CAYMAN ISLANDS -- The Cayman Islands. The country is only 102 square miles, but it boasts of 135 different nationalities. You drive on the left side of the road. You can pet stingrays, walk on beaches and bluffs, and wrangle wild chickens.
It's different.
Maranatha's Cayman Islands Mission Team stepped into that cultural melting pot for just 10 days but they interacted with hundreds of students from all backgrounds, religions, and ages with a single focus to the mission: use sports to spread the gospel. Sports were the in-road for the 11-person team, who ran volleyball and soccer clinics during the usual P.E. class time at 10 different schools. The team partnered with Calvary Baptist Church (Georgetown, Grand Cayman), working closely with Tiffany Jeremiah ('19, '23), the local guide and coordinator. They found themselves running sessions for an army of 40 little ones aged 2-3, to a group of six students at a special education facility, all the way up to a collection of 60 eager high school volleyball players. Once the sessions were done, someone from the team would present the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Of the 10 schools the team visited, only two were "Christian" by name.
"I bet that within two miles of Calvary, there are 15 different churches," said Team Lead Jarid Lawson. "Everything from Church of Christ, Catholic, Seventh-Day Adventists, Lutheran, Methodist. . . It's definitely a difficult mission field from that aspect, because while the people are open to conversations, everyone seems to have their own religion. They approach the gospel with, 'that's what you do, but this is what I do' - the people are friendly and open to a conversation, but being open to the gospel is something totally different."
Different.
But even through the differences, the team formed connections on the field or court, which led to building relationships - and the aspect of sharing the gospel publicly and privately.
"The connection is sports," Lawson said. "That's the opportunity to connect, but in the last few schools we were in, a number of students really 'latched on' to our girls and asked them serious questions. It was neat to see that they're hearing us, but there's an opening and maybe we just planted the seed."
"Interacting with the kids was cool because of their unique accents or culture," said team member
Emily Wilson. "But it was also a reminder that salvation is for everyone. We were able to talk to so many different nationalities all at one time about one thing we have in common - the need for a Savior. No matter your background, Jesus died for all. We often forget that and go about our daily lives without thinking of the ones around us and how Jesus died for them. It's convicting to think that it took traveling to a different country to realize that the souls in your hometown need Jesus, too."
"It's inspiring to see how accepting they are of one another," said team member Mattie Bumpus. "They naturally create a sense of unity. While we may have some differences in what we believe, those conversations often open doors to share the gospel in a meaningful way. We spoke with hundreds of students - while we couldn't always directly share the gospel, explaining MBU's mission sparked meaningful conversations. It's a blessing to see God at work and to be a part of a ministry so passionate about reaching others for Christ. You can tell God is working in the Cayman Islands."
Even in a cumulative combination of cultures, Truth is still Truth. The languages may change, the setting may change, but the message and Person of the gospel never do.
Different nations; one Lord.
Different religions; one Way.
"Sometimes the seed is just made to be planted," Lawson said. "And maybe, Lord willing, we see it watered and fruitful down the road."
Team Members: Julie Allweil,
Eileen Botha, Mattie Bumpus,
Faith Dargy, Jarid Lawson (Team Lead), Lindsay Lawson,
Ella Malmanger,
Jocelyn Metcalf,
Amelia Schroeder,
Alayna Smith,
Emily Wilson
