Lessons God taught me after 6 days of diarrhea

Two weeks after Carnival 2024, I started feeling ill all of a sudden. I was nauseous and had diarrhea. I contacted my doctor and she recommended Gravol for the nausea and Immodium for the diarrhea. After being ill for two days, I felt God saying this to me:

"You are not indispensable. Although you add value wherever you serve, My work can still go on without you. Take the necessary time to rest and recover before jumping back in to ministry. Draw strength from me."

Sunset over Aranguez Savannah

On the third day I messaged my doctor to let her know that there was no change in my symptoms, so she started me on a course of antibiotics. Later that evening I was scheduled to share at Carenage Gospel Hall on the topic "Proving God in adversity". While finalizing my PowerPoint presentation I had diarrhea almost non-stop. I messaged my prayer partners and asked to them to pray for the diarrhea to stop. It stopped half an hour before I shared, and it resumed soon after I was finished. Thank God the session was online and not in person!

Crown of thorns in Dow Village

 The next day I messaged my doctor to find out how long I could expect the diarrhea to last because after four days, I was tired of having to visit the toilet so often. She told me that she had no idea what I had, because if it was the Rotavirus which was going around, it should have responded to the medication by now. I asked my friends from church, "What do you do when your doctor has no idea what is wrong with you?" and the response was clear - "We pray!"

Sunset over Bonasse beach, Cedros

The next morning, I asked God what He wanted me to learn from this season of illness, and this is what He said:

• In one instant, your life can change quickly and completely and uncontrollably. When you are healthy and able to function normally, you should not take it for granted.
• You are not indispensable to the work of the kingdom of God. While you were incapacitated, ISCF School tours went on. Don't for a moment feel like if the work cannot continue without you. It is my Kingdom and I will find the labourers needed to bring in the harvest.
• The body of Christ is there to support and offer aid when you are unable to help yourself.
• Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Diarrhea and bacteria have to bow to the authority of God.
• Remember that all things work together for good to those who love God, even things which may not seem to be good like sickness.

Orchids from my neighbour's yard

On the fifth day, I was in the toilet almost constantly from 11:30pm to 2:30am the next day. At 3am I messaged my friends from church and said, "This is ridiculous now... I am going to close my eyes now and my bowels better go to sleep too cuz I is tyad!" Later that day I had my first solid bowel movement for the week and I was elated! From that time on all the symptoms disappeared as quickly as they had arrived.

The Lord restored me to full health!

I believe that God allowed the symptoms to last as long as they did to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was He who healed me, and not the medication. I feel like God wants me to share my experiences to encourage others in similar circumstances, so they don't have to make the same mistakes I did, to learn the lessons I have learnt.   

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 says it the best:

There is a time for everything,

    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3     a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6     a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7     a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8     a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace.

How I can still worship God as Healer when my loved one dies

 On January 15th 2024 I posted the following on my Facebook page:

"God answers prayer."

At the time when I posted it, three of my uncles were hospitalized - one was my father's youngest brother, and two were the fathers of my close friends. All three of them were critically ill, and surgery was not an option because of their age or current health challenges. I was praying for them, trusting that God would do a miracle to stabilize them so they could be released from the hospital. All of them are out of the hospital now, but only one is still here on earth.

Reading scripture for Uncle Learie
during his last hospital visit

When I wrote that facebook post, God had not yet answered my prayer for healing for my loved ones. I decided to post it in faith, believing that God could do what the doctors said was impossible. I chose not to wait until He answered my prayer, to acknowledge Him as the God who answers prayer. Because the reality is, even if the answer was "no", He would still have answered my prayer. His characteristic as a Prayer-Answering God does not change regardless of whether He has answered or not, or whether His answer is the one we were desiring.

With Uncle Anton's wife, after a hospital visit to Uncle Anton

One week after my facebook post, Uncle Learie was released from the hospital. It was really a miracle of healing, because there was no medical intervention done to resolve his issue - it was a divine touch from God. I went to visit him the day after he got home, he kept telling me that it would be the last opportunity I would get to the read the Bible for him. However, one month later, he is still here! God is clearly not ready for him as yet.

Uncle Learie is the eldest of the three, batting strong
at 94 years old and not out

Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Uncle Anton. After his release from the hospital two weeks later, his condition steadily deteriorated. When I visited him the Sunday before Carnival, his son-in-law told me he didn't think he would be able to make it to the end of the week. On Wednesday I messaged Aunty Cicely to find out how she was coping, and she said she would feel better if she got some starch mangoes. Thankfully I knew just where to get it and the next day I carried it for her. On that day, she confessed that she had accepted that her husband was dying and she was ready to release him, because he was in so much pain. When I realised that earthly healing was not God's will for Uncle Anton, I prayed that his suffering would not be extended. He died two days later.

Funeral arrangements for Uncle Anton

God is sovereign. He is the One who has numbered our days before one of them came into being. As our Creator, He has every right to determine how long we spend on this earth, before we are called home to eternity. It is His right to decide who receives earthly healing, and who does not; we trust His character of goodness that whatever He decides is best, no matter how painful it may be for us. This is why I can still worship God as Healer, even when He chooses not to heal my loved one. I may not agree with His decision or understand why He did it, but I choose to trust Him.

Isaiah 55:8 - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

Life is a bag of sweets

This is my tribute in honor of the passing of my Uncle, Vernon Dowlath, Daddy's youngest brother.

So grateful my brother captured this photo before three of them passed

When we were young, my parents were both working so they had to get creative about what to do with four children over the July/August vacation. After spending 2 weeks at VBS and 2 weeks at camp, the remaining four weeks we rotated between staying by Daddy's siblings. Uncle Vernon lived with my grandmother until he migrated to Canada over 20 years ago, and we enjoyed spending vacations at their house. His children were in our age group, and we spent many hours playing together.

Last lime before my cousins migrated

I will always remember Uncle Vernon's laugh and pleasant personality. Like all Dowlath men, he was LOUD when he ready, especially when he was making a point about something he was passionate about. When Daddy got sick, Uncle Vernon was one of the siblings who would consistently call to check up on him and chat with him. When Daddy died, Uncle Vernon continued to reach out to me and Mummy on a regular basis.

Thankful for the technology
that kept us connected

Uncle Vernon suffered many health challenges throughout his life. He had major surgery in 2021, but this never dampened his spirits. After his hospitalizations, he would get right back into life with all the vigour and strength he had. He had a strong faith in God, and would always let us know that he was praying for us. When our country's borders finally reopened, he made sure to come and visit us. He insisted on buying food for us to eat, because he said if he was living here, he would have made sure to feed us. Such was his generosity.

We let him provide the food and we did the drinks :)

In 2023, Uncle Vernon's health started to decline rapidly. He was in and out of hospital but was not getting better. Every New Years Day our family hosts a lime for Daddy's siblings and their families. This New Year's Day, Uncle Vernon messaged me to say he was looking forward to lunch, and wanted to know what was on the menu. He said he would take some ham, chicken pastelle, and a glass of kick-a-poo drink (Daddy's name for whatever blend of fruits Mummy makes, which is usually a big hit at these limes) He sent his best wishes to all the guests, and I offered to send him a video. When everyone arrived, I recorded a video of all who were there, and everyone sent greetings to him. He was grateful for the opportunity to see all who were present so contented and engaged.

Glad that he was able to partake in 
his last New Years lime virtually

Throughout January Uncle Vernon sent me a few messages which were forwards. I glanced at them, but like most forwards, I did not read them. However when Aunty Letto messaged me last week Saturday to say that she and two other aunts were going to Canada because it looked like Uncle Vernon had taken a turn for the worse, I was curious to see what was the last message he sent me. I was shocked when I read what he had sent on January 15th:

Beautiful poem by Mário de Andrade (Sao Paulo 1893 - 1945) Poet, novelist, essayist and musicologist.  One of the founders of Brazilian modernism

      ____________

      MY SOUL IS IN A HURRY

      I counted my years and discovered that I now have less time left to live than I had lived until now.

      I feel like the kid who won a pack of candy; He ate the first few with pleasure, but when he realized there were few left, he began to savor them deeply.

      I don't have time for endless meetings where we discuss bylaws, rules, procedures and internal regulations, knowing that nothing will happen.

      I no longer have time to put up with absurd people who, despite their chronological age, have not grown up.

      My time is short to discuss titles.  I want the essential, my soul is in a hurry...

 Without many sweets in the package...

     

      I want to live next to human people, very human.  Who know how to laugh at their mistakes, who are not vain of their triumphs. People who don't consider themselves elected before their time, people who don't try to escape their responsibilities. I am looking for people who defend human dignity, people who only want to walk on the side of truth and honesty.

      The essential is what makes life worth living.

      I want to surround myself with people who know how to touch people's hearts...

      People who have learned from the hard knocks of life to grow up with soft touches in their soul

      Yes..., I am in a hurry..., I am in a hurry to live with the intensity that only maturity can give.

      I intend not to waste any of the candy I have left... I am sure they will be more exquisite than the ones I have eaten so far.

      My goal is to arrive at the end satisfied and at peace with my loved ones and with my conscience.

      We have two lives and the second one starts when you realize that you have only one......

After reading it, I realized that he knew that he was going to die soon. I called my cousin the next day and asked her to call me when she got to the hospital because I wanted to pray with him. She put me on speaker, and I was able to pray that he would release any bitterness or unforgiveness or resentment he had, and that he would embrace Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. I prayed for comfort for my aunt and cousins. Four hours later, my cousin messaged me to say he had passed.

His last family lime with us

Take those photos. Embrace those moments. Savour those sweets before they all run out.

We having ah Jesus Christmas!

 As the 2023 Christmas season approached, I started thinking about how I could respond to the inevitable onslaught of "Merry Christmas" messages that I knew I would be receiving. The idea to wish people a "Jesus Christmas" came to mind and I loved it, because it pointed to how I would be celebrating: by sharing the significance of God coming to earth in human form at every opportunity we got.

Loved this display of Jesus' coming to
earth at Compassion Outreach Ministries

The first opportunity was at the Closing Program for Bible Club at the beginning of December. As we sang songs about Jesus' coming to earth, we shared about how the news came to ordinary people in society first rather than to the leaders, demonstrating how a relationship with God is available to every person. The guest speaker challenged the children to use the armour of God when responding to triggering scenarios in the home and at school, rather than fighting; he had no clue that this was an issue we had been addressing with these children for the past month! God clearly spoke through Him, and we pray that the children received the message.

Using the children to act out the scenarios

For the past twenty years, ITNAC has journeyed to Sobo Village in Palo Seco to be a blessing to the residents of that community during Christmas time. We usually distribute hampers and toys, along with a meal. This year, we found out 3 days before the outreach that the corporate sponsor who had been engaged with us about the project since October would no longer be able to cover the expenses. Thankfully, God is our source, and He miraculously moved on the hearts of His people to contribute financially towards this venture, so we were still able to execute! We thank God for the opportunity we had to share the gospel clearly with the residents, and to challenge them to surrender control of their lives to Christ as their response to the gift of His Son.

The attendance was so huge we had to use
the carpark rather than inside the community center

For the first time since the pandemic, our church was able to put on a live Christmas production that included our children and young people. Friends and family members were invited to the dramatic presentation in song of Jesus' coming to earth. What was incredible to me was seeing the transformation of the young people who portrayed Mary and Joseph. Four months prior to this presentation, they could barely go up on the stage for Talent night with their teams at ISCF camp to perform, and now they had to act out these key roles in front of more than 100 persons - they were phenomenal! I told them afterwards that I was so proud of them overcoming their shyness and stepping out of their comfort zones. I thank God for those from church who worked with them and pushed them to be more bold and self confident, and also to be used by God for ministry in this way!

They all did so well!

The highlight for me was our Christmas morning outreach, an ITNAC initiative where we visit the homes of families we have assisted during the year to bring the message of Jesus' coming to earth, along with a breakfast box and gifts for the children. A couple friends from church joined for the first time this year, and it was great having them along to help wrap presents the night before, and wake up a few hours later to pack the breakfast boxes (lovingly provided by Mummy) followed by spending seven hours on the road visiting these families.

We came bearing gifts :)

At each home, we sang songs about the good news of Jesus' coming, and shared about why He came. As a result of this sharing, two children surrendered control of their lives to the Lordship of Christ! We were blessed to bring so much joy and hope to families who had experienced huge challenges and loss in 2023, and they were very grateful for what they received. We could not have done all this without your generous support, so thank you to all who gave so we could be a blessing to these precious souls for whom Christ came.

God is still

God is still Healer 

when my loved ones are lying sick in bed.

God is still Provider 

when I am waiting for what I am trusting Him to provide.

God is still Good 

when my first nephew dies the day he was born.

God is still Love 

when my innocent friend is murdered.

God is still Comforter 

when the tears continue to flow.

God is still Almighty 

when He doesn't stop a bad thing from happening.

God is still Deliverer 

when I have yet to experience the victory.

God is still Trustworthy 

when I have not yet received what has been promised.

God is still Faithful

when my prayers have not yet been answered.

God's character is not dependent on our circumstances. He is who He is, forever and always and in spite of.

   If we are faithless,

    he remains faithful,

    for he cannot disown himself.

- 2 Timothy 2:13

Inspired by the question, "What does it mean to worship God for who He is, rather than what He does?"

God's goodness to me in 2023

 If I had to choose a verse to encapsulate what 2023 represented for me, it would be Psalm 71:20

"Though you have made me see troubles, 

many and bitter,

you will restore my life again; 

from the depths of the earth; 

you will again bring me up."

After three long years, we were finally able to reclaim the freedoms that we enjoyed before the pandemic. I could go to the beach whenever and for as long as I felt like, I could hug my friends without restrictions, and we could resume activities like camp fully in person. I truly felt like my life was restored again, especially in the area of community and friendships, and also a deepening in my relationship with God.

In my happy place :)

One of the major highlights of 2023 was that my sisters were finally able to come home, along with their husbands and children, for the first time since Daddy died. The last time we were together was in June 2019. This year Mummy turned 70, and her birthday wish was to be together with all her children and grandchildren in the same place. As a bonus, her sister came too! We rented a beautiful villa in Tobago with a massive pool. It was also the first time that all the grandchildren were able to meet one another in person, so it was truly a precious time of making memories together.

The entire clan

Cousin love!

Soaking in the Nylon Pool

We planned out our itinerary a month in advance: which day we would be hitting the beach, visiting a fort, feeding hummingbirds, or swimming in a waterfall. On the day we left, a cousin who I don't regularly communicate with messaged me to say that I was on her mind, and that she prayed for God to "send His angels of protection to surround you and everything and everyone that concerns you" and that she prayed Psalm 91 over my life. I told her that the entire family was heading to Tobago, and asked for prayers for protection over our house against bush fires, because we had been experiencing a very dry dry season. The very next evening, upon returning home from a wonderful morning on the beach, we received a call from our neighbour that the empty lot next to our house was on fire, and that our driveway was full of smoke, as the fire started spreading to our yard. They called the fire services and thankfully they responded in time to get it under control. We thank God that His angels of protection were truly surrounding everything that concerned us, as my cousin prayed the day before.

Our sunset in Tobago later that evening

My family is truly a gift from God that I am grateful for every day. God has used them to provide for my needs so I can focus on the ministry He has called me to. I don't have to worry about what I will eat or where I will sleep on any given day because of their provision. The children God has blessed my siblings with bring me great joy, and I thank God for the unbridled love I receive from each one of them.

Can't do life without them 

I had my share of car drama this year. I was hosting some missionaries from the States in April at our home in south. We had just finished visiting the Wild Fowl Trust and San Fernando Hill, and while on Mosquito Creek I realized that my engine was overheating. Thankfully I was able to get to the section where the lanes were dual and pull aside. All the radiator coolant was leaking out on the road. A couple minutes after we stopped a car pulled in front to help. The driver was a mechanic, and he was able to diagnose that the radiator was cracked and needed to be replaced. Thankfully we were only five minutes away from home so we were able to fill it up and get home safely, and there is a radiator business 2 minutes away from where we live. Another time, I got a flat tire, and there were 4 able-bodied men on site to repair it. The favor and provision of God!

The mechanic only had one functioning arm
but that didn't stop him from helping

This year did not come without the challenges of illness. I had the cold a couple times, but it was a bout of gastro that had me floored in June this year. It was the week leading up to the ISCF campworkers retreat and I know I had been going non-stop since January so when I started feeling the symptoms at the beginning of the week I thought I was just tired. I had a hike to Maracas Waterfall planned on the Thursday that I really wanted to go to, and God gave me the strength to make it. He also provided persons to support over the weekend so I didn't have to do all the running around I usually would. At one point I was literally lying down on the floor, but the program went on and by the end of the retreat all my symptoms were gone, thank God for His miracle-working power!

Only by God's grace and strength was I able
to make it to Maracas waterfall 

Another major blessing for me this year was in the area of community. As a single woman in ministry, it is so vital to have relationships that can encourage and pour into me. There are those who have been a part of my life since I was a child; others who are a part of my church family; still others who I have met in my various ministry assignments along the way. It is comforting to know that I have safe places to offload and get advice (and sometimes a good buff) and refreshing and support from.

Journeying together for the past 30 years

Part of my church family :)

I can testify that this year I have grown in intimacy with my Heavenly Father. I have been reminded that He values relationship with me more than what I can do for Him; that rest is a vital part of my service to God because I cannot pour out of a vessel that is empty; that prayer is not just about me talking to God but also being able to hear from Him; that just because I have a bad day that doesn't mean I have failed and every day is a new opportunity to start again.

My newest sister Nikita has played a major role
in my spiritual development this year

My birthmonth this year was nothing short of epic: a beautiful blend of ministry and enjoying nature with valued friends. It started off partnering with Christafari at an evangelistic event that our church had in Eddie Hart grounds. While they were on stage, members of our church mingled with the persons who stopped to listen and had conversations with them about God. Before the concert started, however, I was invited to be a part of a music video they were filming - for those who missed it you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqhzU1hzbjU

On the Sunday before my birthday, my sister organized a Zoom party for me with all my nephews and my niece and it was hilarious and sweet at the same time. On my actual birthday, which was in the middle of the week, I took a couple friends to explore a new beach with me on the north coast. Around this time there was a lot of rain so I wasn't sure that we would be able to go, but God who knows the desires of my heart paused the rain on that day so we were able to enjoy a lovely sea bath before the rains came pouring down.

Yarra river that leads to the beach - stunningly beautiful!

Ice cream run with the family later that evening

The next day I served with ITNAC visiting homes in Debe that had been severely affected by flooding when a river in the area burst its banks after a couple days of consistent rain. It was a blessing for me to be a blessing to these families as we took food hampers and cleaning supplies and a message of the hope of Christ. They were so grateful to have someone who they could share their stories with, and were thankful for the help they received.

Getting ready to head out with Susan and Timothy- great vibez!

The following week, I invited some girls from Point Fortin to our home for an empowering session on vision. Nikita shared with them the importance of setting goals and having a vision for what they wanted their life to look like, and then we gave them materials to create their own vision boards. It was encouraging to see what their came up with; some of them wrote down areas in their life that they wanted God to change, others outlined their goals and dreams. In conversation with some of them afterwards, they shared how they put their vision boards on their bedroom walls at home to remind them of what they had to work towards.

Older women teaching the younger women

Later that week a couple friends and I rented a yacht and went down the islands for the day. We experienced some heavy rain showers earlier that week, and I was concerned about if we would still be able to make it, but the boatman assured me that "everything nice and we ready to jump out" so we did! The weather was glorious, the company was hilarious and the lime was fantabulous. We praised and worshipped on the way to the beach, had a lovely time in the water, and soaked in a beautiful sunset on the way back. I truly felt the favor and love of God all over me on that day.

I think this picture says it all...

Since June only had 30 days, my celebrations extended into the first few days of July 😁 My good friends and prayer partners from my high school days took me to brunch and we had a lovely time. I also had the pleasure of hosting my sister from another mother for a few days when she visited from Miami. She always takes such good care of me whenever I pass through by her on my way to other destinations, so it was my pleasure to return the favor. It was lovely to be able to trade stories in person rather than over the phone, and to have her here in person for the first time in years.

The kind of friendships that endure through the years

The kind of friends who are good for your soul

After a busy season of ministry in July/August full of Vacation Bible School and ISCF camp and a mission trip to Guyana (you can read about it here in case you missed it   https://adropindeocean.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-goodness-of-god-in-guyana.html) I took a vacation in September to visit some dear friends in Barbados. I was thoroughly spoiled during my time there. My hosts took exceptional care of me, my friends outdid themselves in their hospitality, God provided the best sunrises and sunsets, and the conversations and connections were so refreshing. I truly felt the love during my time there, and it was wonderful to reconnect with friends I had not seen for years.

This family has a special place in my heart

Thandi took such good care of me 💓

Exploring the East coast with Melissa

Pastor took me on my first ever submarine adventure!

I do not have the words to express how much I value those who have continued to support me in the ministry God has called me to. I could honestly not do it without your love and encouragement. Those who have prayed for me, checked in with me at random times, made regular or surprise financial contributions - I pray God will pour on you exceeding and abundantly more than you can ask or imagine. I don't know what is in store for me in 2024, but I know that with God on my side and the support of my community, it will be well.

God showing up and showing off

Bringing hope to the hurting

A few years ago Inter School Christian Fellowship (ISCF) began partnering with youth leaders with a passion for evangelism in a program called "School Tours". They would visit schools that either had an ISCF group, or was planning to start an ISCF group, and put on a program that included songs, drama, dance and testimonies. At the end of the program, the gospel would be shared, and the names of those who responded to the salvation call would be passed on to the ISCF clubs in the schools for follow up. I was never involved in these outreaches before, but this year I felt God nudging me in that direction. I thought I would help with praying for the students after the program, but God clearly had more in mind.

Dramatic presentation depicting Jesus taking
the burden of our sins

I was invited to attend a meeting on the Saturday before the School Tours began. We spent time in prayer for the outreach, then the rehearsals began. We used songs with lyrics that pointed to the new life that is available in Christ despite mistakes of the past. For each song, we did a skit to dramatize the message in the song. The skits covered topics such as alcoholism, drug abuse, incest, rape, homosexuality, abortion, suicide and searching for identity and acceptance. For each skit, we rotated the persons playing the different roles, because we were not guaranteed to have the same persons available for every school visit and wanted everyone to feel confident to jump in any role as needed.

Had to bring out my acting skills :)

This term we visited schools in the East, from St. Augustine to Sangre Grande, over a period of 5 weeks. Most weeks we visited one school in the morning and another one at lunchtime on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In some of the schools, we had the privilege of sharing with the entire school body during their morning assembly. In other schools, we were given the lunch period so we had to invite students to join us, and they did in their numbers. At a few schools, there were specific classes which were assigned to come to our presentations. We walked with our PA system and used whatever space was granted to us, from auditoriums to drama theatres to adjoining classrooms. Hundreds of students heard the gospel message through our presentations.

In some schools there was standing room only

It was amazing to me how the culture in each school was so different. In some students the students were eager to find out why we were there and what we came to do. In others, we had to work a bit harder to get the students interested. Some schools encouraged the students to stay back afterwards if they needed prayer or someone to talk to; others were very strict about when we had to finish and wrap up so the students could go to their classes. But in every single school we visited, God was at work in powerful ways.

Students responding to the invitation
to surrender their lives to Christ

After sharing the skits and our testimonies, students recognized that they could identify with many of the issues which were highlighted. They came up to us afterwards to talk, some of them breaking down in tears so all we could do was pray for them. Some students shared about struggles they were dealing with that they had never spoken about before with anyone. It was a beautiful to see how sharing our stories of how God transformed our lives impacted these young people, and gave us an opportunity to encourage them with the hope that is available in Christ. One student who was struggling with suicidal thoughts shared how they almost didn't come to school that day, but God ensured that they came so they could hear the message that God is a present help in any difficulty they may be experiencing.

Members of the team praying with
a student afterwards

One conversation that stood out to me was with a student who was experiencing some major challenges at home. She mentioned that she thought that things would get better if she gave her life to Christ. I shared with her that having a relationship with God doesn't guarantee that life would be problem free, but the difference is that we will have His help and strength to endure the challenges. We recognized that our young people are dealing with a lot of serious issues, and many of them don't have the necessary support systems available. We are trusting God that those who took that step of faith to open up would respond to the invitation to attend the ISCF meetings where they can get the spiritual support they need.

On one side of the bristol board we wrote what our life
was like before Christ; the other side detailed life with Christ

At one school we visited, there was no ISCF Club, because there was no teacher who had agreed to run the group. When we visited, one of the staffworkers asked the Principal if he could think of one Christian who might be willing to lead the group, and he suggested someone. The staffworker spoke to her, and she agreed to serve as the sponsor! At that same school, one student expressed her surprise at how many of her peers responded to the call to commit their lives to Christ. She thought that she was the only Christian in her school. We are grateful to God that they now know that they are not alone in their journey of living for Jesus.

There was no stage at this school, so students
stood on benches so they wouldn't miss any of the action

We thank God for the doors which were opened to allow us to minister to students in these schools, and we pray that for every student who made that commitment of faith, that they would be willing to take the next steps to grow in their relationship with Christ. Please continue to lift up our young people in prayer, especially those who are dealing with serious issues, that they would find strength in Christ to endure and overcome.