A few more pictures of JAMAICA…

 

A FEW PICS FROM JAMAICA!

Journaling throughout my time in Jamaica…

I apologize in advanced because some of my writing my jump around from one thing to another!

12/27, Saturday

Flight was delayed an hour and a half because of mechanical problems. We started to board around 4pm or so. We finally left at 5pm for Jamaica. The group was tired from traveling at 645am and then had to sit longer at the airport. We then boarded a bus that took us to the Air Jamaica plane, which was out in the middle of the pad. I've never experienced that, but it was fun! We got to Four Season Hotel around 10pm, much later than expected. Our driver Joe is amazing, he likes to joke around and made us feel welcomed. Met Jim and Cheryl at the Hotel and a pow-wow before heading off to bed. I hit the sack around 1030pm. I'm going to try to be internet and cell phone free for the week!

 

12/28, Sunday

We're getting ready to head to church, Mammee River Baptist Church. I had a great time playing with the children. We handed out some clothes, hats, school supplies, beanie babies (mice), and bubbles to the younger kids. I met Joshua, Andrea, and a ton of other kids. The kids of all ages warmed up to us all very well. We went to see Mona Baptist Church; we didn't go inside because we had to get a few things in the big container behind the church. I saw some really beautiful scenery as we were driving to Mammee River Church. It has been a long day already. It's in the 80's or 90's today, because it's really eating 2 of them. Adjusting to the food has been the hardest part so far! People are really friendly here. Being able to wear shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops again is fantastic! I'm sweating like a dog as I'm writing because our AC isn't working right. I gave away some Gospel Bead Bracelets to the kids and parents at Mammee River. I've developed some friendships with some of the children. I found out that they have a gym here at the Hotel! Well I'm going to read now. PROVERBS 3.27

 

12/29, Monday

For breakfast we had toast, bacon, and the greens again. It's not a very big meal, but its food. We went to a Children's home to play with the kids and they were great. Kurt was a teen at the Children's home that was very friendly and loved everyone on the team. The kids didn't want us to leave. I could have stayed longer but we had to leave them. They seem pretty happy living there. They know Jesus and that He died for them. We were told that the children's parents/relatives would come and pick them up on Christmas and then take them back to the Children's home because they can't afford to take care of them. We later went to Mona Baptist to reorganize the big container of supplies that were shipped from Texas. We went back to the Hotel for some relaxation at the pool or just to hangout in our rooms. We hung out with Dirk and Carrol Richards kids at the Hotel pool. They are amazing kids! The weather is great today, there's a breeze going! At the Children's Home we introduced ourselves, did crafts and games, then handed out slippers and stuffed mice as well. I had fillet of snapper with potatoes, and veggies for dinner last night, it was fantastic! For lunch we had Jamaican Juici Patties. They were these pastry filled things with beef, chicken or a veggie one with coco bread on the outside. They were actually pretty good. They didn't sound good, but they were. It's Monday and I'm not ready to go home, back to reality! We stopped for ice cream at the Devon House. They had some little shops to get some souvenirs, but it was a little expensive. Now I'm sitting by the pool writing and reflecting on the day. It's been a great day/week so far. It's only going to get better. I'm starting to read Boundaries again. I never finished it before, so now I'm determined to finish it by the end of the week. Supper is at 6pm again, I might try something else or I might get snapper again. Back from dinner, I had curried chicken with potatoes and veggies. It was outstanding! I decided that I'm going to the gym everyday when I get home. I'm watching what I eat here and I'm drinking only water. I saw a guy with half of a crutch as his artificial leg because it was amputated. My first reaction before seeing Jamaica in person was that there was going to be a ton of people begging for money and such. It turned out that's how some people survive. I saw another guy looking for something to drink and there was a can of something on the sidewalk and he put that down and saw water from a sprinkler and rubbed his hand on the wall to get water. The children at the Home asked if they could have any of the bottled water and I gave 2 boys one. Jamaica a poor country, but that's how they want to live! All they want is stuff to survive living in Kingston; such as water, food, clothes, school supplies and reading glasses. It breaks my heart that I had to leave the kids at the Children's Home behind. I was told that some of the parents come to pick up their child at the Home for the Holidays and then take them back to the Home! Why would you do that to them! It makes no sense to me. The mosquitoes are very bad here. The 1^st full day, Monday, I got bit on my neck and it looks like I got a hicky! I got eaten alive already and its day 2! PROVERBS 19.17

 

12.30, Tuesday

Today we had pancakes, toast, and eggs for breakfast. We then went off to Mona Baptist to hand out reading glasses and it was so exciting to see the people's expressions when they could read a paper with small print. It felt good to be helping someone because in the States we take everything for granted. I got to hand out some 56 bags and got the child's picture with it. This one young girl was excited when I handed her a bag because she had so many things to carry and it helped her out a lot! It was rewarding to help s many people in just 3 hours. We saw 162 people at Mona Baptist, YAY GOD, but we did have to turn hundreds of people away because we were running out of time. I heard that there were people crying, yelling, and shoving to get through the gate. Last night I left the room for the debrief, about the day and it smelled like "ganja" or weed, really bad. It's weird because here (Jamaica) everyone smokes it and in the States it's illegal. For lunch we had the patties that we had yesterday. Tonight for dinner we're going out to eat, so it should be interesting. We walked up the road by Mammee River Church, and got to feel the water, it was luke warm. Ben, Cris, Pat and I went for a walk to hand out some bathing supplies, toys, and sunglasses to the kids. The kids were following us most of the way up the road. At the eye clinic this one older gentleman asked me for some money and I handed him 5$ and he was very glad because here in Jamaica 5$ go along way! It's hot today again and our AC isn't working all that great in our hotel room! So Mary, my roommate, opened our window but then all the mosquitoes attacked us during the night and this morning as I woke up I saw like 10 of them around my head! So for dinner we went to Island Grill and I had a chicken sandwich and it was very good. The AC is working now, Ben fixed it! Thanks Ben! Now it's time to relax and hangout with the team, its 652pm, we have at debrief at 8pm. Our one driver, Joe, is a character; he's been teaching us a new word every day,

~YEA, MON

~IRE (spelling), MON    

~It's just the situation!

Our other driver, Douglas, is pretty awesome as well. He asked me if I'm enjoying my time in Jamaica and I told him that I could move down to Jamaica during the winter months and he told me that I could stay with him and his wife. Such sweet, friendly people. The children here are very polite, they call us "Miss" or "Sir," just wish the children in the States did that! I'm very itchy at the moment; it looks like I got chickenpox or something. Their silent, but deadly! I feel fat right now because I haven't been able to go to the gym for the entire week, so when I get back home I'm doing double time at the gym! PROVERBS 25.25

 

12.31, Wednesday

This morning we had almond French toast, bacon, toast, and beans. I just had the French toast. It was okay. This morning we had our 2^nd eye clinic and it was at Mammee River Church. We did about 116 people today! I was handing out a few Frisbees, bags and one beach ball and the kids loved them, THANKS CHAD FOR THEM, just wish I had more to give out. I got 2 addresses of 2 boys I met. I was showing these kids my pictures and the one asked if he could have one of them and I said sure and soon enough my pictures were gone, but that's okay. This one little girl told me when she gets home; she's going to hang up the picture! LOL, so cute! These kids are so adorable. Tonight we're celebrating New Year's Eve, Jamaican style! So now we have a small break until it's time to eat and then head back to Mammee River Church for dinner and New Year's Eve celebration. Lunch we had sandwiches and such with water or juice. I'm just ready to leave the children behind when we have to go home. Jim was talking about having a culture shock when we arrive home in the States. I know it will be hard adjusting to the US culture again. We take so many things for granted, but here people grab anything they can get their hands on! We want the biggest and best thing that comes out in stores and these people just want food, water, clothing and a home! The parents or relatives can't afford the basic school supplies and these kids were thrilled when they received school supplies from us. Their eyes lit up! So NY's Eve was very long! We went to Mammee River Church for a concert, up until midnight. The kids were falling asleep on everyone's lap. This one little girl was clinging to me for most of the night. She asked me if I could be her Godmother, but I had to say no because here if you tell a kid that you would like to their Godparent, that means you would have to send supplies and such to them! I didn't want to take that responsibility, but she does call me her sister, which I'm okay with! I love her, but that's too much for me take in! Well, we rung in the New Year, 2009, Jamaican style. After we finished the last song, we went around shaking hands, but mostly hugging! I kind of got emotional and teary-eyed because I was in a different country and to see everyone excited about what 2009 will bring them/us. I'm such a softy! Mosquitoes are still bad and eating me alive! God is doing amazing things in the Mammee River village!!

 

1.1.2009, Thursday

Breakfast was at 930am since we got to bed really late. We had toast, eggs, and ham. It's a relaxing morning/afternoon, so we're going to play a Dutch blitz tournament by the pool. Then we're heading to a playground to play with some more kids till 6pm. Every store is closed because of the Holiday, restaurants are open though. I'm getting to know everyone now that the week is coming to an end. The week is going by so fast and I'm not ready to leave! We have one more full day of work tomorrow, then it's off to the airport on Saturday. Today, 10am-230pm we just relaxed at the pool, ordered food, talked, and played games. It's been fun today. At the playground we did crafts and games then Jim did a few magic tricks. We then handed out gifts for the kids of all ages. Everywhere we go, the kids tend t cling to us and the kids don't let us go, I love that! Dinner is at the hotel again. I'm having filet of snapper with potatoes, again. Tonight is another chill night, time to fellowship with the team. The kids at the playground fought over the empty boxes after we handed out all of the toys and supplies.

 

1.2.2009, Friday

In the morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then headed back to Mammee River to do some rebuilding of a home that got destroyed by Hurricane Gustav. Some of us did games and crafts with the kids, while others painted board games for the church to use with the kids and others did the construction. It was sad to say good-bye to the kids at Mammee River. They kept asking me "when are you coming back to visit" and I told them I'm not sure! Lunch we had Juici Patties, again! I got to hold baby Robert, who is one of the baby triplets, but the 3^rd one didn't make it. He was so adorable. For dinner we went to Dirk & Carrol Richard's place. It was catered and it was very different, but it was good. I tried curried goat, it was okay. I got sick afterwards! LOL Carrol challenged us to think about what we want to do, as far as ministry. She said that in ministry, you don't have to preach to people, just love on the people and that's one thing that stuck out to me. I enjoyed getting to know their children Christof, Andrea, and Dominique. They are wonderful kids and well grounded in life! We then came back to the hotel for a reception held by the hotel staff because of the eye clinic we held for the staff. They had little snacks for us and drinks, sodas that is! LOL It was held at the Beer Garden. We were all full from the Richard's and we tried to shove more food down! LOL We went to bed at 11pm.

 

1.3.2009, Saturday

Breakfast was toast, eggs, ham, and French toast. Today we leave for JFK at 630pm. Jim talked about how they raise money for people all around the world. Id like to do the 10 cent can for dehydrated food for the people in Africa, maybe 56 could work together and help bring food to the starving people. Just a thought! They also raise money for water filtration systems to prevent people from getting sick because they drink dirty water. I don't want to leave and go back to the freezing weather. It's going to be hard going back to reality and everyday living, stressful life.

 

1.3.2009, Late Saturday Night

We arrived in New York and went outside, was it ever cold!! WELCOME TO HOME, I guess! LOL