To my family, I was the first one to blog here on this trip & didn't realize I could get personal with my loved ones. As for you Tom sending my goats ... please don't the Jamacian people, although so beautiful, strangly do not have goats as pets but to eat & is very much a delicacy (if I even spelled that correctly). So please keep Jake & George sound. For my pooh, so glad to hear she's still with us. I was wondering if you broke down & finally let the horses in the house:). I miss Wyatt too & alittle Mac. My three kids, how I wish I could see your faces and touch your skin. The only thing that helps me be away from you are my dreams of you.I miss you all so very much but still not to shorten my trip, it has gone so fast I will dearly miss my new friends and Tom you would be surprised but it's the people ( three childen specifically & one grandpa) that I would love to sneak through customs. Tom my "long lost love" ( Jamacan's meaning for High School Sweetheart) thank you for my opportunity in this experience I forever love you and are greatful. All I ask is for you to come with next year.
To Cindy, Thank you for your encouragment,without your support things would not be the same.
Tell Mom, John Steph, & Donna Ilove & miss them this much............ Well they know how much.
Sheriee
Friday, January 25, 2008
Petula
This is the last day and probably the last post. There are obviously so many things I could talk about--the poor house, ladies night, the new faces and the old. There are many stories and I encourage you to ask those that came to share many of them. But I think I will share one piece of what God has revealed to me this time in Jamaica.
There is an 18 year old girl here named Petula. I met her last year and have gotten the privilege of spending time with her again this time. I saw her on the first night and got reacquainted. Petula is a Harmons success story--she finished school, doesn't have several kids from different fathers, and is working to make a living. She recently finished cosmetology school and is working that way.
What I love about Petula is this: every time Petula sees me, she slides up next to me, usually holding my hand or locking arms, and sits. That's it. She has very little to say and doesn't require a lot of words from me. She would be content to simply sit with me for hours. At first, this would seem awkward. What does she expect from me? Do I need to come up with something to talk about? But after the first night, she came back and did the same thing. And the next.
This morning I had an epiphany. Petula is an excellent picture of God. He slides up next to me and simply wants me to hang out. He doesn't want to hear my words (I really have little to offer). He simply wants to be with me and for me to be still.
Everyone should have a Petula. Someone who loves just to be with you. And someone who reminds you of how God is.
Other things have been phenomenal as well. God isn't bigger in Jamaica; we simply listen better here. I am grateful for the chance to walk away from "normal" life and be enveloped by a place that seems to have Christ all over it.
See ya when we return!
Lauren Malone
There is an 18 year old girl here named Petula. I met her last year and have gotten the privilege of spending time with her again this time. I saw her on the first night and got reacquainted. Petula is a Harmons success story--she finished school, doesn't have several kids from different fathers, and is working to make a living. She recently finished cosmetology school and is working that way.
What I love about Petula is this: every time Petula sees me, she slides up next to me, usually holding my hand or locking arms, and sits. That's it. She has very little to say and doesn't require a lot of words from me. She would be content to simply sit with me for hours. At first, this would seem awkward. What does she expect from me? Do I need to come up with something to talk about? But after the first night, she came back and did the same thing. And the next.
This morning I had an epiphany. Petula is an excellent picture of God. He slides up next to me and simply wants me to hang out. He doesn't want to hear my words (I really have little to offer). He simply wants to be with me and for me to be still.
Everyone should have a Petula. Someone who loves just to be with you. And someone who reminds you of how God is.
Other things have been phenomenal as well. God isn't bigger in Jamaica; we simply listen better here. I am grateful for the chance to walk away from "normal" life and be enveloped by a place that seems to have Christ all over it.
See ya when we return!
Lauren Malone
.JPG)
MY LAST DAY IN HARMONS
How the week has flown by. I can't believe tomorrow morning we leave. How much we have learned from these beautiful people. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ.
The question that was asked of me one morning was.... How does working for God satisfy me?
I feel most alive when I am doing things for other people. I love to serve and I love to love on these Jamaicans! They have taught me so much about being satisfied and content with what you already have and that we don't need so much stuff!!!! I am so humbled every time I talk to another person...
I will never forget Jonathan Stergeon. He is an older man in his 80s. We were on our orientation walk and he came down to the road and just praised Jesus like I have never heard. He told us how much he loved us and America. He was so cute! It just takes me back how open and honest they are.
We talked about the Good Samaritan one day. Who is our neighbor? The answer is anyone who is need and anyone that we can show God's grace to. We went to the "poor house" on Thursday. They are the ones that are full of grace. We see them as the "least of these," but to me, they know Who is in control and their hearts are bursting with God's love and grace!
We had Ladies Night last night. The ladies in this community are the ones that are the neglected ones. It was so much fun for all of us doing pedicures, nail painting, card playing, and jewelry making with them. They really seemed to enjoy it too.
I am going to close with this......James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brotheren: has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Becky Warren
The question that was asked of me one morning was.... How does working for God satisfy me?
I feel most alive when I am doing things for other people. I love to serve and I love to love on these Jamaicans! They have taught me so much about being satisfied and content with what you already have and that we don't need so much stuff!!!! I am so humbled every time I talk to another person...
I will never forget Jonathan Stergeon. He is an older man in his 80s. We were on our orientation walk and he came down to the road and just praised Jesus like I have never heard. He told us how much he loved us and America. He was so cute! It just takes me back how open and honest they are.
We talked about the Good Samaritan one day. Who is our neighbor? The answer is anyone who is need and anyone that we can show God's grace to. We went to the "poor house" on Thursday. They are the ones that are full of grace. We see them as the "least of these," but to me, they know Who is in control and their hearts are bursting with God's love and grace!
We had Ladies Night last night. The ladies in this community are the ones that are the neglected ones. It was so much fun for all of us doing pedicures, nail painting, card playing, and jewelry making with them. They really seemed to enjoy it too.
I am going to close with this......James 2:5
Listen, my beloved brotheren: has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
Becky Warren
last night
Hello Church Lady & Church Family,
This is going to be a very hard night for me!
There is so much to tell,but I well kept it short for now.
Last night we went and had dinner at Miss Violet home, and that was amazing
to spend time with her and for her to share stories of her family. This is something Won by one
does with every group that comes down and they call this Meals on Heels, because we walk to their home.
Today I was able to give my boots to a new friend named Noel, he was
so greatful ! God has done some amazing thing with all of us here, I am so thankful
to be part of Gateway Church.
I miss you Cindi & Megan & Roxy and Gateway family.
We will be home soon!
David Skeen
This is going to be a very hard night for me!
There is so much to tell,but I well kept it short for now.
Last night we went and had dinner at Miss Violet home, and that was amazing
to spend time with her and for her to share stories of her family. This is something Won by one
does with every group that comes down and they call this Meals on Heels, because we walk to their home.
Today I was able to give my boots to a new friend named Noel, he was
so greatful ! God has done some amazing thing with all of us here, I am so thankful
to be part of Gateway Church.
I miss you Cindi & Megan & Roxy and Gateway family.
We will be home soon!
David Skeen
Final Hours
Hello back home,
This is my first time blogging, so I hope I keep it interesting. With this being our last day I am excited to see my kids but extremely sad to say goodbye. I've spent most of the week hauling marl, but today I got to be in the store. It was humbling helping people find stuff that back home was our throw away items. It is amazing how you see and experience God down here.
The people have been so warm and welcoming and genuinely like having us here. Many of them want nothing more than some conversation and a smile. God is absolutely here and has showed me some amazing things that I can't wait share when I get home. Please give a big Thank You to everyone who has been taking care of my family and just let everyone that I love them.
Andrea Moore
This is my first time blogging, so I hope I keep it interesting. With this being our last day I am excited to see my kids but extremely sad to say goodbye. I've spent most of the week hauling marl, but today I got to be in the store. It was humbling helping people find stuff that back home was our throw away items. It is amazing how you see and experience God down here.
The people have been so warm and welcoming and genuinely like having us here. Many of them want nothing more than some conversation and a smile. God is absolutely here and has showed me some amazing things that I can't wait share when I get home. Please give a big Thank You to everyone who has been taking care of my family and just let everyone that I love them.
Andrea Moore
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Sex Ed in Harmons
I know that the above title is probably not something you were expecting to come from a mission trip. Well, that makes all of us. Today, I accompanied our middle school girls to the school. All three of us were assigned to the 6th grade. The morning went well, grading papers, hanging out with kids, etc. until after snack time the teacher began her lesson by writing something on the board. "The Reproductive System" As you can imagine, both 14-year-old heads swung back at me wearing expressions that said, "Veronica! What do we do??" It all goes downhill from there...
I will be the first to admit that this trip has not gone according to my plans -- as if anything ever did. I tried to stay outside as much as possible last year. This year I spent one day sewing (2,000 coffee bags. 2,000!), another in the store, and today, I went to the school. I have seen God in so many ways that I wouldn't have expected. There is more joy among people who have nothing than you would believe. God has shown me that sometimes a smile and your hand is the best thing you can offer someone. Above all, I love watching the team that God has put together enthusiastically do whatever needs to be done. The way they love on each other (sarcasm withstanding, of course) and love on the people here reminds me again of why I love Gateway so much. Thank you all for being my family and loving me more than I have ever deserved. I really wish I could find words to tell you all how much you mean to me.
But unfortunately, a game of apples to apples is calling my name.
Missing all of you from home, dreading classes, and wishing I could take Gateway to OBU with me,
Veronica
P.S. Vincent, whatever you are doing, stop it. Just kidding. I love you and miss you and tell Mom and Dad that I miss them as well. And, did you give Amy V the reference form I left for her? Ok, Amy, if you are reading this and you haven't gotten it then go yell at my brother. Ok. That's all.
I will be the first to admit that this trip has not gone according to my plans -- as if anything ever did. I tried to stay outside as much as possible last year. This year I spent one day sewing (2,000 coffee bags. 2,000!), another in the store, and today, I went to the school. I have seen God in so many ways that I wouldn't have expected. There is more joy among people who have nothing than you would believe. God has shown me that sometimes a smile and your hand is the best thing you can offer someone. Above all, I love watching the team that God has put together enthusiastically do whatever needs to be done. The way they love on each other (sarcasm withstanding, of course) and love on the people here reminds me again of why I love Gateway so much. Thank you all for being my family and loving me more than I have ever deserved. I really wish I could find words to tell you all how much you mean to me.
But unfortunately, a game of apples to apples is calling my name.
Missing all of you from home, dreading classes, and wishing I could take Gateway to OBU with me,
Veronica
P.S. Vincent, whatever you are doing, stop it. Just kidding. I love you and miss you and tell Mom and Dad that I miss them as well. And, did you give Amy V the reference form I left for her? Ok, Amy, if you are reading this and you haven't gotten it then go yell at my brother. Ok. That's all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)