A few of the over 600 pictures and videos taken. More will be posted. If you would like a presentation for your class or church, go to the contact us page.
March 24,2009 first day back from the trip. Written by Lee
Our first step in registering with the TT government as a charitable organization is to have an approved name. After many rejections over many months, they approved the name Jon submitted as “Under His Wings Sanctuary For Children of Trinidad and Tobago”, known here simply as “Sanctuary For Children of Trinidad and Tobago”. We only need that long name only for TT government purposes. After one year with financial records, proof of ministry activity and a board with bylaws we are eligible to be approved and if so, then won’t have to pay customs on the items shipped. We are hiring an attorney there who has helped other churches with this process. That is why I am keeping records of expenses and accounts of ministry activity. Felina has been doing the same for the SFC money in TT.
I worked today and need to work to support the ministry. I am just now checking all my emails from last week. When I write the details about the trip it will most likely be for the website. Praise the Lord I have work each day but I can be reached by cell any time as the Lord’s work is greater priority. Or if Mr. Reid wants me to come by, I’ll let him pick a time that is good for his schedule. For me, after I take the boys home after 3pm is best.
To tell it all will take some time and the photos and videos which filled two, 4 gig cards tell more. To give you some idea: Nine days of early morning until 10 or 11pm plus personal prayer during the night. No slack time. A lot of driving all over the island. 2- 6 events or meetings each day. We packed in much more than the original agenda. I prayed separately over at least 1000 individual adults and children who asked for prayer. These sessions sometimes lasted for hours. I preached both Sunday morning services to full congregations of adults and children, Wednesday night as well as other engagements, increased church attendance and permanent membership, made new partners with pastors who see now what this can do to build the local churches by bringing in lost children. I had a business meeting with pastors, spoke to over 1000 children, mostly un churched and bluntly told them that Christ is the only way and the only God. I was even invited to boldly evangelize in the public school. I did things local pastors could not do and they did things I could not do, so we worked well in partnership as the body should. My part is simply to obey the Lord even if I do not understand why he wants me to do some things. This is the right way, but can be puzzling to those who are looking to me form leadership and want to know what I am going to do next. I am radical even for the Pentacostal churches but also preached under many different denominations such as Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist and some I didn’t know what they were. Being from here, my only real understanding of there comes from the Lord. I didn’t know what to except each day or very little about the places or people. Since this whole thing is all new, the pastors didn’t know either. Most have no computer, much less internet. Few rely on printed material as anything of value. Still the Lord had prepared many of them to take advantage of this past even my own expectations. I just blindly obey, and the results are up to the Lord. It doesn’t matter to me if I don’t see the results, just that the Lord assures me that I have obeyed. Often I was so busy continuing to pray and mister to individuals; I did not have time to hear the testimonies given. There were many signs and wonders. This is the tip of the iceberg, just the beginning. I am just a servant a messenger watching and amazed like everyone else.
I was never tired and I’m still not tired. My prayer through the night strengthened and prepared me for each day. One Pastor Andy, myself and those with me that day ministered to those near his church living in misery and poverty like I’ve never seen. Leprosy and all kinds of afflictions. There were many children with no diapers, naked. Other beautiful children with very little. Many of these people had dressed up and cleaned up in expectation that we were coming to their houses to pray. Andy and I spent all day and night and still couldn’t visit all the people who wanted us to come. We spoke boldly of Jesus and they heard. I am now helping Andy long distance as much as I can. He needs and wants a computer. I can fix up an old for him. A little money must go a long way. He is only one of many pastors who work to minster with no pay. Those people need so many things that we throw away.
Each day the local team members with me changed. Jon was always there, but always a small group God chose for this purpose always came with me.
I am truly a missionary to Trinidad. The Lord will send me back, the next time with Alice. When she sees, she will understand. A person must see to understand. I don’t think the photos will really tell because the things of value are spiritual. The Lord shows me just enough to let me do my work. Since I do not live there, I must rely on prayer to prepare. When I do, then what I know is from the Lord and not from people. The Lord led me and I directed the Lord’s resources where they were needed. He told me of things the pastors did not know so those who live there can continue to do the Lord’s work.
I have been offered places to stay in hopes that I will return. Until I go back again, I am doing the Lord’s work for the children from here as He instructs me. The body has many parts and I am one. This ministry is not mine but the Lord’s ministry. It is not dependant upon me and one of my jobs is to intentionally build it to be self sustaining from inside Trinidad. Many there understood this and are already working on it.
I have never arrived and never will. As I seek to please the Lord even if I am not understood by men, the Lord seems to increase His trust and use of me. He has greater plans. This is only training.
March 13- 23rd 2009. The itinerary
In summary this is a list of events as they actually happened, even though many were not planned in advance. The group events are numbered and counted as 18. Other personal ministry events are not listed, though there were many, There was much prayer in groups and hours of praying alone each night.
1 – Saturday 14- The Apostles’ Ministries, Longdenville, Chaguanas (Central Trinidad). 11am started walking the neighborhood to invite children, 3pm was the children’s event. Most were un-churched children with no home life. About 30 children and 15 adults.
2 – Sunday 15- The New Evangelistic and Missionary Movement. In Couva. Pastor William Nelson. 9am to 12:30 pm I preached the Sunday morning Service and prayed individually over every child there and many of the adults which went on for hours after the message. The church had invited many visitors for the event. The church had a lunch as part of the event. Attendance over 100.
3- Sunday 15- 1pm – 2:30 pm After the lunch, I gave an evangelistic message for the children along with giving out the gifts
4 – Monday 16- 9 am Faith Assembly Preschool, Caparo (Central Trinidad). 9am-1pm. Only a few children were Christians. The Christian teacher encouraged me to give bible to the Hindu teachers which could get them in trouble with their husbands. The church used the preschool for evangelism. I gave the message to 20 plus children and Hindu teachers.
5 – Monday 16- 5pm Shiva in San Fernado. 3 men in obedience to a message from the Lord set up a Sunday school for children in the middle of and extremely Hindu and Muslim area. The children were extremely receptive. Intense prayer was needed. 20 or so children and maybe 10 adults.
6 – Tuesday 17- Back to Faith Assembly, met with Pastor Kanhai this time and the children again. Signed the Bibles.9am-1pm.
7 – Wednesday 18- 9 am – 5 pm Pastor With Pastor Andy Dharson, Carlson Field, Chaguanas, Central Trinidad. Whole Day of being invited in Homes to pray and talk about Jesus. Met with about 50- 100 people
8 – Wednesday 18- Carson Field. 6 pm- 11:30 pm Preached the Wednesday night service for those we met that day, adults and children, followed by a children’s event. Many stayed later for prayer and ministry. Maybe 200 children and adults9 – Thursday 19- 9 am- 12 pm Business meeting for the ministry conducted by Lee. Attended by Jon and Felina , the three pastors plus staff of Apostles Ministries and Pastor Andy.
10 and 11- Thursday 19- 1pm – 1:30 pm 2 Evangelistic events for grades 2 and 4 in the Public school which was founded by Presbyterians but is now under very strict guidelines not to evangelize or teach Jesus as the only way. I boldly evangelized to about 100 children.
12 – Thursday 19 6m- 9 pm I Spoke to a prayer and bible study group of 20 adults about my personal testimony related to the ministry for the children
13 – Friday 20- Chaguanas Evangelical Church Preschool. Evangelism and gifts for about 25 children and teachers. Most children were not Christian, but were well cared for.
14 – Friday 20 -Richplain Baptist Church, Diego Martin (North Trinidad). 6pm – 8 pm. Gifts and evangelism for 30 to 40 children and adults
15 – Saturday 21- 9am – 11 pm Chickland Weslyan Children’s Home. Central Trinidad. Gave gifts, ministry, prayer and love to about 15 orphans. This is one of the only two Christian orphanages in all of Trinidad and it is losing it’s building in a few months. There are no plans for safe places to put the children. Has almost no financial support.
16 – Saturday 21- 12 pm – 2 pm Phillips Children’s home. The only other Christian orphanage in Trinidad. Brought lunch and toys to 20- 30 children there. They have little food. No pictures allowed. Spontaneous prayer broke out. The children and I all prayed for each other as group.
17 – Sunday 22- 9am- 1pm The Church of the Pentecost, Carson Field. Pastor Andy and I both preached the Sunday morning service to about 50 in attendance, prayed and I ministered to many who stayed. Nisha began getting help from Pastor Wendy.
18 – Sunday 23- A Baptist Church funded by the Southern Baptist Convention. Kingdom Ministries, Pastor Lloyd Meares, Princes Town (South Trinidad). 4pm.This and another church partnered to invite over 100 un churched children to this very successful children’s event. After I spoke, The Pastor gave an invitation and 20 children came to accept Christ. I had such a line of children wanting me to pray for each one of them that I did not see it or know about it until I was told later.
March 13- 23rd 2009. The itinerary
In summary this is a list of events as they actually happened, even though many were not planned in advance. The group events are numbered and counted as 18. Other personal ministry events are not listed, though there were many, There was much prayer in groups and hours of praying alone each night.
1 – Saturday 14- The Apostles’ Ministries, Longdenville, Chaguanas (Central Trinidad). 11am started walking the neighborhood to invite children, 3pm was the children’s event. Most were un-churched children with no home life. About 30 children and 15 adults.
2 – Sunday 15- The New Evangelistic and Missionary Movement. In Couva. Pastor William Nelson. 9am to 12:30 pm I preached the Sunday morning Service and prayed individually over every child there and many of the adults which went on for hours after the message. The church had invited many visitors for the event. The church had a lunch as part of the event. Attendance over 100.
3- Sunday 15- 1pm – 2:30 pm After the lunch, I gave an evangelistic message for the children along with giving out the gifts
4 – Monday 16- 9 am Faith Assembly Preschool, Caparo (Central Trinidad). 9am-1pm. Only a few children were Christians. The Christian teacher encouraged me to give bible to the Hindu teachers which could get them in trouble with their husbands. The church used the preschool for evangelism. I gave the message to 20 plus children and Hindu teachers.
5 – Monday 16- 5pm Shiva in San Fernado. 3 men in obedience to a message from the Lord set up a Sunday school for children in the middle of and extremely Hindu and Muslim area. The children were extremely receptive. Intense prayer was needed. 20 or so children and maybe 10 adults.
6 – Tuesday 17- Back to Faith Assembly, met with Pastor Kanhai this time and the children again. Signed the Bibles.9am-1pm.
7 – Wednesday 18- 9 am – 5 pm Pastor With Pastor Andy Dharson, Carlson Field, Chaguanas, Central Trinidad. Whole Day of being invited in Homes to pray and talk about Jesus. Met with about 50- 100 people
8 – Wednesday 18- Carson Field. 6 pm- 11:30 pm Preached the Wednesday night service for those we met that day, adults and children, followed by a children’s event. Many stayed later for prayer and ministry. Maybe 200 children and adults9 – Thursday 19- 9 am- 12 pmBusiness meeting for the ministry conducted by Lee. Attended by Jon and Felina , the three pastors plus staff of Apostles Ministries and Pastor Andy.
10 and 11- Thursday 19- 1pm – 1:30 pm 2 Evangelistic events for grades 2 and 4 in the Public school which was founded by Presbyterians but is now under very strict guidelines not to evangelize or teach Jesus as the only way. I boldly evangelized to about 100 children.
12 – Thursday 19 6m- 9 pm I Spoke to a prayer and bible study group of 20 adults about my personal testimony related to the ministry for the children
13 – Friday 20- Chaguanas Evangelical Church Preschool. Evangelism and gifts for about 25 children and teachers. Most children were not Christian, but were well cared for.
14 – Friday 20 -Richplain Baptist Church, Diego Martin (North Trinidad). 6pm – 8 pm. Gifts and evangelism for 30 to 40 children and adults
15 – Saturday 21- 9am – 11 pm Chickland Weslyan Children’s Home. Central Trinidad. Gave gifts, ministry, prayer and love to about 15 orphans. This is one of the only two Christian orphanages in all of Trinidad and it is losing it’s building in a few months. There are no plans for safe places to put the children. Has almost no financial support.
16 – Saturday 21- 12 pm – 2 pm Phillips Children’s home. The only other Christian orphanage in Trinidad. Brought lunch and toys to 20- 30 children there. They have little food. No pictures allowed. Spontaneous prayer broke out. The children and I all prayed for each other as group.
17 – Sunday 22- 9am- 1pm The Church of the Pentecost, Carson Field. Pastor Andy and I both preached the Sunday morning service to about 50 in attendance, prayed and I ministered to many who stayed. Nisha began getting help from Pastor Wendy.
18 – Sunday 23- A Baptist Church funded by the Southern Baptist Convention. Kingdom Ministries, Pastor Lloyd Meares, Princes Town (South Trinidad). 4pm. This and another church partnered to invite over 100 un churched children to this very successful children’s event. After I spoke, The Pastor gave an invitation and 20 children came to accept Christ. I had such a line of children wanting me to pray for each one of them that I did not see it or know about it until I was told later.
