Jamaica 2014 Day 7 The End

So right now I am in the airport in Fort Lauderdale with a long layover reflecting back over the trip. This trip was extremely special because I was returning home. In 2011, I had to cancel going on the trip because my mother went into the hospital. She was later diagnosed with Non – Hodgkins Lymphoma. So I have not gone for the last three years due to focusing on her health. She is in remission and completed maintenance chemotherapy this past August. So going on this trip felt like closer to that chapter in our lives.

Twelve days before the trip I was admitted to the hospital and six days before I had to have an outpatient procedure done. Four days before I had issues at work and I am returning to a different position. Also had a financial hit that day, not to mention my medical bills. I was not able to complete all of my school work, so I had two papers to write while gone. The morning of the trip I arrive at the airport to be told that I have to pay $95 for my bags (side note not a fan of Spirit Airlines). Oh and by the way I am moving two days after I get back. There were so many things stacked against me, but I refused to let it stop me!

This past week I have seen God use a group of people ranging from 18 to 80 years old. I have seen young people’s lives changed. I have seen former campers emerge as leaders. I have seen what seemed like hopeless situations turn into triumphant situations. I have seen a person sick come back and make an impact in a short amount of time. I have seen the power of prayer. I have seen God in every situation!

I cannot wait until next year. As we debriefed and started getting ready to return to our normal lives, I saw a group of people turn into family. I believe I was blessed more than I was used. There will be stories that emerge as the weeks go by. I am truly honored to have been selected to be a part of the 2014 team!

Jamaica 2014 Day 5 & 6

So Day 5 started off crazy rocky. We had to send one camper home, restrict 5 from the dance,  and deal with a major theft. But God sent Grandma Osie! She stood up and initiated an alter call. A number of youth accepted Christ, rededicated their life, and/or asked for prayer. It was a beautiful site to see all the counselors laying hands and praying for the youth.  The enemy attended to block the blessings, but ended up making them more powerful. We were able to minister and pray for all the children who got in trouble showing them love despite their negative choice. The night ended with a dinner and dance. The children were so beautiful and handsome. I stayed behind with those that could not go and I got to have some great conversations with some of the Jamaican CDA staff.

Day 6, the last day of camp, is always a bittersweet day. It is filled with laughter and joy as we celebrate the youth and acknowledge all the people that made camp possible.  It is also filled with tears as the realization is here that camp is over. I am so proud to have been apart of this great team that was used to enrich the lives of 60 youth throughout Jamaica. There are so many stories to tell that will come out with time. Now it is time to relax, debrief,  and start the transition back to regular life.

Jamaica 2014 Day 4

Today’s theme became about forgiveness. I started off the girls’ sessions with an open discussion allowing the girls and counselors to bring up any issues on their mind. This allowed me to address issues regarding self-management,  reiterating yesterday’s message. We than transitioned to completing the knot exercise, which helped the young ladies put aside their differences in order to accomplish a common goal.

I then brought the groups back together where we discussed managing emotions, specifically anger towards people who have hurt them in some way from the past. This lead to the discussion on forgiveness. What a powerful discussion! I gave my testimony about being sexually molested by a cousin and my journey to forgiveness. The young ladies responded positively to the discussion and asked questions. My fellow counselors expressed their thoughts assisted with answering questions. God started the healing process in the young ladies’ lives!

I love how the trip also changes us counselors. I spent a good portion of my day speaking encouragement into some of our counselors who are a part of the scholarship program. I also received encouragement from my fellow team members who supported the process during the morning sessions. It was a beautiful day!

The “Limeades” and “Mellow Yellow” doing Zumba!

Jamaica Day 4 2014

Today’s theme became about forgiveness. I started off the girls’ sessions with an open discussion allowing the girls and counselors to bring up any issues on their mind. This allowed me to address issues regarding self-management,  reiterating yesterday’s message. We than transitioned to completing the knot exercise, which helped the young ladies put aside their differences in order to accomplish a common goal.

I then brought the groups back together where we discussed managing emotions, specifically anger towards people who have hurt them in some way from the past. This lead to the discussion on forgiveness. What a powerful discussion! I gave my testimony about being sexually molested by a cousin and my journey to forgiveness. The young ladies responded positively to the discussion and asked questions. My fellow counselors expressed their thoughts assisted with answering questions. God started the healing process in the young ladies’ lives!

I love how the trip also changes us counselors. I spent a good portion of my day speaking encouragement into some of our counselors who are a part of the scholarship program. I also received encouragement from my fellow team members who supported the process during the morning sessions. It was a beautiful day!

The “Limeades” and “Mellow Yellow” doing Zumba!

Jamaica 2014 Day 3

As Day 3 comes to an end I am reflecting on the day. This was my first day teaching and the start of youth reflecting on their life and starting to contemplate making decisions. I witnessed a young man stepping up to assist another young man in talking to a staff member about not returning to the facility he came from and he was excited to hear that he would not. This was the same young man reunited with his sister.

I listened to another scholarship student give her testimony about struggling with her behavior and then making the decision to change her life. She attended camp last year and is now in school for culinary arts. We then transitioned to the gender specific groups. I had the young ladies present creative ways to express how they honor themselves. We then had a open discussion about self-management and how they present themselves to males. Throughout the day I have spoken with and counseled various young ladies about issues they are experiencing. It is beautiful to see how God is moving! I even did two hours of Zumba with the girls while monitoring all the youth’s movement through their activity. The stories are pouring in and I can’t wait to see the continued transformation!

Jamaica 2014 Day 2

Day 2 has been filled with meeting new faces and hugging old faces. It started with hearing stories of how God provided for youth to come when it seemed like they would not make it. I got to view two siblings, a brother and sister, who have not seen each other in two years being reunited. Healing started from the first moments. We were visited by the CEO of the Child Development Agency who got a brief overview of what the camp will be like for the youth as well as the workers.

The biggest highlight of the day for me was seeing a former camper from 2009 who can tell me things he learned from my teachings and the pastor’s teachings from that year. He is currently a part of the college scholarship program in school of architecture. I am extremely proud if this young man who was facing a crossroad in his life and opened up to strangers changing his life.

I am so excited for what is to come tomorrow. Let my sessions with the young ladies begin!

Jamaica 2014

Well I am headed out for a mission trip to Jamaica. Every year Dunwoody Baptist Church out of Atlanta, Georgia goes to Jamaica to conduct a camp for 30 boys and 30 girls between the ages of 15 and 18. Workshops are also conducted to educate the workers of the Child Development Agency. I have the honor of leading the girls’ sessions in the morning teaching young ladies leadership skills. This year’s theme is Born 2 Lead and the evening sessions will focus on Moses. I will definitely come back with posts, but while I am gone you can follow our travels on the team blog at http://dbcjamaicamission.blogspot.com. 

Fatherly Trust

On yesterday, I found myself in a hospital getting an MRI and lumbar puncture . Back when I was 19 years old, I had both of these procedures done outpatient. Back then I had a reaction to the dye they use with the MRI where I vomited and what was disturbing is that I told the technician it was going to happen but he did not believe me. Luckily, he heard the panic in my voice and was able to get me up before I choked. Back then with the lumbar puncture, they had a hard time completing the procedure. They called in a specialist who was able to do it by placing me on my side. Looking back at my previous experience sets the tone for what occurred this time around.

Back to present time. Yesterday, I tell the MRI technician about what occurred with the dye when I was younger. I had already informed my nurse so they gave me anti-nausea medicine to help. The technician reassured me that they have changed the dye and he is 90% sure that I will not have a reaction, especially  since I also took medicine prior. So I am faced with trusting a stranger with the past experience on my mind. Now for anyone who has had to have an MRI done, they place you in this tube with this thing around your head that holds it still. This is not the test for anyone who is claustrophobic! It produces anxiety for those of us who are not claustrophobic. So the tech puts a wash cloth over my face, and I start to have a panic attack. At this point I am practicing all those lovely techniques I teach my clients: deep breathing, self talk, imagery, etc. I have to men on moth sides of me ready to catch me if I try to make a run for it. And all I can keep thinking is what a story this will be with the headline “Psychologist runs from MRI room in panic” LOL

The technician gives me another option. There is a mirror they can place on the head apparatus that allows me to be able to see him throughout the test.  He also assured me that he will talk to me between each test and will not leave me. When I looked at him through this mirror where he sat in the control room, it reminded me of my relationship with God. He kept his word and was there any time I needed to see him. He reassured me throughout the test. When the system went down and had to be rebooted, he came and stayed with me. I felt safe and secure and my anxiety dissipated. This went on for an hour because of the number of different tests my doctors ordered. By the end, I was relaxed and grateful that God sent this man to help me through this.

After I finished, my transporter informed me that I would be going to pre-operation to prepare for the lumbar puncture. The surgeon came in to discuss the procedure and have me sign the consent. After he finished his explanation, I discussed with him by previous experience. And he reassured me that he would not have to put me on my side and would not have any complications. So, yet again I am blindly trusting yet another stranger. The procedure went well with no complications. He talked with me the whole time and checked throughout to see how I was feeling.

The experiences with these tests reminded me of my relationship with God. Of how He is always there for us, offering us reassurance when we are scared, and giving us what we need. The image of the MRI technician sitting in the control room watching over me is an image that I like to think of in reference to God. He is my controller sending me what I need, directing me, and showing me love. It reminds me of the song “I’ll Trust You Lord” by Donnie McClurkin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xcEX4aP8Sk. So who will you trust today?

The image of the technician also reminds me of my father who died 22 years ago on this day. I have often imagined my dad sitting up in heaven looking down on me watching and sending me loving messages when I need them. There are times when a sight, smell, or sound reminds me of him. How fitting that with both tests it was men there to guide me.  I am so blessed to have had an experience that reminded me not only of my Heavenly Father, but of my earthly father. Rest in Peace Daddy (Huey T. Davis). 

Authentically Me!

So today I write this post from a hospital bed. Did not see this coming, but I already see God’s glory in the testimony! Today we are focusing on 1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (ESV)

These verses feel as if they came directly from my mouth! When I was younger, I spent a lot of time going to seminars and workshops with mission to learn how to pray and how to share God’s word eloquently. You know those prayer warriors who came pray words that you have to go look up the meaning of. Not that I have anything against them, I have found that is not my delivery style. I thought that I had to say things in a specific way and if they were not done in that way that the prayers and message would be lost. I finally realized that God accepts me as I am. I don’t have to use big words or be able to know the exact place in the Bible where a scripture came from in the middle of my prayer. I don’t have to use big words to tell people about God. I realized that God just needed me to be me. People need me to be authentic and real.

Since becoming authentic, my prayer life has expanded and I feel comfortable. A few years ago, He even had me go be an altar worker. That conversation went “God You want me to do do what?! Hold up wait a minute! I don’t know if I am ready for that. Look at Moses? Aww, You had to go there. LOL Alright, I am going.” It turned out to be one of the greatest serving experiences that I have ever had. Now, not all my conversations with God are like that, but we do have a great relationship.  

And so today I hope I came to you with authenticity. And I hope that my humble testimonies on this blog will be an example of God’s power and love for us all. I look forward to God’s glory and sharing how He will use this latest challenge for His testimony.

Confession Time

So here we are another Friday to reflect on scripture. So this week we are looking at Joshua  1:8-9. In these two verses, the Lord is speaking directly to Joshua, and by extension to us. In verse 8 He tells us to meditate on the Word and walk it out and that will lead to success (NKJV).

He goes on in verse 9 to tell us to have courage and not fear for He will be with us.

 

These verses which I have heard many times before are hitting home right now. I am at a crossroad in my life where it is time to go to the next level. This means that I have to let go of my fears and I have to follow God’s will for my life in order to move forward and be successful in what He has in store. Here is another transparent moment…I believe that part of me has been afraid to move forward. Have I hid behind my mother’s fight with cancer as an excuse to not move towards the next level of what God wants me to do? Has my fear of what is next caused me to become stagnate? The answer is yes.

I am the only one who can push through. I think about how in the past year I have become so dedicated with changing my eating habits, exercising, and losing weight. I have started school and even excelled at a new position. But there has been one stupid thing that has been holding me back from moving to the next level professionally and in ministry. Part of lent is repenting and turning back to get on track.

Lord, today I publicly apologize for allowing my fear to get in the way. Forgive me for not having enough faith in myself to accomplish this objective and complete this goal. I have accomplished so much because of the strength You give me and I have allowed one small objective to overshadow accomplishing one big goal. I am determined to be focused and to no longer allow fear to hold me back. I have a renewed resolve to smash this objective, thus, conquering this goal! I am who You have always said I will be!  I thank you in advance for victory and rejoice at the next phase of my life. Amen.