Jamaica 2001

This missions trip to Jamaica in 2001 was incredible. I would do it all over again. It was my first time flying on an airplane, especially being without my parents. I fell asleep on the way back. We were there from June 5th-11th. It was such an amazing time. To see how many lives we impacted was awesome. I got to work with the elementary school kids. They wanted so much attention. They just wanted to be held and loved. That's it. They do not get love and affection like we get. Their arms were always open for more. They couldn't get enough. We gave them stickers the first day we got there and on the last day, they still had them. We learned how to play Cricket and Spin the Top. To see what they have and to look at what we have, we are so blessed and so fortunate to have what we have. Some sleep on a hard floor , where we have a nice comfortable bed to call our own. We need to be more appreciative of what we have. Often times, we don't thank God for what we do have. They did not have cars to drive them to school. Most of them had to walk, and some walked a mile and some walked even more than that. We did a puppet show for them. The memories are priceless. I will never forget the smiles on the kids' faces. Getting to lead them to know Jesus was such an amazing feeling. We did human videos for the high school. We had to wear dresses while we were there, and they had to be below the knee. That was their dress policy at the schools. Where we stayed, we had a pool. Our showers there were not you typical showers. They were tall and skinny, and the bad thing is there was only cold water. There was no HOT water!!! I am not joking. You definately make a quick shower. You defiantely appreciate things back home.

The one bad thing for me was I could not get in the pool. All I could do was stick my legs in. It wasn't very much fun watching everybody else have fun in the pool. I had to wear a small piece of a cotton ball with vasoline on it when I took a shower. I couldn't get water in my ear at all. That helped stop the water from going in.

I got home that Monday, June 11th. On Friday, June 15th, I was at the hospital having major ear reconstructive surgery. This was all planned. Nothing from the trip caused this. I knew this before I went. Even though I had some limits like the pool, nothing really got in my way to do what we had planned to glorify Jesus. We made him known while we were there. If I could go back, I would get on a plane tomorrow. Those kids made me smile and realize that I am so thankful to have wonderful parents and a nice house to live in.