Jamaica 2006
Campaigns For Christ
Eugene Jenkins, Director 102 SW 6th St., Oak Grove, MO 64075; (816)690-6073; dejenk@juno.com
Bill Noblin, Assistant Director, 8090 Hwy 5, Hartville, MO 65667; (417)462-3344; BillNoblin@centurytel.net
Fred Rhodes, Assistant Director, 577 SW 82nd Avenue, Jamesport, MO 64648; (660)685-6583; fredrhodes2003@yahoo.com
Mike Richardson, Building Team, 2837 310th Street, Lamoni, IA 50140; (641)783-2446; mdrfarm@iowatelecom.net
Campaign Report - June 27, 2006
It is always a joy to
teach the lost, encourage the brethren and preach the Gospel to all who will
listen. Anyone who knows me and my family very well recognizes that this is
especially true in Jamaica and that this is what the work on the island is all
about.
Our flight was uneventful and we arrived on the island on time. Getting through customs was a chore, but we finally made it and were on our way to Runaway Bay where we stayed.
Although all of us
stayed in the same place, ate together and had our morning devotionals together,
eight of us knocked doors and studied in Bamboo, a community twenty minutes east
of Brown's Town and the remaining twelve worked in St. Ann's Bay. In both
communities the people were receptive to our presence and we were thus able to
conduct 180 regular Bible studies, as well as several street studies. We were
blessed to enjoy some of the fruit of our efforts through seven baptisms, one
restoration and three requests for prayers. As always, it is our hope and desire
that others will also obey, and to that end we request your prayers!
One of the ladies that was immersed was very sick with kidney failure. Primrose Brown was brought to the building by an aunt, believing that if she were baptized she would not only be spiritually benefited, but also physically healed. Eric Richardson and I began studying with her and soon realized her lack of knowledge, so we would not baptize her without further study. She had difficulty focusing on the study due to her pain and weakness, so we took her back to her home with the hope that by getting more comfortable she would be able to focus. On that day she was not able to do so, but we were able to study with her aunt and cousin. The next day, after follow-up studies with them, Primrose was stronger and her mind more in focus, so we were able to have a good study with her. After discussing scriptures concerning the one church and the plan of salvation, she put Christ on in baptism.
I have heard a few people declare that campaigns such as ours are not worth the effort. Many things show such claims to be false, but Primrose by herself shows it clearly. She was taught and then baptized for the remission of her sins on Wednesday, June 14th. On Sunday, June 18th, we learned that she was in a coma in the local hospital, causing me to wonder if she might be an example of one who was literally "snatched out of the fires of hell." My thought was confirmed when I received an e-mail message from Owen Hayr, the local evangelist for the congregation in St. Ann's Bay, informing me that Primrose had passed from this life on Friday, June 23rd. She was thirty years old. How valuable was Primrose's soul? More valuable than everything in this world! The difference between her dying lost and dying saved was only a few days. I thank God for His grace and longsuffering, which gave her the time and us the opportunity to reach her with His saving Gospel. I also thank Him for each of you who support us in this work. I hope that you recognize that you too had a big part in her salvation!
I am very excited about the potential blessings from some unexpected TV exposure. In Brown's Town Kenloy Walker, the local evangelist, and Fred Rhodes, secured an invitation to introduce the church of Christ to the community by way of the local cable tv channel - free of charge. At the program manager's request some of our young people sang a couple of songs and then some of our men, with a couple of Jamaica brethren, were able to spend approximately thirty minutes talking about the Lord's church in general, answering questions, inviting people to study with us, giving times of services, etc. After we had finished we were given an astounding offer. The manager of the TV station told us that if we could get a couple of our nightly meetings recorded he would play them free of charge as well.
With such an offer, what can one do? He can make sure the lessons are recorded! I asked Derek Brown, one of our Jamaica brethren from Spanish Town, to tape the lessons for us, and he did - but that's not all. Brother Brown is involved in a TV program, entitled Bible Talk, that is broadcast over two thirds of the island. He is going to put the same two lessons on that program. Thankfully, the good news didn't stop there! You may have seen the excellent new DVD entitled Searching for TRUTH (written by John Moore and edited by Rudy Cain at World Video Bible School). We distributed two hundred of them on the island and they were well received. After viewing it, brother Brown said he would also play it over the Bible Talk program. Exciting? Yes indeed! Thousands we would never reach going door to door now have the opportunity to learn and obey the truth! So, although we have left the island, our work continues! (Learn more about the DVD at www.wvbs.org .)
We had a team of
twenty on this campaign, ranging in age from sixteen to seventy-five, and every
one did a great job. We were disappointed that our oldest team member, Tom
Newberry (age 83), was not able to be with us this year. Although he had planned
to go, it was necessary for him to remain behind due to Betty, his wife, having
serious health problems. We are happy to report that surgery to remove her
cancerous voice box was successful. However, at the time of this writing her
Doctor had not determined whether he was able to remove all cancerous cells or
not. Tom was not only missed by us, but also by the Jamaica brethren who love
him so! He has already told me that if his health allows he plans on returning
with us to Jamaica next year. What a great example!
When I received the
notice about Primrose passing away, there was also a positive report concerning
our other new brothers and sisters. Owen said that he had begun a new converts
class and that the first one went very well. For this I am thankful, and I look
forward to reports about their continued growth, and any possible positive
responses from others that were studied with.
Before I close, let
me mention a few things about members of my physical family. I didn't get to see
a lot of them during the day because each one was very busy. Luvenia had one of
the best years of her campaign life. Every year a few team members hit an area
that is especially responsive. She, along with Jared Rhodes and Rachel Moore,
and their Jamaican co-workers, did so on this campaign. Luvenia and her partner
were on thirty-five studies out of the 180 that were conducted. They often did
not have time to eat their snacks at lunch time. Tired? Yes indeed. But ecstatic
as well! Even more so when one of those she was teaching obeyed the Gospel.
Peyton worked in Bamboo and had the privilege of having among his study partners
his grand-parents. That is always a blessing! Rebecca was involved in several
studies, including those that resulted in three of the baptisms. Her excitement
could hardly be contained! Tyler was involved in other Bible studies, but he,
along with Katie Allison, were also a big help in keeping children occupied so
their mothers could concentrate on what the Bible says. I am surely proud of
Luvenia and all three children in many ways, but especially for their love for
Christ and His church, and their willingness to work for the souls of others.
God continually blesses me through them!
Once again, please accept my deepest gratitude for your prayers, encouragement and assistance, financial and otherwise, on behalf of my family and me, as well as the Jamaican campaign teams (teaching and building). We could not do the work without you, and I am convinced that God's blessings are extended to you for your faithful service in this regard. If you ever begin to doubt this, remember Primrose Brown!
Sincerely,
Eugene Jenkins
P. S. Contact Mike Richardson, as noted on the letterhead, about the building team.