Greetings from Dominica

Thanks to Mike Head's laptop and an unexpected break in our schedule, I am able to post this update.

Saturday morning Glenda, Pat, and I went to Deliverance Baptist Church in Roseau. Thirty-four worship leaders and pastors from throughout the island joined us for a three-hour worship seminar. It was a very enthusiastic and eager group. We had a great time of learning, worship, and prayer.

Sunday morning, the three of us drove over to Mahaut for worship at the Baptist Church there. Our primary driver, Bankie, is the worship leader there. The church sets high on a hill above the town which overlooks the Caribbean Sea. We had a wonderful time of worship. Glenda sang two of our songs and I brought greetings from First Baptist. The Pastor Sydney Regis brought an inspiring message.

Sunday evening, the rest of our group arrived safely from Barbados. They met us at Deliverance Baptist in Roseau. Pastor David Serrant arranged for us to eat a delicious meal in the church's fellowship hall. We were joined by a Spanish women that the group befriended on the flight to Dominica.

After the meal, we participated in a lively time of worship at the church. There were many guests. The program included testimonies by church members, a skit by the youth, and number by their dance team. Our choir sang quite a few songs, the chimes rang, and Steve Farris shared a gospel presentation. There were nine adult professions of faith in addition to several children. Following the service we received word that sixteen people had given their hearts to the Lord at Mahaut that afternoon. Both churches were holding their Services of the Ten as part of Operation Andrew.

Our program at the local school was moved from Monday morning to Friday morning. Therefore, we took the group on a little sightseeing. We visited Trafalgar Falls and a boiling spring. We sang quite a few songs at each of the spots and shared the Lord with all who would listen.

After lunch the entire group returned to the market in Mahaut. After presenting a program of music with the chimes and choir, we dispersed into the area and witnessed to many people. Our group led six people to the Lord and witnessed to many more. Everyone was very proactive in sharing their faith. Pastors David and Sydney were with us so we were able to connect people to their churches.

Tuesday morning we sang for the drivers, vendors, and security personnel. It was a great opportunity to witness with them as they were waiting for the cruise ship to arrive. There has been at least one ship here each day.

Later in the morning we boarded our buses (small thirteen passenger mini-vans) for the long drive to Portsmouth. Here we stopped at a small eating area adjacent to Ross Medical School. This is a small "food court" where the students ate. Again, we sang and witnessed to many, many people. Martha led a lady to the Lord and Steve made several good contacts for next trip in May.

After eating some lunch, we drove down into Portsmouth and stopped at Olivet Baptist Church. Pastor Luke told us about his church and community. We then drove down to the town square. We "evangi-carolled" down the main street and to the market. Our group led two more folks to the Lord in this area. Our hearts are heavy for the many others who were receptive to the gospel message, but stopped short of professing faith in the Lord.

We enjoyed a beautiful Caribbean sunset on the drive back to Roseau. Each night we share reports, testimonies, and information upon returning to the hotel. The hotel security guard has begun to join us for this time of prayer. Glenda and I shared the gospel to him on Monday night and prayed with him.

This morning, Wednesday, we drove over to the local Christian radio station and sang a live concert on the air. Pastor David invited people to join us at our remaining venues and I tied our selections together by sharing the gospel as it related to what we were singing. Steve Farris also shared the gospel and the choir sang beautifully. After the program we drove down to Scotts Head and saw where the Altantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea are only 30 feet from one another.

The radio station is replaying our program this afternoon. We will be leaving in just a few minutes for the town of Salisbury for a concert at their market and more street evangelism. We will then sing another evangelistic concert at Deliverance BC later this evening.

We will be singing on Kari radio tomorrow morning at 10 am local time (8 am in Cookeville). They say that you can listen online. We will go to Fond Cole later in the day and the Princess Margaret Hospital that evening.

Pray for us. It is a joy to lead this folks to faith in the Lord and to encourage the local pastors and believers.

I may be able to post more later. Until then, keep praying for us.

Peace, Jonathan