Wuagwan!? (“What’s happening” in potwa) This is Lindsey with today’s update for our team. We started early again this morning with devotions at 7:00 am. Jen shared with us and we talked about Jeremiah 29:11-13 and how we know that God gave each one of us a heart for Jamaica and that is why we came, but we must continue seeking Him as we are here to continue learning what he has in store for each one of us throughout our t
We headed out at 7:45 to Bouge Hill School for devotions. When we arrived we were immediately met coming off the bus by many of the students. (Oh yeah, we finally have a picture of our bus driver, Chris, for you all!)
We had about 150 kids this morning between the ages of 7-15, but it was a fun crowd! We taught them a few songs, performed a skit for them,
and then talked a little bit after about what exactly the skit meant. It was a great experience for us and our team stepped up and did a great job! Pastor Campbell, who sets up our devotions for us, always finishes off our time with the kids by reciting Psalm 23 and each of the children know it so well! After devotions we headed off to our first day at Blossom Gardens!
It was an exciting day today because it was a brand new experience for each and every one of us! Kristin and I had not been to Blossom Gardens before either, so none of us really
knew what to expect. As you will see, there are no pictures with the children at the orphanage because we are not allowed to put pictures of the kids on the internet at all. Most of the children have been taken out of their homes due to abusive situations, and because of that, we are not allowed to put any pictures online or in any type of media due to the circumstances of each kid (some may be hidden from their parents or guardians). Don’t worry, we did take plenty of pictures, but we will have to show them to you when we get home!
As we first walked into the orphanage we knew that it would be very different from Robin’s Nest. We were taken immediately to the bathroom
so that we could each wash our hands and then we got a very quick tour of the place, finishing the tour out on the porch with the babies and toddlers, which is where we spent the rest of our day. It was a very different experience for us compared to being at Robin’s Nest. There are 44 children at Blossom Gardens all under the age of 8 and the environment was almost completely opposite of Robin’s Nest. It seems like it is a place where kids go in between their homes and being place in foster homes or other orphanages. Kids are constantly coming in
and out and just today a police car showed up and took one of the little girls away. The first part of the day, our team was adjusting to our new surroundings but as the day continued everyone became more and more comfortable and we are really looking forward to returning!
We headed home a little after three today and took a quick swim in the ocean (it has been our first day in Jamaica without rain since we have arrived!!!). We ate a delicious dinner and then headed downtown to look around the shops (see the amazing hats that we all tried on) and enjoy the beautiful weather. As we were heading
back to Fairhaven we ran into a few different locals on the way, and had some amazing conversations about their lives and what it means to truly be a Christian. It was such a great time for us to sit and listen to their life stories, and to be willing to talk things through instead of arguing our point and walking away. I was so proud of the way that our team handled themselves in this situation. We are looking forward to heading back down tomorrow night hopefully to meet up with Joshua, Oral “Michael”, and Rocky. The conversations that we had greatly impacted some of our team members and we are all looking forward to heading back out to continue building those relationships as well as making a few new ones hopefully!
After our adventures downtown we had a short time of worship before we shared together about our day. It has been such an amazing time of sharing together and learning together as we experience these new things. Thank you all so very much for your constant prayers and encouragement, we are so thankful knowing that we have so much support from our friends and family. We are continuously encouraged by the comments. It has become a favorite thing to do each night as a team before we head off to bed.
Tomorrow morning we will be doing devotions again before we head b
ack to Blossom Gardens, so please pray for energy and strength, as well as the health of our team. Please continue praying that God will continue working in the hearts of each member of this team in different ways. We are so blessed to have each one of them here and continue to be impressed by them each day. Thank you all very much.
It was an exciting day today because it was a brand new experience for each and every one of us! Kristin and I had not been to Blossom Gardens before either, so none of us really
As we first walked into the orphanage we knew that it would be very different from Robin’s Nest. We were taken immediately to the bathroom
We headed home a little after three today and took a quick swim in the ocean (it has been our first day in Jamaica without rain since we have arrived!!!). We ate a delicious dinner and then headed downtown to look around the shops (see the amazing hats that we all tried on) and enjoy the beautiful weather. As we were heading
Tomorrow morning we will be doing devotions again before we head b
Family, I miss you and love hearing from you! Hope everything is going well. I love you all very much! I will see you soon! Oh yeah, next time I come I decided that I won’t come without you guys! (Shan and Kev, see you on the 2nd when I am there sleeping at your place! We will come over after we get dropped off at apu).
Joey, thanks for all of the comments everyday (well... almost everyday ;) ) It brings a huge smile to my face each time. And, have you had the chance to take care of the computer thing yet? Let me know, thanks! I miss you so much. <3>
Joey, thanks for all of the comments everyday (well... almost everyday ;) ) It brings a huge smile to my face each time. And, have you had the chance to take care of the computer thing yet? Let me know, thanks! I miss you so much. <3>
Everyone else: thanks so much for all of the prayers and support! I am looking forward to sharing so much more with everyone when I return.
Love, Team Jamaica
20 comments:
What a great story of the day and the new experiences. The difference in the orphanages must be very stark indeed. I am not just a proud parent but someone who has come to appreciate the heart you all have for ministry to the people of Jamaica. I don't think as a parent there is any more that we could ask for than to know that you are anxious to know God's call and to answer even if it means venturing into the unknown!
We will all be anxious to hear the rest of the story and to see those pictures you can't share via the media. We will continue to pray for your health and strength as the week progresses and as always, we will look forward to the next entry on the blog.
Linds, yes we will come with you. I have no doubt but that you will again be drawn to ministry in Jamacia. I see it in your words, on your face and have seen it for the last two years in your heart!
I love you,
Dad
Well, I have come to the favorite part of my day--the Team Jamaica blog. I read it with lots of smiles and yep, a few tears but that's ok. What a day you had today. I love hearing about how God is working through each of you, sometimes in surprising ways. You bless us back here as we read about your adventures. I can sense your spiritual maturing, and know that will also bring challenges--you will continue to be in our prayers. Several friends have shared how much they have enjoyed reading this. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to give us a glimpse of what God's work is all about.
Linds, my bags are packed and I am ready to go! Can't wait to see it firsthand. All is well back here. I am sending big hugs your way. Love, Mom
Well, Jamaican Team.
My most favorite part of my day is staying up to read those wonderful Blogs. They have been enlightening and in fact changing me inside. ty.. I am so very proud of all of you. Through these experiences, your lives will never be the same;Fulfilling and Satisfying.
You will hold all of these memories in your heart forever. I can't wait to hear more details when you get home. I KNOW there is so much more to tell.
I will continue to pray for energy and strength. Also that you continue to stay healthy.
Ask God for wisdom, He gives wisdom freely to all who ask.
Ask Him to prepare the hearts of the locals when you talk to them about Jesus Christ and that their minds will be open to the Gospel..
Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body. Wisdom is Power. The Holy Spirit will give you the power to carry out His will. To bring as many people to Christ as possible.:)
Bless all of you for stepping out in Faith and have the courage to reach out to some of the lost souls out there in a far away land.
Sami, How does Laguna Hills sound.
I think I might of found a place.
Between Annettes and Sis's. I am giving your website out to others to enjoy your adventures. Grama logged on. She's doing great on the computer, now I need to teach her how to comment. Although I probably comment for alot of people HeHe:)
I love you sooooooomuch and miss you sooooomuch too. Love momma
Another great Jamaican blog to start my morning! The pictures and daily updates have become such a big part of my morning routine. Thank you for keeping us up to date and we appreciate the time you all put into posting this blog. It has to be the last thing you want to do at times after a long day and early morning to follow! :) Tyler, hopefully you saw the blog from Pamela (Bend) the other day and look for a note from Jane M. in the near future. I volunteered you for her VBS again this summer. :) Miss and love you, dad.
:-)
Week 2 has started! Im guessing guys that this week may be a challenge for you..adjusting to this new orphanage. Thats ok, go with it. Talk to God about it. Be honest with Him about exactly where you're at, and ask him for energy and strength and courage to push through and keep going. This might be a week of breaking for some of you. Remember that is the times of brokenness that God uses the most, and the times we need him most. He's molding you so much in this short time. Let him work. Love you guys, pray for you daily, and you're an inspiration and encouragement in my life.
Tyler, as I write this I'm listening to Coldplay's "Fix You" and it makes me think of you, not sure why..but yeah.."where the heck is mandy?" love ya bro
I only missed one day Lindsers! I am taking care of the computer stuff today. It was a good weekend home. I am so glad you made a journal entry I was waiting to hear from you! We read Psalm 23 in our class today too...weird.
I love how you all realize you need to keep seeking the Lord while you are there, because that is how you're going to show the love of God to others. Is by him working through you. Miss you.
Keep working hard team Jamaica. Prayers and love.
Hey, I finally figured out how this thing works, haha. oh my goodness it sounds like a good day of transition. It has been great being able to see what you all are up to and I know that God is doing such amazing things through all of you! Keep up the good work and keep encouraging each other!
Dear Katie and Team Jamaica, It is so nice to be able to read and see what you are up to and it always brings me so much joy. We are praying for you all every day and know that God is watching over you.Bless you all and keep up the great work. Love, Dad
Yay for Team Jamaica!! Looking at your pictures, captions, and descriptions about your time thus far has been amazing! You guys are doing so well and I only wish I could be there with you! You are in my prayers!
Lindsey and Kristin, I miss you guys so much! I am pretty sure I almost started crying when I looked at the pictures of you with the children at Robbin's Nest! And Kristin, I miss singing with you! Well friends I love you and I am thinking of you often.
love, Jenna :)
p.s. Tell pastor Dave I am going to call him real soon. And say hello to Chris and Mary for me! I miss them dearly!
Hey team,
I hope today was as good or better than yesterday. It looks like you were swarmed with kids. It must have been very interesting to speak to those men last night. I can't wait to hear what they have to say to you tonight. Just ask and God will give you the words to use. Hey Jen, things went great with the marines last night. They are incredible men. They were so thankful and we couldn't express to them enough what an honor it was to meet them. Ally was incredible. Two guys were sitting at a table and she got her dinner plate and sat down with them for over an hour. In my prayer time this morning I was overwhelmed with joy as to the number of people I was praying for, including you, your team and the people you come into contact with. May God bless you all. Jen, Jen, my heart is filled with tremendous love for you. Take good care of yourself (and your team of course) and lean on His strength. I love you TONS, MOM
hey miss jen...sounds like another amazing day! it's such a beautiful thing that you are so devoted to helping these people! im so proud of you! i got to see my momma last night for a couple of hours. she got here around 7 and then we just hung out...i straightened her hair and showed her pictures and then she took me to ralph's so i could stock up on food! she cant come back today, but tomorrow she is taking me and alex out to dinner, so that should be fun. well i must go work on my paper and then hit the gym. i hope that you arent getting bitten by too many bugs! i cant wait to hear all of your stories!!! and see all of your pictures! i miss you and i love you so much! love rachel
Hi everyone! Just a quick comment: Sam it looks like you are losing the beard growing race. Or is it just the camera lighting?
Our prayers continue to be with you..
Kristin, I don't know what to say...that picture of you with the dreads is... humorous. You look so tuff in it.
I pray that everything goes great at this new place. It looks like there is at lot of kids there that you can have an impact on, which I know you will because you have a heart like that. Seize every opportunity to make a difference in their lives.
Two Things:
-24 was awesome, but they left you with no hook for next year...so I don't know how I feel about that.
-Thanks for your card...you are so creative, and I love getting that stuff from you...thank you so much.
Kip :-)
It is so great to be able to read these stories. My heart goes out to all those kids with troubled lives...wow, we all have so much to be thankful for. I'm so proud of all you guys &(gals), this is quite an experience for you. We can really see God working in all of you. I am praying everyday!!Keep up the good stories and excellent work!
Little note for Kristin..pretty nice in that dreadlock look...
Love you!!!Miss you!!!
MOM xoxoxoxo
Hi, Everyone!
Whew! What experiences! Although I've been reading every day, I haven't been able to write the last couple. It's good to see all of you looking so good! Grace we miss you more than is fair! Your pictures help. Keep posting them. Samantha, it's obvious that thumb hasn't stopped you!
Blossom gardens sounds like a typical State Orphanage. We are praying that those children find, and/or return to, good homes
Grace's mom.
This new orphanage sounds very organized! I'm excited for when you come home so I can see the pics! Tyler- big news in the creek. 1. i cooked yesterday and no fire alarm went off AND the food turned out edible! my mom is so proud (: 2. i got a job today! i'm hostessing at this restaurant called Bridges (the one in mrs doubtfire at the end of the movie where stew chokes on the pepper...) i start tomorrow and am so excited because that means moolah for OR!!! i miss you tons!
my mom's turn...
Hi Tyler!
It gives me great JOY to lift you up daily, as I pray for a renewed sense of His purpose in Jamaica and a refreshed sense of His power in your life. We can't wait to golf, cook and laugh with you!
xo, Katrina and Richard
Hey Jen!
I was able to download the Maroon 5 CD and it is really cool! I apoplogize for all of the spelling errors in this comment and in all of the others, but i just suck at spelling. If you dont know i am in C-ment again and i dont want to do it, but Betty forced me to! oh well. i am in the chorus and i am really excited to do nothing but sing (not!). Well last night we went to that Soilder night where we gave them Oscars and it was really fun. We joined up with one of the boyy groups and none of them said a word, but all of us girls were talking. You guys are doing a great thing@
I LOVE YOU,
-Ally
Thanks for the update Linds! We love you and love the pictures and stories that you are all sharing with us. We will be praying that you all stay healthy.
Miss and love you tons Linds!
Shan and Kev
I am currently sitting at my computer waiting for today's story. Jen, if you ever think that i have a life, let me assure you that i dont. love you! rachel
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