Sundays are always our best and worst days. Rev. Campbell (the pastor of the church) always gives us free reign in the service and this year was no different. Miss Carmen (aka Auntie Una, aka The Jamaica Project’s best friend) started off with some songs, prayer and a few announcements then turned the service over to us and which time Jason and Noelle sang a lovely rendition of “Good, Good Father. Then Lyndon and Doraine led the congregants in a rousing medley of Jamaican choruses “SKA” style (google it) They had the church going. It is the liveliest we have ever seen that tiny church!!! It was awesome!
Dan then preached a message about not getting distracted by the world and following the dreams the Lord gives you. While all of this was going on Kathi was interpreting everything in sign language for one of the members of the community, Rolando who is deaf. It was so great for her to be able to use her gifts in this way.
Saying goodbye to our friends is always very hard and this year was no exception. A year between visits goes so quickly, but at the same time much changes in that year. Some children move away, others outgrow our program, still others go away to college and/or start working. There are many things that change over the years, but the one thing that stays consistent is that the community knows that we care about them.
After church Lyndon Dorraine and their kids joined us for lunch and then we all went back to the community so that everyone would have a chance to meet our new friends: the Gloria and Rudolph Trails, Mrs. Wallace, and Wenda. What a wonderful time we had listening to their stories and sharing the word, song and prayers with them.
We were able to drive up into the hills a bit farther and find the ruins of the first Baptist Theological Seminary in the western hemisphere. The land is still owned by the Jamaica Baptist Union.
After we arrived back “home” it was time for dinner, a bit of reflection and time to pack.
Every year there is a different feel for each of our trips and each of our teams. This year: “The year of the Mighty 6”, was one of the best years yet. The team was unified from the beginning and “gelled” really well. This trip was incredibly easy and things were kept very simple. We did things differently than we have in the past, and while we were not able to do as much as we usually do, in other ways, the difference added greatly to what we were able to do. We are grateful for this team and for this time. To God be the Glory!!!