Tag Archives: Jamaica

by Anthony Baker | March 5, 2020 · 9:17 pm

Countdown to Jamaica (15 days left)

As of this moment, alone in my quiet office, having just finished my preparations for Sunday morning’s sermon, I have only 15 days till I’ll be in Jamaica!

Yeah, for some of you that’s no big deal; you’ve probably been there multiple times. But for me, this is my first time going there, and I think I have a right to be excited. Don’t you think?

I will be flying out of Atlanta on the 20th, a Friday evening. Unfortunately, flying is the worst part – I have a love/hate relationship with it.

If you are curious, I will be preaching in a week of revival services at Leith Hall Baptist Church, along with ministering at several other locations throughout the week. Lord willing, I will also be speaking to the local police officers (please pray about that).

To my surprise I found a video on YouTube that shows the very street I will be traveling and the church in which I will be preaching! How cool is that?

I’m told this area of Jamaica is considered the poorest in the country. Those who do have jobs likely drive all the way to Kingston to work. For the rest, the unemployment rate is near 80%

Most of the children where I will be eat only one meal a day, and that’s their lunch at school.

As the days get closer, I’ll keep you guys updated.

Also, if you feel led to help support this trip, what I don’t use for personal items, food, fees, and all that junk, I will be leaving in the hands of those whom I can help. Simply click on the PayPal tab and designate what the funds are for.

What’s Up, Jamaica! Looking Forward to Meeting You!

The Final Countdown

Today marks one month until I will be in Jamaica finding a “lucky egg” to kiss (that’s a Cool Runnings reference)! That’s right, next month I am going to Jamaica for bobsled training!

Not really… no bobsled training… but if there’s anybody with a lucky egg, then…

Image result for cool runnings lucky egg gif Seriously, I will be going to Jamaica next month to preach in revival services and minister in the community of Morant Bay. (I wonder if my friend David Welford has been there? Probably)

This will be my first trip to Jamaica and my first trip to any Caribbean location.

Prayers Needed

One thing you need to know is that this is not, for me, a “short-term mission trip.” I am not going to Jamaica to see the sites, hang out with the locals, get some cool pictures, and come back pretending I was Apostle Paul.

My intention is to encourage, embolden, and bless the Christians who will gather to hear the Word of God preached. They are the ones who will be doing the work of the Church long after the team I’m with will be gone. Therefore, I want to be sure to give them what they will need to prepare them for the future.

Now, I will be doing more than just preaching in church services; I will be doing other ministry while I am there, including visiting schools, hospitals, maybe a jail, and who knows what else. So, it will be busy, that’s for sure.

I know it’s not on the schedule, but I would really love to be able to speak as a chaplain to the local police. Please pray that opportunity will become available.

Blessed To G0!

I haven’t mentioned this until now, but I have been tremendously blessed to have my travel expenses covered! What a blessing and a relief! If for no other reason than that, I want this trip to be a resounding success.

But beyond the funds to get there and back, it takes money to cover personal expenses, such as baggage fees, clothing (that I don’t normally wear around here), small gifts for the local elders, transportation, food, and any unforeseen incidentals.

IF, and only if, you feel led to donate any amount to help cover the incidental expenses, you can click on the PayPal tab on my blog and give that way. Or, you can send your gift to the church address: Bethlehem Baptist Church, P.O. Box 85, Warthen, GA, 31094.

Let’s Meet!

Lastly, if you actually live in Jamaica and read this blog, I’d love to meet you in person next month! Again, I will be in Morant Bay, so let’s get together over a cup of Blue Mountain 🙂

God bless!

6 Comments

Filed under Countries, ministry, places, Preaching

Tagged as Cool Runnings, Countries, Jamaica, John Candy, Missions, pastoral, preaching, Revival

by Anthony Baker | March 8, 2016 · 3:14 pm

Why So Sad?

Prayer

This morning I had the opportunity to meet with several other pastors from our area for a time of prayer. We met at White Oak Baptist Church where Dr. Tony Wilson is pastor.

Let me just say, it’s a great thing when pastors can get together and pray for each other, without having to worry about being jealous. Too many pastors are jealous of the ministries of their peers, but it shouldn’t be that way. We should be praying for each other and for the greater good of the Kingdom.

Picture

While we were there in the kitchen area of the church where we met to pray, I noticed several tables covered with stuffed animals and a few toys. Evidently, all of these were about to be taken to Jamaica on a mission trip.

Something about those piles of stuffed toys made me pause. I don’t know why – maybe it was all the color catching my eye – but I had to take a picture.

Once I finished editing this picture (with BeFunky), I looked at it and then realized that this was probably the saddest picture I’ve ever seen in my life! I just couldn’t figure out why.

UPDATE: I figured out why this picture makes me feel sad. The little teddy bear all alone, just tossed on a pile of other unloved toys. It’s just lying there, staring upwards with unblinking eyes, wondering where everybody has gone, unable even to right itself. Abandoned.

Good grief. I’ve got issues.

What are your thoughts? (about the picture, that is)

7 Comments

Filed under animals, Prayer

Tagged as Jamaica, photography, prayer, toys