MISSION TO JAMAICA 4 (a glimpse of Heaven)

But Jesus called them saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:16).

Day four found us completing our assigned work projects.  In the afternoon's of Tuesday and Wednesday we did Bible school for the children, though a number of adults came as well.  It made me think that we could have had an adult class too.

The lovely and gracious Helen directed the Bible school and it went very well.  There were games and treats for the kids along with the lessons.  We brought soccer balls with us, soccer being their national game.  The kids loved them and played with them, but in the area where we were there was no sizable parcel of level ground to play much of a game.

The picture is of me cranking the swing on new years day--what an inventive use of an automobile differential!

Late in the evening, 10:00 p.m., our team went to church for a gospel sing and a sermon.  There was a little music that I recognized, but most of it I did not.  However, when those folks sing they sing with gusto.  Pastor Sheldon Ashman preached on crossing over into the new year.  We will all cross over into a new existence.  Just as it is unavoidable that one crosses over into a new year, it is also unavoidable that in death one will cross over into a new existence,  Every one has a choice as to what that crossing over reality will be, life or second death.

About 20 minutes before midnite, the church began to fill with people.  They have the belief that if one is not in church on new year's eve it is bad luck.  At midnite there was lots of singing and dancing and hugging.  Those black folks seemed to love hugging us!  That experience made me think that Heaven is going to be a wonderful place!  People from every nation, race and tongue will be there singing, dancing and hugging, worshipping our awesome God!!!

Our Father's Love,
Tom

MISSION TO JAMAICA 3

Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him (Psalms 103:13).

Today we painted at the pastor's house.  There was trim to paint.  Some parts of the house required 2 coats and there was some roof work that required repair.  It would require all the time allotted for the project to complete it.

The picture is of the scene we saw each morning when we stepped out of our sleeping quarters.  Though there is much poverty in Jamaica, the Lord has blessed them with a beautiful land and a mild climate.                                                                                                                    

Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday afternoon found our team doing Bible school for the children of the community.  We did not know how many children to expect, but my wife did a masterful job of planning.  There were about 50 children, and some adults, who attended each day.  We had a Bible lesson and games.  We packed all the supplies needed for this school in our own luggage.  I thought the school was a big success.  Our team included 5 high-school kids who I thought performed very well during this trip.

Tuesday evening's devotions:  Out mission director told his life story--30 minutes.  Then he had us break into small groups and we were to tell our own stories to each other.  I hate doing this because it can just become telling "war stories."  Also, because of the dissimilarity of our groups and confidentiality issues, I do not believe it is safe.  That being said, it did help us to get to know our teammates much better, even though we thought we knew them.  It is comforting to know that God has compassion on His children!!!

Our Father's Love,

Tom

JAMAICA MISSION 2

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).

Day 2 was actually our first day of work.  It was a bright sunny day.  When we arrived in the dark, we could not see the beauty of the area, but in the morning we were stunned by the beauty of this part of Jamaica.  Our team ate a hearty breakfast, filled out water bottles and started to work painting the manse, the pastor and his family's residence.  The picture is of me on an old ladder that I am surprised held together.  It was one of two ladders we had to do this job.  They were both unsafe, and it was risky using them, but they held together.

We gave the house its first coat of paint on Monday.  It was a hot, muggy day so we consumed a lot of water.  I've always believed summer weather is more healthful than winter because a person is forced to consume more water--this mid-winter retreat in Jamaica was good for us northerners!

Our team worked well together, our members were cooperative and kind, and though it was early in the week, they continued to be that way the whole week.

Each evening we had a time after the meal for devotion and reflection.  It was an important time, and a couple of times during the week made me uncomfortable.  Once in a while it is good to get pushed out of one's comfort zone!

The things that made it hard for me to sleep at night were the barking dogs, crowing roosters, my stuffed-up sinuses and sleeping on a concrete floor.  But, even with all these impediments, by the end of the week I was sleeping like a baby.  I have to say that Jamaica has lots and lots of wild dogs.  It seemed like their nightly dog fights were right under our windows.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

MISSION TO JAMAICA 1

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith (Galatians 6:10).

On Sunday, December 28th, my birthday, a team of people from my church in Sutherland, Iowa, flew directly from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Montego Bay, Jamaica.  It was about a 4 hour flight.  Our purpose was to work with brothers and sisters in Christ of St. Leonard's Perish, a rural area in the mountains, to paint their pastor's house and do a Bible school for the children of the village.

It was very cold in Minnesota, but very warm in Jamaica.  By the time we arrived at our destination in Jamaica it was after dark and late, but a large supper was prepared for us and their was a large birthday cake for my birthday.  It is a bad habit of mine to eat too much, so with that and the stress of the day's travel, I did not sleep well at all that first night.  I thought it would be a miserable week, but I couldn't have been more wrong.  Our fellowship with each other and our Jamaican brothers and sisters made this trip a wonderful blessing for us all.

More soon.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

THE END IS NEAR!

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons . . . (I Timothy 4:1).

Some things I write in Silver Bullets are simply a matter of historical note.  This is nothing more than that, but surely this has to be a sign that the end of the world as we know it is near.  I am a frequent reader, but non commentator, of the Blue Oval News.  There was an apparent leak from someone knowledgeable about Ford Motor Company that after 2017 there will be no more V-8's in the Mustang or the F-150 truck.

That will be a sad day.  There is something about the sound of a V8 engine that cannot be replicated by any other engine--though the rumble of a Harley V twin comes close.  The sound of a well-tuned V-8 is assuring that all is well with the universe.  Other engine configurations might be able to do the work, but none of the others can deliver the same message and music.

A V-8 is truly one of our Father's blessings,
Tom

DOES IT MATTER?

But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving thanks (Ephesians 5:3-4).

These days, even among Christians, holiness doesn't seem to matter.  Even our pastors watch television sitcoms and go to movies in which all of the content that Paul describes occurs.  I've seen Christian pastors incorporate much of this behavior into their lives in the name of freedom in Christ.  But, Paul went on to warn those who practice these things: For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:5).

Church discipline seems to be a thing of the past.  Christians live together without marriage.  They are greedy, always wanting more.  They do not deny themselves for the sake of the Kingdom.

I read these words from the Apostle this morning during my daily Bible reading.  These words are sobering!!  They reminded me of my own personal immaturity and the immaturity in my own congregation, of which I am one of the leaders.

Our Father's Love,
Tom

READY TO GO

Love is patient . . . (I Corinthians 13:4).

There might be one or two readers out there, I think Husker Red is one of them, who wonder where I have been the last couple of months.

It all started with some password problems and then bathroom construction in the basement, Holidays, a trip to Jamaica and some bad winter weather, but with patience and perseverance, I think I'm ready to begin writing a "bullet" or two.

A week ago Helen and I were enjoying 85 degree weather on a short-term mission trip in Jamaica.  We came home to relentless cold and blizzards.  I think I am hearing the Lord's call to go back and spend another month there doing short-term mission work.  Want to come along?

Our Father's Love,
Tom