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.