Understanding Growth

"Growth demands a temporary surrender of security." -Gail Sheehy

I'm realizing  more and more, the truth to this quote. If I want real growth, I must be stretched beyond my comfort and security. Only when these aspects are stripped away, do I see just how much I must rely on God. Although I'm loving my time here in Jamaica, it is definitely stretching me, and I hope, growing me.

I'm reading, "The Hole in Our Gospel", by Richard Stearns, and my thinking continues to be challenged as it relates to my responsibility to help "the least of these". It is not an option, it is a command. Look at the words of Isaiah 58:6-8,10-11,

"Is not this the fast that I choose;
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;

Then shall your light break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up speedily;
your righteousness shall go before you;
the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.

If you pour yourself out for the hungry
and satisfy the desire of the afflicted,

then shall your light rise in the darkness
and your gloom be as the noonday.
And the Lord will guide you continually
and satisfy your desire in scorched places
and make your bones strong\;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
like a spring of water,
whose waters do not fail."

I have been challenged with these verses, what am I really doing to "satisfy the desire of the afflicted"? Think about it.

This past week, I saw God work in the heart of one of the girls troubled by significant psychological and spiritual problems. The first week, she wouldn't make eye contact, was very anti-social, and burst out in rage  if she was addressed. This past week, she has been much more social, relaxed, and open. Oddly enough, I saw who she really is through playing the card game, "Uno". She picked it up quickly, her competitive spirit came out, and she is now known as, "The Queen of Uno" here at Hebron. During our frequent games, she is open to making small talk, and little by little, letting me into her life. I may not be at the point of discussing heart issues with her, but I am learning to build a trust relationship with her, slowly, but surely. Praise God for her progress!

Saturday, I had the opportunity to go out into the "bush" (the country) of Jamaica, to a small church and be a part of an all-day Abstinence Training Seminar. It was incredible to hear about the current sexual pressure and issues facing Jamaican teens, see the burden the Jamaican Christian high school teachers have for the teens, and observe a variety of activities, statistics, and other methods to help in the presenting and encouraging of abstinence in teens today. Although we know the situation in America today isn't good, I was shocked to hear the stories and facts about the Jamaican youth, where 25% of  all girls are raped as their first "sexual experience". I see how vitally important the work of the Pregnancy Resource Centre of Jamaica and the Hebron House really is. Pray for the funding and provision for these ministries.

Fresh Jamaican Papaya

Roasting breadfruit

Board members of the Pregnancy centre and Hebron House. Christina, the director, is seated on the far right. 

Morning devotions - enjoying God's creation!

Just a glimpse of our neighbor's beautiful flowers.

Potato Pudding and tea, my afternoon treat. 

Good Morning, Baby Simeon!

This is the Hebron House, we have the second and third floors. 

Abstinence Training Seminar

New Experiences

I am becoming fully immersed in the Jamaican culture! Friday we went to the clinic with the two pregnant girls, where I learned what patience really looks like. We were there for 7 hours as they took their time registering the patients and giving examinations and a presentation to all the pregnant mothers. And to think, I can hardly wait 20 minutes for doctor's appointment at home! 

Saturday included my first trip to the market! Wow, was I overwhelmed! Every step I took was accompanied by people pressing in from every side, trying to sell me something, boys speeding by on carts loaded with fruits and vegetables, cars trying to squeeze down the pathway, and the hot Jamaican sun beating down on my back.  It was crazy, and I'm not sure I could have survived it without having two of the girls with me, but I loved the new experience. The girls can't believe that we don't have "market" like this in America. 

My first Sunday at a Jamaican church was extremely "lively" as they like to describe it. Definitely goes beyond any church I have been to in America! I'll write more about the church service when I have some pictures to help explain it. 

Sunday evening, I was reading out on the balcony, and one of the girls came out to sit by me. She picked up my book, and proceeded to read it. I was astonished as she struggled through the first sentence, and for the next 20 minutes, I was able to help her sound out words, explain their definitions, and assist her in reading 2 pages of my book. She is 15 years old, and 4 months pregnant. Not only did I realize what a blessing it is to know how to read, to have the blessing of a great education, but I also thought, "Here's a young girl, who struggles with understanding words like 'consumer', 'weight', and 'evangelical', but is on her way to bringing a child into this world." Wow. 

As I become more settled here at Hebron, I have noticed the significant level of spiritual warfare involved. These girls come in, all with different backgrounds, trauma, addictions, experiences, issues, personalities, and needs. It's not easy for them to adapt to being in home with each other, with expectations, guidelines, and the Word of God spoken daily to them. Christina, the director, believes each girl needs healing and help in five key areas: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and psychological. I see the girls battling, much of this in their minds, against each other, against authority, against God, and even against themselves. I believe all desire change in their lives, but following through with change is painful and hard. I see how absolutely crucial it is to be spending time in God's Word and in prayer, not simply everyday, but multiple times throughout the day. It's the only way those working with the girls will be able to respond to them with patience, gentleness, and kindness. Please pray for everyone at the Hebron House, both those in leadership, as well as the residents. Praise God that His presence is here, that He is more powerful than the evil that wishes to keep these girls ensnared! 

As I finish up this post, I want to let you know that I have been given the opportunity to lead a Bible study focusing on our identity in Christ to the girls. Would you pray for me, as I work to prepare this, that I would be in step with what God wants me to share with the girls. 

As promised, here's the first small batch of pictures: 

Baby Simeon sleeps while Aunty braids his hair. 

What an encouragement, especially working with girls in need of deliverance!

View from my bedroom window. 

Jamaican pumpkin, grown in the back yard! 

Montego Bay sunset, view from the balcony of Hebron. 

The result of a busy day at market. 

I have spent the past couple days adjusting to the laid-back, relaxed country of Jamaica. It is beautiful here, and I don't think I could relax anymore than I am here at Hebron! Hebron is set in the hills overlooking Montego Bay, and the Caribbean Sea. I am surrounded by palm trees, fruits I never knew existed, and an abundance of tropical flowers. 

As I have been introduced to the girls here at Hebron and begin to build relationships with them, I see that this perfect place for these girls to heal from the trauma they have endured. It hasn't been an easy journey for them, and two of them are currently struggling with deep psychological issues. But they are here, in the presence of Godly women who guide them as they heal and recover, and a place of peace and rest. 

The peacefulness of Hebron stands in contrast from the busyness of American life, and I admit, it's challenging to sit, relax, and be still, but it's good for me. I can see God teaching me the value of "being" instead of always "doing" already. Little by little, the girls are being more comfortable with me, and just today, I was able to spend some time talking with one of the girls about the differences between Jamaica and America, beginning to build a friendship, and I received a big hug from another as she left for school this morning, quickly stopping to play with my blonde hair (that fascinates her) for couple minutes. I look forward to other moments like these where I can continue to gain the trust and friendship of the girls here.

Tomorrow I will have the opportunity to go to the clinic with some of the pregnant girls and one of the baby boys, Saturday the girls want to take me into Montego Bay to the beach, and Sunday I will get to experience the lively worship of a Jamaican church, so I have a busy weekend in store! 

Thank you for your prayers, I need them! Every morning we meet at 6 am for devotions, and they immediately have requested that I share from God's Word with them during this time. What a opportunity I have! Pray that I will speak God's truth, that my words would be what God wants me to communicate with them, and not just my agenda. Pray for the two girls who are battling psychological and significant spiritual issues. May their eyes be opened to God's truth! 

Can't wait to post again about my weekend, the work of God, and I hope to include some Jamaican pictures next time! 

Jubilee (post 1)

Jubilee - "a season of celebration".

I have been given the awesome opportunity to travel to the warm island of Jamaica this coming Monday, March 12, for seven weeks to share the love of Christ with those in need. I will be interning with  Shared Hope International , an anti-trafficking organization. They partner with the Hebron House in Jamaica, working with women and girls who have become pregnant through sex trafficking or other at-risk situations. I cannot even fathom what God will do while I'm there, but I know it will be incredible!

I have titled my blog, "Jamaican Jubliee", because I believe God's work there will be a cause for celebration and rejoicing as broken lives are restored.

I would LOVE it if you would pray for me during my time in Jamaica. My prayer for my internship is directly out of Ephesians 6:19-20, " [pray] also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

Hopefully I will be able to blog regularly while in Jamaica, and I look forward to sharing with you stories and photos from my experience!