JAMAICA NEWSLETTER
Ed Werner
April - August 2007
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Bob and June Blanshan
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Dan and Joanna Smith
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Shara'e-Hope Scott
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Mervin's House
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HURRICANE DEAN NEWS ALERT
Just before going to press we heard from Donovan, Roger and Mervin. Power is still mostly out, but some cell phones and land line phones are working. The church buildings in Mineral Hts., Top Hill, Mocho and Mandeville are all OK. Mitchelltown church on the southeast part of the island lost part of its roof again and the preacher there also lost his roof. So far there are no reports of any of the Christians being injured but some have lost roofs and others have lost their homes. One Christian lady lost her livelihood of 150 chickens. Sharon Scott said there was less water this time and more wind. These are early reports so we will be getting more information later and will send an update. If you would like to help, please designate your checks for "hurricane repairs". BOB BLANSHAN IN JAMAICA
Bob and June Blanshan ministered to the Jamaican people for many years and lived there for a period of time also. When their health would not allow them to continue, Sharon and I then gradually took on this ministry. Bob and June have wanted to make a trip back to Jamaica one more time. He was finally able to go this summer and left on July 5th with his grandson Bobby Blanshan. Because of health issues June was not able to go. Jamaica Evangelism was able to help Bob with expenses so that he could take this very deserved trip. Bob has expressed his appreciation for the help we gave and he throroughly enjoyed being with those Christians again. His grandson, Bobby, Jr. preached at Mandeville and Top Hill and then went on to the Constant Springs Youth camp in Kingston to meet up with his dad Dale Blanshan. Bob flew home a couple of days early because he was not feeling well.
DAN AND JOANNA SMITH
This past June we met with Dan Smith and the elders of the River Road Church of Christ in Ottumwa, Iowa where Dan is ministering, to discuss plans for them to partner with us in the work of Jamaica Evangelism with the goal of having them gradually take over the work that Sharon and I have been doing under the oversight of the church here in Coos Bay. Dan, Joanna, Sharon and I plan to make a trip in January 2008 to Jamaica to teach classes and strengthen the churches and to help the Smiths get better acquainted with the leaders and Christians there on the island, espcially with the preachers that we are supporting at present. Dan has already works with the Bible college and has taught several Bible college classes and done some preaching there the past few years and so is somewhat familiar with the people and culture. We are looking to the future of the work of the Lord in Jamaica and because of health reasons, I need someone to take over this work which Dan has agreed to do. Sharon and I love the Jamaica Christians dearly and so this has been a difficult and reluctant decision for us, but we are confident that Dan and Joanna will carry on the work in a good way. All of us also met with Richard and Sandy Geringswald of Jamaica Christian Services to keep informed of what each of us are doing.ROGER AND SHARON SCOTT
The Scott's baby daughter, Shara'e Hope, born March 29th, is doing well. They are thrilled to have a daughter whom Roger calls "his little angel". Roger's van which he uses for the church, school and personal broke down last month and he had to purchase a new engine for it. We sent him money to replace the engine, since he and Sharon have a lot of medical expenses to pay yet. Sharon is also taking classes in Mandeville required by the state in order to continue the basic school. There is an annual youth camp in Constant Springs in Kingston which draws youth from many congregations which has just ended. Two young people from Mineral Heights were baptized and 3 others rededicated their lives to Christ. Also recently 2 people transferred their membership to Mineral Heights. Sandy Geringswald from Florida (along with a team of young people from the U.S.) is conducting a Vacation Bible School there right now and they have about 80 children in attendance.
MERVIN WARD
Sunday mornings at the Mocho church there are 35 or more in attendance. Only a small amount has been done on the church building, because they have run out of money. A bathroom still needs to be put in and the Sunday school addition needs to be finished. Mervin is also working on his home to get it up to a level so it doesn't flood and is finishing a dry room for Keino to be in. He plans to add a 2nd story to his house and has dreams of one day having room for those of us who come from the States to be able to stay there . He is also saving money to purchase a better vehicle hopefully by the end of this year.
DONOVAN BENT
Donovan has recently purchased a 2000 Mitsubishi 7 passenger van at a cost of about $15,000 US which was a necessity for all the driving he does for the work of the Lord. We helped with the down payment but he has to make monthly payments of about $350 per month. We also sent $700 to assist in building a covering (garage) so that hail during the hurricane season would not damage it. Next newsletter we hope to have a picture of the van. Most Sundays at Mandeville there is an attendance of 160, less when it rains, and on one Sunday involving the school, there were 222 which had them scrambling to find seating for everyone. Donovan is diligently preaching and busy teaching both at Mandeville and Top Hill and has just finished working at the youth camp in Constant Springs and Vacation Bible Schools at Top Hill and Mandeville. The women's ministry is active and busy with helping the shut-ins, the unfortunate, and building their ladies up mentally and spiritually through prayer and studying of God's Word.
Each of the men continue to express their gratitude to all of you supporters for your generosity enabling the work of the Lord to continue in Jamaica.