Sunday May 3, 2009
Today was by far our busiest day of the trip. This morning we arose early and headed to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center to have a worship service for the men there. The drive was an hour and 15 minutes into the mountainous area of the island. The rehab center, called The Rebirth Center, is actually located on an army base. The base really didn’t seem like much of an army base to me through my American eyes other than the armed and uniformed guards at the gate. We drove up a rough road up into the wilderness where a small dormitory and meeting area appeared out of nowhere.
The worship service was so powerful! We were greeted by Troy, a recovering drug addict who was so wrapped in his addiction at one time that he tried to sell his own daughter to get drug money. He now is one of the directors of the rehab center. It’s actually a great idea. The rehab center is run by former addicts who have overcome their addiction and who now help the men there struggling with their addictions. After Troy started worship, Steve Buren and his wife Angela (members of our team) led worship for us. Then Shane Miles from our mission team shared a message from God’s word. John Buren, his son Steve, and my girlfriend Michelle DeNooyer shared their powerful testimonies with the men. We all prayed over Michelle and laid hands on her for healing from her latest surgery. It was a very moving time for all involved.
Next the men had a chance to share with us. Hayden, a recovering cocaine addict sang us 2 songs and shared his story. He is a “pastor’s kid” (as he put it) who got away from his father’s guidance and fell into drug use. His story was moving and encouraging in so many ways. He, his friend Christopher, and another man then played and sang a song with guitar and drum accompaniment. It was really powerful. I also met a man named Winston (see photos) who was born and raised in Trinidad but lived in the US and Canada for 28 years. Winston played wide receiver and running back in the CFL for several years, but turned to drugs when his football career ended after a knee injury. We had a great conversation about overcoming injuries, football, and God’s plan for our lives. I just can’t share enough about how powerful our morning was.
After a quick lunch we headed back to the village of Bellamy for Day 2 of vacation bible school. It rained hard this afternoon so we had to do one activity at a time under our tent. We sang songs with the kids (complete with hand motions), performed a bible drama of the story of the Good Samaritan (I played a bad guy and the donkey!), played musical chairs, did relay races, and made book marks with the kids for their bibles. It was another fun day of VBS!
After a quick dinner we went to an evening church service here at the TTUM compound. Every Sunday night all of the churches TTUM has planted come together for a big, combined worship service. It was great! We live in such a bubble in the US and we assume that we are the only ones worshipping God the way we do. That assumption is all wrong. The Trinidadians worship just like we do; sing the same songs, take communion, pray, etc. But these people are on fire for Jesus in a way that we need to imitate. It is inspiring and awesome to see.
Worship began with some awesome music by the TTUM praise band. Next, Pastor Daniel Teerman from our team (Third Reformed Church) preached a sermon, followed by testimonies shared by Beverly, Erin, and Phil from our team. We then took communion and ended with a time of prayer. Tomorrow we are visiting three schools?elementary, junior high, and high school?to present the gospel to kids via song, drama, games, and stories. We will also have our third day of vacation bible school.
God bless and Go Broncos!
- Tim
