Tuesday 25 August 2009

Rest in Him

Many of you reading this will already know that our beloved brother, Michael Grant, who came to Jamaica with his wife, children and the rest of the 47 strong missionary team, died on Sunday morning (23rd August 2009.) This came as quite a painful shock to all who knew him...even the staff at the resort we have been staying in were in tears.

Michael headed a family that have always been passionately committed to sharing the gospel and showering people with love WHEREVER they went. Indeed, it has been their profound love for each other, as a close knit family, that has always gone before them. And while we shed many tears for the loss of a husband, father and brother, who we will sorely miss, our hearts are joyous and at peace knowing that he has gone to be with his heavenly Father, in a place where there is no more pain or sorrow...please keep his loved ones in prayer at this time.

Interestingly enough, Michael's passing coincided with the end of this chapter in our missionary journey to Jamaica. On Friday, we spent the day at Retreat Mountain and on Saturday we spent the day at Cousins Cove....both days were used to solidify some of the relationships we have made with the people here, while continuing to build new ones. We put on the usual football games and crafts, against the backdrop of His Majesty's Sound System...I don't think there was anyone amongst us who was not 'busted' with exhaustion, but it was amazing to see the Lord strengthen team members to keep going....

On Sunday, despite the heavy news regarding our brother, we were inspired to go ahead with our scheduled church service in Cousin's Cove, knowing that he, of all people, would want us to do so. It was amazing to see that the people of Cousin's Cove had been so affected from being around Michael, that they too were pained by his departure.

But praise God that Michael has eternal rest in Him, and as the remaining team here now tries to settle into some kind of earthly rest, before returning to London, our hearts and minds are drawn upon the very essence of missionary work and life as we know it...the eternal. And the choice that we all have to make regarding this.

Friends, brothers and sisters, you've been reading the ramblings of Kemi Sulleiman...under the guise of Robert's sign in...

The work in Jamaica goes on, even while we are not here...please pray regarding the next short-term missionary trip and for the pending return of The Prendergast families, the Fyffe family, Sabena and myself, to live here, indefinitely, as missionaries, continuing the work at hand.

Much love to you all and God bless.

Friday 21 August 2009

Weary Mountain Climbers

Thursday 20th August 2009
Only half of the team headed back to Retreat Mountain today, as many of us have been struggling with health problems and even those of us who went, were busted with exhaustion. Nevertheless, we had another sweet day with the kids....playing sports, acting out stories and making bracelets and 'scooby do's.' Sister Sandy and the team from Calvary Chapel Norris Town, joined us again and offered bereavement counselling sessions while Sister Sarah provided counselling for people with stress and other emotional problems.

By the end of the afternoon we were all at the end of ourselves and wanted to cancel the previously scheduled film night. However, it proved impossible to disappoint the locals in this way, so after dinner, Pastor Robert took a small team of 4 back to Retreat Mountain, only to be met by over 100 locals eagerly waiting for the film to be shown. Given that only 1 or 2 of them have ever been to the cinema before, it was so encouraging to know that the Lord strengthened the group, in spite of physical weaknesses, to achieve His greater purposes.

Meanwhile, back at base, Pastor Efrem and others spent time talking and sharing with the Rhodes Resort staff about the Lord and the free gift of salvation.

Thursday 20 August 2009

Football Mania and Thanksgiving!


Today the much anticipated Football Tournament (for the over 15s) took place...Pastor Robert, Mark Fyffe and Reynold Koker soldiered through refereeing this 4 hour event, assisted by Jordan Fyffe and Courtney O'Shea. Jason O'Shea (aka Redbeard), Mark Henry and Pastor Efrem crowned the occassion with infectious tunes from the HMSS Sound System. The men of Cousins Cove turned up in great force and it was clear that they are very passionate and serious about their football. Many of the players did not have their own football boots and so ran around the field in their socks. It was amazing to see that the players who did have football boots, would share them with those who did not, whenever they were off field. After a day of battling it out in the blazing sun, the winning team members were each awarded shin pads, a water bottle, a t-shirt, a bible and a HMSS complilation CD. And it wasn't just about the football...throughout the day the teams had to do a lot of waiting around and watching. During this time, many of them were spoken to and asking questions about the gospel, the bible and the church and even requesting copies of the 'The Gospel of John' before they left.

The non-football heads amongst us spent time doing crafts with all the children and in the evening we provided a film night and watched 'Something to Sing About', which was well attended. It has been such a blessing spending time with the people of Cousins Cove and seeing the Lord use all of the many skills and resources amongst us...we've even had the priviledge of offering free hair cuts to the men, courtesy of barber extraordinaire, Mark Henry. We are so very thankful for the work the Lord is doing here...in us and through us.

Please pray for the team members...everyday we have had at least a couple of us suffer with health problems or sickness. Most seriously, Brother Michael Grant has been admitted to hospital twice during this trip...we thank God for the treatment he has had to date, while continually praying that he would be restored to full health and receive the best treatment available.

Wednesday 19 August 2009

Showers of Blessing


Tuesday 18th August 2009
So today we repeated the range of activities that we put on for the children at Retreat Mountain. But this time, we returned to Cousins Cove. Altogether about 70 children showed up for football, stories, puppet shows, games and crafts...Sister Sarah ran the diabetes clinic alone today, providing much needed dietary advice...Torrential rainfall persisted throughout the day. Nevertheless, Jordan Fyffe and Malachi O' Shea (aged 16 and 15 respectively) continued coaching the football tournament, on the open field, with 35 of the local boys (aged 6 to 15), who were more than happy to oblige! The rest of the children spent most of the day inside the school hall, where the team had to conjure up more songs and stories against the noise of the heavy downpour. And while many might deem such rain as an inconvenience, the Lord really used the day to allow us to make real bonds with the children of Cousins Cove, most of whom were a lot more willing to talk, respond and engage, as compared to our initial visits. While, from the beginning, many of the adults in the community eagerly received us, as you would water in a dry desert land, the children were slightly more reticent. But today that changed! And it has become clear that it is with the children that we must begin 'rebuilding the walls' of this broken nation.

Valley Low...Mountain High


Monday 17th August 2009
Today, we worked alongside Pastor Derrick, with the people of his church and local community in an area called Retreat Mountain. About 120 children piled into the church building in anticipation of the days events. Many hands made light work, as we led them in activities ranging from football, baseball and 'parachute' games to manicures, jewellery making and puppet shows. We also had the blessing of Sister Sandy, a missionary and nurse from Calvary Chapel Norris Town, join forces with Sister Sarah Magudia, also a qualified nurse, to provide a diabetes clinic, providing free blood tests, amongst other services. 

It was striking to note the huge difference made by the presence of a having an embrasive church in the community and a pastor who genuinely cared for the people. The children were very vocal, engaging and had clearly formed strong bonds with each other and Pastor Derrick himself, who knew them all by name! By comparison, the children of Cousins Cove, to whom we have been specifically called to work with, have been far more reserved and quiet, to date. The community as a whole, while 'peaceful' seems tired, sober and lacking in that joyful community spirit that flows out of Retreat Mountain...we are praying that our time in Cousins Cove will help to revive and rebuild the area.

Monday 17 August 2009

The First Church Service...New Sty-lee!


In a sparsely furnished school building, positioned at the very centre of the village, we set out chairs and sound equipment and finally projected that familiar logo...a white dove, descending...but this time with the words Calvary Chapel Cousins Cove displayed underneath. It was surreal and emotional to walk into this plain hall, in the middle of Jamaica and be confronted with God's faithfulness...He had done it! He had started the church! After spreading the word throughout the community, about 10 adults arrived for the main service, while 19 children were taught outside, under a gazebo. Pastor Robert taught from Acts 9, on the conversion of Saul...it was noted that Saul typified the Jamaicans, knowing so much about God, without knowing Him and His salvation for themselves. Overall, this style of 'church' was something that the locals had never seen before - no shouting, no demands for money, no frills...just the delivery of God's word, furnished with the love He has so blessed us with.

The Foundation: Building Relationships


Saturday 15th August 2009
This day was set apart to spend quality time with the people of Cousins Cove. Some of us visited individual residents - listening to their stories and concerns, plaiting their hair and praying for them...One 82 year old resident, Mr Shakes, despite being blind in both eyes, demonstrated inspiring enthusiasm for and trust in the Lord and even took it upon himself to pray for some of us! We also got to play games with the local children and give manicures and pedicures to the ladies and young girls. This was the day that many of us fell in love with Cousins Cove...there is a certain peace that pervades this place...it seems that the Lord Himself has His eye on these people.

Suffer the Little Children Unto Me. Matt 19:14


Friday 14th August 2009
Today we visited the Westhaven Orphanage, for children and young people with severe developmental and physical difficulties. Many of us were apprehensive about this trip, not knowing exactly what to expect. But on arrival, the children were overjoyed to see us and showered us with hugs and laughter. Some of the more quieter residents, just needed to be held and although it was painful to see their disfigured limbs and muted speech, we were profoundly blessed to spend time with them. We shared puppet shows, songs and dance, as well as tears on departure from our beautiful friends. 
For more info or to make a donation, contact them directly at  http://www.definitivecaribbean.com/Charity/WesthavenChildrensHome.aspx

Re-Painting the Walls


Thursday 13th August 2009
19 of us donned our 'body suits' and cut-off shorts to get our hands dirty at the Montego Bay Christian Academy. We painted 8 classrooms - walls, cupboards, desks and all, and even though it was very tiring, it was fun and satisfying to work as a team, especially under the direction of the ever-enthusiastic and helpful Hopeton.

The Flesh, The Self and Western Excess


The first few days were predominantly spent 'acclimatising' to our new surroundings. It was lovely to be embraced by the sun and the Jamaican landscape is breathtaking. We visited Ocho Rios and the infamous Dunns River Falls, as well as beaches in Negril and Montego Bay. Nevertheless, the stark contrast between rich, poor, the privileged and the forgotten, constantly reminded us of how spoiled we really are.

Cousins Cove Walkabout


Sunday 9th August, 2pm.
Located more than 3000 miles from our earthly 'homes', this small, poverty stricken, fishing village, was overflowing with an infectious community of people, who were a joy to behold. With so few material possessions and many desperate medical and practical needs, they somehow possessed something far more precious...an appreciation of and zeal for life.

The Exodus


Sunday 9th August 2009. 10am
Over 40 of us gathered together for our first church service. Interestingly enough, our 'mass' departure from London, coincided with the title of the book that had been selected for our morning devotionals: Exodus - The deliverance of the children of Israel, out of bondage to slavery. This, in turn, mirrors the work that the Lord has called us to be a part of here - The deliverance of the people of Jamaica out of bondage to sin.

Friday 7 August 2009

Jamaica Team

A big thank you to Helen, Harri & Denise for organizing us administration-ally.
You are such a blessing.

Wednesday 5 August 2009

We Reach!!


We have arrived, that is the first two of us from our 46 member team.
Pastor Robert and Mark Fyffe Landed in Jamaica late Tuesday night
(4th August). We are preparing for the other 44 to fly out on the 7th
and 8th. Please join us in a time of prayer and fasting on
Thursday 6th, for Salvation, Favor, Protection, Divine appointments
Divine Enabling, Wisdom, Good weather (it's hurricane season)
Good health (no hog flu), Unity and love amongst the team,
For by this all men will know that you are my disciples. John 13:35