We're Here!

Hello Friends and family!

As you hopefully heard from the calling chain, we made it to Jamaica safe and sound. The internet is not easily available as I had hoped, so I won't be able to update the blog very often. But I will tell you how things are going up to this point...

When we arrived in Jamaica, we first had to get through immigration and customs. At immigration, some of the groups were given a little bit of a hard time, but we made it through relatively quickly. But when we collected our bags and moved to customs, they wouldn't let us through with our mission suitcases. So we had to leave these with some of the adults and go through. Four adults stayed while the bags were looked through, and they finally convinced the customs officer that we were really giving the items away, so that we got all the bags.

We rode in 2 buses from Montego Bay to the college - with AC! It has been in the 80's, some sun, some mugginess, and it rained yesterday afternoon for a short time. The students have made friends with some of the college students, and played some serious games of bball and soccer (football here). Friday and Saturday we got acclimated to our surroundings and practiced for our times in schools. By Sunday morning, almost everyone is feeling rested and ready for more activity after our LONG trip here!

The food... rice and peas (beans to us) have been a staple at lunch, along with chicken or fish. Breakfast has been american style - eggs, pancakes or french toast so no complaints there! We've had some fruit (oranges, pineapple) for those moms worried about the healthy stuff. Evening meal has been smaller, bread and cheese with chips, but most of us have made it down to the local jerk chicken/pork shop for some local goodness. Even the "picky" eaters are finding something to their liking! :)

Sunday was morning and evening church, where the students sang and performed their pantemime skit. Today (Monday) was our first day out in the community visiting. Group 1 (Liz, Kristyn, Sang Won, Shawn, Steph, Alli, SEan, Easton, Josh, Sarah E, KRisten L, Mike, Nate, & adults) went to a nursing home. They sang songs to the residents and visited. They were surprised I think how much they enjoyed the experience. We've found it easy to understand Jamaican English, though the local dialect they speak to each other we don't get a word of!

Group 2 (Marga, Mel, Jess, Andrew, Taylor, Amanda, Claire, Ben, Carter, SArah J, JEnnelle, Clint, Ron & co) went to a high school with hundreds of kids who all watched from balconies, while they shared their testimony and sang for them. Then they went to a disabled children's home, and wow - that was an experience in loving the children. Some played with balls, while others just spent time sitting and caring for them.

We've already swum in the beach this afternoon. Beautiful and salty. We did some work around the college earlier in the day but are waiting for everything to be ready at the church project. Should begin tomorrow.

Pray for us that we are bold in sharing our faith, and also relational in spending time at the children's homes and nursing homes. Pray for the building supplies to all come as needed and safety on the worksite. Pray for students' relationships with each other, as putting 26 teenagers together can be an occasional source of conflict. :) Pray that we are being a blessing to the churches and college that are hosting us. God bless you! Love from the team - your kids miss you, I promise! :)

Oh- some geckos and an occasional cockroach have been visiting the rooms, but nothing that a good scream and a broom can't handle. :) And the evenings have been cool and enjoyable to sleep in...

From Jamaica...
Meghan

PS - Keean is doing great in his first international trip, eating rice and peas with the best of them, and sleeping like a champ! :) xoxo