While in Jamaica I had a lot of cool ministry opportunities. One of the most impacting days for me was a school visit in trench-town. A small group of us from the ship spent a few hours in a rough part of town hanging out with school kids ages 10-15 and sharing the gospel with them. As I looked in to the eyes of so many of these young teens I saw something that scared me, something that broke my heart. I saw emptiness, coldness, and pain. I have encountered people going through hard times in my life, I have seen hardship and great poverty before but this day was different. I believe that God allowed me to see something special this day because I asked him for that. A few nights before this school visit I asked the Lord to break my heart more for children like his heart breaks and I asked him for the ability to see children as he sees them. I truly believed something supernatural happened this day and that God fully answered my prayers. I saw these hurting children and I felt such love and compassion for them that I have a hard time describing to others. I desperately wanted all of the kids I saw that day to grow up knowing Christ and to experience that hope and the joy and the peace that comes with him. I felt so deeply for these children all I could do was weep for them. For them, to not know Jesus Christ is the absolute worst thing that could happen. Again, I am convicted beyond a doubt that all every single person needs for a better life is Christ. This is a day I will not forget.

I had many times of sharing Christ with the people of Jamaica. God grew my confidence and love for sharing my faith with others in this country. 

If you would like to know more about my trip or if you would like to hear more stories I would love to share with you through e-mail or getting together with you!

My next step is attending Malone University in the fall.

You can contact me at:  jlxc518rg@yahoo.com

Thanks for being a part of my life! 

Love, Janaya

Arriving in Jamaica!

Logos Hope!     (Sadly I can not take credit for this photo)

School kids in the Book Fair

 School kids waiting to visit the ship

Please pray for the team of us travleing from the Doulos to the Logos Hope, that God would use our testimonies to lead others to him!

I will begin with the two weeks which begun October 13th lasting through the 27th. This was a unique time because it was time spent off the ship. I was placed what is called an A-team (A for Action). In a team with 7 others (girls), we did ministry in Singapore at a Christian outreach center for the Handicapped as well as a local Singaporean church. We stayed with a host family for the two weeks time and were blessed with the much of the local food daily.

Our time with the handicapped was interesting for me because I have never had very much exposure to adults with extreme mental or physical disabilities. The first day or two we spend with these people was challenging because we unsure of how to interact with each of them. It was hard not knowing what they were capable of and what they weren’t. Although, as the days went on I began to really enjoy every minute we had with these people. To see each of there specific and unique personalities was so special. It brought me so much joy to build friendships with them, to learn what they like and dislike, what makes them smile, what makes them laugh, etc. I believe God gave me strength and patience during this time that made this experience at COH so unexpectedly enjoyable.

From Oct. 30th to Nov. 21st I left the ship again for a second A-team in Klang Malaysia. On this A-team we did a number of different ministries including several programs in the church, the local boys and girls brigade, and teaching at a school reaching out to Myanmar refugee children. Spending time with the Myanmar kids has been one of my highlights so far. We were told that most of them are muslims but we were allowed to share openly whatever we wanted to. This was an amazing experiencing for me sharing the hope of Christ with these Children! I think it surprised me that they were so open to hearing about Jesus. They were enthusiastically singing Christian songs and writing out the lyrics in their notebooks. What shocked me even more was that some of the Muslim teachers were singing along to the Christian songs as well. Jesus was so faithful to us during our time in Klang and just like the bible says in Ephesians 3:20, he did immeasurably more than we could have asked or imagined. Although there were many challenges on this team, God provided for us, gave us the strength and motivation we needed each day, protected us, used us as his vessels and taught us so much.

The duration of the 6 weeks I was away on my A-teams, the ship was in a dry-dock in Singapore. It was undergoing it’s yearly repairs (because the ship is 95 years old). During the course of the dry dock period, many inspections were being made to insure that the ship was able to sail. The night before we left to come back to the ship our team leader got a call from a friend who was on the ship. Her friend informed us that the conditions on the ship were worst than expected and not suitable for sailing. Then she told us the ship only had one month of ministry left. This was a shock to us and to the people on board the Doulos. No one thought the ship would end so soon. This raised much confusion and unanswered questions about the future.

It’s been a few weeks now since hearing the news and people here have been going through many challenges with figuring out how to trust God in this situation and figuring out where he wants them to go next. The same is true for myself. It hasn’t been easy coming to terms with reality that I have to leave the ship again after being here only a short time. I was so used to the thought of having many more months doing ministry and being with the people here on board. I was looking forward to growing deeper with the new friendships and relationships I have made. I felt like a tree hugger, the Doulos being my tree. All I wanted was to cling to this place never let go. God had something different planned. I desire to trust God with my future which means letting go of all of MY desires and allowing him to take control. After much time spent wrestling with God about these thoughts and feelings I began to feel excited about what is coming next. God began softening my heart and allowing me to be open to look at new places to serve. I am excited to let you know in a few weeks time I will be traveling to the Logos Hope (the sister ship to the Doulos) to serve onboard there! When I arrive the ship will be in Jamaica.
Also, I have been praying a lot about another exciting decision which is to extend my time for an additional year. I will be on board the Logos Hope for a year and a half. The Lord has given me a reassuring peace about this decision and I know he is using this time to teach me many things!

Prayer Points:

For the adjustment as I go from the Doulos to the Logos Hope.

A passionate desire to draw near to God in this period of waiting.

Praise:

For the time I have be given here on this ship and the great community and friends God has blessed me with.

That God has provided a new place for me to serve him!

I want to be in the Light

My new home

My Roommates. From left to right: Essie (America/Japan), Leyla (Paraguay), Ye In (South Korea) and me

Doulos!

The group of new recruits joining the ship

I was shown around the ship by my “big sister” Carola, who is here to help me adjust and to answer any questions I have about life here on the Doulos. As I walked through the hallways of the ship it felt in some ways surreal to me. This is definately not an opportunity many people get to experience in life. To live and sail on a ship with a large community of Christians believers, doing ministry everyday, traveling to foreign countries and meeting people from foreign cultures. I have to pinch myself to believe I am here and that Jesus has choosen me to serve him in this way.

The first week on the ship we were ported in Kota Kinabalu. A few days ago we arrived in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia . We had a 3 day voyage that was very nice. It was a very smooth voyage and we were able to see many dolphins! At first it was strange for me because I had never been on open waters before with no land in sight! I really enjoyed it though. The ocean here is beautiful. Every time I go out and look at the sea I am in Awe!!

Life is very fast paced here on the ship. The first week was very exhausting! I was very overwhelmed with so many new things, exciting things, and details with work. I am beginning to understand that life here in many ways will be challenging. This past year of my life I have come to understand that it is in the challenging times when Christ teaches me the most. When I am challenged is when I learn the hardest lessons and it is when Jesus strengthens me the most. Although in the mist of hardtimes it is frustrating and sometimes painful I have learned to be thankful for challenges.
This week has been less stressful. A few nights ago was prayer night. It was 4 hours long but it was so good for me. Jesus was really working in my heart and I was finally able to say for the first time since I’ve been here: Jesus, do what you like with me, I am fully yours… I surrender. I was deeply encouraged that night and I felt so content and peaceful. The overwhelming emotions have for the most part gone away and I am starting to know many people and adjust to life here on the ship. I am so excited and thankful to be here.

I have 3 roommates. They are Ye In (from South Korea), Leyla (from Paraguay) and Essie (from America but grew up in Japan ) I love them! I am so thankful that we were put together and we get along very well. Our room is very small and we have no porthole. But it is cozy and it is the people that make our situation worthwhile. Jesus has answered my prayer of placing me with 3 girls I can connect with, get along with, have fun with and pray with.

The word Doulos means servant. Everyday it is so important that I remind myself of why I am here. I am here to serve. To be a servant of Christ and to allow him to use me in whichever ways he wants to. It is so easy for me to get caught up in other things like making many friends or sight-seeing in the new countries we visit. Please pray that I will daily remember my focus should be on Christ. That above all else I would seek him for my identity, my joy and my strength. That his grace would be sufficient for me.

I have really been enjoying my  time in Malaysia so far with all of the other new Doulos recruits. It’s been a great time of learning, bonding and making new friends.  

Prayer points:

Energy for each full day of training.

Patience for this week of waiting before moving into the Doulos.

A willingness to keep learning and absorbing the information being taught to us.

The rest of my time at the GO conference went well!

I learned so much about myself through a personality test we took during one of our sessions. The session was all about 4 different personality types and how they are all different but vitally important. The four personality types we learned about were: the driver, the motivator, the harmonizer, and the detailer. I discovered through this test that I am half motivator and half harmonizer. It was so interesting to me reflecting on this lesson and now  thinking about the different personalities of my friends and family. It gives me a better understanding of why people do certain things and why they are the way they are. This simple lesson was so moving to me and gave me more sensitivity to people that have very different personalities than I do. 

I think that God has also been teaching me a big lesson about trusting him. I really have a big fear of going through immigration in countries that aren’t very accepting of Christianity. One of the speakers at the conference gave a lesson one evening called “lie or die”. Should we lie about the reasons why we are entering in different countries for our own safety? Or do we tell the risk telling the truth that threatens our personal safety?? After hearing this speaker I am convinced that I will never lie while entering new countries as a missionary. I believe God wants us to speak the truth and when we do, although we might feel unsafe, that allows him to work in ways in which we often don’t understand. When we give up control that allows God to be God and work miracles. God doesn’t always promise us safety but I am learning whatever happens when we trust in him is his will. His will is the only thing that will ever make me content in life so I strive to live by his will and put my trust in nothing else but him! Please pray that I would daily not rely on myself but put my trust in Jesus!

In 1 week I will be onboard the Doulos! I will let you all know when I arrive!