Rich and full days.

Saturday night Mel and Mike spent a few hours in the middle of the night awake with our poor students; Andrew and Tyson, who had picked up some sort of stomach flu. The rest of us where ok, and slept quite well :). Although we felt really bad for the boys who where a mess, but within a few hours, prayer, and some solid rest they were back to being themselves, PRAISE THE LORD! Sunday morning we had our first Jamaican church experience. AND MAN OH MAN was it an experience. “Can I hear a HALLELUJAH!” 

4 hours later, and after some of the MOST amazingly talented expressions of worship that we had ever experienced, there was no question in our minds that Jamaican’s have a huge dose of extra soul! wow! They truly live life AND church to the fullest, and loudest. We were able to contribute to the service by singing a song as a team, and then Tyanna sang a song, and Mike gave his testimony. It all went extremely well!

We spend the afternoon at Doctor’s Cave Beach and then walked to the Craft market. There we learned all about how to hold our ground even when they tried to convinced us that we were getting the best deal, we also learnt how to say “no thank you”. The students where all very excited to share their experiences and show each other their great deals.

Monday morning...

Up ‘n’ at em’! Today we got back into the early morning routine of breakfast at 630am. After enjoying a hearty helping of Oatmeal, oranges off the tree, and pineapple that is  literally grown in our front yard, we walked to Reading Prep Kindergarten and High School to join in their morning devotions. We were able to share a David and Goliath skit that we had prepared, and sing a few worship songs (with a lot of actions and creative movement!) The kids loved singing along and learning all about snow and Saskatchewan. THEY WERE ALL SO CUTE!!!!!

Next we went back to the new Barker homestead, where community members started gathering around for the time of dedication. As has become our custom we sang some worship songs, and then moved inside the house where each person gave Everald and the family a blessing as we passed around the keys to his new home. This was a very special and moving time. As each team member, YWAM staff, and local pastor spoke, Everald took the time to look right into our eyes, and really received everything we spoke. After closing in prayer, Hannah handed over the keys as we presented him with a homemade memory plaque, decorated with our team picture, signatures, and a bible verse and prayer. It was hard not to be very emotional as his eyes filled with tears of deep and genuine gratitude. After many thanks and handshakes he told a testimony of his life as a kid on the streets of Montego Bay. He talked about how he got into a lot of trouble, “Trouble that you can’t even understand” were his words.  He said that finally, one day, through seeing the pain in his mothers eyes he knew he needed to change, and began searching and praying for a new beginning. It is very uncommon for a young man his age in Jamaica to be committed to one woman and to start a family. It’s clear to see that God has answered his prayers and is indeed moving in amazing ways in his life and the lives of his family members.

Because of your generous donations we were also able to purchase a stove, and after the dedication of the Barker house we were able to present it to one of the very first Homes of Hope families. Jannel is a single mother who has 5 kids and lives in the same community as the Barkers. She did not have a working stove, and we were so blessed to be able to use some of the extra funds to provide her with one. She was very excited to show us her home, after the boys carried the stove up the side of a mountain(literally).

After some jerk chicken and rice for lunch we took a very interesting and bumpy ride through the jungle, up a mountain to Robin’s Nest Children’s Home. There we were able to cuddle and play with some very cute and hyperactive Jamaican children. It was obvious that they were all yearning to be held and loved, and after a short but sweet visit, it was hard for us to slowly peel them off and say goodbye. A highlight from this part of the day was singing worship songs, as the kids were all exploding with energy and deadly dance moves.

After making the treacherous trip home, we enjoyed a delicious dinner with the staff and students of the Youth With a Mission base, which is always a wild time. From there we proceeded to the pool, where we enjoyed a variety of activities including synchronized swimming, diving lessons, and wrestling the fully-clothed party-poopers into the pool, and finally concluded the long but wonderful day with some reflection and prayers of thanks for the amazing work that God has continued to do both in us and through us. In all of our team meetings and everything we do there is joy. The YWAM staff have made several comments on how great this group of students is; how you can see there Jesus smiles! Every student is doing SO well; serving, loving eachother, and being a blessing! What a blessing to be apart of such an amazing team! God is working!

We can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring! Thank you all so much for your love and support.

Much love,

The Joyful Team Jamaica