A Trinidad Summary

   Saturday afternoon, we landed at Dulles happy to be safely home, sad to have left Trinidad, tired, and completely satisfied.  God is good!

   Our goal, like our first trip two years ago, was to leave the local ministry, Trinidad and Tobago Urban Ministries (TTUM), stronger than when we arrived.  Only God knows the full impact of our visit, but from our perspective, it was accomplished.  Not only was each visit (2013 and 2015) fruitful, but one built on the other, continuing to build up TTUM and the local town of Kernaham.  It boils down to relationships – with TTUM, the people of Kernaham, our team, family units, and our response as individuals.

   TTUM (including the Faith and Fellowship Bible Church on their compound) relies on the Word of God and has a similar missions perspective to IBC.  They have an active ministry to build believers through bible teaching and hosting retreats and conferences. We were struck by how quickly we became attached to Pastor Bachew and our fellow believers in Trinidad.  Any cultural differences fade to insignificance in the light of our shared love for Christ and those who do not yet know Him.  We traveled to participate in their outreach ministry, which actively plants churches around Trinidad and seeks to build up the communities nearby.  This year, we were blessed to learn upon arrival that we would be serving in the same community as in 2013.

   Kernaham Trace is a special village to us.  TTUM sends a bus every Sunday to pick up villagers for church.  Clearly God has been continuing to work in Kernaham since our 2013 trip and our timing to return was completely in His hands!  We almost doubled the number of kids in bible club Mon – Thu mornings (over 70 total) and saw almost a dozen people make commitments to Christ by the end of the week, which included three evening evangelical tent meetings.  We saw children from our last visit who are hungry for God.  We are confident in TTUM’s long term commitment to the village through the prayers, personal interaction, and of course their weekly bus!

   Our Team Trinidad was particularly special, with about half the team returning from 2013. We brought 33 people, ages 8 to 64, families and singles, musicians, dancers, actors, photographers, a magician, a yoyo-er (I think I made up a new word), and a backwards speller—from a variety of backgrounds!  With such a diverse group, the team worked seamlessly, providing music, testimonies, skits, and other talents to share the gospel in Kernaham as well as in two orphanages, a boys home, and an elderly home.  This year, we added a group that also provided construction help around the compound.  Our kids did a lot more than just play with the local kids at bible club.  They worked hard all week, whether sharing the gospel or shoveling concrete.  By the end of the Wed night crusade, the team was pretty tired, so we shifted Thursday’s afternoon schedule to provide options to rest, visit an orphanage, or do construction.  The standard response was, “send me where I’m needed most”—even the kids.  God blessed their faithfulness and no one was too tired for the final crusade Thu night!

   The entire team was wonderful, but of course a few people did some particularly amazing planning and ministry that I (Lisa) can’t help but call out.  Many thanks to Andrea C., who organized the entire bible club and ensured we had 300 bibles to donate to Kernaham and TTUM.  Marsha and Gretchen served on a leadership team to help with planning, team shirts, and organizing special talents.  Ariel did...well...just about anything we needed!  And Clint’s leadership, both strategically and spiritually kept us all focused on God’s tasks. 

   The week was not without some challenges, such as Neal’s late night visit to the Emergency Room and Morgan’s sickness, but both are healthy and were back to ministering quickly!  On the other hand, we did have a chance to visit a beach and had a surprise performance by steel pan artist Isreal.  What a treat to relax with our team—no, our family! 

   On a personal note, I (Lisa) brought Daniel (age 10) again and was particularly blessed to have Dave join us this year as well.  I (Dave) can now understand the impact that the 2013 trip had on Lisa and Daniel – the joy of serving with our IBC family and our TTUM family and the joy of seeing what God is doing is indescribable and leaves us forever changed.   

   While this specific trip is over, I (Dave) don’t really see anything as ending; there is so much to think and pray about moving forward.  How can I bring the boldness that I had for sharing Christ in Trinidad to Virginia?  (Credit to Jim for planting that thought in my mind.)  How can I bring what God did in me to IBC, my family, my work?  How can I continue to help TTUM?  Most of all, how can I bring honor and glory to Christ?    

   Dave and Lisa Hess

Crusades

I was asked to blog about the Crusades that were held Tue, Wed and Thurs night. Things got really busy so I didn’t actually have time until today (Sunday) and I will be honest that the more I thought about the crusades the harder it was to verbalize how incredible they were.  First, we were under a big white double tent. We used this location for VBS as well so we already knew were the fire-ant mounds were. J  The music was loud and fun. This drew people in from the small village of Kernaham.  Setting a time schedule in Trinidad is interesting. It is more of an approximate guess as to when things will start and end but here was my first lesson and reminder. God doesn’t work in our time frame.  I need to slow down and wait on HIM.  The crusades were “scheduled” from 7-9. The praise team from Faith and Fellowship Bible Church lead the worship at the beginning and I wish every person could hear them. It was fantastic. Contemporary music with a Caribbean feel. Our group then was scheduled for a choir piece, skit, testimony and preaching of God’s Word. Again, being a schedule person I was learning all sorts of lessons when piece by piece things were being cut from the plan because we were running out of time. 

Lesson #2 : Things that I think are important aren’t always what God thinks are important. Yes, the skit was fun, the testimony was dynamic and the choir piece was beautiful but God didn’t want to use those at that moment. Instead of becoming discouraged by that, I realized that there is great joy in being prepared for something, being ready and willing even if we are not called on. Serving unconditionally … and that means even if the song gets cut.  I was reminded of Mary and Martha. I have a tendency to get so caught up in the schedule and what needs to be done that I forget to sit at the feet of Christ and just listen. Lives were surrendered to Jesus. Hearts were filled with hope and that is why we came: to share the Gospel with the people of Kernaham. 

It is hard to describe the Crusades but I will never forget them. They have been etched in my mind as a place where in all the busyness I was reminded by God to  “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10
-Leah Raley

Bible Club and Crusade Experiences

Today was day four and the final day of bible club and it was very successful but also very sad.  Friendships we had with the children were the kinds of bonds that would normally take much longer than just four days.  At the end we provided each child a bible along with their crafts and an invitation to the crusades that would occur that night, their faces were priceless. 

In the afternoon the team split into two groups, one group staying to finish construction and one to an orphanage.  When we arrived there were about 15 children that we were able to share the gospel with.  We sang songs with them, had time for special acts, and also had a time to work with them in arts and crafts. 

Lastly, as a whole group we went to the last night of the crusades.  After a few of the local praise and worship songs we got to sing to songs with the kids from bible club.  We also were able to listen to a steel drum and listen to our pastor Clint preach about the healing by Jesus. Over ten people accepted Jesus into their hearts as their Lord and Savior and entered his family, many of which were there at bible club and the other nights of the crusades.  Being the last day of planned ministry in Trinidad it was a blessing from God that we were able to plant so many seeds in the hearts of the people we encountered and I know that God will continue to work in them every day.  

-Haley

Missionary Kids

The first day of bible club showed me that God has been working through the village of Kerniham.  We had 40 kids the first day.  Two years ago we started with about 15-20 children.  Thank you God!-

-Kate

I thought it was neat to be abe to share a hobby that I love,  while sharing the gospel at the same time.

-Ashton

I think it is awesome how Gods love crosses borders, we did a Virginia VBS in Trinidad and the kids loved it just as much in both places.

-Trenton

Serving people isn’t all about me, it isn’t easy but it is important to share the gospel.

-Preston

I enjoy playing and making friends at VBS, I love that we all love the same way.

-Sofia

It has been such a blessing to watch Go solve all problems we’ve encountered, from flight delays to challenging kids.  The way he has worked through fallen people to accomplish his plans is inspiring!  We are more than overcomers through Christ!

-Ashleigh

God told me that people’s mistakes don’t mess his plan. Even though I knew it, he showed me again we are not here for us.  We are here to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.  Over all it was a pretty good day.

-Natalie

God’s work has allowed me to connect with kids, playing games at IBS. Thus revealing  their personalities and likes. I have had a good time this week. I enjoyed reaching out to kids and spreading the Word.  Still trying to play Indian Bush tag.

-Tyree

I feel like we made progress in VBS.  I’m happy that the kids are learning about Jesus.  I’m learning from the wise man skit to live for Jesus.

-Daniel

It’s been really awesome to see how God has been working in our team and through our team this week.  The power of God has to accomplish his will despite what we might see as mistakes or problems is truly amazing.  I can’t wait to see what else the Lord has in store for this team.

-Caitlyn

God has allowed me to make connections & friendship from all ages while learning and growing in his word. It’s amazing to see how much the kids in VBS know & learn. This trip has been wonderful experience.

-Tiya

First Day of Bible Club

Day 3- We successfully completed the first day of Bible Club.  40 kids showed up and we told them the story of creation through games, crafts, skits and a bible lesson.  We are hosting the bible club in the village of Kernaham, the same place as we did two years ago. Some of the children attended then and have come back eager to learn more.

I love seeing how God can take our months of planning and make something wonderful happen.  We may never know the outcome of these children’s lives, but we are planting the seed and trusting that God will cultivate it.  I am eager to see more of how God will work through us the rest of the week.

-Ariel Walker

Reaching Out To The Village of Kernaham Trace

Sunday August 2, 2015

Day Two-  Team Trinidad split into two groups to visit homes in the neighborhood of Kernaham to invite families to the Vacation Bible School starting the next morning at 930 and the Crusades events starting on Tuesday evening.  This was the first experience for many walking in groups, singing with guitar and calling out to each home “Hello and Good Day!”  With the help of a couple of local people we were able to meet parents and children of most every house that we visited.  We certainly would not expect to be greeted with such warmness and curiosity if we walked the streets back home calling out to each house!

Team Trinidad praises with "To Our God" through dance and song at the Sunday evening community service at TTUM.

On Sunday evening we worshiped with the local church community at their weekly service, praising God as a choir with two songs that we had prepared for many weeks to share with the local church.  Pastor Clint provided a message about becoming one new man in Christ, a message that really linked our American and Trinidadian cultures to remind us that we are all in one temple in Christ.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

Day One-  Team Trinidad successfully arrived in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago this afternoon with many details that God worked out for a smooth and safe trip.

Before we started our journey to Trinidad, I could hardly imagine a group of 33 team members of various ages and travel experiences smoothly traveling together to a small Caribbean island.  We thank God for his guidance in providing the leadership of Pastor Clint Shondelmyer and Lisa Hess, coordinating each detail and bringing us all together.

The first challenge occurred after we had checked in our 52 bags of personal items and ministry supplies by 430am at Dulles airport.  We were told that due to a “scheduling error” by American Airlines, the First Officer had not arrived and would cause the flight to be one hour late for departure.  We wondered how all team members would quickly cross the terminal in Miami to make our connecting flight that we would be late for when we arrived and how all 54 of our bags would be transported in time to make the flight. 

The team beams of happiness after finally arriving in Trinidad and Tobago, en route to the TTUM compound.

Through God’s blessing our Miami arrival gate was moved to be right next to our transfer gate to allow quick boarding of the flight.  We arrived in Trinidad only 30 minutes late and amazingly with each and every bag.  A great blessing since not all bags arrived in time on the previous Trinidad trip.

With over 2,500 pounds of bags loaded on a flat bed and each team member packed into one small bus we settled into our new home for the week at the TTUM compound.

I was inspired by each of the kids traveling in the group that showed so much excitement and energy for each stretch of the journey, with most only having a few hours of sleep the previous night.

That evening we rehearsed our praise hymns for the next day and made final changes to the dance routine. 

We pray that our song and dance worship would be pleasing in God’s eyes and that he would inspire many to hear his word and seek him. 

-Corey Henderson

Three days to go!

Wow! So excited to be heading to Trinidad in just 3 days with 32 special friends, 300 bibles, 6 large suitcases of bible club activities, and full hearts, ready to share the Good News of Jesus!  For those following the blog from home, we plan to have daily updates and you may sign up to get email notifications when we post.  In the meantime, we have a special request from you...PRAYER!  We know our heavenly Father hears and responds to the supplications of His people.  Bring it!

Please pray for preparation and presentation of the music, skits, dance, and testimonies; that God would prepare hearts and change the lives of people we meet; and unity with each other and the local ministry.