Latest
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The Problem Doesn’t Go Away
Tabernacle Baptist Church is in a unique area. Just down the road from us is a shop where people drink rum all day, and across the street men are usually sitting on steps smoking marijuana. My heart breaks for them because of their addiction…. But the real burden comes because I know WHY they drink…
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Ministry Starts Small
There are two elementary schools in my area. I’ve been able to volunteer and minister in one for years, but the other I’ve never been able to get involved with. This isn’t a bad thing, they simply have a lot of people already helping. Over the years I have asked the Lord to open a…
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A Physical and Spiritual Health
A few weeks ago, I started to take my diet, and personal health very seriously. A big part of this is beginning to drink more water, and eat properly. The thing is I was doing well with this during January…. but fell apart in February!!! My mistake is actually a common one with those in…
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God Fixed My Car
In November the Lord allowed me to purchase a used van to use as my personal vehicle. This would help greatly with church services, trips, and daily ministries. Almost immediately people in Barrouallie began to ask, “who are you selling the car to?” Some of them wanted to purchase it themselves….. But I had already…
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Simpler is Better
All of last week kids in my community have been on Easter break. As usual, things were fun at first, but by Friday they were officially “bored.” In many places their response to boredom would be watching TV or using a tablet all day. But in SVG most children no longer have tablets (they are…
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God Has Things Worked Out
Many of you know that a struggle in Saint Vincent is getting men into church, or to help in the ministry. It isn’t that men don’t care about the things of God, it’s just harder to reach them in the Vincentian culture. I put forth lots of effort trying to bring men into Church And…
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Why Ministry Can’t Be Cheap
This post was originally written in 2015. It was the beginning of a change in my thinking when it come to money that goes like this. I live frugally (cheaply)….. So that ministry can be done professionally (expensively) Sadly, we live in an expensive world! But the Lord helps us invest in eternity. January 2,…
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Choose the Hard Road
As a rule I generally don’t read Andy Stanley’s books, or listen to his preaching, because he has fallen away from true doctrine. However some of his earlier writing is quite good! One of those good books is “The principle of the Path.” In it he shares a simple, but powerful truth… Our small decisions…
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Ministry is Messy
Yesterday I gave my van a good washing because it really needed it. And I did it with a smile on my face! because on the back of the van was the dirty handprint of a child who closed my trunk. That handprint was funny to me…. but it was also a reminder that ministry…
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Drink Your Water!
Last week was a pretty rough one for me physically. I struggled a lot with soreness, lack of energy, and pain in my legs. It took a while for me to figure out what the problem was… I wasn’t drinking enough water! In a tropical climate few things are more important than hydration. Especially for…
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When Ministry is Slow
Last week (and this week) the children in my community have been out of school for Easter holiday. During this time most of the kids would understandably stay home, or go somewhere else for a few days. This meant I had more time than usual on my hands! Between reading classes at school, Bible clubs,…
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The Eagle and the Chickens
A common parable used in sermons or motivational speeches is the story of an eagle who thought he was a chicken. It tells of an eagle’s egg which somehow got mixed in with the eggs of a mother hen. So when the eagle hatched, he adapted to his surroundings, eventually believing he was a chicken!…
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Covering My Shame
One family I minister to has a little four year old girl Susie (not her real name) who excitedly runs out to give me a hug during my visits. Saturday her father told me one of the young ladies I teach had given Susie a haircut! I believe a girl asked if she wanted a…
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Yes, You Can Survive the Heat
Last week I visited with a group of Americans who were coming to help renovate a building at the Bible college we have in SVG. Sitting over a lunch of ham and cheese sandwiches I knew exactly what they would want to talk about. How hot it is here!!! There are a few forms of…
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What If I Tried?
A few weeks ago, I was listening to an audiobook. The author was explaining how many people don’t live to their full potential. They will achieve 40% or 60% of what is possible, and then stop. While listening to that I scribbled a phrase on a notecard that’s stuck in my brain since…. What if…
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From the Archives: Facing a Demon-Possessed Printer
Originally written in 2023…. One of the greatest drawbacks of being on the mission field is you cannot purchase a new one. In many cases replacing a piece of equipment is either impossible (since you can’t get them there) or are too expensive. This means you often have to “fix things.” This is often an…
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Real Men are Firm, but Compassionate
A few days ago I did some classes for children, and as usual let one of them carry my backpack to the van. The kids know I sometimes have snacks in my backpack, and am willing to share them, but they must ask first. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are they allowed to take something out of…
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Missions is Being Calm Under Pressure
Last Sunday afternoon there was a funeral in the community. That evening many people celebrated by going to local bars or rum shops to drink. So I wasn’t surprised to see someone had parked his vehicle a bit too far towards the middle of a small road. This is actually a common problem here because…
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The World Needs Nurturers
A few weeks ago I discovered a baby doll in front of the church. This seemed strange to me, because most girls here are very protective of dolls, but took it home (to make sure nobody took it) and left a note on a door of the church. It informed anyone who had lost a…
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Brightening the World with Kindness
Friday morning a friend called me around 8:30 with a special surprise. She had baked me a belated birthday cake! I excitedly drove to her house about a half-hour later, put the cake in the fridge, and enjoyed a piece (it was delicious) at lunchtime. I carefully put the cake back into the fridge but…
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Death to Super-Missionary
Years ago, I read a book by false-teacher Rob Bell in order to better understand his Doctrinal stand. Most of it was junk, but one chapter was helpful. It was titled “death to Super-Pastor.” In it he described trying to do everything at the church in his own strength, and wisdom. Till one Sunday briefly…
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Making Memories
There is a group of seven or eight kids in a part of Barrouallie who I minister to almost every day. We sing songs, listen to Bible stories, share verses, and read together. I jokingly call them “my children.” Yesterday on my birthday I decided to do something fun with them. So as we spent…
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A Day to Celebrate
(Editors note: The picture in this post is from my birthday in 2023, I turned 48 today). I am someone who loves being busy. The Lord called me to a mission field with lots of needs to be met, and many opportunities to serve Him. Yet with all of that busyness, sometimes the best thing…
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Honoring Moms Who are Dads Too
Last Friday was International Womens Day. I spent some time thanking the Lord for Godly women He brought into my life such as my mother. And also for the women go Saint Vincent (and Barrouallie particularly). There are many reasons why I thank God for the women of Saint Vincent…. But one of the most…
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Drama Will Find You
Last week I walked up the hill to visit and read Scripture with an older saint. Along the way a man and woman were standing in front of a rum shop shouting at one another. It started as an argument over the $10 he owed her and didn’t have, but things got more and more…
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Facing Our Fears
Yesterday I renewed my Vincentian drivers license. This is something you do every year before your birthday (mine is next Tuesday) so it’s best to go ahead and get it done early. I walked out with a smile that reminded me how comfortable driving on Vincentian roads is…… And how much they scared me when…
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Walking in Their Slippers
Last week I was working with some children, and one of them forgot to wear her slippers (what we call flip flops). At first this was okay but soon the asphalt was too hot for her to walk on without them. So I kicked off my crocs, and let her wear them. Though they weren’t…
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Ministry is Hard Work
When my parents came to visit me in 2017, my father made two requests. Since then people almost always see me wearing a hat. It’s gotten to the point where if I’m not wearing it, people will ask “where is your hat?”. Wearing the hat has become part of my identity And not just a…
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Glimpses of Glory
Friday evening I was driving to a church-member’s house . to be honest, I was tired from a week of ministry, and sort of distracted. That’s when I turned the corner….. And forgot all my weariness. on the way from Barrouallie to a nearby community is one of the best views of the sea you…
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Giving Them a Safe Place
I work a lot with children in Saint Vincent because they are the leaders of our next generation. But I also work with them because Satan targets young people. This is done in many ways, but especially through apps such as TikTok on tablets and phones. This kind of influence introduces children to worldly ideas…
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A Love that Prosecutes
Sunday night was tough for me because during church my security camera, picked up a friend who I loved and trusted, breaking that trust by breaking into my house It was tough for me….. But it wasn’t shocking in this fallen world we are all sinners (including me). and many ministers, as well as missionaries,…
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Spreading Seed Far and Wide
Last week I wrote a post about discouragement that can come by sharing tracts (you can read it here). The point was we don’t always see fruit, but that doesn’t mean the Lord isn’t working. The Lord knew I was needed some encouragement in this area….. So, He allowed me to see someone who was…
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Keep Sowing
For the last few years I have been giving out chick tracts in the community. Usually, the shipment of 400 would last me a while. But yesterday I noticed my shipment received on December 12 was beginning to become low! This was a great encouragement…. and at the same time brought a discouraging thought. Obviously,…
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The Method Changes, but the Message never Changes
A few years ago I began doing quick Bible stories after school. This allowed children to stop by and hear a devotional on the way home from school. What began as a small thing started to grow…. And began reaching hearts as well as minds. a few months ago, I began focusing those quick stories…
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Sometimes We Fight
Last Monday I walked down to the church to do some ministry, and a few people were relaxing there. This isn’t a problem since the afternoon sun is especially hot, and the area in front of the church offers cool shade. However the angry man standing there was a problem…. Especially when he started blaspheming God!…
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living without Wi-Fi
About two weeks ago, I came back from the Bible college to find that my internet was down. This isn’t an abnormal thing since outages for a few hours are a fairly common occurrence. But it was still down the next day, I started getting concerned…… in recent months around Christmas a new Internet company…
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Letting Scripture Speak
In September of 2019 the Lord allowed me to teach the first class for Freshman at the Baptist Bible College of the Caribbean. It was a joy to lead that class on Bible Doctrine, and help the young men learn foundational truths of Scripture. The first week I gave away my KJV Scofield Study Bible…
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When Something Doesn’t Work
A few days after Christmas I began an exercise program centered around meeting calorie, steps, and exercise goals using my phone. With the Lord’s help, for three weeks straight every goal was met. Then my streak was broken….. The problem was over Christmas holidays and as school started back, I had time to reach my…
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Caring For the Wounded
Tuesday afternoon I was leading a Bible Club in the rain We were taking the necessary precautions since the children were sitting inside my van with the doors open (safe and dry) while I held an umbrella over my head. As we sang “my God is so big” (complete with muscle motions) I somehow scratched…
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Making Things Right
A few months ago I brought a new ball to the two-year old grandson of a lady who I visit each week. He immediately took it in his hands and (being a boy) began to kick it. The problem is they live on top of a hill, so he would often kick it over the…
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Small Problems Become Big Ones
Recently my van was getting a bit of work done at the mechanic. So because I was without it for a few days, the young pastor who has my car (He will buy it soon) brought it for me to use. He had warned me that the radiator of the car had been cracked in…
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Growth Takes Time
In early December my Christmas barrel came in. Part of my treasures in that box were new books for children to read that would be used in my reading help program. Over the Christmas break I took one of the very basic books (a version of chicken little) and read it to some children for…
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Life Doesn’t Have a Happy ending
Last Saturday I finished listening to “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurty in audio book format. It was a great book, but reminded me of a hard truth. The story itself is about a group of cowboys who take cattle to Montana. Along the way, most of them die. And the ones who don’t die are…
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Sometimes You Need to be Fed
This week has been busy, and tiring, but very rewarding! I’m attending our Leadership Bible Conference with missionaries from the States, and Pastors from surrounding islands. It’s a great time of fellowship, and preaching. Yesterday I listened to five sermons (all wonderful) and left with a full heart.… Which reminded me that Pastors need to…
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Ignoring the Silly People
Last Saturday I helped a young lady who is visiting people to ask questions about the yearly Census in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. They are basic questions like how many people live in their home, and how long they lived there. The census workers are encouraged to work in pairs, and since she didn’t…
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Ministry Is Random
A few years ago, I started using the hashtag #missionarylife when writing posts for social media. This hashtag was stolen from missionary Andrew Comings in Brazil, and I enjoyed how he used it to share the more random parts of missions. Eventually I began using missions is _____________ instead of the hashtag…. But the purpose…
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Going Back Out Into the Heat
Last Thursday was really hot….I mean REALLY HOT! The weather here in SVG has been hotter than normal lately, but for some reason the temperature was extra high on that day. I passed out tracts and visited as usual on Thursday morning… but was worn out with no energy and sore legs by 11:00. Ministry…
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Winning a Keyboard Culture War
Last week I started posting some posts (mostly from X, formerly twitter) that spoke of cultural issues, and would start conversation. They are usually posted with a hashtag #foodforthought. As I began these posts again, I was excited…… but also knew it would bring drama to my facebook page. Not everyone I’m friends with on…
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Helping Them Flourish
Last month I began going through some reading help sessions with a girl in the third grade. Her father actually approached me, and asked if I’d be willing to help her. Our first sessions were good, but it was obvious that the girl was quite shy. This is understandable since she didn’t know me very…
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Methods Must Change
On Monday I started a reading help program again at the local school where I’ve been volunteering for years. It was neat working with fourth grade students who I helped as third graders last year. We had a great first session because I knew them…. and I’d made an effort to do things in a…
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