Day five did not disappoint.  Wes and Will started the day at the men’s prison where Will once again was able to usher in the Holy Spirit by leading worship and sharing his testimony. Wes was also able to share his with the men. It was a very fruitful morning as one man accepted Christ as they wrapped up. Praise Jesus! The men were very receptive and glad to have the team there.

We then had lunch at the Comers and the ladies prepared to go to the women’s prison. Amelia, Katelyn’s friend, joined us for the CR session. It’s safe to say we were all a bit anxious but the staff were so welcoming and gracious. We immediately were put at ease watching the women light up upon seeing Katelyn and so warmly welcoming us all. The “residents”, as they affectionately called themselves, enjoyed hearing about families and lives in the states.

During my talk, I had noticed that the previously somber prison guards were nodding along in agreement and offered me so much encouragement. The ladies seemed so pleased to have someone that could relate to them. Sometimes, we all just need someone to come alongside us and say, “Me, too.” The ladies then asked lots of questions, good questions, honest questions, hard questions. It was such a sweet time of learning and growing and connecting.

The last part of the visit was spent doing Celebrate Recovery work. Today’s session was on forgiveness, forgiving ourselves, others and God. Many of the ladies shared decisions to forgive. It was incredible moment that only got better when another sweet woman told us of her decision this past week to accept Christ. We all clapped in thanks and joy, including the prison guards!

An absolutely perfect morning was capped off when one of the young women asked to sing a song. Before we knew what was happening the entire women inmate population was holding hands and worshiping in the prison courtyard… again, including the lovely prison guards. Lots of hugs and sweet words were exchanged as we said our goodbyes.

Back at the Comers, Katelyn prepared a delicious Cottage Pie (Shepherd’s Pie with beef instead of mutton), and homemade Sour Sop ice cream. It was amazing! The guys left for men’s bible study and, since it was the super moon, us ladies took the kids to the beach to see it.

This may very well go down as one of my top 10 days ever. From souls won to hearts encouraged to comforting meals to super moons, God’s loving kindness was with us every moment of this day. Only Heaven knows the impact of today, this week and the work of the missionaries on this island but getting a small snapshot has been such a gift.

Written By Team Member: Amanda Woods

This morning the guys on our team had the privilege of speaking on air at a local radio station. They helped to promote the Celebrate Recovery Ministry that the Comer family is doing and Will got the honor of sharing his testimony. While the guys were at the radio station, the ladies spent time in quiet reflection with God. After the guys were done at the radio station the team convened together and enjoyed lunch at the Comer’s home.In the afternoon the team went on a tour of the island and stopped at several locations along the way to pray with intent. The first stop on our tour was to a basketball court that has significant meaning for the Comer family. They visited the basketball court the first time they came to the island at the Festival of Lights. At the time it was worn down and they spent time fixing it up for the local community. It was the trip that they felt God calling them to serve full time in ministry as missionaries here in St. Kitts.

Other places we stopped to pray along the way include a visit to a local park to pray for the leadership of St. Kitts, to the juvenile detention center Aaron serves at one day a week to pray for the youth in the community, to the Amazing Grace Experience praising God for providing a building for the Celebrate Recovery Ministry that Aaron and Katelyn are leading, the Sugar Mills to pray for those battling addiction, and to the airport round about to pray for all of those who come to St. Kitts, whether as missionaries, for vacation, or school, etc. It was a blessing to spend the day in prayer growing closer to our precious Father and sharing in community. Following our prayer walk Katelyn made the team some BBQ pork and green beans and we enjoyed learning to play a new game at their home.

Our team feels so very grateful for the opportunity to be here this week and we do not take this experience lightly. It’s been so amazing to watch God’s hand at work in each person’s life and to see team members step up and step out as God continues to stretch and grow them. 

This morning our St. Kitts Mission Trip Team met at the airport in Knoxville at 5:00 AM. As a general rule our team members don’t love doing mornings quite so early, but we do love Jesus and we are so excited and blessed to be spending the next week as Jesus’ hands, feet, and voice here on the gorgeous island of St. Kitts, pouring into and investing in the lives of the Comer family from our North Knox Campus as they lead and grow their Celebrate Recovery Ministry.

The team arrived in St. Kitts around 3:00 PM and were promptly greeted by the super fabulous Comer family. Their kids even made a special welcome sign and drew pictures of each team member…what an amazing surprise/greeting!

Once on the island the guys headed to the juvenile detention center to share their testimonies and to spend time playing a riveting game of cricket while the women took care of logistics with the hotel and then went to the grocery store to purchase supplies for meals the team will be eating this week.

For dinner, our team convened together at the Comer’s home and shared a wonderfully delicious homemade meal (thanks to Katelyn and Amanda) of tacos. A member from our North Knox Campus flew in this week for vacation, gotta love God’s perfect timing, and was able to join the team. This member met the Comer family for the first time in person and got to hear their testimony and catch up on the incredible work God is doing through their ministry here.

It was a great day full of travel, prayer, fellowship, and fun. After dinner the team prayed together and then headed to their rooms to recharge for church in the morning. We hope that you are as excited as we are and will keep up with our journey throughout the week. Thanks for reading!

– Kelsey