We Would Like To respond to a number of kind inquiries regarding our welfare from brethren and sisters who have commented on the rare international media reports about Jamaica.
We who live in the Kingston area would like to express our thanks and appreciation for this encouragement, and for many prayers on our behalf. It will put our situation here in perspective when we tell you that more people have been shot, blown up or in other ways killed in the streets and homes of Kingston, and one or two adjacent cities, during the past year than in 25 years of the “troubles” in Northern Ireland, and far more than all the Israelis and Palestinians killed in the Middle East since the latest Muslim intifada began. This carnage is not occasional; it is a constant toll — every day and night. Nor is it “nation against nation,” as in the British Isles and the Middle East, but often among armed neighbors living in adjacent streets. According to official reports, on one recent Sunday 25,000 rounds from high-powered weapons were directed at the government security forces in the vicinity of our meeting hall during a period of eight hours.
We want to thank two groups of brethren and sisters. Our love and gratitude must be expressed to those beloved Jamaicans from other ecclesias who have rallied to support us Kingston in our trials: Bro. Devon & Sis. Christine Walker of Round Hill; Bro. Travis & Sis. Debbie Matthews of Balaclava, and Bro. Patrick & Sis. Annette Johnson of May Pen. All three couples stepped in courageously after the assassination of Kingston’s recording brother, Aaron (Glen) Isaacs, and gave us valiant support. In particular, we must honour Annette, who accompanied Patrick on a seventy-five mile drive, passing through streets still tense from days of political violence and ruled by narcoterrorists, only hours before the birth of their second child was due. We thank God for such extraordinary loving devotion. The second group includes the many overseas visitors who have come to Jamaica for missionary training programmes and other ecclesial activities despite the sensational media reports and the reality on the ground. Please, every one, accept our thanks.
“In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain’? For look, the wicked shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD is on his heavenly throne. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates” Psalm 11.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One