3.21.2011
Fun in the Son Festival
Saturday's Fun in the Son Festival was the largest attended event in it's nine year history. The crowd there to hear Andrew Palau preach was estimated at 65,000 or higher! They think over the course of the day 100,000 people came and went! Praise the Lord for hearts softened and lives changed. Please pray for the follow up work to be fruitful as well.
Rastafarianism, Gummy Bear and Teen Boys:
Thursday night in Trench Town was a wonderful event. You may have read the story of God moving in the life of Jason, the drug/gang/murderer. Over the last couple years Joy Town Church has tried to make an inroad to the lives of the men who are Rastas. Rastafarianism is a religion that has drugs and violence as part of it. One man, Gummy Bear, has begun to come to church, attend certain activities, but has not yet embraced Christ. This week Gummy Bear shared with Pastor Richard, he was excited to come to the event on Thursday. He wore a Rasta hat with the vibrant colors of red and green and yellow, has dreadlocks, and very much dresses in the typical image of one involved in Rastafarianism.
Gummy Bear watched with great interest the Extreme Athletes as they performed. He then listened attentively to my message of how one can find Peace. At the end of the event, Gummy Bear told Richard that he was excited. Gummy Bear then told him he would come to the Fun in the Sun festival today. He is ever so close to embracing Christ. Please pray for Gummy Bear. As Richard said, “if Gummy Bear comes to Christ, other Rasta men will also then follow.” He said they have been praying for this type of breakthrough in Trench Town – a Rasta stronghold.
As we finished up in the open-air theater, Richard came up to me with a sheet of paper. On the paper were the names of four teenage boys whom he had just spoken with. Each of these teenage boys had just responded to the Gospel. Richard was excited because these boys were just beginning to involve themselves with Rastafarianism. Praise the Lord for the power of the Gospel for Salvation.
Gummy Bear watched with great interest the Extreme Athletes as they performed. He then listened attentively to my message of how one can find Peace. At the end of the event, Gummy Bear told Richard that he was excited. Gummy Bear then told him he would come to the Fun in the Sun festival today. He is ever so close to embracing Christ. Please pray for Gummy Bear. As Richard said, “if Gummy Bear comes to Christ, other Rasta men will also then follow.” He said they have been praying for this type of breakthrough in Trench Town – a Rasta stronghold.
As we finished up in the open-air theater, Richard came up to me with a sheet of paper. On the paper were the names of four teenage boys whom he had just spoken with. Each of these teenage boys had just responded to the Gospel. Richard was excited because these boys were just beginning to involve themselves with Rastafarianism. Praise the Lord for the power of the Gospel for Salvation.
3.17.2011
“I am a Murderer but I now have peace.”
Tonight we went into Trench Town - an area that even up to a year ago, gun shots would be heard throughout the night as gangs, drugs and territorialism ruled the night (and day). We worked with a local church to have two teams disbursed throughout the area. The extreme athletes performed on streets, street corners, and sidewalks. Each of the teams had a mini-portable speaker system in which to play music and announce the event of the evening as well as the Fun in the Son Festival. Small kids were everywhere. Also were older males – already drinking and smoking weed. The fruit of wasted lives on drugs was evident in the community. Poverty, kids without supervision, trash everywhere (compared to other areas) and so on.
Our team went into one busy street and set-up. The guys did skateboard tricks and drew a crowd. Then I began to share my story. Over the past few days praying about this early evening event, I felt the Lord wanted me to speak into on the subject of Peace in this area. One of the names of Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In John 14 Jesus tells us that “peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” This area can only be described as an area that lacks peace and where fear has reigned. So, I shared my story and the storms in life I had faced. I shared my journey to find peace – through women, drugs, crime, and so on. I told them how many of the my friends (even close friends) are now dead (murdered) due to drugs or spent time in prison.
As I was sharing how Jesus made peace between God and Man and between men, one man was walking in our direction – listening intently. As he strolled down the sidewalk, in tattered clothes, thin from drug use, and looking as if he had not bathed in days – he stopped. He and l locked eyes and I knew the Lord was speaking to Him. When I asked who wants peace – he raised his hand (along with many others). He then prayed to the Prince of Peace asking forgiveness and inviting Christ into his life.
After our street event was over, he called me over to him. We sat on the sidewalk and spoke. He told me his name is Jason. He then shared that God had just now given him peace – he felt peaceful inside. Jason then told me a little of his story – he said “your words spoke to me, I am a drug user and dealer. I am also a murderer. Would you please pray with me.” So Jason and I spent time together, speaking of the Lord and praying. I then let the pastor know about him. He knows Jason and will begin to follow him up.
Amazing! If Jason is all that God brought me to Jamaica for – he was worth it. A new life, a redeemed life, a life that now can have meaning and purpose and Peace!
Our team went into one busy street and set-up. The guys did skateboard tricks and drew a crowd. Then I began to share my story. Over the past few days praying about this early evening event, I felt the Lord wanted me to speak into on the subject of Peace in this area. One of the names of Jesus is the Prince of Peace. In John 14 Jesus tells us that “peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” This area can only be described as an area that lacks peace and where fear has reigned. So, I shared my story and the storms in life I had faced. I shared my journey to find peace – through women, drugs, crime, and so on. I told them how many of the my friends (even close friends) are now dead (murdered) due to drugs or spent time in prison.
As I was sharing how Jesus made peace between God and Man and between men, one man was walking in our direction – listening intently. As he strolled down the sidewalk, in tattered clothes, thin from drug use, and looking as if he had not bathed in days – he stopped. He and l locked eyes and I knew the Lord was speaking to Him. When I asked who wants peace – he raised his hand (along with many others). He then prayed to the Prince of Peace asking forgiveness and inviting Christ into his life.
After our street event was over, he called me over to him. We sat on the sidewalk and spoke. He told me his name is Jason. He then shared that God had just now given him peace – he felt peaceful inside. Jason then told me a little of his story – he said “your words spoke to me, I am a drug user and dealer. I am also a murderer. Would you please pray with me.” So Jason and I spent time together, speaking of the Lord and praying. I then let the pastor know about him. He knows Jason and will begin to follow him up.
Amazing! If Jason is all that God brought me to Jamaica for – he was worth it. A new life, a redeemed life, a life that now can have meaning and purpose and Peace!
Jamaica, Day 3
We spoke at two schools today to a total of 550 students. One was an elementary and one a high school. Again, half the younger kids responded and about a third of the high schoolers responded. Amazing! It’s really fun to have these school outreaches with the Extreme Sports Athletes.
The two outreaches to the prisons were canceled due to unrest in the prisons. They are not letting anyone in currently – kind of lock down mode. I am not sure what it is related to but one suspicion has to do with political/gang rivals. Political parties have helped support the gang leaders years ago in order to get neighborhoods to vote (by force). This in time helped the Drug Dons become powerful – leading to a downward spiral. Apparently, a couple months ago, a significant drug/gang “Don” was extradited to the US. It took a year for the extradition to take effect. Some 200 police went in to an area, not far from where I will preach Thursday, and open warfare took place. The gang tried to keep the “Don” from being arrested and started to open fire. Caught in the cross-fire were innocents – about 70 “civilians” were killed. There is a big open hearing right now where the government is looking into the political party involved and their tie with the “Don.” Very Sad! It is significant news here as the investigation/hearings are taking place.
I speak in a school in the morning and then we have the mini-festival in “Trench Town” tomorrow. Pray the Lord brings many to hear the Good News and many will turn to him in repentence, belief, and faith.
The two outreaches to the prisons were canceled due to unrest in the prisons. They are not letting anyone in currently – kind of lock down mode. I am not sure what it is related to but one suspicion has to do with political/gang rivals. Political parties have helped support the gang leaders years ago in order to get neighborhoods to vote (by force). This in time helped the Drug Dons become powerful – leading to a downward spiral. Apparently, a couple months ago, a significant drug/gang “Don” was extradited to the US. It took a year for the extradition to take effect. Some 200 police went in to an area, not far from where I will preach Thursday, and open warfare took place. The gang tried to keep the “Don” from being arrested and started to open fire. Caught in the cross-fire were innocents – about 70 “civilians” were killed. There is a big open hearing right now where the government is looking into the political party involved and their tie with the “Don.” Very Sad! It is significant news here as the investigation/hearings are taking place.
I speak in a school in the morning and then we have the mini-festival in “Trench Town” tomorrow. Pray the Lord brings many to hear the Good News and many will turn to him in repentence, belief, and faith.
3.16.2011
School Counselor moved by Testimony:
Today we went to two schools in an area of Kingston known as “Trench Town.” This area is the heart of the drug, gang, and “murder capital of the world” here in Jamaica. As we drove into the area our host Millicent (national director of CEF)shared that even the drivers for hire tend not to know their way around this part of Kingston due to a fearfulness of the place. Millicent also shared that less than half the kids in this area are in school any given day. They are often neglected and not parented.
Yet, God is moving powerfully to redeem this part of the city. Many NGO’s are now working there and churches have begun church plants. As we arrived at one of the schools, the children were eager to see the pro extreme skateboard guys perform. With ooh’s and ahh’s they watched them skate and do stunts. They were engaged! They then heard, Judd, share a little bit of the Gospel.
When Judd was finished, I was able to share my testimony with these children. Of life lived without God. Of drugs, fighting, and death of friends due to crime. I shared how the Lord can heal their hurts and be family to them. I shared how God took my life and changed it and gave it meaning and purpose. When I finished – half of the kids responded to the Gospel. Wow!
At the end, as we headed back to the van and the kids returned to class, Millicent told me about the school counselor. She said she was very moved by what I shared. She told Millicent that it gave her hope that God does and can change lives. The counselor said she was touched by the Gospel and it’s power – that there is hope!
My team spoke to about 360 kids today and half responded to the Good News of Jesus Christ. I am always amazed at how God brings the children to Himself. The other team has had similar results. Thanks for praying. Keep praying! Tomorrow we will be in four more schools. I will speak in an elementary school and a high school.
Yet, God is moving powerfully to redeem this part of the city. Many NGO’s are now working there and churches have begun church plants. As we arrived at one of the schools, the children were eager to see the pro extreme skateboard guys perform. With ooh’s and ahh’s they watched them skate and do stunts. They were engaged! They then heard, Judd, share a little bit of the Gospel.
When Judd was finished, I was able to share my testimony with these children. Of life lived without God. Of drugs, fighting, and death of friends due to crime. I shared how the Lord can heal their hurts and be family to them. I shared how God took my life and changed it and gave it meaning and purpose. When I finished – half of the kids responded to the Gospel. Wow!
At the end, as we headed back to the van and the kids returned to class, Millicent told me about the school counselor. She said she was very moved by what I shared. She told Millicent that it gave her hope that God does and can change lives. The counselor said she was touched by the Gospel and it’s power – that there is hope!
My team spoke to about 360 kids today and half responded to the Good News of Jesus Christ. I am always amazed at how God brings the children to Himself. The other team has had similar results. Thanks for praying. Keep praying! Tomorrow we will be in four more schools. I will speak in an elementary school and a high school.
Fun in the Son Festival
Sunday I arrived in Kingston, Jamaica for the Fun in the Son Festival with Andrew Palau. The Palau team invited me to join them here when our festival in Liberia, scheduled for March, was canceled. I will speak in schools, possibly a prison, and also have an evening of street evangelism in one of the main gang areas of Kingston. Kingston is known as the murder capital of the world. High unemployment, Columbian drug cartel drugs and money laundering, corruption and poverty have impacted this nation over the past twenty years. Many of the kids see a life of crime – drugs and gangs as a way out. Think of urban areas like L.A. during the 80’s and early 90’s with the negative influence of drugs and gangs.
We will creatively share the gospel in many schools over the course of the week. Part of the creative sharing will be with professional BMX and Skateboard athletes. They will share their testimonies and do stunts/tricks prior to my sharing the Gospel. A national CEF director has opened the doors to the schools and will work with the kids that respond to the Gospel.
Please pray that the Lord draws many hearts to Himself. Pray that God would anoint our words in a powerful way and that the kids see there is a different life they can lead – one of hope and not despair. Pray that the fragrance of Jesus Christ would so powerfully draw the kids away from gang life so they could live transformed lives.
We will creatively share the gospel in many schools over the course of the week. Part of the creative sharing will be with professional BMX and Skateboard athletes. They will share their testimonies and do stunts/tricks prior to my sharing the Gospel. A national CEF director has opened the doors to the schools and will work with the kids that respond to the Gospel.
Please pray that the Lord draws many hearts to Himself. Pray that God would anoint our words in a powerful way and that the kids see there is a different life they can lead – one of hope and not despair. Pray that the fragrance of Jesus Christ would so powerfully draw the kids away from gang life so they could live transformed lives.
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