Jamaica Team Share Sunday
Memory Verse:
'Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ' Ephesians 4:15
All devotions this week were written by a team member that went to Jamaica on the mission trip.
'Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ' Ephesians 4:15
All devotions this week were written by a team member that went to Jamaica on the mission trip.
Day 1
Read Matthew 18:1-5, Matthew 19:13-15, and Proverbs 22:6
(written by Jamie Shirley)
As you read these verses, you can see that they are focused around children. In Matthew 18, the disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus places a child among them and tells them that unless they change and become like children, they will never see the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus also says that whoever welcomes a child in his name, welcomes him. Again in Matthew 19, you read the disciples rebuking people for bringing their children to Jesus and Jesus says that the kingdom of Heaven belongs to them (the children) as well.
One of the things that stuck with me and made a significant impact on me when our Team was in Jamaica, happened at the church service on Sunday morning. The children of the church joined the congregation for the early portion of the service and for the praise and worship time. When it was time for the children to be dismissed for children’s church, the Pastor asked all of the children to come to the front of the church. Once the children were gathered, he began to pray. As a church, we prayed over those children and the Pastor called them by name, one by one, and prayed specifically for each child.
How amazing was it for this entire church to pray over its children! For those few moments, the entire service focused on specific prayer for them, for their hearts and minds, and for their individual lives. Each one of those children went upstairs to the children's church and then home that day knowing that they were important, that their church family loved them, and that Jesus loves and values them.
This got me thinking about how I interact with the children around me and if I pray enough for all of them. Of course, I always pray for the children of our family and those that are close to me, but am I praying for all of the children in our church? Am I praying for all of them to have a heart that is full of Jesus and for them to know that Jesus loves them more than anyone here ever could? This is something that I plan to focus more on and I encourage each of you to take the time to do the same. There may be children that you know that do not have anyone praying for them, so be that person.
I also began thinking and wondering if as a church, we do enough to let our kids know how valued they are to us and to Jesus? We always make it a big day for them when they have a program or get to join us in service for an event. What are we doing all of the other days? How are we letting them know that we are praying for them daily and reminding them of how Jesus loves them and encouraging them to continue to follow him each day? I encourage each of you to think about this. Is there an opportunity for us, as a church, to be better about this for our children?
Proverbs 22:6 tell us to train up our children on the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it. We must be vigilant and very deliberate about how we raise our children, love them, and not only tell them about, but display the love of Jesus to them.
How does this become part of your prayer today?
(written by Jamie Shirley)
As you read these verses, you can see that they are focused around children. In Matthew 18, the disciples ask Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus places a child among them and tells them that unless they change and become like children, they will never see the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus also says that whoever welcomes a child in his name, welcomes him. Again in Matthew 19, you read the disciples rebuking people for bringing their children to Jesus and Jesus says that the kingdom of Heaven belongs to them (the children) as well.
One of the things that stuck with me and made a significant impact on me when our Team was in Jamaica, happened at the church service on Sunday morning. The children of the church joined the congregation for the early portion of the service and for the praise and worship time. When it was time for the children to be dismissed for children’s church, the Pastor asked all of the children to come to the front of the church. Once the children were gathered, he began to pray. As a church, we prayed over those children and the Pastor called them by name, one by one, and prayed specifically for each child.
How amazing was it for this entire church to pray over its children! For those few moments, the entire service focused on specific prayer for them, for their hearts and minds, and for their individual lives. Each one of those children went upstairs to the children's church and then home that day knowing that they were important, that their church family loved them, and that Jesus loves and values them.
This got me thinking about how I interact with the children around me and if I pray enough for all of them. Of course, I always pray for the children of our family and those that are close to me, but am I praying for all of the children in our church? Am I praying for all of them to have a heart that is full of Jesus and for them to know that Jesus loves them more than anyone here ever could? This is something that I plan to focus more on and I encourage each of you to take the time to do the same. There may be children that you know that do not have anyone praying for them, so be that person.
I also began thinking and wondering if as a church, we do enough to let our kids know how valued they are to us and to Jesus? We always make it a big day for them when they have a program or get to join us in service for an event. What are we doing all of the other days? How are we letting them know that we are praying for them daily and reminding them of how Jesus loves them and encouraging them to continue to follow him each day? I encourage each of you to think about this. Is there an opportunity for us, as a church, to be better about this for our children?
Proverbs 22:6 tell us to train up our children on the way they should go and even when they are old, they will not turn from it. We must be vigilant and very deliberate about how we raise our children, love them, and not only tell them about, but display the love of Jesus to them.
How does this become part of your prayer today?
Day 2
Read Jeremiah 29: 11-13, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 3:5-7, Philippians 4: 6-7, Psalm 46:10
(Written by Nate Vamosi)
Have you ever got a feeling that God was leading you to do something important, But you didn't know why? Perhaps you felt you were not the most qualified person for the desired job or you didn't fully understand the magnitude of the impact you would have. If you too have felt this way, You are not alone. This is how I felt about myself even before I was considering asking about going on the mission trip. Then when I was approached about taking a serious approach in going on a mission trip, It amplified these feelings. The truth is I struggle quite often with my self worth and where I feel I'm able to help. This is something I've been working at improving. I also get caught in the sometimes endless circle of self doubt. I would self talk and say things like "What do I even have to offer the team?" or simply "I'm not good enough". These ruminating negative thought patterns carried over and lasted up until we left for Jamaica on that early Saturday morning. In the months and weeks leading up to the trip, I would share my thoughts with family, friends and church members, Some of which have experienced the same type of things as I had been. Through these conversations there were offerings of encouragement and guidance that honestly did help with pressing on with the main goal God was preparing me for: To go join a team and do important work in Jamaica with a more positive outlook on the mission trip and a more positive thought pattern in general. However these ideas would turn out to be a spiritual battle. Getting into mission work has caught my attention since seeing and hearing about all the amazing things that have happened in previous years. When I learned about the need in Jamaica I knew in my heart I had to be there. After committing to going on the trip with Emma, Over the next several months leading up to the trip there was a lot of praying and asking for God's guidance and comfort. From the early preliminary details, The Zoom meetings to the fund raising events including Hydrate kids camp, Candy sales, A car wash and Church breakfasts to building a crate and shipping all of the school and medical supplies that were so appreciated. It definitely was a valid feeling of uncertainty at times. These are some of the most important times to lean into God for wisdom and comfort. During these times we all prayed and left everything in God's hands. In a relatively short time all our prayers were answered in an over abundance. We met our goal for the trip. With everything we all did to reach our goal, in building a home for a family in Jamaica and working with the local community, schools and churches, God has shown me his unwavering love and desire for me and his plans for my life. This is something I've not always understood or knew how to embrace. Let alone openly showing my vulnerable side. I have concluded I was under a spiritual attack while whole heartedly doing God's work. The devil tried everything he could to discourage and distract me from what God was doing in my life and in the mission team as a whole. Through God's love and grace alongside Keystone church and Mission 418, I have learned how much I really have to offer and yes I am good enough. I learned to be still and not be anxious, To trust God's will for me and to guide my path.
*How have you leaned into God's word in times of uncertainty and discouragement ?
*How did you feel when you saw God's work transform your life in ways only God can provide ?
*How have these verses helped you to "Press On" if you too have had times of conflict ?
*What is your own personal prayer for guidance and encouragement ?
(Written by Nate Vamosi)
Have you ever got a feeling that God was leading you to do something important, But you didn't know why? Perhaps you felt you were not the most qualified person for the desired job or you didn't fully understand the magnitude of the impact you would have. If you too have felt this way, You are not alone. This is how I felt about myself even before I was considering asking about going on the mission trip. Then when I was approached about taking a serious approach in going on a mission trip, It amplified these feelings. The truth is I struggle quite often with my self worth and where I feel I'm able to help. This is something I've been working at improving. I also get caught in the sometimes endless circle of self doubt. I would self talk and say things like "What do I even have to offer the team?" or simply "I'm not good enough". These ruminating negative thought patterns carried over and lasted up until we left for Jamaica on that early Saturday morning. In the months and weeks leading up to the trip, I would share my thoughts with family, friends and church members, Some of which have experienced the same type of things as I had been. Through these conversations there were offerings of encouragement and guidance that honestly did help with pressing on with the main goal God was preparing me for: To go join a team and do important work in Jamaica with a more positive outlook on the mission trip and a more positive thought pattern in general. However these ideas would turn out to be a spiritual battle. Getting into mission work has caught my attention since seeing and hearing about all the amazing things that have happened in previous years. When I learned about the need in Jamaica I knew in my heart I had to be there. After committing to going on the trip with Emma, Over the next several months leading up to the trip there was a lot of praying and asking for God's guidance and comfort. From the early preliminary details, The Zoom meetings to the fund raising events including Hydrate kids camp, Candy sales, A car wash and Church breakfasts to building a crate and shipping all of the school and medical supplies that were so appreciated. It definitely was a valid feeling of uncertainty at times. These are some of the most important times to lean into God for wisdom and comfort. During these times we all prayed and left everything in God's hands. In a relatively short time all our prayers were answered in an over abundance. We met our goal for the trip. With everything we all did to reach our goal, in building a home for a family in Jamaica and working with the local community, schools and churches, God has shown me his unwavering love and desire for me and his plans for my life. This is something I've not always understood or knew how to embrace. Let alone openly showing my vulnerable side. I have concluded I was under a spiritual attack while whole heartedly doing God's work. The devil tried everything he could to discourage and distract me from what God was doing in my life and in the mission team as a whole. Through God's love and grace alongside Keystone church and Mission 418, I have learned how much I really have to offer and yes I am good enough. I learned to be still and not be anxious, To trust God's will for me and to guide my path.
*How have you leaned into God's word in times of uncertainty and discouragement ?
*How did you feel when you saw God's work transform your life in ways only God can provide ?
*How have these verses helped you to "Press On" if you too have had times of conflict ?
*What is your own personal prayer for guidance and encouragement ?
Day 3
Read Isaiah 6:1-13
(Written by Pat Neuschwanger)
In Isaiah 6 when God asked, “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” (“Us” is presumed to refer to the Trinity), Isaiah didn’t hesitate. Though he knew that he was unclean, when asked, he volunteered for God to send him with God’s message to His people.
At the point of his writing of this scripture, he was in a very different place than I have been for most of my life. I’ve mentioned in these devotions before that I’m growing in my practice of studying scripture, mainly because I’m learning that the authors and the characters of the books of the bible are real people… They were imperfect, broken, “works in progress” just like me.
Given that mindset for a significant span of my life, I have never accepted that the action that Isaiah took when God asked whom He could send could apply to me. Until now…
As some who will read this are aware, my first exposure to missions was in late 2016 when Pastor Nate asked me (somewhat “out of the blue”…), “Hey, are you interested in a mission trip to Ecuador?” Please keep in mind that Liz and I had been coming to the church for 4 months or so, so I appreciate Pastor Nate’s fortitude to offer. My answer, without taking any time to think (likely a good thing), was, “Yes!”. Then, in my mind I asked myself, “What have you just signed yourself up for??” That mission trip changed my life, a change I am truly humbled by, am so very thankful for, and will be forever grateful to Pastor Nate for the opportunity and God the Father for continuing a change in my life.
I’m so thankful for how all of that unfolded and excited about the part that I’m learning missions can play in mine, my wife’s, our family’s, and our Keystone family’s lives.
There’s a challenge in all of this that I’ll toss out to the Jamaica Mission Teams (both last year’s, this year’s, and those that occur in the future): Please DO approach folks both inside and outside the church and share this opportunity with them. It is awesome (in the truest sense of the word) to see what God can do with and through obedient servants who have the courage and fortitude to offer this incredible opportunity to friends, family, etc. I’m sure that there are servants who will continue the work of Mission Four18 in partnership with Keystone Church in Jamaica that, as of right now, would NEVER have considered going on a mission trip, very similar to my mindset in late 2016.
So please… offer this opportunity to others. I’m so proud of the action that Suzanne Quartey took to share this opportunity with the Fetsko family, her close friends in Virginia. We can all take a lesson from her fortitude and courage to share her excitement about this ministry opportunity with those close to her.
Given this, what interest do you have in missions?
What near term next steps can you take to get more information about the part the Keystone Church plays in missions?
Consider how you can support the church in partnership with Mission Four18.
(Written by Pat Neuschwanger)
In Isaiah 6 when God asked, “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” (“Us” is presumed to refer to the Trinity), Isaiah didn’t hesitate. Though he knew that he was unclean, when asked, he volunteered for God to send him with God’s message to His people.
At the point of his writing of this scripture, he was in a very different place than I have been for most of my life. I’ve mentioned in these devotions before that I’m growing in my practice of studying scripture, mainly because I’m learning that the authors and the characters of the books of the bible are real people… They were imperfect, broken, “works in progress” just like me.
Given that mindset for a significant span of my life, I have never accepted that the action that Isaiah took when God asked whom He could send could apply to me. Until now…
As some who will read this are aware, my first exposure to missions was in late 2016 when Pastor Nate asked me (somewhat “out of the blue”…), “Hey, are you interested in a mission trip to Ecuador?” Please keep in mind that Liz and I had been coming to the church for 4 months or so, so I appreciate Pastor Nate’s fortitude to offer. My answer, without taking any time to think (likely a good thing), was, “Yes!”. Then, in my mind I asked myself, “What have you just signed yourself up for??” That mission trip changed my life, a change I am truly humbled by, am so very thankful for, and will be forever grateful to Pastor Nate for the opportunity and God the Father for continuing a change in my life.
I’m so thankful for how all of that unfolded and excited about the part that I’m learning missions can play in mine, my wife’s, our family’s, and our Keystone family’s lives.
There’s a challenge in all of this that I’ll toss out to the Jamaica Mission Teams (both last year’s, this year’s, and those that occur in the future): Please DO approach folks both inside and outside the church and share this opportunity with them. It is awesome (in the truest sense of the word) to see what God can do with and through obedient servants who have the courage and fortitude to offer this incredible opportunity to friends, family, etc. I’m sure that there are servants who will continue the work of Mission Four18 in partnership with Keystone Church in Jamaica that, as of right now, would NEVER have considered going on a mission trip, very similar to my mindset in late 2016.
So please… offer this opportunity to others. I’m so proud of the action that Suzanne Quartey took to share this opportunity with the Fetsko family, her close friends in Virginia. We can all take a lesson from her fortitude and courage to share her excitement about this ministry opportunity with those close to her.
Given this, what interest do you have in missions?
What near term next steps can you take to get more information about the part the Keystone Church plays in missions?
Consider how you can support the church in partnership with Mission Four18.
Day 4
Read Psalm 35:1-14
(Written by Mandy Miller)
Ruth. It is a name I had heard here and there, but didn’t know much about her. And to be honest, the things that I did hear weren’t always the best. And I am ashamed to say that I had formed an opinion before getting to know the person.
Ruth is Renae’s mom. Last year when our first team went to Jamaica, Ruth was on the other side of the island for work, and I didn’t have the chance to meet her. We spent a lot of time with Renae that week, and the months following thanks to technology. She would get on and say hi every once in a while, but the interaction was limited.
And then came June. I, along with my husband and kids went to serve in Jamaica, and when we arrived in Rocky Point someone came walking over to me. Renae’s camera wasn’t the best, so it was hard to make out exactly what a person looked like. But she came walking over to me and she said “Mandy! I’m Ruth…Renae’s mom”, and my whole attitude changed that day.
Leading up to our latest trip, Renae had asked me for months if we could sing what she calls “Shout Jesus from the Mountain”, which is “I speak Jesus”. As soon as we walked into their new home, she instantly asked me if we could sing it together…and I thought what more appropriate song to sing in their new home. You see, just the day before Ruth’s mother had been going up and down the street in front of Ruth’s new home yelling not very nice things at the guys for building her daughter a home and not her. Ruth has so much going against her. So yes, let’s absolutely sing that song.
The part that Renae loves says “Shout Jesus from the Mountains, Jesus in the streets. Jesus in the darkness over every enemy. Jesus for my family, I speak the holy name, JESUS”. Jamaicans are not ones to show emotion very often, in fact, hardly at all. But as soon as the music started, the work on the home paused, and we started singing that song, I watched a mom break. And that mom was Ruth. She was weeping as we sang this song in her new home. She was standing there crying and said to me “God gave this home to us. I can finally be proud of something. My kids have a home they can be happy about”. She worked so hard all week. She carried the heavy boards, pushed heavy loads of all kinds of stuff through deep water to help build her house…but even more than that, Ruth wanted to build a safe home for her and her two kids, just like any other parent would want for their family.
At that moment, I realized that Ruth wants something different. She wants to do better than the example she was given. And as a local evangelist said, she is doing the best she can with what she has been given. But yet I was so quick to judge her by what I thought she should be doing. And I think if we are honest with ourselves, we are all guilty of doing this. Someone maybe talks differently than us, or maybe they dress differently, and we just kind of write them off as “less than”. But yet God created us all for a purpose, and does not give up on those that maybe look differently than me like I tend to do, and He doesn’t give up on you or me either!
Who in your life has God placed that maybe others think is a lost cause that you can minister to?
Is there a certain people group or people living a certain lifestyle that is not deserving of the same forgiveness that you’ve been given? Pray today that God would reveal any prejudice you might feel towards these people.
(Written by Mandy Miller)
Ruth. It is a name I had heard here and there, but didn’t know much about her. And to be honest, the things that I did hear weren’t always the best. And I am ashamed to say that I had formed an opinion before getting to know the person.
Ruth is Renae’s mom. Last year when our first team went to Jamaica, Ruth was on the other side of the island for work, and I didn’t have the chance to meet her. We spent a lot of time with Renae that week, and the months following thanks to technology. She would get on and say hi every once in a while, but the interaction was limited.
And then came June. I, along with my husband and kids went to serve in Jamaica, and when we arrived in Rocky Point someone came walking over to me. Renae’s camera wasn’t the best, so it was hard to make out exactly what a person looked like. But she came walking over to me and she said “Mandy! I’m Ruth…Renae’s mom”, and my whole attitude changed that day.
Leading up to our latest trip, Renae had asked me for months if we could sing what she calls “Shout Jesus from the Mountain”, which is “I speak Jesus”. As soon as we walked into their new home, she instantly asked me if we could sing it together…and I thought what more appropriate song to sing in their new home. You see, just the day before Ruth’s mother had been going up and down the street in front of Ruth’s new home yelling not very nice things at the guys for building her daughter a home and not her. Ruth has so much going against her. So yes, let’s absolutely sing that song.
The part that Renae loves says “Shout Jesus from the Mountains, Jesus in the streets. Jesus in the darkness over every enemy. Jesus for my family, I speak the holy name, JESUS”. Jamaicans are not ones to show emotion very often, in fact, hardly at all. But as soon as the music started, the work on the home paused, and we started singing that song, I watched a mom break. And that mom was Ruth. She was weeping as we sang this song in her new home. She was standing there crying and said to me “God gave this home to us. I can finally be proud of something. My kids have a home they can be happy about”. She worked so hard all week. She carried the heavy boards, pushed heavy loads of all kinds of stuff through deep water to help build her house…but even more than that, Ruth wanted to build a safe home for her and her two kids, just like any other parent would want for their family.
At that moment, I realized that Ruth wants something different. She wants to do better than the example she was given. And as a local evangelist said, she is doing the best she can with what she has been given. But yet I was so quick to judge her by what I thought she should be doing. And I think if we are honest with ourselves, we are all guilty of doing this. Someone maybe talks differently than us, or maybe they dress differently, and we just kind of write them off as “less than”. But yet God created us all for a purpose, and does not give up on those that maybe look differently than me like I tend to do, and He doesn’t give up on you or me either!
Who in your life has God placed that maybe others think is a lost cause that you can minister to?
Is there a certain people group or people living a certain lifestyle that is not deserving of the same forgiveness that you’ve been given? Pray today that God would reveal any prejudice you might feel towards these people.
Day 5
Read Luke 9:28-33, 37-43
(written by Jodi Petroy)
In today's readings, we see Peter's reaction to the transfiguration on the mountain- "Wow, this is awesome!!! Let's pitch some tents and stay here!" Ok that's not exactly what it says, but you get the point. I can relate to his response, as I too, (and I am sure many fellow team members will say) had that mountain top experience in Jamaica. Mine occurred on Thursday, as our trip was coming to a close. All of our interactions, serving others (and each other at times), feeding hundreds of children, painting nails at the infirmary, and enduring the conditions we found ourselves in, came to a head in a single moment...singing I Speak Jesus, with Renae and her mom, inside their new home. It was the epitome of a God moment. Work came to a halt, and time seemed to stand still as we all began to sing along. Tears were shed as our voices joined together with Renae's and her mom, Ruth. To say it was incredibly powerful is an understatement. Unfortunately, the song came to an end, as did our time with the people of Jamaica. Now what!?! Well, as we move on in the readings, we see that Jesus and the disciples came down from the mountain, returned to town and Jesus continued to heal. That is what we are called to do as well. I am to take that mountain top moment, along with all of the other amazing things experienced, and put them into practice here at home, in my everyday life. Most of us who go on mission trips will not go on to be career missionaries. Instead, we return to our homes and jobs and "ordinary" lives, hopefully changed and motivated to put into practice what God and Jamaica taught us last week.
How have you encountered God this week?
Is there a need you can meet within your circle of influence?
How does this become your prayer today?
(written by Jodi Petroy)
In today's readings, we see Peter's reaction to the transfiguration on the mountain- "Wow, this is awesome!!! Let's pitch some tents and stay here!" Ok that's not exactly what it says, but you get the point. I can relate to his response, as I too, (and I am sure many fellow team members will say) had that mountain top experience in Jamaica. Mine occurred on Thursday, as our trip was coming to a close. All of our interactions, serving others (and each other at times), feeding hundreds of children, painting nails at the infirmary, and enduring the conditions we found ourselves in, came to a head in a single moment...singing I Speak Jesus, with Renae and her mom, inside their new home. It was the epitome of a God moment. Work came to a halt, and time seemed to stand still as we all began to sing along. Tears were shed as our voices joined together with Renae's and her mom, Ruth. To say it was incredibly powerful is an understatement. Unfortunately, the song came to an end, as did our time with the people of Jamaica. Now what!?! Well, as we move on in the readings, we see that Jesus and the disciples came down from the mountain, returned to town and Jesus continued to heal. That is what we are called to do as well. I am to take that mountain top moment, along with all of the other amazing things experienced, and put them into practice here at home, in my everyday life. Most of us who go on mission trips will not go on to be career missionaries. Instead, we return to our homes and jobs and "ordinary" lives, hopefully changed and motivated to put into practice what God and Jamaica taught us last week.
How have you encountered God this week?
Is there a need you can meet within your circle of influence?
How does this become your prayer today?
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