May & June
2002
Dear Pastors and Friends:
We have been praying about starting a Christian School in the churches here and it looks like the Lord is going to
answer that prayer. We have just said good-bye to a young couple that arrived last week on a survey trip to see if
the Lord wanted them to come and work in Jamaica and help start a
Christian School at Bethel Baptist Church in Dumfries. Missionaries have had a big problem in Jamaica trying to get young men to serve the Lord. Young men,
when they reach the teen years, are led astray by the culture they are use to. Their Mom and Dad are not married,
neither are any of their relatives and they almost always follow in the same path. We have prayed about this
situation and felt the Lord's leading in starting a Christian School so that we can begin the teaching and training of
the young people at an early age. In doing this we have faith that the Lord will use this method to help change the
way of life that is so embedded in the lives of these children. We hope not only to give these children an education
but also teach them the Word of God and change these old sinful ways that they may walk a new life in Christ.
When they finish their education at the Christian School we hope these young men will continue their education in Bible College and preach God's Word in Jamaica and into all the world.
Lynn Vernon is Pastor Alton's wife. Her first child was born at home and she delivered it by herself. There was no one to help her. When she realized she was expecting again her greatest fear was that she would be alone when the baby decided to make an appearance and she would have to deliver it by herself again. Mrs. McClure thought it would be a good idea to let her have our cell phone to keep with her until the baby which was due in May, was born. Late Sunday Night Lynn told Alton she needed to go to the hospital. He got a taxi and they arrived safely at the hospital. It was so late no doctors were available. They put her in a room by herself and no one came to check on her until after the baby was born. She delivered it by herself, again. So are the ways of Jamaica.
All of the churches are doing well. Three were saved at Faith Independent Baptist and a 22 year-old woman was saved at Bethel. The attendance has been down some at Bethel and up at Faith. Of course, it's coming into summer and everyone sends their children away to relatives and sometimes the whole family goes. But the work of the Lord must go on.
We had a large quarrel looming over the wood that was left over after we finished the ceiling in the church building but thank the Lord it was averted in time. We divided it between several members whose houses were in need of it in the worst possible way and things calmed down again.
We will be in the United States for our furlough by the time you receive our next prayer letter. Please send all mail to P.O. Box 13459, Arlington, TX. 76094. Thank you for your prayers and support. May the Lord bless you all.
In His faithful service,
David & Dottie McClure
Taking God's Word to the Islands
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David and Dottie
McClure
Missionaries to
JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
March
2001
Dear Pastors and Friends:
We began the New Year with a new van. Pastor McComas from West Virginia
and several pastors and churches got together and bought us a must
needed, new van. I must say that when I put that vehicle in four-wheel
drive and went right up my driveway in torrential rain, I thanked the
Lord all the way up. I would like to express our thanks to all those who
have helped with this. Several of our old ladies had to have their
picture made with the van the first Sunday we took it to church. If you
folks could have seen our old van you would understand why we are so
thankful.
We had a revival in January and it was very good. Eleven were saved and
quite a number rededicated themselves to the Lord and we have seen
change in them. Pastor Paul Stuart from Tennessee held the revival and
the preaching was wonderful but he just wasn't prepared to preach an
hour or more each service. Then in February a group came and build two
houses for some of our poor people. This has been a tremendous blessing,
not only to us but for some of our people. We appreciate the time and
the money that has been given to help us in the work here in Jamaica.
It looks like the Lord is working out the situation
with our son and his church in Hopewell. The problem was finally heard
in court and the Parish Council withdrew all charges. This all stems
from an unbeliever who lives across from the church and wanted it shut
down. She kept calling every government official complaining until they
felt they must do something. But it looks like Terry's work permit will
be restored now, but they will have I to wait and see what happens
concerning the church building. At the moment they will not be able to
use it for their services because they have to straighten out more
problems on the building code and the location of the building. Satan is
always there and working. But, we know that the Lord's will, will be
done.
Our work is going well and we hope to turn the church
over to one of the young pastors before we take our furlough next year
and then hopefully, start another one. Thank you for all your prayers
and support and may the Lord bless you all.
In Him,
David M. McClure
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