Day 9: Birthday in Mobay

The week has been rolling fast.....the end is nearing and much has been done. Both in and around the westgate community and in the hearts of the team. I am very thankful for the new bonds of friendship that I have made during the trip and for the strengthening of current one's. Today was my 31st birthday, the aunties in the kitchen made me a birthday cake. { they are so awesome and I will miss them a ton!!! }. I even got a birthday card from Westgate Hills Church.

The morning started at westgate where one group finished painting { with Jass and I continuing our balancing act on the scaffolds to finish the high back wall!!} while the rest mixed and transported cement in the hot 35C weather!!!. There were some who also went with Pastor Sharp into the community to hand out tracks and spread the word about the block party that we were to host at the Church later that day.

It was a great turnout with over 50 kids from the area showing up with their parents. I even saw some familiar faces as some of the local kids {Sashalee} had nicknamed me "dumpling head" for eating too many dumplings last time (they were so tasty), and they remembered me from two years ago by that name! They were treated with sports , arts and crafts and a great meal from the kitchen staff. Later we gathered them together for worship lead by Dan, and drama skit lead by Kat and a { word of witness} from Matteo. The Lord has been doing great things in the hearts of the team as well as he continues to draw us closer to him. My room starts each morning off with 15 to 30 mins of prayer and it is during these times that I have felt my bond with Christ grow deeper.
Well that's it, BRING ON THE NEXT DAY!!!
JON.B

Day 8: It's Time to Step Back and Enjoy the Island of Jamaica

Today, we decided it was time to take a little break from all the hard work that we have been doing over the past week. After taking a quick vote to go to either Negril, or Ocho Rios to go to Dunn's River Falls, it was decided to go to Dunn's River Falls.

On our way there, we took a little break from the 2 hour drive, at the place where Christopher Columbus first set foot on the beautiful island of Jamaica in 1494. There they have created a mini out door exhibit of things people used in the time to live, that over looked the ocean. 20 minutes later we were back in the bus heading once again to the falls. After arriving at the falls, we ran in to our old friend Mike, who was our bus driver the last time that we came in 2009. We were soon hitting the beach and climbing the falls of Dunn's river. We went in small groups and had a blast climbing to the top of the falls. The rocks were slippery so we had to rent a pair of gummy shoes so we wouldn't fall or wear a pair of sandals or running shoes. Even with the gummy shoes, the rocks were still slippery but much easier to climb up. Once we made it to the top, we could slide down the falls part by part, which is a rush of adrenaline when you don't really know whats going to be at the bottom and with white water rushing all around you.

We left the falls at about one to go and enjoy the city of Ocho Rios, and eat lunch. We were give the choice to split into groups, and choose a place to eat, a big group of us decided to go to Juicy Patties, but others went to go eat at KFC, and Burger King. After eating lunch we went into the market place to look around and buy some gifts and souvenirs for family and friends. once we were finished bargaining, it was time to head back to Auntie Dalley's. A couple of us still wanted to go to the beach so on our way back, we stopped at a really nice beach where some went swimming and others went to play soccer on the beach. I went swimming, taking every advantage to swim in the warm ocean while we are here, the water was really nice, it was shallow really far and had some really nice waves, which were fun to jump in.

Then we were heading back to our 'Jamaican home' where we had pizza from pizza hut for supper and a time to relax and fellowship with one another before going to bed. We also sang O Canada in the bus on our way back to celebrate Canada Day in Jamaica. Another wonderful day over exploring other beautiful parts of the island of Jamaica.

Katherine

Day 7: A little girl-on-girl time

Hi everyone!

This morning we visited a preschool situated right across from Westgate Hills. It was a small group since summer vacation was just about beginning. The kids were very adorable but quite unresponsive -- they barely flinched at Jon's animal imitations. For some reason, Canada seems to be better known for its skunks than its beavers around here !

We then returned to Granville Girl's home. The guy went to build a chicken coop for them whilst us ladies went inside a classroom, where the girls were. They were very inquisitive about us. A lot of them had notebooks in which they created information forms for us to fill out with questions such as our name, age, birthday, favourite food, favourite song, our ambitions... When I wrote on on of the forms that my favourite movie is Disney's "The Little Mermaid", this started them singing songs from the movie, and Audrey and I, the two aspiring Broadway singers of the group, were quick to join in. It was great to see that these girls, although most are living though crazy, terrible, or just plain bad situations, are just like us, down to the movies they watch. Some of them are actually as old as, if not older than me (at sixteen, I am the baby of the team!) and I was reminded of how blessed I am to have been placed where I am and I should use my position to the glory of God.

We left them to have lunch at Juicy Patties (the shrimp patties are my personal favorite =D) and returned in the afternoon. One girl showed me a photograph of her older brother and asked me to draw him for her, which I did. When they saw it, a few other girls asked me to draw portraits of them. It was very interesting. WE played games and drew and wrote together for most of the afternoon. Jennifer showed me a story that one girl wrote. It was a cute story about a cat and a horse. The story had a basic Christian message and it warmed my heart to see that some of these girls still have hope.

When we left, a lot of them didn't want us to leave. I didn't want to leave. I had sat with one girl named Sadie. I actualy didn't have the opportunity to talk with her much, but it was clear that she wasn't as accepted by the other girls. I pray that she won't forget the short time I had sitting with her and she will find acceptance in our Lord.

Our day ended with a debriefing time on the beach under the stars.

On a personal note, this trip has been amazing so far. I have gotten out of my comfort zone, worshiped in different ways, and talked to people on the team who I never spoke to before. Thank you for all your support ad prayers.

YAH MAN !! =D

Charlene.

Day 6: "I am so blessed/ my soul is at rest/Oh Lord, I give you thanks"

Soaked, scorched and satisfied. Though today presented its many trials, we persevered and completed the tasks at hand.

After a delicious breakfast which featured mangoes, bananas, bacon, pancakes and peanut butter, we all piled on the bus to Hemmingay Preparatory school. For those of you blog keeners, this was the school whose 6 grade we saw graduate last Sunday. The team gathered on the outdoor concrete stage and were quickly encircled by happy children. After the crowd was warmed out with Canadian animal impressions, they shared a catchy song with us which included clapping, snapping and "zooming around the room". I was pleased. After which, the team competed against the student body in a national anthem sing-off. We lost, badly. Moreover, the skit that we performed on Monday was used again. For the devotion, Chris skillfully read his "Rainbow book of God's love" which explained salvation through various colours. Of course, the colours symbolized different things. Gold represented the golden streets of heaven, black was sin, red was the blood of Jesus, etc. It was very original. The book mesmerized the kids and I pray that the message was memorable.

After a change of plans, we visited Blossom Gardens: a home for kids who had not received proper care from their families. Many members of the group were saddened that due to the mistakes of their parents, these children would live without the affection they need. Consequently, they would try to fill this hole in their lives with the "hit and runs" of friendly locals and missionaries. We dropped off a couple bags full of clothing and were given a tour of the building. As we entered the first room, there lay a crippled toddler in the center of an empty room in his crib. This was not an easy sight. When I came to the playroom, I played with the toy a baby was staring at. He yelled, I backed away, he cried, and I left the room. Perhaps babies are not my thing. I then visited the toddler area, as soon as I entered the room, a young child ran over to me with his arms pointed at the sky. I picked him up and held him in my arms for what seemed like forever. Being the so-called "baby" of my family, this role was foreign to me. Even when my strength let out, I some how found more, in an attempt to care for this kid as much as I could. Although this wasn't a christian institution, all the kids knew "Jesus loves me, this I know" and sang along when Daniel brought out his guitar. When it was time to leave Blossom Gardens, Elan held tightly onto my leg. It sounds adorable, but it was more heart wrenching than anything.

After a quick lunch, we then travelled to Westgate Hills Baptist Church, where there was some painting to be done. On our way to WGHBC, a torrential storm broke out.
I chose to clean the white brushes and as I type this on friday, my hands remain speckled. Flashing back to Wednesday. We painted most of the upstairs and then bonded in a game of soccer in the church. Yes, soccer inside the church. Watch out RBC- just kidding. Francis scored the winner for his team. Good times had by all.

For dinner, we ate a variety of Jamaican delicacies including curried goat. To keep it short, goat is delicious and extremely underrated among taboo meats. When the last grain of rice was eaten, accompanied by the famous Auntie Dally, we left to Pastor Burnett's church for mid-week bible study. For a baptist church, their enthusiasm was no less than Pentecostal.
All doctrinal differences aside, it was a nice change. All sound troubles were ignored, and everyone focused on worshipping God. Phil delivered a message on Judges 6, the story of Gideon. Although Gideon was weak and fearful, God delivered Israel from their oppressors.

The rest of the evening is a blur, as I was a little more than half asleep.

More to come.

"I am so blessed/ my soul is at rest/Oh Lord, I give you thanks"

Ben

Devotions

Orphanage

Construction (Soccer game)

Curried Goat

Evening service

P.S.: Mom/Dad/siblings, I don't have service here. I'm safe, happy, healthy and will give you the full details next Monday. Much love.

Day 5: Encouragement, a lesson and a miracle.

Hi friends! Today was so far, for me, the best day so far on this trip. We got to see God moving and teaching us in so many ways that by the end of the day, I guess most of us felt a little overwhelmed! I'll start with the beginning though. :)

We started off our day doing devotionals at Praise Church Pentecostal United Elementary school, which is literally across from Westgate Hills. It was great to see the church afar from a new angle and meet some of the kids that might come to our block party on Saturday! Kat told the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand and Ben and Phil did a skit about sharing. It was great to see David jump into action last minute to tell the school a bit about Canada. He imitated a beaver and a moose while one boy from the school explained to us that skunks are really what defines Canada. :P

And music? I wish you could have seen the kindergarten kids dance while Matteo and Daniel were leading worship!

Then we went to YWAM for the rest of the morning and did a variety of tasks: house cleaning and yard work mostly. It was interesting to see how we all felt this was not the type of work we would have wanted to do. Where were the bricks? The ditch to dig? You know... the big work! Gardening... folding bed sheets... seriously? God really used that to teach us that serving is not always glamorous. The YWAM staff needed people to help them take care of the property God had given them so they could focus their energy on all their other projects. And that's what we did. And it was excellent.

What really amazed me today though, and everybody on the team, is how God did a miracle. All morning, I had not spoken a word. My voice was 95% gone: 2 shaky syllables out of ten would come out of my mouth when I would try to speak. Phil asked me on our way to lunch if I would still be able to give my testimony at Granville Girls home. I signed to him I'd let him know after lunch... anything to not say there was no way I'd be able to do it.

Auntie Gloria (a wonderful Jamaican woman serving us in the kitchen) made me what I call the vinegar-pepper-and-other potion with which I gargled my throat and before taking some vitamin C. An hour later, I was able to whisper. So I polished up my testimony and we went on our way to Granville Girls home. It was too late to ask anyone to fill in anyway.

In the bus, a lot of us were praying that I'd get my voice back, but very reluctantly. It was very unlikely I'd work out for my testimony. At least Kat was also giving hers. On my part, I was hoping for a mic... and prayed...

At Granville, we got to play and talk with so many girls. We sang some songs, I went up to give my testimony - no mic - and said "Hi! I'm Audrey!" The words came out loud and clear. How glorious! I got to tell the girls about making decisions that burden us when God places such value on us that that's the last thing He wants us to do! It was a miracle. I had been mostly silent since the beginning of the trip, but today, wow, I caught up! Haven't stopped talking since God restored my voice! =D

Kat also gave her testimony and we did a skit in which Phil M. -Jesus- gave Gail a new heart after hers had been shredded to pieces by different people in her life.

Please pray for the girls at Granville, we're going back on Thursday and what they need, is a long term relationship with a healthy person (mentor) and to know God's unfailing love.

For Supper we went to Scotties and then we came back and debriefed about this incredible day! =D God had worked so much in our hearts that a few of us opened up to our brothers and sisters in Christ for comfort, accountability and help. We can really see the body at work.

I am so encouraged and can't wait to see what else God has for us!

Day 4: Early to bed, Early to rise

What a busy day! It was definitely a hard day physically as well as mentally.

The day started of really early, 5:30 am to be exact! This morning we visited the Flankers Primary school. It was our first visit to any school so it was obvious that some were a bit nervous. Their schooling is very different from ours. Since Jamaica is a "christianized" country, christian values are enforced into every aspect of the lives of these people. For example, at the start of every school day, the kids would open with a devotional and praise time. We were able to participate in their school routine. We started out by comparing songs. We were quite surpised to find that they knew quite a deal more songs than we expected. This, of course, demonstrates how omnipresent Christinanity is in Jamaica. Daniel Shorten opened up with a story about Zachias and was followed by a skit concerning the topic at hand. We left the school with the Jamaican National anthem stuck in our heads.

We headed of for Westgate afterwards. We were greeted with brushes and paint, since the work available to us was painting the walls that were ready.
It took us a bit of time to fully grasp the Jamaican customs concerning work and time management. We, as north americans, follow rigid schedules and rush work to complete it in time. Jamaicans, however, do not rush or put stress on following deadlines. They do what they do in their own time. With less work than we expected we finished quickly and headed out for lunch (many of us still have paint on their fingers :P). Lunch was good and refreshing as always.

We followed by visiting St.James Infirmary. Pulling into the driveaway, we were split between guys and girls to visit the two different buildings that were there. As we approached the building, John gave us a rundown of what to expect. It was followed by a much needed prayer for preparation. Going in was unlike anything we saw this trip. The men living there were in conditions that none of us saw before. The walls were lined with beds with sick people, of people that had suffered accidents and who were in incurable states. Talking to them completely changed our view of their situation. We soon came to realise that a lot of them had incredible faith in God. Their whole situation was pretty helpless and the whole time i was thinking to myself, what would happen to these guys if they had no hope of there being a better place, one with no suffering and weeping, these guys would have a pretty bleak future. It also made me realize how much us as Canadians have compared to them. We have one of the best healthcare systems in the world yet we still complain, while these guys are stuck in a badly maintained infirmary and no much treatment. After supper that night i was really comtemplating on my situation back home. Why did God give m so much when these guys here are suffering. What i got out from it though, is that even though they have little their faith in God is huge! It seems to show that the less we have, the more we rely and are thankful for God's love and mercy. I praise the lord for what he has given to me and how he opened my eyes to what really goes on in the world he created.

Phil and David

Day 3: da Big tree-0h (so much to celebrate!)

Hi everyone, sorry we have been a bit slow at updating our blogs, but it has been pretty busy so you may find a few days posted all at once when we have chances to upload! I just wanted to tell you about our awesome day today. :)
I woke up this morning to Kat wishing me a happy birthday. That's right! 30 in Jamaica! What a place to celebrate a new decade. To add to the beauty of celebrating in Jamaica it was a Sunday so we spent a lot of the day at church Worshiping God. The theme in Sunday school was how Jesus has made us right through His death: Having peace with God and having his love poured out to us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5). This is the message we bring with us to Jamaica wherever we go!

Phil Hainaut preached, Chris read a passage, Phil Miriello, Katherine M, Audrey and myself had a skit to go with Phil's message. It was nice to be able to participate in the service and the people were so appreciative. To add to that, We had the joy of seeing some of our friends from two years ago in the last two days such as Pastor Sharpe and even Shomacko and Sashalee (They say "HI" to Rachel Hainaut and I have an updated picture of them for you!). Even outside of Westgate Hills we have been with our loved Jamaican Aunties: Aunty Rose, Aunty Gloria, Aunty Nicey, Aunty Lorna, Anita and Aunty Dalley- all dearly loved Jamaican friends of ours. Today we got to see Inka and Stephanie who are closer in age to the majority of the team and spent nearly every morning with us two years ago while we did construction and at church. It was so nice to see be reunited with friends!

Then we came back for some lunch: MY FAVORITE JAMAICAN DISH (also happens to be their national plate- ackee and soulfish- yum!) Next, we spent the afternoon at Westgate Hills observing how they have reached out to their community with their huge building. They were hosting a community school's elementary graduation ceremony. It's kind of funny cause just five days earlier I was at the grade 6 grad of my two kids. But this one was pretty elaborate. I thought our 2 hour ceremony was long, but theirs was 4 hours. The parents were all so dressed up and proud. They really treasure the fact that their children have an opportunity to go to school and they do not take it for granted. Even the decorations (Which I helped with a bit the day before) and the length of the ceremony and the songs and length and montages all showed the importance to those involved. It almost looked like a wedding.

Some of us hit the beach in the evening and we all went out to Burger King for a treat in the evening. When we got back the whole team sang me happy Birthday for a second time (they sang to me in the morning as well!). They even brought out a cake for me with a candle. :)
Being in Jamaica, with this amazing team, and the amazing friends we had been missing, reflecting on Jesus and spending time with Him... It has been the best birthday of my life. I may be old now, but I'm very happy and at peace.

God, thank you for your goodness to me.
Thank you to everyone back home for your prayers for the entire team.