Great day Climbing the falls and watching the water light
up at Glistening waters... Kids are going without Internet till Saturday...
Today school and orphanage , shopping in town .. Pictures to follow
Day 2
We all were pushed to another level when we visited the
disabled childrens home. After an hour drive into the mountains we were met
eagerly by some of the 40 residents of the home. All were abandoned and
severely physically and or mentally handicapped. Most had to be fed and our
kids jumped right in and fed, played, danced, did nails and pushed
wheel chairs all afternoon.
We all felt the
Holy Spirit there with us as we were blessed beyond belief. Smiles were endless
and what we thought to be our troubles dissolved. Truly a life changing
experience.
The day however
started with a trip to public school speaking to 250 5th graders... Alex, Aaron, and Byrom gave testimony. Tonight we
visited the Boys and Girls Club of Montego Bay , hung out and Lainie, Jake, and
Andrew shared.
Tomorrow we
play..... Dunns River falls & Glistening Waters then back to schools and an
orphanage on Thursday Keep Praying
Day 1
The day started bright and early with breakfast at 7am then
to a public school with over 300 kids. Chandler Brandenburg & Wesley Grubbs
gave testimony and we led them in songs.
After devotions and lunch we made the one hour
trip on some rocky roads to the Jamaican Christian School For The Deaf.
Our kids were amazing as each kid formed individual relationships with kids.
No communication barrier at all. Boys playing on swings, girls and sidewalk
chalk, volleyball games, salvation bracelets and lots of hugs. The kids
realized that the love of Christ is often shown and not told……. At devos
tonight each kid told of their favorite memory of the day and the stories they
told were so personal.
Tomorrow we take it to another level as we
visit and work with the kids from the disabled children’s home and
the Boys & Girls club. Alex Aaron, Byrom, Lainie, Jake and Andrew will
share tomorrow ….. Keep praying
2011 Mission Trips Brochure | "REVISED" Middle School Mission Brochure | High School Mission Brochure
Day 1 - After a
somewhat uneventful long, long, long –
did I mention LONG bus ride ; our
trailer blew out a tire on the turnpike and we had to go 30 miles to get a
replacement while we parked the kids a
Super Target & Pizza Hut – Arrival time in Islamorada – 11:00pm
Day 2 – Up at 6 breakfast at 7 followed by about an hour of
devotionals and quiet time then to start work. Although the temps reached the
low 90’s in what overcast and not terrible.
After an encouraging word from Pastor Darrell & Mrs. Marilyn we
broke into teams and started on about 8 projects. Working diligently the kids
were amazing and we were able to call it a day by 3:00.
After a quick swim
back at the hotel and then a great dinner thanks to Bim we headed to the
waterfront to “cast our sins “ into the
ocean and clear our hearts for missions. We saw God’s beauty as we watched the
sunset and then back for closing worship time led by Will, Allison &
Allison. Dave Maze entertained us with
some cool illusions and then our kids were challenged to share their
testimonies the next day with the homeless.... Lights out
Day 3 – After our 7am
breakfast and quiet time we were on a mission to have all our projects
completed in time for the homeless feed at 6pm..... Ill I have to say is look
at what these amazing students accomplished in 2 days. 3 bathrooms painted, 2
rooms gutted of garbage and furniture, the fellowship hall stripped and waxed,
2 ½ acres of property – grass cut , trimmed and all 12 flowers beds weeded and
mulched, three benches and an arbor built and placed in the prayer garden and
relandscaped, the sanctuary pressure washed , the inside floors cleaned, pews
waxed and everything dusted, floors of the other building painted, elevators
polished , pastors office and library
cleaned.... Tool cool... Once again the people of Islamorada were in awe of
these students sold out for Jesus .
The homeless people showed up and our kids sat with them ,
served them, and just listened to their stories... We all have lots to tell.
Windy and rain threatening weather changed our plans from
snorkeling on a sail boat to Theater of the Sea. We witnessed God's creation in
so many ways; swimming with a school of Blue Parrot fish, watching parrot ,
dolphin and sea lion shows and learning about sea turtles.
The night was
ended with devotional time and an awesome worship time in the sanctuary of FBC
Islamorada led by Will, Allison, Allison & Melinda.
Day 4 - God showed up in the faces of the 100 migrant children we
ministered to. From the 2 year olds who spoke no English to the 12 year olds
who just wanted new friends God blessed us as much as them. Our kids did everything from Andrew Travis
wearing a firemans hat and building blocks to Will Perkins reading 4 year olds
a story to Alex splashing ( mostly being splashed) to Tripp and Haden making
balloon animals with Dave ( Haden made snakes ). The migrant kids love Dave the
magician.
The night was all about worship and fellowship as we
joined with Key Largo Baptist church and enjoyed music and a full stage show by
Dave Maze the illusionist. It was a very spiritual and the fun night with
fellow believers.
This mornings devotions went for almost an hour with kids
sharing how this week has changed them.... Great kids who just want more in
their relationship with Jesus .... More of Jesus from teens.. What a blessing
Off to work with more migrant kids ...
Good flight, great weather -- 90's, great new friends here at the mission house. Yesterday after we landed we took an hour and a half drive thru the mountains to our home here at the orphanage. We met the kids and played a bit and then tried to get used to the heat...
This morning we woke up at 6:00am , had breakfast and then did a devotional at a public school at 8:00 ... There are so many kids here that can't afford to go to school and you just pass them on the road in torn clothes and no shoes. The kids that go to school are so appreciative of visitors. Will gave a devotional & Briana & Haley led the music. After that we spent the rest of the day working here at the orphanage painting, cleaning, cutting grass and a whole lot of sweating. We did manage some time snorkeling in the Caribbean sea and a couple swims in the pool. Now our kids just got done playing cricket and are playing cards with the kids,Tomorrow 6am again - To another school where Katie will share and then to a really poor area called Gulley Bank and then to the hospital and nursing home... Keep Praying
DAY 3
We started the day at 6:30 with breakfast and a devotional on "God's will". At 7:15 we loaded up and went to another public school where our kids lead the morning devotional time before over 100 kids. Katies shared her testimony and she was awesomeThe kids hugged and begged us not to leave. The kids are so starved for attention. After that we loaded up all our supplies and headed an hour away to an area called "Gulley Bank" which is one of the poorest area's in Jamaica. There we played with the kids and shared the Gospel.. We also visited a nursing home run the government and it was so sad. There were 43 men and 33 women there and they were the ones who been abandoned by their families. One old man sang to us and and we prayed with several of them.
Tomorrow we head back to "Gulley" to work with the kids again and then to the hospital there to visit the children there.. Everyone is doing great and God is doing great things . We love our new family here at the orphange
Keep Praying.. The heat is brutal but we are getting used to no air conditioning believe it or not..
DAY 4
We are actually getting used to getting up at 6am but don't tell anyone... Back to the school to play with the kids before school started. This time when they saw us coming in the van they came running and screaming,it sure makes you feel special. The girls would not let go of Katie, Briana & Haley.. And the boys engaged in a game of ulimate frisbee.
After that we squeezed a few hours of snorkeling and beach time , by the way the reefs are amazing. Then we packed up and headed back to Gulley Bank.
Before we did ministry there we stopped by the hospital and played with the kids in the children's ward but we were not allowed to take any pictures... it was sad.. Katie bonded with a little girl who we found out later had diabetes so severely she may not live.. We all gathered around her at the nurses request and prayed for her .. We ask that you do the same... The women visited the maternity ward and then we headed to Gulley Bank.. Again we were met with kids chasing the van.. We shared the Gospel with each of them 4 at a time. It was hard to leave them .
Tomorrow we head back to a school where Morgan and Briana will share their testimony then help people in a village carry water.
Your Prayers are Helping --- Thanks
DAY 5
Again 6am came early and we headed to another school to play with the kids before school started, it was on our way to our mission project for the day and what a project.
Papa Jim took us to another really poor community named Petersville where the population had no running water so all of us carried 5 gallon containers of water to the older people's homes and filled up 5 / 55 gallon drums. One home was about 1/4 mile up a path into the mountains. We prayed with the people and then a highlight was meeting the local pastor..Pastor Murray - 94 and still preaching the Gospel , even better we met his older brother who was 96 and an elder of the church.
Our kids shared the Gospel with some of their kids and we prayed for Pastor Murray's daughter who had a recent stroke and could afford heath care... Ms Ruby.
Hugs were abundant and what a rewarding experience. It's 7pm and our kids are playing with the kids here at the orphanage... It's been so amazing to see our students step up --- To God be the Glory
