Life

On spring break from her school district, Tamara has made it an annual tradition to come to Jamaica for a week. It was a blessing to have her here and am thankful for the short time we had!

Tamara and Renice (Matt sponsors her)

Enjoying a relaxing day at YS falls 

Last time we were all there, Matt was there too, so this is a tribute to missing him!

There are lots of things I love about T and having her as a sister-in-law, one of which is that she's a great basketball player and loves to jump in on the action.

During my second summer of interning in Jamaica, back in '07, I met my first Rittman/Smithville team. It was an incredible group and an even more amazing week, one that as I look back was a defining moment in my life. I saw the Holy Spirit convicting many, many souls just as I had experienced His work in my heart 3 years before. Although I had witnessed God working all throughout my life, never had I experienced anything like that week. Through being confronted with questions and confusion that I had never experienced before and in moments of weak and broken despair, I witnessed the faithful provision of God come through boldly and triumphantly, and as I reflect, this was a pivotal moment in my walk. Memory is a bit fuzzy but I think there were a few that "the Lord added to the number which were saved" (Acts 2:47) during that week, and then a few more within the first few days that they landed back in the States. Over the next year or two quite a few more came to faith in Jesus Christ, but there were those special few who had not yet surrendered. Some relationships come and go, and others seem to stick, regardless if you keep in touch on a regular basis or whether its just a couple times a year. Julie Lanz and Dan Kipfer are two of those divine relationships God has blessed me with, and I've seen many ups and downs and times of spinning their wheels, but in the last two weeks I have received messages from each of them proclaiming their faith in Jesus Christ and salvation through His propitiation...wow! But not only them, I have received and heard news of several others (from the '09 trip) in the last few weeks and months surrendering to the the cross! What an incredibly indescribable event! Though we see it time and time again, a sinner coming to repentance and faith in Jesus is just as joyful and unfathomable each and every time. My heart never gets tired of seeing God at work, and sometimes it just takes a little longer, reminding us to be patient and never give up, always praying and giving thanks (1 Thes 5:16-18)!! Matthew 21:44 And the one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.

Snowboarding, what a way to bond with friends!

So that was my first team, back in 07. But then there is the 2009 Rittman / Smithville team. Yet another awesome group of kids, many who didn't know Jesus, and I was blessed to once again see God work in so many of their hearts. In the last several weeks and months, more have surrendered to the Lord!

Matt and I riding on Kirk's strong back! So thankful for his heart.

Wow, God is good. Now for a few thoughts. Is it Jamaica itself that makes this change in hearts and minds? Absolutely not! Is it the interaction they have with the Deaf that opens their minds? No. Is it the amazing scenery and beautiful landscape? I don't think so. None of these things, in and of themselves, are able to take a soul from the pit of miry clay and set their feet upon a solid Rock. Sure, its a fresh perspective. When we are simply living day to day, we become soft. And so many appear to need a change in surrounding in order to recognize a personal need for change of heart. But recognition of the need to change does not guarantee a change. We need the Holy Spirit. We need the Gospel of Jesus Christ to pierce our hearts and minds, just as a two-edged sword pierces our flesh and bones (Heb 4:12). We need Him. Not just those who have not surrendered. We all need Him. Daily. David prayed in Psalm 119, Search me, o God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Perhaps you need a change in surrounding to recognize a change you need in your heart. Maybe its spring time in the midwest and the change in color brings new life to your heart and soul. Maybe there are changes in your family or job. Change is good, if we let it have its perfect work. We all simply need a recognition, today, that we need to be changing. Some promptly heed this recognition and go to the throne of grace and mercy to find help. Others wait a year or two or three or four or more. What will you do? Ask, Seek, Knock. Our Father desire to give you good things, maybe not the material things you once desired, but something deeper, something that the gates of Hell cannot stand against! Only you can know for yourself, and its only through Him that you can truly find it!

Praise God for His grace and loving kindness!