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.