Our sweet adventure is coming to an end, but our stories aren't!!

Today we woke up bright and early and cleaned up our rooms at Robin’s Nest, ate a delicious breakfast and headed back down the mountain to the YWAM base! It was a great few days at Robin’s Nest! When we got back to YWAM we were able to relax for a bit, swim, and hangout. After lunch we headed over to the Hope Hospice for a couple hours. We got to have some fellowship with the elderly people of Jamaica. The people in this home are sick and are basically stuck in a bed for the rest of their lives. It was a sad but extremely humbling experience. They have so much joy and peace about their situations it was definitely contagious, seeing people have so little but yet be so happy about their life! They see their blessings instead of dwelling on what they don’t have.

Big shoutout to Tarzan! - Jane

Today we were able to visit the Hope Hospice. It is a palliative care home for individuals with AIDS and other disabilities. I had the chance to speak with a 77 year old woman named Virginia. She lost both her legs to poor circulation. She has been living at the hospice for the past five years. She also has trouble with her vision and is unable to read, so it was a privilege to read to her from the Bible. She loved hearing from the book of Psalms. I could hear her recite the words along with me as I read. It was very special to see just how much joy it brought her for someone to take time to read to her. It made me think of how much I take for granted, such as my sight and the ability to walk. It made me realize that I am truly BLESSED! -Mel

Hey Guys! It’s been a crazy experience here so far, especially since it’s my first time out of the country. I think one of the most encouraging things here in Jamaica is the people. They are just so willing to talk to absolutely anyone that crosses their path. I want Canada to start being like them more (so feel free to start now:!)

Its also crazy to see God in the creation here waking up to the beautiful sunrise. I wish I could just write about everything, but I can’t, so, I’ll stop. Thanks for all the prayers- Amber

I like to think I’m truly on this trip to serve the Lord, not simply for my own enjoyment, however, I find it difficult to maintain that perspective after observing how others have responded to the calling God has placed on their lives.  After spending time at the Robin’s Nest Children’s Home, I was struck by the way the Wileys, who run the home, have uprooted their household by moving to Jamaica and committed their entire life to loving the children.  I was exhausted after two days of working at the home and hanging out with the children, yet they do everything I did, and more, day after day, getting time off only once every six months.  It’s humbling and eye opening for me to continue to realize that serving God is not always comfortable and easy, but can involve much greater sacrifice than going on a fun trip to a warmer climate for a few weeks.  The more I see God working through the lives of others, the more I hope God can push me out of my comfort zone, so that I can strive to bring Him glory in everything I do. Thanks for all the prayer and encouragement; I look forward to sharing my experiences when I return!

Devin

     I can’t believe how fast our trip is going by! It’s been an incredible experience. One of the highlights of the trip safer was spending time with the children at the worksite where we built the house. It was eye opening to see the poverty in the community around the worksite. The children we met there, were craving love and attention. It was an absolute blessing to hold them, play with them and see them smile. They have left a lasting impression and I am already missing them. 

     Another one of my favorite parts of the trip was our trip to the Hope Hospice. It was a very humbling and challenging experience. The people living there had so little. Despite there situations they were so thankful and had so much praise for God. I really appreciate all of your prayers and comments. I am excited to share more about my experiences when I return home!

 -Tiffany

Oh hey everyone! Kerstyn here. We are having an unreal time serving the Lord and seeing the different ways he is working in the lives of the Jamaicans. From down at the YWAM base all the way up the mountain, where there is more poverty then i ever thought there would be, God is a ever huge part of these peoples everyday lives. It became very evident how our cultures differ in worship when we got to go to church on Sunday. Everyone was moving, dancing, and singing so passionately it was impossible not to feel the Holy Spirit fill the room. I guess it just challenged me to take everything I have as a blessing and to remain joyful and grateful through any situation. I hope that I can take that same fire wherever I go to serve the Lord. Our God is so good. He is love, joy, peace, and mercy, and he is transforming lives! - Kerstyn

It has been an amazing journey so far, it seems we have done so much. I would have to say my biggest high light thus far has been the work site, where we built the home for Karen and her family. I will be honest... I didn’t do much of the hard labour, I spent a big portion of my time hanging out with the kids. The thing that just made me want to love on these kids SO much was the thought that they don’t get this often, this is not a normal routine for them, to have a group of people come in and build a home and hang out and play with them for a few days. I feel when you go to Children’s homes, though it is still so great to love on them, they experience it a lot more then what these particular children did. It was so fun just to have fun with them, build things, be crazy, be goofy, be a kid! They were so full of life and SOOOO full of energy. They were all so unique and absolutely beautiful. I had an amazing time with them. It was definitely great. - Alex

Our night ended with an amazing fancy dinner put on for our team from the YWAM staff... Jerk Chicken, Rice, Beans, Festivals, Plantanes, Salad, and ice cream for dessert! We then had a team meeting and went into hanging out with the team, just enjoying our last few nights together. Tomorrow morning we head off to Blossom Gardens, another children’s home, for a few hours to hang out with the kids. Then it’s time to pack up and clean up our stuff at the YWAM base and head to the Caraibic House for our debrief! Thanks so much for your prayers and comments and love! We love you all!

-Alex and the team :)