Equipping Workers for the Harvest

Where do you fit?

This question is asked or stated on numerous occasions. “What’s my purpose? Can I rephrase? Where do I fit?” A puzzle has several pieces and each need to be in the right place in order to have a complete puzzle. We are all God’s gift to the earth, to be fruitful, multiply and replenish, but how? What’s my role? Is it to build and grow my family? Serve in the church? Be an educator? Be a business person? What about media, or arts, entertainment and sports?

Called to teach?

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. ( 1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV). I remember reciting this verse at youth meetings every Friday night. Why? It was our theme verse. The greatest teacher is one who teaches by example. We all are disciplers, intentionally or unintentionally. What legacy do we want to leave?
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. ( Matthew 5: 13 NKJV)
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.
(Mark 9:50 NKJV)
Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? (Luke 14:34 NKJV)

The role of salt in the Bible is relevant to understanding Hebrew society during the Old Testament and New Testament periods. Salt is a necessity of life and was a mineral that was used since ancient times in many cultures as a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a component of ceremonial offerings, and as a unit of exchange. The Bible contains numerous references to salt. In various contexts, it is used metaphorically to signify permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification.

Are we relevant, too salty or tasteless? What’s worth preserving?

NIKO Camp

Youth With A Mission Jamaica hosted our fourth NIKO in April and for the first time running the camp by ourselves without outside help. We had fourteen young people and thirteen staff, mostly young persons. Lessons learned: words of one camper “Jesus will always be in your corner knowing that you will be okay with faith in Him, only Him.” “…..all our faith was tested and boys became men and girls became women.”

ACCESS SUMMER CAMP…..

This year we introduced a new model where the age groups were separated, shorter time, and decrease in age. Week 1 – ages 13 – 18, Week 2 – optional outreach for the teens, camp for ages 8 – 12 and week 3- we introduced another camp called Encounter God’s Presence for age 13 – 18. The mix was good and each week had a different focus. It was rewarding to track transformation of at least two of the campers. Each left camp far different from how they came, something happened in their hearts.

Furlough and Visiting Family

It’s always rewarding to stop and rest, connect with supporters, friends and family and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to do so during my one month furlough time. Thank you for hosting, blessing and making room for me.

YWAM Montego Bay

Teams

Thanks to the teams and volunteers that partnered with Youth With A Mission Jamaica. We had a busy team season. Thanks to those who came and served in our nation Jamaica whether by working on the base, visiting children’s homes. building a home, doing school devotions, going to church, serve with summer camp or more. You helped us long-term missionaries accomplish more. Thanks for being God’s hands and feet.

Homes of Hope


One house was built for a single mom of four children.

Access Camp Outreach

Please pray for the children and teens who came to the camp, that the truths that they have learned at camp will be built upon and bear fruit.

UP-COMING PROGRAMS/ EVENTS

Discipleship Training School (DTS)

Our up-coming DTS is September 17, 2018 – February 16, 2019. This year we are re-introducing Mission’s Bridge September 26 – December 19, 2018.

Outreach

I will be participating in the following up-coming events:
NIKO Camp, Seminar and Caribbean Staff Conference which will be held in the Dominican Republic -April 22 – May 10, 2019. Estimated cost U.S.$1,500

Pray for YWAM Jamaica Staff- our health, finances, protection, wisdom and clarity in decision making, more long-term staff , DTS team: both students and staff.

Fern Forest Camp

It was a pleasure serving at the Fern Forest Eco. Camp in August.

Praise Report

My Brother had a successful surgery in August. That in itself is a miracle. He was given October as the date for surgery, but he was in so much pain. It was what it was. He had to wait, and in the meantime, take pain killers. Out of the blue, the hospital called him to report the following day for admission to do surgery. That was God! He is out of the hospital and recovering well.

Support

All YWAM staff is responsible to raise their own support through financial gifts of friends, family and churches who believe in them and what God has called them to do. My support goal is to raise US$500.00 each month because we live in a community where all of us contribute to the resources we use (utilities included). My support of US$500.00 covers food, housing, grocery, laundry, personal supplies, insurance and medical care. I need to have full time financial and prayer partners who will support me on a monthly basis. Will you prayerfully consider joining my support team for the next two years by giving a monthly or one-time donation of U.S $50, $100, $200 or $300?

May God bless and keep you and your family that you may prosper in all your endeavours.

Ingrid Smith