Tuesday messages

I was so fearful and anxious about coming, that I wanted to back out. I knew that it was just Satan trying to stop me from coming and doing God’s work. Then again at the airport in Jamaica, they wouldn’t let Robbie and I through immigration (we were that last ones through). They almost put us back on the plane and sent us home but the plane had already left. Once again Satan was trying to stop us. But God won and we made it through! Since then it’s been awesome. 

It’s Tuesday night and this has been the most rewarding trip we’ve ever experienced. So far we’ve dug trenches for the greenhouse, worked in the store sorting clothes, and today we learned how to sling mud (cement) on a house we’re helping to build. I know now for sure, this mission trip has been planned for us by God. Everyone has worked so hard, side by side with the Jamaicans on these projects. But it’s not about building houses, it’s about building relationships. Last night we had a dance with music and ice cream with the locals. Everyone including the children were dancing with us and eating ice cream. It was a blast. Every night we do something special with the people from Harmons.

It’s not hard to put others before yourself when they are such loving and giving people. We thought that we were going to touch other people’s lives when in reality we’re the ones being touched. It’s so much more rewarding then we ever expected. We can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us the rest of the week!

Oh, by the way, it’s 90 degrees here! Hope everyone’s safe at home. We’ll be home Sunday night, weather permitting.

Paula and Robbie Cairns

I don’t even know where to begin…so Amy and I are going to write this together…what we experienced today was more than just serving here in Jamaica…we experienced true worship and fellowship, there were many times we felt like we were having a little piece of heaven on earth.

Let me tell you about our friend Patrick, aka “Gonga”…not to be confused with “gonja” J He is a man that is surrounded by gentleness and boldness combined. He is a light that brightly shines the presence of God and you cant help but be drawn to him.

We started the day sifting marl with Gonga…we would sift a couple buckets, stop completely what we were doing, listen to Gonga sing, sift some more, stop, listen to a message that I believe was straight from God…sift some more, stop for a much needed water break…sift, sing, sift listen…you get the picture!

IT WAS AWESOME! There really are no words to describe, you just had to be there.

Gonga taught us a song…here are the words:

It’s a wonderful thing, a very wonderful thing

To be free from sin, and apply within

Just to be a volunteer

With Jesus, my Lord

What a wonderful WONDERFUL thing.

We can’t tell you how much this simple song means to us.  The words “Just to be a volunteer” stick out to us…one thing that stands out about Gonga is that he is completely satisfied “just to be a volunteer”…he is content that he GETS to serve God and he counts it a privilege. If that’s not a message, I’m not sure what is.

Another thing about Gonga is that he is intentional about our well-being. His care for us was overwhelming. He constantly made sure we were staying hydrated and not doing the sifting improper so we wouldn’t get hurt. He truly cares like Jesus. He was so patient with us, he could of sifted that whole pile by himself in half the time it took 4 of us to sift ¼ of it…but yet he knew that we were not there to just work, we were there to fellowship and build relationships. He truly gets it. And he teaches us to get it…what we’re here for. Both of us have been deeply touched by his example today. (Amy’s words- this truly has been the BEST day I have ever had here in Harmons)

Today’s devotion was on “Is it in you” John 4-is the living water in you…and Gonga was living proof that it is IN HIM…meaning he is filled to overflowing with the living water and he sloshes it on everyone he comes in contact with.

To Alan, Chris & Katie, Lexie, Amanda & Aaron-I love you so much and I miss you all…I’m only blogging because Amy made me.

We’re having a blast and loving every minute!

Connie Hill & Amy Hayward

               We are the Super Six Students (James Rusk, James Riegel, Dayton Thurn, Olivia Gholson, Christian Wallace, Alex Wallace) and we are here to tell you about our day. James Rusk, Olivia, and Alex all went to the pre-school today. It was pretty crazy. Olivia took a recorder to the face and James got mauled by a group of pre-schoolers, and all the girls were sitting on Alex’s lap during class but we made it through. James Riegel and Christian were at the green house digging dirt and clay and sifting marl. Dayton was at the house today mixing marl and cement to make concrete for the walls of the house.  Then at noon we came back to the Harmony House for lunch and had killer PB&J. Then we went back to our “Service Opportunities” but the kids that were at the school were now at the green house. Olive was kicking butt with a shovel while being the only girl there. When she was done, she was covered in red dirt from head to toe. Christian got a new name, “Flipper” because of his sweet marl flipping skills. Alex rocked it on the sifting marl. After work, James Rusk and Olivia played soccer with Gonga, Shane, and other Jamaicans. Shane kept giving Olivia bad passes so Olivia took the ball and kicked it hard at Shane right in the face! Everyone thought it was hilarious. The Jamaicans won as usual. After we all showered in ice water, the guys played some Spoons and Presidents while the girls had Ladies Night with the Jamaican women. We are all excited to serve the community of Harmons and we cant wait to get back home and share our great stories and experiences with you.

James Rusk (Batman), James Riegel (J1), Dayton (Baby), Christian (Flipper), Olivia (Oliver), Alex (nickname pending)