Jamaica Mission Trip
This past week has been absolutely amazing. It's hard to even know were to begin. The beauty of Jamaica with blue clear water, mountainous terrine, lush green forests and fresh mango's. Sometimes it was hard to keep track of time and know were you are. When the team first got to the Montego Bay YWAM campus, it sits on a mountain were you can see over the ocean and nothing but a view. Our rooms were facing the ocean side, it was hard to not wake up to seeing it. Each morning began at 6am for breakfast, then we had devotions. But now let's get more into the reason why we came and the things we did here.
The first day we went to Robin's Nest children's home. it was quit the journey getting there. it was very hilly and narrow roads. We did a lot of physical work and got to play with the children. We got a tour of the place and got to see the different rooms and how the place came about. it was amazing to see all of the children's names and pictures on the wall as you come it. there were verses on the wall too. it was amazing to see how each child was valued and cared for. during the day my group did some weeding and picking leaves. we got to see inside a school as well were the children go. it was difficult because these children don't have parents, and groups like us come and go all the time, when all these children need is a home and someone to love them.
The next day our group was split. some stayed on base and other's went back to robin's Nest. I stayed on the base. the beginning of the day we picked weeds and cleaned window's. one thing about it here was it was very, very humid. it was hot. it was hard to do work without sweating. the second part of the day we helped clean and prim a house that was being built. it was fun to sand down concrete walls and get paint all over you. Also, the campus had a pool. so we all enjoyed swimming and could see the view and ocean from it. it was so refreshing. that night we went out to eat at an authentic Jamaican restaurant called Scotchies. I had their famous jerk chicken and a festival (donut like) and pineapple soda. we sat at long tables and it was in-closed outside. we then had amazing ice cream after it.
On day three, this was a fun and interesting day. In the morning we did street Evangelism. We spent time before it praying and cleansing our hearts before we went out. it was well worth it, i have never do this it before. we then split into two groups. it was still a climb were we went. we all had a bag of rice and sugar to give to the people we talked to. The first house we stopped at the woman was telling us about how her son fell and hurt his head. we has been in accident's before, but praise God that he is doing okay. she then began to explain her family and all the things that have happened. we shared the love of God and prayed for her. We then talked to two other families and got to know about them, and learn from them. it is such a blessing that we are able to just go up have a conversation with them with open arms. most places you can't do that. the second part of the day we went to a hospice. The amazing thing about this was it was not as bad as i had thought. yes, these people are on there death bed, but they all were so joyful and full of life. the one woman i had talked to, her name is Cynthia. she had no legs, but was telling us about her life and the people that have come to see her. When we prayed for her, she was praising the Lord and shouting to the Heavens. it was so amazing. the other woman we met was Uma. she was watching the soccer game from her room and was full of life that she loved to dance. that night, ywam has a community night. we shared about our week so far, testimonies, and sang.
West Haven was by far the hardest. it is a place for children and adults with disabilities of all kinds and they ranged from all ages. the moment we stepped off the bus they were right there with us. they have four different houses and a school. one had people in wheel chairs. we spent time walking with them, dancing with them and feeding them. they had music playing with worship music and it was tearful seeing the kids singing the words to the songs. they just wanted to be loved, nurtured and cared for. they were all abandoned at one time. it just breaks my heart. it is hard to not question why they are here, alive. but we saw the heart of God when they praised Him. they are God's children too. everyone of us was playing and helping them. my heart was heavy, you could almost feel God's presence there. when we talked about our experience there afterwards, it was so emotional hearing how it impacted each of us. it is something i will never forget.
On our free day we went to Doctor's Cave. it was so nice to enjoy the beach and clear water. we went snorkeling on a beautiful reef. they had trampolines in the ocean and we could swim out to them. so much fun! and they had a restaurant right by the beach we ate at, so good. unfortunately I had to leave early and head home. but nothing can describe the experience I had. it really reaped in my heart and learned so much. we had an amazing team, staff and people to work with. i will never for get it.
The first day we went to Robin's Nest children's home. it was quit the journey getting there. it was very hilly and narrow roads. We did a lot of physical work and got to play with the children. We got a tour of the place and got to see the different rooms and how the place came about. it was amazing to see all of the children's names and pictures on the wall as you come it. there were verses on the wall too. it was amazing to see how each child was valued and cared for. during the day my group did some weeding and picking leaves. we got to see inside a school as well were the children go. it was difficult because these children don't have parents, and groups like us come and go all the time, when all these children need is a home and someone to love them.
The next day our group was split. some stayed on base and other's went back to robin's Nest. I stayed on the base. the beginning of the day we picked weeds and cleaned window's. one thing about it here was it was very, very humid. it was hot. it was hard to do work without sweating. the second part of the day we helped clean and prim a house that was being built. it was fun to sand down concrete walls and get paint all over you. Also, the campus had a pool. so we all enjoyed swimming and could see the view and ocean from it. it was so refreshing. that night we went out to eat at an authentic Jamaican restaurant called Scotchies. I had their famous jerk chicken and a festival (donut like) and pineapple soda. we sat at long tables and it was in-closed outside. we then had amazing ice cream after it.
On day three, this was a fun and interesting day. In the morning we did street Evangelism. We spent time before it praying and cleansing our hearts before we went out. it was well worth it, i have never do this it before. we then split into two groups. it was still a climb were we went. we all had a bag of rice and sugar to give to the people we talked to. The first house we stopped at the woman was telling us about how her son fell and hurt his head. we has been in accident's before, but praise God that he is doing okay. she then began to explain her family and all the things that have happened. we shared the love of God and prayed for her. We then talked to two other families and got to know about them, and learn from them. it is such a blessing that we are able to just go up have a conversation with them with open arms. most places you can't do that. the second part of the day we went to a hospice. The amazing thing about this was it was not as bad as i had thought. yes, these people are on there death bed, but they all were so joyful and full of life. the one woman i had talked to, her name is Cynthia. she had no legs, but was telling us about her life and the people that have come to see her. When we prayed for her, she was praising the Lord and shouting to the Heavens. it was so amazing. the other woman we met was Uma. she was watching the soccer game from her room and was full of life that she loved to dance. that night, ywam has a community night. we shared about our week so far, testimonies, and sang.
West Haven was by far the hardest. it is a place for children and adults with disabilities of all kinds and they ranged from all ages. the moment we stepped off the bus they were right there with us. they have four different houses and a school. one had people in wheel chairs. we spent time walking with them, dancing with them and feeding them. they had music playing with worship music and it was tearful seeing the kids singing the words to the songs. they just wanted to be loved, nurtured and cared for. they were all abandoned at one time. it just breaks my heart. it is hard to not question why they are here, alive. but we saw the heart of God when they praised Him. they are God's children too. everyone of us was playing and helping them. my heart was heavy, you could almost feel God's presence there. when we talked about our experience there afterwards, it was so emotional hearing how it impacted each of us. it is something i will never forget.
On our free day we went to Doctor's Cave. it was so nice to enjoy the beach and clear water. we went snorkeling on a beautiful reef. they had trampolines in the ocean and we could swim out to them. so much fun! and they had a restaurant right by the beach we ate at, so good. unfortunately I had to leave early and head home. but nothing can describe the experience I had. it really reaped in my heart and learned so much. we had an amazing team, staff and people to work with. i will never for get it.
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