Category: From the Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 12, 2015

Dearest Friends,

Halfway through my sermon a few weeks ago an eight-year old boy walked by the Churches open door (we keep it open to help with ventilation) then walked by again a few moments later and stopped to wave at me.  I couldn’t help but smile mid-sermon because I knew him very well.

James (not his real name) lives near the Church and loves to come by the house with his two sisters asking for a glass of cold water along with a Bible story.  James likes to hear about King David (I’ve told him about David three times) while his sister Jessica who is eleven  (not her real name) prefers Noah’s flood, and his oldest sister Allison (not her real name) enjoys hearing how Jesus would crush the head of Satan 🙂

When they came to visit last Monday I asked James if he had waved at me during my sermon, and encouraged him to come to the Church services with his sisters.  Knowing it doesn’t help to push a person in this situation I simply invited them to come visit, and prayed the Lord would do the rest.

After Sunday School finished yesterday morning I went downstairs to where we have a children’s program and there was James and his sister Jessica who greeted me excitedly.  During the morning the service they happily sang hymns, colored in their prodigal son coloring sheet, and listened as I preached on the need to love others.

They came back for the evening service…and brought Allison with them.

While there is a great spiritual need in all of their lives the Lord has given me a special burden for Jessica, who seems truly hungry to learn the Word of God.  She came yesterday morning wearing a gorgeous white dress (the first time I’ve ever seen her wear one) and unlike her brother who spent most of the sermon coloring, watched me intently as I preached.  I truly believe that she is close to understanding and accepting the Gospel.  Pray that they will all continue coming, and understand their need of Christ.

And for me pray that I can continue building Gospel bridges into the lives of Barrouaille’s people.  At least once a day while sitting on the porch (often doing sermon prep) I will hear James shouting “Mr. John!” as he walks by the house…usually followed by a greeting, or request for water and a Bible story.  May God give me many other friends who will call out my name as they walk by the house, and use those friendships for the Gospel.

In Christ,

John Wilburn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since I am a missionary every once in a while people will tell me things like “wow thanks for making such a sacrifice, I could never do something like that!”  My response is usually to just smile and thank them for the compliment, but the truth of the matter is, missions isn’t really that much of a sacrifice

You just have to learn to live without lucky charms

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Of course there are some huge challenges to missions work like adapting to the culture, or  dealing with homesickness (particularly in the first-term) and Satan will definitely attack those serving on the front-lines of spiritual warfare.  But we (missionaries included) sometimes have the idea that missions means sacrificing everything that makes us happy…and that just isn’t true.

Now that doesn’t mean sacrifices won’t be made when you’re a missionary, it’s just the kind you can live with.

For instance I have everything needed for a comfortable life in Barrouaille

• A house with working appliances
• A vehicle
• Plenty of food and water to drink
• Friends who help me
• Internet and tools (laptop, phone) to keep in touch with people
• And a ministry to become involved with

In turn I’ve sacrificed that made my life “comfortable”

• Hundreds of high-definition cable channels
• Wal-mart and other large stores where you can buy anything
• Junk food 🙂
• Fast food restaurants (though there is one KFC and Subway in St. Vincent)
• Air-conditioning (I have fans, and spend most of the day on the porch)
• Movie theatres or redbox
• and Amazon.com (sadly free two-day shipping doesn’t include St. Vincent)

I was reminded of this truth after finding a box of my favorite cereal Lucky Charms at the local grocery store this morning.  Part of me was actually tempted to buy it until I noticed the price

it was $23.65!

To be fair that is in East Caribbean dollars so in American that would come out to about twelve-bucks which was still too expensive!

In a way missions on the island and being a missionary in general has taught me you must learn to live without lucky charms (the things in your life that aren’t necessary) most of the time.

Now before you go feeling sorry for me and my pitiful life without lucky charms and $5 matinée movie tickets please don’t.  Because my time in missions has taught me you can actually have a happy, comfortable life without them.

Do I sometimes wish there was a Wal-Mart down the street?  Yes

Are there mornings I miss my venti Starbucks coffee? Sure

Is Saturday different because I can’t watch college football all afternoon?  Yep

But do I NEED any of those things?  Absolutely not

What I’ve learned is living without lucky charms is a blessing

• The really interesting thing about being on the island is it shows me just how many things in life I can actually do without
• The money saved from not buying those items frees up funds that can be used to disciple Believers, and reach Barrouaille for Christ
• It creates an evaluation of my daily life (is this something I need or a luxury?)
• And when luxuries are experienced, it gives a greater appreciation for them.  For instance I am rewarding myself for a week of hard work today with a $10 two-liter of coke 🙂

The greatest thing about living without these things is it shows you don’t need them to be happy.

Think about it, how many people in America right now are surrounded by every convenience in the world, but at the same time miserable?  The reason is those things that make us comfortable become our source of happiness, and sometimes in order to make us realize that God takes them away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday I did something that to be honest I’ve been putting off for weeks, but is crucial to not only ministry, but a healthy life on the island.  I started spending 90% of my day on the front porch.  A transition that involved cushions for a plastic chair, moving an end table outside, and lots of extension cords 🙂

The reason I fought this is sermon research in the pastor’s study with lots of desk space or the kitchen with a large table was much more comfortable than doing it with a computer in my lap or on the “secondary desk” (a small wall running along the porch) while sitting in a plastic chair.

Finally though lack of proper ventilation and air-conditioning (along with the fact that I’m too cheap to run fans all day) forced me to create a makeshift office on the porch….and I’m never going back.

The funny thing is if I list the reasons why spending most of my time on the porch, keeping cool would probably be number six or seven at this point.  While that may be what caused the switch, what keeps me here is living on the porch fits with Barrouaille.

Few things describe the town of Barrouaille as well as the front porch.  For me it’s like the town of Mayberry from “Andy Griffith” with an island twist.

1. Everyone knows everybody by name
2. You walk everywhere (very few people drive)
3. It would take roughly thirty minutes to walk through all of the streets in Barrouaille
4. And everywhere you turn there are people gathered together talking about the latest news

Though it’s definitely a long ways from North Carolina, in many ways Barrouaille reminds me of country towns, and makes me want to “sit a spell.” Adding to this country feel most of these gatherings will take place on a front porch.

When you get right down to it my choice of spending time inside or outside was a decision between efficiency and connection.  There’s no doubt that I am able to work more efficiently (or effectively) in a quiet room than on the front porch surrounded by noises and interruptions.  But what if those interruptions are actually ministry opportunities?

Yesterday at about 4:00 in the afternoon I was trying desperately to think about how to conclude a devotional on James 2:1 (still haven’t figured out the right ending!) when a boy and girl from the neighborhood came by to ask for a glass of water….and popcorn once they realized I was eating some.

My mind was definitely in writing-mode at that point so there was a little bit of frustration about the interruption, but I quickly repented of it.  Putting the computer away I brought out glasses and a bowl of popcorn for them as they tried to decide which Bible stories they would hear with their snack.

I ended up telling them a story about King David (a second time)

How God created the world

And the bronze serpent (a second time)

The last story was a true blessing because it allowed me to explain to these children how Jesus Christ died on the earth for their sins.  Why Mr. John and nobody else was perfect (never done anything wrong), so Jesus had to come and die because He was perfect, and how they could accept Christ as their Savior.

If I had stayed in writing-mode for an hour chances are I could have come up with a nice ending for the devotional on James chapter two, but I would have lost the opportunity to share the Gospel with two children.

I am spending most of they day working on the porch because it welcomes (and even attracts sometimes) the interruptions that become Gospel sharing opportunities.  No I may not get everything checked off my to-do list but that’s okay, the truly important things are still accomplished.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Thursday morning I walked to an elementary school in Barrouaille (it’s just over the hill) and spoke to the principal about ministering to the children there.  Our meeting was very successful so I’m going to start helping out two days a week starting tomorrow or next Wednesday!

The truth is I am already pretty busy with afternoon Bible clubs, leadership of the Church, speaking four times a week, and one on one discipleship studies.  But I also knew that part of Missions is ministering to a cultures deeper need…and many times it’s chaos

The word “chaos” can definitely be used to explain the Elementary School in town, though that isn’t their fault.  A combination of small facilities, large amounts of children, and little help has resulted in overcrowded classrooms.  It shouldn’t be surprising that they have a hard time keeping classes under control because all it takes is one child touching another, and it goes downhill from there 🙂

The fact that this school needs volunteers who will help by giving special attention to students who may not understand the material, or become “crowd control” is obvious.  However as I prepare myself to step into this very needy situation I have to keep reminding myself of one thing.

It’s not my job to fix the chaos…but to be a light in the midst of the chaos

In other words my goal is to be testimony for Jesus Christ amidst that chaos so that students or teachers can see a difference in my life.  That difference will eventually give me an opportunity to share Christ, or invite them to Tabernacle Baptist Church.  Of course I am there to help teachers and students, but mostly by responding to the chaos in a way that’s radically different from their own.

Though I know this is the right thing, part of me wants to “fix the chaos” so that those children are well-behaved, and listen to their teacher.  This probably comes from my being male (men love to fix things) but in a deeper sense comes from an understanding that children should obey their teacher..

The thing is that isn’t bad…in fact in my humble opinion this elementary school in Barrouaille needs more than a few people whose goal is to bring those large groups of children under control.

But I can’t be one of those people,

Because my goal isn’t to create a calm classroom, it’s to lead souls to Christ

And in the end that’s a much better goal

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Yes it would be awesome to have classes full of students who followed Mr. John’s rules (sit up, look up, hand up, zip up) quietly but the truth is that won’t take away the chaos.  Instead it will just be removed or controlled temporarily for a short-time.  The real chaos comes from a sin-nature that takes advantage of an overfilled classroom, and lack of help.  And no amount of Mr. John’s rules or discipline will take that away

So instead of trying to fix the chaos I bring the Gospel into it

1. By showing love and patience instead of anger or frustration
2. Developing relationships with them
3. Becoming a Godly role model for them
4. Creating outreaches and weekly programs at the Church centered around children’s work, and inviting students to visit
5. And if possible begin a mentoring relationship with boys who may need special help

This kind ministry (inviting kids to Church and giving personalized help) isn’t glamorous or something that will bring overnight results.  But in the long run it will make a deep impact upon the culture as children are won to the Lord and go through discipleship.

About five-minutes from my house is an elementary school that could easily be defined by the word “chaos” and I thank God for the opportunity to bring the Gospel into it.

October 5, 2015

Dearest Friends,

Well it’s almost been a month since I returned to the island (amazing how fast time goes by) and the Lord is helping me make a transition from relationship development to ministry.  Its obviously very exciting to see God open up new doors to share the Gospel, but at the same time I definitely need prayer, and wisdom in what steps to take.  This week I’m sharing some of these new island ministry opportunities so that you can rejoice with me, and know how to pray better.

Afternoon Bible Story Time:  What began as letting two boys play with my iPad for five minutes so I could share a Bible story with them sort of took off last week.  On Thursday I had ten children (only the first four get iPad time) crammed onto my front porch listening to a story about Adam and Eve being cast out of the garden, and why our sins hurt God.  Having this many children in a small space can be a bit chaotic, so I’m asking the Lord for wisdom in how to deal with such a large group of children, and that they would clearly hear the Gospel.

Discipleship Studies:  This Wednesday I am beginning to go through discipleship studies with a young man from the Church who is struggling quite a bit spiritually.  He’s like a lot of Christians who do the outer things right like going to Church or reading the Bible, but don’t seem to have a close relationship with God.  His agreeing to start meeting with me Wednesday is a praise so I am praying that these Bible studies can help him accept Christ if he hasn’t done so already, and grow closer to the Lord

I also plan to start discipleship studies with another Church member soon who wants to grow in the Lord, but has a hard time reading the Bible like he should.  It’s my desire that our time together will help him develop the habit of a daily time in the Word of God.

School Ministry:  Friday I spoke with the principal of an elementary school just over the hill about the possibility of ministering to the children there.  She’s very interested in this, and I plan to begin volunteering twice a week in a second-grade classroom that desperately needs extra help.  The volunteering is actually a first step in my relationship with the school and I hope in the future to start a weekly Bible club there.  Pray that I can develop relationships with the children who would then come by to hear my Bible stories, and start attending Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Young Peoples Meetings:  Finally last Friday we started again a weekly meeting for young people (young adults or teens) at the Church every week.  This is actually a huge outreach opportunity because there are many teens in Barrouaille who don’t know Christ, and wouldn’t be willing to attend a Sunday Church service.  The young peoples meeting with games, discussion and Bible study, fellowship time on my porch, and refreshments would be a nice first step towards attending services.  I am asking the Lord as I invite every young person I know to bring them to these meetings.

The thing about a place like Barrouaille is there are great needs wherever you turn, and it isn’t possible to meet every one.  Please ask the Lord to give me wisdom and discretion as I seek to understand which door He has truly opened, and walk through them with confidence.

In Christ,

John Wilburn