Adventures WorldRace SethBarnes Sponsorship Giving

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Wow.

I love Jesus. SO much.

Scott Pitts is the coach of our World Race K squad along with his beautiful wife, Carol. I have known them the past three years as I’ve worked with AIM and the World Race. One of the best parts of knowing someone over time is having the privilege to witness growth in their life and the passions they have getting deeper.

 
 

Over the last twenty years Scott and Carol (better known to us as Pappy and Mama C) have visited Jamaica numerous times. So much so that they’ve started Beacon Missions International to help serve and love the Jamaican people more effectively.

 

This past week Beacon hosted its first team. And I got to tag along for the ride!

Twenty-two high school seniors from Westminster Christian Academy in Athens, Georgia, along with four adults, joined Scott and me for a fabulous week of ministry. I helped Scott…I mean, Pappy lead this group of young adults throughout Jamaica into various situations allowing for God’s truth and love to pour out.

 
 

I was impressed. First by the hearts and humility of the students. This was the first group I have ever worked with that willingly preferred others before themselves. They never complained. Even in uncomfortable situations like the ones we met when we visited the poor house, every student embraced the opportunities God was providing. Second by God’s mighty role in our everyday. Yea, even I was reminded that the God of a mission trip is the same God that loves and leads us all in our everyday. God showed up in conversations, prayers, strangers, meal times, and laughter. In His ways. Not mine.

Lemme share two stories:

>>The first full day the kids serves at feeding centers before being asked to walk the streets inviting people to a concert later that night. Great day. That evening we prepared for the concert by setting up and mingling in the crowds. The concert was a combination of music groups and preachers – both American and Jamaican. Shortly before the first band got on stage Pappy got a hold of me. He asked me to get two girls willing to pray healing for a man he had met. Excited, I quickly asked Brittany and Ellen, two ladies with huge faith. We then we introduced to Mr. Shaw, an older man with a large fist-sized tumor on the back of his neck. We prayed and prayed. We prayed some more. I moved over to allow Ellen to sit next to Mr. Shaw along with Brittany. We prayed some more. The girls began to weep and I looked up to see Pappy’s grin matched mine. After almost an hour we all stood up. His tumor didn’t change but he was blessed. My heart raced hearing Brittany declare, “I know God’s going to heal him!” Hearing the faith of young people is the best part of my “job.” The next day Pappy got a call from Mr. Shaw. He handed the phone to Brittany. Mr. Shaw shared with them that he no longer had to go to the hospital later that week to have the tumor removed – a surgery he couldn’t afford anyway. THE TUMOR WAS GONE!! Rejoice!

>>The last full day was spent on the beach. Yea, I know – rough life. The students got to relax a bit as well as clean up the beach. The end of the day came to a close with great fellowship and a bonfire on the shore. Waves were crashing, the stars were out. It seemed like the perfect ending to the week for the kids. About 7 I noticed a Jamaican man had made his way to our group. He was talking with Pappy and some of the school’s chaperons. Nothing new. Pappy’s always talking with someone. At 8 the group of men were praying together. “OK,” I thought, “that’s cool.” By 9 Pappy brought this man to the center of the crowd and called everyone over to listen. This man, Lenke, had come over to us being drawn by the bonfire and loads of teenagers…potential customers. Lenke sold drugs and had a bag of weed and ecstasy hoping to sell to us. Throughout the conversations with Pappy and other guys though, Lenke made a decision to come to the Lord that night! When we all heard of our new brother’s decision we cheered. We applauded as he threw the bag of drugs into the fire. (Then the police came, but that was just a coincidence. They were just checking out the beach. And we were all OK.) Lenke shared a bit more of his story with us before Pappy took him into the water to be baptized. Having the students be a part of this man’s new faith meant so much to all of us. As Lenke came back to the shore they all sang a Jamaica praise song – “Born, born, born again. Thank God I’m born again!” Then without directions from the adults all the students gathered to embrace and pray over this new believer. SERIOUSLY? Ha, God is so good. We could go home now.
 
 

Thank you SO much to all you who prayed for us! Thank you for your continued faith in the Lord and in me. I am still working with AIM as an “off the field” squad leader. We have two more opportunities to meet up with and encourage our teams.  If you would like to join me in continued prayer and financial support – click the “Support Me!” link to the left.