Last days -- Tues & Weds

Tuesday, July 19
Today EVS toured Tortola.  We left the church around 11am, across the islands, up the mountain side, along the beach line, and stopped to take pictures at Sky Bar and Restaurant, which was on top of a mountain.  We saw a wall full of murals and the resorts on the West end of the island.  Lunch was at a restaurant called Quito a little after noon.  The restaurant was by the beach so we had a wonderful view during the meal.  We were there till about 3pm.
When we arrived back at the church, we held a few classes: Preaching techniques, evangelism, the human mind, and telling your testimony.  After classes, Mrs. Scott-Richmond and Andrea Dismukes led a choir workshop for NTCOG's choir.

Weds, July 20
EVS sang a few songs during the church's mid-day miracle service.  Nathan Ramsey spoke on trusting the Lord through our trials.  Saying, "Nevertheless, I will trust you," no matter how crazy our financial circumstances look, no matter how crazy our family life is... etc.
Lunch was served at the church.  We had shepherd's pie, chicken, fish, caesar salad, mixed vegetables, rice and beans, and corn on the cob.  Warm strawberry cake and ice cream for dessert.
Then some of the group went shopping.  To end the night, the church treated us to bowling [I think I won out of the whole group with the score of 99].  A couple of us had some tasty low fat 2% milk homemade ice cream while others ate some fried chicken, french fries, and/or pizza.
So sad to be leaving tomorrow   =(

Random photos from throughout the trip...

Free day!!!

Monday, July 18th
Today EVS finally got a free day.  We went sailing!!
We sailed to Virgin Gorda and Peter Island, relaxed and played at the beach, and had a yummy lunch.  Most of us got burnt while a few were fortunate enough to miss the burn and only get some darker.
To get to the beach on Virgin Gorda, we went through what the locals call caves and baths.  We had to maneuver ourselves by crawling, squeezing between, ducking under, and climbing rocks to get to the place where we would be swimming.
On Peter Island is where we enjoyed the tasty lunch mentioned earlier.  We got a tour and brief history of the island, enjoyed the beach and some of us even took advantage of the opportunity of kayaking and tidal-wave surfing.

All of us were most certainly exhausted and worn from a hard weeks work and the sun and waters certainly added to the exhaustion.
It does always seem rest days make me more tired than work days....
Off to bed I go!

Sunday, July 17

This morning a few EVS members led praise and worship.  Bishop Charles preached part 3 of his message on the Great Commission.  He illustrated the scene of Jesus coming to Mary at the well and how when she found and accepted Jesus as Savior, she introduced the five husbands to Him, and they told and led more and more people to Christ.  Bishop used a water pitcher filled with water to represent Jesus and an empty cup to represent Mary.  Then he filled the cup with water and then put the cup in the pitcher to show Christ in us and us in Christ.  It was a great demonstration.

My host home cooked lunch for the EVS members staying with me.  We had ribs, steamed broccoli, slaw, rice and beans, and sweet potato.

During the evening service, the EVS praise team led praise & worship again.  Then the dance and drama classes presented what they learned during the youth convention.  EVS sang a few songs and then Mrs. Scott-Richmond gave the message.  She told all the females to say, "My name is Destiny," and all the males, "I am destined for greatness!"  She gave examples of people in the Bible who had a destiny, such as Deborah, Esther, Tamar, and Sarah.

Saturday, July 16

This morning, we met at the church to feed the homeless.  I believe most would agree.... I really enjoyed it and had a good time.  They had so much to say and talk about.  One guy known as Champy had a guitar and we sang worship songs a lot of the time.  Another guy danced with us while Caribbean worship song played over the sound system.  A couple EVS members spoke to a guy named Avery who claimed to be Rastafarian.  He admitted he wasn't sure who or what God is.  That opened the door for us to share a little about who God is to us.  Heather Reynolds said, "Most kept to themselves until you actually pulled a conversation out of them.  The guy I sat with must have been super hungry because he was just chowing down on his plate.  He had double portions of everything."

After EVS rehearsal for the Sunday services, we FINALLY were able to rest.  There was NOTHING we had to do for the rest of the night.  I slept.  My EVS roommates watched television and the saw the vet gave the dog a shot for an infection.  For dinner my host mother made spaghetti and it was delicious and personally made me miss my mom!

Friday, July 15

Dennis Rivers gave his testimony this morning to EVS and the youth of NTCOG.
Then we held the following classes throughout the day: Art, Spanish, Teaching children's Sunday school, Dance rehearsal, Mass choir rehearsal, Drama rehearsal, and Instrumental Gospel music.
During the Sunday services, the dance and drama group will display what they've learning.

After classes, EVS set-up tables divided by majors and the youth would go and learn about what Lee University has to offer on their major of interest.  Personally... it was sooo frustrating, because the kids would rotate from table to table almost in a "speed dating" style and we only had 3 minutes with each person.  So, kids who were really interested in Science (my major) didn't get to hear and ask everything they wanted to know.

During the evening service, Kat Price gave her testimony and then the mass choir (EVS members and youth from New Testament Church of God) sang "Giants".  Praise and worship led by Ishika Charles was wonderful and truly ushered in the Holy Spirit.  Cornelius gave the message out of Romans 12 about transforming from the world and renewing our minds.  It was a great message to end the youth convention.  After the message, Bishop Charles prayed with all the youth and spoke a blessing over us.

Weds & Thurs -- July 13-14

During the mid-day service, Bishop Charles preached on Cursing our Curses and how this must be done by cursing the root of the curse and in the name of Jesus.  At 7:30pm was the evening service.  We had an amazing time of worship and EVS member Karien Green gave the message.  She preached from the text 1 Samuel 17 and Ecclesiastes 3 about how everyone goes through seasons and in these seasons, God will transform and reform us; take out the old and bring in new; and even though this time may be painful, God allows us to go THROUGH these things in order to perfect us.
Following service, we had a delicious meal, once again prepared by the lovely ladies of the church.  =)



Thursday, July 14
Devotion at 9:30am was given by Ashley Beth (or AB as we know her) about a time to sit and listen to what God has to say.  Classes held this morning were Drama, Dance, Accounting, and Business; in the evening we had classes on effective preaching techniques, teaching children's Sunday school, and sign-language.  Between classes, EVS practiced with some of the youth choir members of New Testament Church of God for a selection we will be ministering together Friday during the evening service.  The children learned the song quickly and were able to add to the fullness of the sound.
This evening, Akeem, a member EVS and New Testament Church of God, lead praise and worship.  Juanesha Summers, EVS' president, gave the Word during service.  She preached from Romans 8 about the actual transformation period of our lives.  As Mrs. Scott-Richmond put it.... WOW!  Service was absolutely great and we praise God for speaking through both Karien and Juanesha.  During alter call, many were delivered and given peace concerning their situations and 3 youths (that I'm aware of) gave their lives to Christ!!  We prayed for the healing of a woman with cancer, a baby with many complications, a lady with blood issues, and many more, and with great faith we know God either already has, can and will heal them!  Service did not end till about 10:30pm!


By the way.... if you all would like to watch the previous or live-feeds of tonight and Sundays service, you can view these at www.ntcogbci.org

We made it!

We came by air, land, sea....and by land again, but we've made it! 

Traveling through the Atlanta airport was quite a task with 29 choir members and chaperons.  Our biggest obstacle was trying to keep everyone together and to the gate on time.  We boarded the plane around 10am and 3 hours 29 mins later we landed in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.

Our next line of waiting was to buy tickets for Road Town Fast Ferry, which would bring us to the British side of the Virgin Islands.  At 4:15pm, we got onto the ferry and an hour and 10 mins later, walked onto BVI where we waited in-line (again) to get through immigration.

FINALLY, we were here.  Tortola, British Virgin Islands--our home for the next 10 days.

We were taken to New Testament Church of God International Worship Center, our host church, whose pastor is Ishmel Charles.  We were served a chicken, fish, and ribs dinner with traditional island sides and a fruit punch drink.  After listening to the children's choir practice, we departed to our assigned host homes for the evening.

This morning, breakfast was served at the church and devotions and prayer to start off the youth conference began at 9:30am.  Cornelius' devotion introduced the topic and purpose of the conference: From past to future--Walk into your season.  The classes that were taught today were Accounting, Intro to Communication, Instrumental gospel music, Drama, Vocal, and Business.

In a few minutes, the church's mid-day service will be held in the sanctuary....

Stay-tuned to here about the rest of today.  Tonight a worship service will be held and we are praying that God will move in a mighty way.

BVI Youth Conference Flyer

One of the many doors God has opened for us! We pray for the Lord to lead us and His Sprirt to go before us to prepare those who we come in contact with.