Eastern Michigan District Church of the Nazarene
Reporting and Statistics

EMD PRIMETIME W&W - First # 3 JAMAICA JOURNEY 2009 - VBS

First # 1:  2003 – Brazil – First To Go!
First # 2:  2006 – Barbados Blitz – Three W&W Teams
First # 3:  2009 – Jamaica Journey – VBS, Retreat Centre, Vision Centre

Eastern Michigan District, PrimeTime Ministry has accomplished another “First” in our Work & Witness adventures.  Our 21 member team from 6 states and 1 Canadian Province conducted a Three-Day VBS at the Jamaica West District’s, Burnt Savannah Nazarene Church.

From nearly 1,800 miles away, Ms. Judy Lucas (Fowlerville, MI, Nazarene Church) organized and planned this amazing outreach event.  We carried 13 additional suitcases full of VBS materials; cake, cookie & brownie mixes; and other needed items.

Rev. Lionel Brown, Pastor and DS, told us to expect 50-60 children on the first night and we were blown away with 135 kids in attendance!  Rev. Brown announced the VBS would begin on Saturday at 4:30 because “the kids will not be here until 5:00.”  At 4:15 about 100 kids were waiting for us!  Saturday’s total became 135 kids in attendance.  Sunday morning filled with about 155 kids and our closing service that evening attendance of about 220.  Pastor Brown has an exciting task as they follow up on the 75+ VBS kids who are not part of their Sunday School. What a rush!

The crafts were colorful and exciting.  Cool glasses; lightning bolts; sand filled crosses presenting the salvation message and creative name badges motivated the kids to get involved and come back tomorrow.

Music filled the air with electricity as the kids learned the words and motions for each song.  With robust singing and energetic motions kids from the smallest to the tallest sang with intensity.  The adults whole-heartedly sang with the children.  It was a vocal banquet for everyone within the broadcast range of the more-than-adequate sound system.

The lessons were right on target.  Each lesson presentation was assisted by Jamaican Sunday School teacher and teen helpers so the children would clearly understand the Gospel message:  Jesus forgives their sins and is with them today, tomorrow and forever.  We were blessed to have a large number of local Nazarenes jumped right into the mix of things to insure “their” VBS would bless their church and community.  God was truly glorified as Jesus was lifted up – drawing needy souls to Himself.

Our team also worked at the Retreat Centre in Mandeville.  We painted the ornate banisters around the building and scrapped and primed the metal fence in front.

At the Paul Gamertsfelder Vision Centre in Frome, we helped with laying block; installing forms for additional pouring of cement and painting the new addition to the Mission House.

We are considering Africa as our next PrimeTime W&W Adventure in late 2010 – early 2011 and Australia is being considered for 2012.  Work & Witness + PrimeTimers = Adventure!  Plan to join us!

Websites:   www.GoPrimeTime.org (EMD PrimeTime W&W)
                   www.Ulnazarene.WinkFlash.com (Jamaica W&W Pictures)

Rev. Charles A. Bledsoe
EMD PrimeTime Ministry W&W Director
ULNazarene@aol.com