7.05.2010

the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few

the drive:  long, exhausting, adventureous, and hilarious.  jeremy and i had a unique trip up the east coast.  sometimes we would go crazy from sitting in the car for so long.  we laughed, we talked, we sang at the tops of our lungs.  we divided up the drive by going to d.c. for four days so mr. simpson could go to washington, stopped in augusta, maine, in time to make the midnight showing of "eclipse" and sleep, then continued until we got to cape breton.  although, we did make a pit-stop on the way: 
that's right....carlo's bakery.  an hour and a half wait for some yummy pastries.  this little detour later caused us to get stuck in new york traffic for five hours.  what an experience...but well worth the trip. 

the carmichael's:  while in cape breton, we are staying with two of the most amazing people in the world.  sharon reminds me of my grandmother on my mom's side and jimmy reminds me of my dad.  both incredibly caring and so hospitable as they gave up their home to us this summer.  they are feeding us well and making sure that our every need is met.  amazing people showing us the love of Christ through their servanthood. 

cape breton:  i know i have mentioned before the amount of belivers to non-believers in cape breton, but let me just say that it is a lot worse than i thought.  "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few" is the perfect phrase for this island.  these people speak english, live in a developed country, and most have never heard the name of Christ.  the beauty of this island is unspeakable:
jeremy and i have gone to the beach almost every day since we got here.  the high cliffs mixed with the beautiful ocean makes for an enjoyable scene as we pray for the island and the people here.  after talking with both the pastor and his wife, hugh and tracey, and the outreach pastor and his wife, pierre and marie, we have come to a conclusion that this island needs more believers to come here and devote their life to spreading the gospel among this island.  we will be utilizing all of our resources in spreading the word about this island as well as working on a project for hugh that will include ethnographic research to be used in their own ministries as well as in requesting more help. 

imagine a place with ten or more communities and each community holds about 2000-4500 people and in some communities there may be 120 believers, some 60, some none.  If this were occurring in the south in the u.s., many churches and people would flock to this area and begin to plant churches here.  we need to broaden our vision beyond our comforts and our borders and begin to reach out to a lost world.  if a few couples or families would move here and dedicate their time to reaching out to people and discipling people and pastoring new churches, the gospel would spread.  the harvest is ready.  and this is not a hard island to live on.  it would be perfect for the outdoorsmen/women.  the churches here are extremely friendly and welcoming.  please begin to pray with us about getting the news of this island spread so believers may know about the urgency of this place. 

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad I found your blog. We will be praying for you and Jeremy. When you get back, I want you to come to WMU and share all about your experience.
Carol

Unknown said...

Will be praying for you and Jeremy, miss you and love you! Will also have to pray about working there some, am ready for a new rewarding change. Mom (Lisa)

Sheryl said...

After reading your blog and seeing the pictures, Christy and I are willing to move... We love you and are praying for you guys!!!

Amanda Rypel said...

What a beautiful journey you are just now beginning. Our Lord is going to stretch you and bless you immensely during ya'lls time there. So proud of you. What a privilege it is to call you friend. You are a bearer of the Gospel, Courtney Simpson...a bearer of truth.

Anonymous said...

heya. I miss you guys, but I am glad y'all are there. I am praying for y'all! Love y'all!
oh and p.s.
I have been doing some tanning of my own....IT'S ON SIMPSON!

you should know who this is