Monday messages

Woke up pretty early today after a long travel day yesterday, oh by the way did I mention Dayton sleeps on the top bunk of my bed? Went out on the back deck this morning before our individual devotion work and the view is just AMAZING, it is so quiet and feels like a sanctuary. We ate our breakfast and went on a walking tour of Harmons. The tour lasted about an hour and was so eye opening for me. I’m vowing to never be color blind again towards people or material things. It was cool to see Amy and Laci connect with 2 hairstylist women out on our walk.

After our walk tour we came back and had a lunch and off to our first Job sites. Today we worked from about 12:30 to 4:00. Our job was to help dig out holes for a fish hatchery they are building. The first things you notice about the Jamaicans is that they are very skilled and hard working workers; it is very cool to get to know these guys and see how they do things. There is no rush in their work. The Jamaicans are also very willing to share their fruit they grow and they are very encouraging even though I am sure we slow them down. The bus arrived at 4 to pick us up and bring us back to shower and eat. The food here is amazing.

Tonight we had music night with the locals. I met a kid out in the court yard and even put my Mizzou hat, I know Joey will be proud I am showing him the right school to like. The locals came in to the courtyard tonight to listen to music, dance and eat ice cream. What a treat to buy these kids ice cream. The look on their face is priceless. I can honestly say I have been impacted like no other time in my life and it is only Monday, Cannot wait to see what God has in store for me the rest of the week, but I am looking forward to it………

                                                                                                                                            Bobby

We arrived safely and have been busy ever since. This morning we met as a group and discussed the concept of Jars of Clay found in 2 Corinthians 4. We prayed for change through brokenness and smashed the jar. As a team, we each wrote our names on a piece of the jar and glued it back together, realizing that in our brokenness we will become an effective team.

               We then began our day with a tour of the community—the green houses are amazing. The green peppers are huge and only to be rivaled by my grandpa’s garden. We came back to Harmony House for lunch and split into groups for the afternoon: store, house, and greenhouses. Those in the store spent their time getting all our donations ready for sale. Another group of team members went to the house construction site and spent time hauling and sifting maul. The rest headed to the greenhouse to level the ground for their new fishing enterprise.

               I was sent to the greenhouse and it just happened that I was the only girl in the group. Let’s just say I’m a wimp—we spent the day digging, shoveling, and hauling soil out of the future site. (I’m using the term “we” loosely.) I quickly had to realize I was not great with my shovel and my group had to be patient with me—reminding me of my verses from this morning. I Cor. 13:7 “It [love] always  protects, always trusts, always hopes, always hopes, always perseveres.”  Yet, it was the beginning verses 4-7 that came to my head—love is patient…My group reminded me of this and made a difficult challenge so much easier.

               We returned for dinner and a very exciting dance party. It was quite a day. We’ll see what tomorrow has in store for us!

               To our family at home—we love you! 

Audrey

Praying for you mom.  Justin