I love these pictures of Kyle. This was Friday while in Jamaica and a day I was really excited about because we were delivering water to families in this community. There was 1 well spigot for the entire community. I actually thought we would be doing more of this and at the time I was a little disappointed but when we got going, when we started delivering the water to the folks in the community - I was glad it wasnt every day. It was hot that morning, it was tough walking 5 gallons of water to a home and pouring it in whatever container they had to hold water. It was tough and it was exhausting. Some of the homes were up a giant hill where we had to walk along this little footpath, all uneven, some of it overgrown with vines and weeds and rocks sticking up. Once all the way to the top everyone would be sucking wind and ready for a break. Pouring in 20 or 30 gallons of water to the families there just didnt seem like a lot. Its seemed like so much effort went into this delivery of water for so little amount. Like how can a family of 5-7 people live on that much water a day. Its all they have, cooking, cleaning clothes, bathroom - this water is worth more than gold or anything material really because it sustains life. A few hours in the hot sun, its easy to be dehydrated - its easy to feel sick and all your energy zapped from you. Imagine doing this every day. Imagine a mom having to do this 4-5 times a day. Imagine not feeling good and having to do this anyways for your family. Imagine a hole in your water container and trying to find something to keep your families water in the container - you dont have any other means to hold water other than this giant bucket. Clean water... maybe I think... Im not really sure.

I love these 2 pictures of Kyle because he made a couple friends that morning. After delivering water for a few hours in the hot sun, we all were ready for a break. Hanging out these boys came over and drew to Kyle like a brother. They asked about games and toys and not having anything. Kyle lead them in a great conversation and showed them that brotherly love as he carried the one boy on his back, made faces with them and just shared some much needed smiles that morning. These boys entire life is based on this little dirt road, this little community tucked away and in many respects isolated.

I spoke a lot from the book of James while in Jamaica - James was the half brother of Jesus and I really related to his book that is recorded in the Bible while in Jamaica. In James 2: 14 - James shares with us some lessons about Faith in Action. James had a front row seat to all the his big brother was doing in the world. Imagine how that relationship and watching his big bro do amazing things. I think it challenged James all the time to not just believe but to put his beliefs in action. That morning delivering water to the families there showed that we cared enough about them to serve them. We got to speak with so many that day and the water provided the avenue to those words. It broke down the barriers that is there before we put our faith in action. It was another defining moment....

James 2:14- Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rages and half starved and say - Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit! and walk off without providing so much as a coat or cup of soup -where does that get you? Isnt it obvious that GOd talk without God acts is outrageous nonsense?

I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the words department. No so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.

Your faith journey has to include serving others, moving yourself out of your seat on Sunday mornings and getting busy. We are each called to serve and be the body of Christ. That Friday morning was such a blessing to those who got to do this. Hard work - you bet but so incredible to experience. Faith become fruitful in works..... showing Christ to others is sometimes more powerful than telling them.

James gives us that no nonesense explanation of faith. Its authentic and full of passion and he shares with us this calling out to do something and not be fake. James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says! He pleads his case and puts it out there for us to reflect the quality of faith inside us as it guides us in life.

Peace,

Lonnie~