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