a beautiful paradise, but now that I am officially a Jafaican (fake Jamaican), I am learning quickly that there is "trouble in paradise".  What ever we know about the disparity of wealth and power in America, multiply that by 100 to understand the disparity of wealth, goods, and services in Jamaica.  (The JD is literally trading 100 to 1 USD as I write.) The Jamaican Gleaner (newspaper) reported the following on Dec. 9, 2012.

[In spite of the gains in education, sanitation, medical services, etc.] "...there are some sobering realities, especially the annual murder rate. From an already high 10th position in the world in the mid-'70s, Jamaica moved to a rank of third in 2003. 

Poverty in Jamaica
The Jamaican Government's 1997 Ministry Paper 13 defines public poverty as a condition in which a community lacks such basic amenities and infrastructure as piped water, toilets, electricity, roads, and sanitation. High levels of public poverty in some communities have severely restricted the individual's life chances in Jamaica for decades. The Government's Ministry Paper also recognised private poverty as a state in which people do not have the means to live above a minimum standard. Using an estimate of a poverty line, PIOJ-STATIN's Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions shows that in 1990, 28.4 per cent of all Jamaicans were living in poverty. Inequality has remained the norm, and the richest 10 per cent of the population consumes almost 10 times more than the poorest 10 per cent.
The most recent available data on poverty estimates that 17.6 per cent of Jamaicans lived in poverty in 2010..." 

This is what poverty looks like in Jamaica:

 I did not take this picture, but it is representative of the Shanty Towns I passed through during my ride to and from camp.  Even if I had the opportunity to snap such a photo, I could not.  For me to gape in wonder at the conditions some people live in and through and snap photographs seems to spirit away what ever dignity they have left.  Everybody deserves their dignity.

In contrast to this life, and I assure you these are far, far from the wealthiest homes I have seen.  Again I did not take these photos but they are representative of some of the homes I've seen.

For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.  (Deut. 15:11, ESV)

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. (Mat. 25:40, NIV)

My pastor has the most compelling photograph in her office... you can see the hostility, brutality. and the terror in his face.  How old can he be?  He already carries a weapon.  To terrorize or to defend?

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? ... (Isa. 6:8a, NIV) 

The Child Resiliency Program at Hope United

Yesterday I had the opportunity to serve at the Child Resiliency Program (not Reconciliation as I stated yesterday).  Any way, I had a blast!  They service "at risk" students who have been troublesome at school.  What a crew!  I was reminded of my early teaching days.  The program assists with basic reading and math skills but also offer extra-curricular activities and works to build the children's confidence and self esteem.  I had the pleasure of working with one young man (Jilani) on his reading skills but I was particularly struck by a young lady named Shantay.  I said, "Hello, Princess, what is your name?" and she responded, "I am not a princess, I am ugly.  He, (Jilani) is handsome."  I immediately remembered how easy it is for your self-concept at 8 years old to shape your self -concept for the rest of your life.  As an educator, I know that it can mean a life time of under achievement.  I assured her that she was indeed beautiful and we became fast friends.

These are Jamaica's next Top Models! 

This is my new friend Shantay!

One of the extra curricular activities that they participate in is drumming.  They were lively and very focused.  I could see the fun they were having and it was quite a sense of accomplishment for them.  It would be wonderful if there could be a program like this for every child who is "at risk".  I always use quotes when I use that terminology because with all that children have to contend with today, I think they are all "at risk", the rich as well as the poor.  Okay, I think that's it for now.  No rantings today... just good news.  Tomorrow, however, will be another story.  I think we'll talk about poverty.  Stay tuned.

When Worship is Relevant

I decided to write this morning because my work day doesn't start until noon today.  I feel very privileged to work with the Rev. Dr. Margaret Fowler, she is one tough lady.  She was diagnosed with cancer on a Monday, had surgery that Thursday and except for the mandatory time required to recuperate from that surgery, she really hasn't skipped a beat.  Ok, so instead of preaching two sermons each Sunday, she is preaching one!  Wow!  She finished her last chemo session on the day I arrived.  So, I hope that I can be a great help to her while I am here.

I shared some of my personal encounter with senseless violence with the women of the worship committee.  I don't know, it just seemed to come up as we were discussing how we can create a greater awareness in the peoples hearts and mind about all of the violence going on in Jamaica, especially with the number of children being victimized.  I said yesterday that I would share a horrific story (this is what prompted that worship committee discussion).  About a week before I arrived a 4 year old girl was murdered.  Her mom had walked her half way to school that day (as was her custom) and as the little girl continued on her way she encountered her father's ex-girlfriend.  The ex-girlfriend was apparently jilted by the little girl's father.  Although the father was no longer involved with the little girls mother, the ex-girlfriend kidnapped the child and beheaded her with a machete in retaliation for the father breaking off their relationship!  Horrible? Yes, absolutely!  During this same week, a 6 month old girl was shot 6 times in Chicago in retaliation for her father's gang activity!  This type of human indecency is permeating the globe and we... OK, no soap box today, but please think about it.

What I love about Margaret Fowler is her refusal to become or allow her church to become desensitized to this and other dreadful and repugnant acts of violence, because while it may seem so far (not our town, not our friends), it is ever so close.  So we will include in our worship a cry to God for help and pray that our hearts not grow cold and insensitive.  Hopefully, this will be the catalyst of a series of awareness and prayer events that will culminate with Hope United making some small contribution to creating a safe space for children. 

That is what I call relevant worship!   I've grown tired of vague, meaningless, powerless prayers...  OK, no soap box today, but please think about it.

My thought for today is this:  Worship must begin with believing that God is who God says that God is and because God is, God can do what God says God can do.  With this in mind, worship must be entered into with great expectation.  When this happens worship will flow from our hearts to the heart of God and God's spirit and glory will be made manifest among us.  This is worship that is transformational.

Labrish and Reasoning

June 5, 2013

I have arrived!  In Jamaica, that is.  Believe it or not, I'm quite at home.  It's like I have known my pastor/supervisor, host, and the church folk a life time.  No doubt this is where I was meant to be.  Though the heat be without mercy, and quite unforgiving, I am very comfortable.  There is an "island type of tranquility" in spite of the poverty and the violence (which by the way is quite horrific) but I will fill you in on one of those incidents a bit later.  The feeling of tranquility stems from the fact that people are in harmony with their surroundings.  Yeah mon, I don't like lizards and red ants but they are a fact of life and everyone simply co-exists with them.  So I too, an learning as well.  Although, my MO is "spray and pray".  That's right!  Spray 'em, and pray 'em away.  So far, God and I are seeing eye to eye on this and my lizard experience has been minimal. Now, absolute truth told, I am very peaceful with the insects during the day, but at night, true to my American self, I turn into "Bug Murder".  Yep!  No shame.  I just refuse to sleep with those little guys.  So hopefully, they will get the word out to their friends that the American lady will sit up all night and hunt them down with spray.  (And there will be no prayers for healing!)

On a more serious note, I have a very busy schedule so I will not get to this page each day.  Thus far, I am scheduled to be away this weekend for camp training and then I will be in Monsarat for a week, with some darling 8 year olds.  (That's going to be very, very interesting.  Eight year olds are not my strong point. Which is precisely why I am working with them.)  Then, when I return on Monday, we will begin the training and execution of VBS and I will prep to preach on that Sunday.  I am scheduled to visit the hospital each Wednesday and work with the "Reconciliation Group" (at risks youth) on Tues. and Thur. evenings.  

Oh yeah!  My pastor can p-r-e-a-c-h!!!!!!  I am so relieved.  I mean she challenges the church to be the church and that is sooooooo refreshing.  Let's face it, we don't need another sermon about destiny or purpose.  We don't need another "I'm OK, you're OK" sermon or another round of Christian therapy (of course, this is just my strong but humble opinion).  We just need the gospel -- pure, unadulterated, and yes, sometimes very uncomfortable.  I think we need less of what God wants to do for us and more of what God wants to do in us and through us.  Less of seeking fishes and loaves and the supernatural and more of just seeking the Presence of God.  It is that Presence and Power that transforms us.  Perhaps then, we'll see more miracles.  OK, so I am on a rant.  Now hear this, that doesn't mean I'm right, that just means I ranting.  Really, I'm OK and you're OK.