Cruise with a Cause

May, 2011

A Warm up for Romania

When my children turn thirteen, they a couple of pillar points take place in their lives:  A blessing party with those who have impacted their lives speaking words of challenge and encouragement to them, and a trip with mom of their choice!  I will write more on both of these experiences later.

I knew Micah had “sand in his shoes” after really seeing the beach for his first time when he was 12.  Honestly, taking a cruise was not on the top of my list of favorite things to do, but I knew this would be a blessing to him.  We learned that NewSong, Pastor Johnny, Josh McDowell and many other speakers and artists would join Inspiration Cruises taking a “Cruise with a cause.”  

                               So, of course this was the cruise for us!

We really didn’t know what to expect except that we would enjoy wonderful food, time with friends, and fun out on the ocean!  We traveled literally across the sea to our destination ~ Jamaica.         Upon arrival there, the passengers were divided up into 60 groups.  Buses lined the cruise ship and we headed with our small group to board the bus.  This was an experience in itself!  As we traveled up the mountain to the little country school house, our team warmed up and welcomed the Spirit of God by worshiping in song the whole way there. 

Micah experienced worship as he never had before J

After a couple of hours, we finally arrived, and the children were waiting for us.  If there had been window panes for them to peer out – NewSong’s Fingertips and Noses would have been the appropriate theme song!  Being the minorities of the bunch in skin tones, we were welcomed as celebrities!  The children swarmed around us posing for pictures, throwing their little arms around our legs for hugs, and jumping up to stroke our hair!  Immediately, we felt God’s love rush through us spilling onto their little bodies….it was grace in action!

The kids piled into the Little House on the Prairie school room sharing wooden school desks with three or four of their friends.  We were given the opportunity to speak and share as God led.  We sang songs, quoted verses, and played a little Bible trivia of which they were amazing at!

Just before we had to leave, the Lord gave me the idea to ask we could speak to all of the children without a daddy. 
“Oh my, that would not be possible.” Was the response of the school master.
“Really?  We just want to encourage them.”

“If we allowed all of the fatherless to leave with you, the room would empty as most of these children do not have a father in their lives!”
She went on to offer an alternative.  “I will let you speak to the child who has recently lost her daddy.”

A shy little girl was escorted to the front of the room and outside with Micah and myself.  As we walked out the administrator whispered that her father had been shot and killed just two weeks before this time.  I could feel the presence of the Lord as we took little Kimoya aside and held her.  She didn’t want to talk, but listened intently as we told her that Almighty God was now going to be her Abba Father!  We explained that God was “A Father to the fatherless” and that meant He would never leave or forsake her!

It was so exciting to experience in that moment what God had written on the pages of the book of our lives before time began!  He prepared us and sent us on this cruise for a cause!

Please pray for precious Kimoya.  May the Lord reveal Himself to her for salvation and make Himself known to her in mighty ways.