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.