Jamaica and Beyond

Jamaica, Lord?

In November of 2023, the Lord sent my husband, Lupe, and I to Costa Rica. (That mission trip will be in a separate blog.) The entire trip was so blessed that the missions trip felt like a honeymoon! That's just it! When you minister to the Lord and co-labor with the Holy Spirit, He carries the full weight of it all and we flow with the beautiful rhythms of grace. He sets the cadence. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow. Always perfect. He is an excellent dancer.

It was the miraculous end of that trip, a series of unfortunate events - hitting a tree with a rental car in a foreign country that led to a missed flight that led to an additional 3 days in said foreign country, that led us to the hotel where we met a Jamaican man and a fellow American man praying in the hotel lobby. The Holy Spirit blew me like a wind right into them and I began praying right along with them. After about 30 minutes, we had received an invitation to church with this missions group and later, an invitation to Jamaica which was also delayed until February of 2024.

I was grateful my husband was willing to go with me on this trip. Truly we were venturing through uncharted waters. As we were about to land in Jamaica, the Lord told me to research Jamaica's history. God can use Google too. My heart sank as I read how the Spanish took African slaves to the island and slaughtered the natives, while only some escaped into the mountains.

"Lord Jesus! Why would you bring me here?" I asked with what felt like a rock in my throat.

"Your ancestors brought destruction, death, and slavery. I'm sending you to bring healing." I heard Him say.

Beyond humbling. I trembled at His words.

I'll say this, Jamaicans KNOW their history. We discussed it with many, having very hard conversations with several (including a beautiful group of homeschool families) who were willing to discuss. In moments where unforgiveness, generational trauma, and resentment had taken hold, the Lord healed with powerful moments of repentance and forgiveness. I was blown away at the deep level of discernment and understanding the people carried. Some became friends for life.

He gave me public declarations to pronounce over the people during the concert event we had been invited to. I felt like a fish out of water. The reggae music that filled the event from start to finish was so awesome and then there was me- ha! A middle-aged woman with a guitar and a message. It was a little messy - the band wasn't sure if they were to play with me or not- we really hadn't practiced and I felt like there was a battle in my mind over what I was supposed to do - besides share what the Lord had given me to share.

"Just do what you do, Denee." He spoke in the hotel room prior to the event.

Then He gave me the song, "I'm coming back to the heart of worship..."

I did what I do and while it was a rough start, it ended with "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley. I recently learned that Bob Marley was a Jewish man AND a prophet. This song, three little birds was literally from scripture in Matthew 6:25-27, where Jesus tells His disciples not to worry about their life, what they will eat or drink as our Heavenly Father feeds them and how much more valuable are we than they. The crowd erupted with joy and sang this song with me. It was beautiful and just what the Lord desired for the moment.

The event was beautiful... yet I do know the Lord wanted to do more. The true ministry began towards the end when many came to the altar to repent and get right with God. There were many words I knew the Spirit was releasing and my heart yearned to lead the people in worship. They were very hungry for His presence. I was told that I would receive another invitation to return for a worship night. Lord willing, soon!

Prior to this event, Lupe and I had been walking through the streets, ministering to those who crossed our path. Feeding the hungry, praying for the wanderers, ministering to the homeschool families in the park, and engaging in a supernatural fulfillment of a dream He had given me by the bay. We prayed for fisherman and construction workers. Several got saved, some got delivered from demons and addictions, and a couple asked for the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The Lord described us as "King fishers". The very same type of BIG fish one of the fisherman told me about that led to his salvation.

These stories- these reflections of God's goodness and power and love wreck me. Even as I write them, they encourage my faith and remind me to be bold to take the next step. People NEED Jesus. They need His love. They need His Spirit.

The TIME IS NOW.