Summer updates and moving into Fall

Good day brothers and sisters in Christ,

This summer has been tumultuous for our friends and partners in St. Thomas Jamaica.  As we were preparing for our summer mission trip in late June, early July, hurricane Beryl was beginning to form in the Atlantic. Doc and I were already on the island, preparing for the trip.  As the storm strengthened and its path was centered on Jamaica, we made the difficult decision to cancel the trip Friday evening.  While it was painful to make in the moment, the decision turned out to be the correct one.  Doc and I were able to get off the island prior to the hurricane arriving.

The eye of hurricane Beryl stayed just south of the island, but the wind and rain shut down power and water for significant amounts of time and the roads were greatly damaged.  The flooding was severe in the lower lying areas.  Prior to our departure from Jamaica, we made arrangements with our partners in the local churches to purchase and deliver non-perishable food to those who might be in greatest danger in the coming storm.  

While the storm was devastating, it could have been much worse.  We praise God for his hand of protection over our friends and partners on the island.  Isaiah 6:8 continued to support the communities after the storm by assisting with food, farming assistance and clothing.  

Many of you gave to the special needs school in Lyssons.  We were able to get a couple of bags of the learning aids down.  The summer team was prepped to bring the remainder, but since it was cancel they have not made it to the school yet.  Those that were delivered are being used and greatly appreciated by the teachers and students.  We hope the remaining items will be delivered in the coming month or two.  

Back to school in Jamaica is a time of great stress on families.  Students need books, supplies and uniforms on top of school tuition and meals.  Isaiah 6:8 was happy to partner with local churches in assisting students of greatest need with the necessary tools to get a good start for a new school year.  Additionally, we were able to provide new chairs for a pre-school Isaiah 6:8 built several years ago. 

What's next?  Doc and I are heading back to Jamaica soon.  This will be a trip dedicated to planning for the future.  We are searching for a Jamaican man of God who is willing to work in St. Thomas full time.  We are actively praying for a partner in Jamaica who we can come alongside in support.  We pray this man has a burning desire to reach other men in Jamaica.  We are praying for a resurgence of God and the Holy Spirit in the hearts of Jamaican men and to do so we need a worker for the harvest.  We ask that you pray with us in this regard.  We plan to meet with some churches we have never worked with and those we worked with some time ago to broaden our partnerships and reach in Jamaica.  We hope to use these new or rekindled relationships to further God's work He is doing in Jamaica.   We will also begin planning the VBS 2025 trip.  We hope to nail down the dates and locations on this trip.

In closing, we thank you for your prayers and generosity.  Without it, we could not do what we do.  Please join us in prayer for a full time Jamaican man of God to partner with us in making disciples of the men in St. Thomas.  Pray that God would open doors for our ministry and prepare the hearts and souls of those we will come into contact with.  Pray God's will to be done in St. Thomas.  Thank you all.

​Richard