Dear Family & Friends,
Greetings in the name of our faithful and sovereign savior Jesus Christ. As I reflect in this season of giving, thanksgiving and new beginning, my thoughts go directly to all of you for the tremendous generosity, love and support you have graciously given though your prayers for our team and by giving to our mission. I cannot thank you enough. My hope and prayer is that someday you will know the true impact of your offering. Please know that I haven’t forgotten you and I am excited to share the wonderful work of God and how He used us on the mission. As you read this report, please know I am in the beginning stages of planning for our 4th trip to Jamaica, a trip that will hopefully see the completion of the District Center. Please begin to pray and ask God how you might be involved in our return trip. Now, with that said, here is our story:
After 13 challenging days, we returned home to Ohio (and Pennsylvania) at about 3:00 am Monday June 17, 2013. Many of us had to be back at work in a few short hours, so there wasn’t even a chance to catch one’s breath. Even though exhausted from our time in Jamaica and the 18 hours of travel and layovers, I can assure you I would do it again tomorrow if asked. God’s faithfulness cannot be equaled. Our expectations only begin to reveal a glimpse of the magnificent tapestry of God’s entire plan. Over the last two weeks, God has revealed himself in so many amazing, unique and unexpected ways. After all Isaiah 55:8-11 says:
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire & achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
God is above all. He knows things we can never imagine, He does things we could never expect, and He allows things that we don’t understand. I am grateful for the ways God brings us along and reveals His glory for our benefit and encouragement. God is good!
This year because of scheduling, we had to travel in two groups. 13 of us (group 1) left on June 4th and the remaining 3 (group 2) left June 7th. Together we all returned June 16th. God blessed us with safe traveling, even though group 2 experienced some delays. The days in between were filed with hard work and ministry, with one day of recuperation. There was so much to share I decided post my journal from this trip. Please click the "Journals" button above or in the left side bar to read an account of each day of the trip. I hope be doing so you will see how God worked and moved throughout the entire trip.
I must sincerely thank every one of you who prayed and/or made a financial investment to this mission trip. In fact, I cannot thank you enough. God has truly taken what you have offered and has used it to increase His kingdom and the ministry in the community of Mt. Shiloh Church of the Nazarene. I look forward to partnering again in the near future as we continue the work we started in 2008.
In Christ Jesus,
David Roose, Elliott Roose and Isaac Roose