Surprised

Was at mountain movers yesterday. During her presentation, Sis. Page singled me out, prayed for me a lot, then anointed me with oil! She even gave me pocket money, the exact amount I had given away an hour earlier! Isn't God good? Anyway, I was a bit stunned but receptive. Still think I am a bit too restrained coincerning God though but I am opening up. Trying to lead a consecrated life now. I realized Monday that it is possible for a christian to go through life NOT sinning. It's really possible guys!!! It feels so weird not confessing any KNOWN sins. But I am grateful that I am moving up. Still have a problem with speaking in tongues though but Sis. Charvis was saying that maybe I misinterpreted Paul's writings so I'll be going back to scriptures to confirm or deny my beliefs. This is what christians should do anyway but most of us are too lazy to read the Bible for ourselves. Hope this changes soon. Hope I get a new job soon. I'm getting stir-crazy. Later.

Time is near

We have youth meeting next week thursday. Hope my team can pull it off. I'm praying them up. Fasted today. Hope they did too. Still frustrated with the lazy minds they have. Guess God will deal with that part.We have rehearsals saturday. We'll see how far we've gone.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

Today was a good day for my group. Half of the choir are in my cell group and as such, the choir's success is the group's success. Shana sang lead. They came off a bit dry spiritually but then again who says i am an expert listener to choirs? We met to discuss the youth meeting activities. Kim acted like an airhead today but she's young so I ignored it. Hope they gel together for practice next class. On the other hand, my mother & I had a big blowout this morning. Guess it won't end. Trying to get used to her outbursts but still can't understand. I'll pray for my sanity (and hers) plus insight on how to deal with the situation in God's way. later.

Tragedy

One of my little girl's close friedns just got murdered couple hours ago. She seems to be calm but I am almost certain that she is in shock as it happened near to where she was. Another crisis to deal with. I notified the rest of the class and i hope they'll do me proud & rally around her. Please pray for her if you are a christian and wish her well if you aren't. Later.

Time with Troy

We spoke last night. He was expressing his frustration with His spiritual life and the pace at which it was going. It was a good sign to me in the sense that he was not content with complacency and that is one of the main things killing God's church. The problem though is that his solution is to take a break from God and church stuff. That's a dangerous thing. I hope he comes around soon. I made a mental note to visit him more due to certain comments he made. Plus his mother wants to speak to me. Oh well. The job of a youth leader is never done. I love these guys a lot though. They're just so frustrating! Later. Gonna take some tablets now (for the cuts) then do my devotion.

Injection

I got an injection for tetanus. I was told it was gonna be my butt but I got it in my arm. What a relief! It wasn't so bad but I still screamed. Next time I'll be a man about it (scream harder). Oh well, at least I won't worry about infection just the niggling pain. Another day in the life of God's child. later.

Attacked by a Dog

It was weird. For the first minute, I actually assumed it was joking. Then I felt the teeth. Rosheda & I ended up getting in a three way tug-of-war with the dog. Ronica was screaming so hard, people in Cuba probably could've heard her! Needless to say, we won the war (go humans!). I have a lot of cuts from the bites (last count was 13) but at least I am alive. Going to hospital now as I might be infected. By the way, the alcohol hurt more than the bites! go figure. Anyway, when I return, I might say more. later.

Another casualty

I lost another one yesterday. She was hopelessly caught in a web of deceit of her own making. I hate liars but it is even more annoying when it's amateurish. It seems though that she is lying to everyone about her activities and now she has compromised my group's integrity. I am now so frustrated with teenagers. How are they so self-destructive? Don't they see that when they act narrow-minded & selfishly that they end up hurting themselves more than other people? I am worried about her but she has made the choice to live her life contradictory to God's principles so I won't fight anymore. I hope she comes to her senses before Mr. Bleach-face gets her pregnant. I really hope. later.

Weekend? What weekend?

I got no rest. the saying goes " no rest for the wicked." If that's the case, I'm very wicked then! Anyway, I had class at Ronica's house. We discussed date rape, bible chapters & how to communicate properly. I actually fed them this time. They probably still can't believe it. There were some arguments that I am still trying to quell but overall it was a good day.
Sunday, I went to church only to hear how my kids were alleged to be discussing another girl in class. Nothing could be further from the truth! So I had to set the matter straight and it shows the wisdom in the Bible. Truth will set u free. It was resolved (though not amicably) and I hope to not have to deal with it again. I met Sashane again. It's been a while. hope to have her at meetings now. Had a ball last night. Watched some old church drama productions & an "Oliver" special. Hilarious! I definitely enjoyed spending time with Nicole. She's actually looking better every day. Hope it continues... Anyway, later.

Class

In class today, we discussed date rape. the causes , the hints of an attacker, certain myths & misconceptions and how to protect yourself. I hope the girls will understand how serious it is and that each of the boys will resolve not to be a perpetrator. fed them this time. first in a long while. bread & corned beef with fruit punch. they can't complain. met one of my original set of students. she's interested in returning. we'll see.2 of my girls are still not on speaking terms, 2 other girls are going through spiritual crises, nd 1 of the boys wants to take a break from God. Just another day at work. later.

Part of our community road sank. It was quickly cleared though.

Looting

How can you think of robbing people in the midst of a category 4 hurricane? are you that depraved? I am so embarassed by my countrymen! I know there are both good & bad in every community but this was disgusting. Policemen had to be risking their lkives in gunbattles IN THE MIDDLE OF A HURRICANE? That was horrendous! God, sometimes I wish you worked faster . But then again, who am I to talk? Lord, i pray that property will be protected as this is too big a blot on Jamaica for it to stay permanently. will continue this rant later.

Just some of the destruction wrought by the storm. But at least property can be replaced. Lives can never be.

This was part of the river's tributary. It was getting dangerously close to the apartments on the right. It receded eventually though.

Driving through looking for calling cards! Scarce commodity. River was rising here.

On my main road out of town. This WAS a billboard.

This was my backyard. My juneplum tree survived though!

I survived Hurricane Ivan!

Well I can't believe it! Jamaica went through the hurricane with nary a scratch! God is so good & powerful! I thought it would've been worse. I really believe in the power of prayer! Did you guys notice that the eye didn't come ashore even when forecasters predicted a direct hit? Did you guys notice that the HIGHEST winds didn't make it to land? Did you guys notice that even though the storm was HUGE, that the entire island wasn't affected at once? Who else but God? I love you , Lord! Naysayers will say that it was luck/coincidence but, as a christian, I don't believe in luck and that was a bit TOO MUCH coincidence. I'll choose to believe that it was God's sovereign mercy. I love you, Lord for not punishing us as our sins deserve. later guys. Soon post pics of my neighbourhood.

Interesting Rule

I was reading a blog by a seemingly fun chinese girl where she referred to a rule stating that if a guy doesn't propose to a girl after 2 years of dating, he will NEVER propose. Is that true? I wonder. I've been with Nicole for 3 years but I proposed a long time ago so I can't use myself as an example. Help!!! By the way, my friend's site is so weird but that's him. if u curious about what I call weird look at his site. Later.

Kidz growing up.

Four more of my kids are going for membership saturday. I am so proud of them. That would bring the number to 7. That's nearly half of the group. I want all of them to be as that would make them feel they have more at stake in church and (hopefully) make them want to be more active in church. Will be praying for them as I feel these guys will turn my church around if they really want to make the effort.

And so Ivan begins...

The rains are starting now. I've preapred as much as I can for the hurricane and I feel confident in my God. If He chooses to destroy everything ( I hope He doesn't) , I'll still trust in Him anyway. I just hope that the country can manage it and we won't become like Grenada. All my kids are ok. Hope that is the same on saturday. I parked as best as I can. Hope the winds aren't as strong as on the sea. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him. I believe that. Just want this hurricane to get it on. Ivan...bring it on!!!

Just giving a shout out

I just wanna say thanks to redkippersandals & fungus mungus for linking to my blog. i would do the same but I still don't know how. (embarassing yes I know.) Thanks. i hope you guys will take my blog seriously.

Hurricane!

Hurricane Ivan is on its way. getting ready for it. Even though we, as christians, can pray, i also believe we should prepare IN ADDITION TO praying. So I'm busy storing water and preparig my stuff for any eventuality.It's a good thing I live on a piece of highland but still anything can go since I've got a gully behind me. But "the angel of the lord encamps around those who fear Him" so I'm not worried. Will keep you guys posted on the situation. If you don't hear from me, that means electricity is gone so whenever it returns, I'll be back (God's willing). later.

This is Nicole my fiancée. I love her even tho she's a monster in shopping malls (especially clothes stores!)

Do u REALLY trust in God?

Seriously, a lot of christians claim the faith but still fear men over God. what's the point? u go to church, praise God, claim He can do EVERYTHING but the minute u step outside the church, u r just like everyone else and acting like God isn't relevant? y bother? just backslide. u obviously wasting your time. just my opinion. maybe it's too drastic but I don't see the point in committing to God without being prepared to trust Him fully. I sin everyday (some days more than others) but I firmly believe that God is able to use me for His purposes as long as I acknowledge to Him the sins He knows I did already. that's my belief and I am grateful to Him for that. but y say He can protect u in church, then as u go outside, u hurry home cuz u r afraid of gunmen? hypocrisy? or ignorance? He says "perfect love casts out fear." He is perfect love. how can fear reside where He is? doesn't make sense to me. but the who says I know a lot? just my overdue rant. later.

Social was fun

We started about 4. didn't go home till after 10. we spoke about ourselves. we teased each other. got curious about people's personal lives (at times too curious), ate discussed dating, and had a modelling contest. it was great. i laughed so many times, my sides hurt. everyone came. we ate cake and drank the indigenous juices (not red stripe!!!!) . I'm already planning the next one. bigger and better. later.

We had a great time tonight. everyone came. interesting night but very tiring.

Interesting class

I recently instituted exercise as part of class with my teens as part of my aim to improve physical fitness in the class. hope it works. seems to b working as they r now doing sit-ups and push-ups in the class. i now have at least 14 persons per class. they r finally gelling and i m getting relaxed with them.