The World on Wednesday by Jim Smithies, Bethel's Pastor of WORLDReach
It was just about a month ago that twelve of us from Bethel set off for our first of two trips to New Generation Camp in Jamaica. It was a superb and stretching week. The "debriefing" with each person who went has been universally positive while being very honest about the demands of the trip. It was an excellent experience for us, and God allowed us to accomplish a great deal of important work for Nel Blanken, the Director of New Generation Camp.
Here is a prayer that one of the ladies wrote after the 7-day adventure:
Father, I thank You so much for allowing me this experience and for overcoming all of the obstacles that could've prevented my participation in this amazing trip. Thank you for the relationships that were made and deepened throughout this journey. Thank you for the safe-keeping of us all in what turned out to be a more physically-demanding week than any of us expected. Father, please bless Nel, Judith, Mario, Ms. Barbara, Lemon, and all the others who have sacrificed so much so that the Jamaican people may have the opportunity to come to know You through the experience of Christian camping in an environment that shouts out your glory through every inch of its surroundings. Please continue to care for these precious people as well as for the loving staff, faculty, and students at Chester Primary School. I pray that doors of opportunity for ministry will continue to be opened so that these two God-loving facilities may continue to faithfully serve You and bring glory to Your name. Thank you for allowing me the privilege to be a small part of the works You are accomplishing here and I ask, that if it be Your will, that I will be able to return one day.
We are going again from June 28 through July 3 (or 4th). We have space for 12 people. The cost this past trip was $850 plus incidentals…and the cost of the airfare dictates what the actual cost will be.
Last time our ages ranged from late teens to mid-50's – and all did great. Nel has some skilled and non-skilled work she needs done. I am praying for a few folks who are comfortable with carpentry and masonry – how cool would that be if we could finish her Gazebo?!
Contact me if you have questions of any kind: jim@bethelbible.com. More info is coming. I would love you to join me for Jamaica 2!
Comments