Today was exciting because for most of us, it was the first day we knew we would be able to meet and interact with the locals and really dig into some hardcore labor. We arrived at Zion Church in the morning and were quickly greeted by the smiling faces of God’s masterpieces. The children openly accepted bubble gum and we all made fast friends with 12 year old Lamar. Our first task was to take down a barbed wire fence and posts.
Anne gets busy with the paintbrush
Sophia drills in preparation for new door hardware
While some of us collaborated on that, others of us joined forces on painting and installing locks on the doors of the new building.
Rocks, rocks and more rocks!
A couple hours into our day, a dump truck full of “dirt” (which was really mostly very heavy rocks) was delivered to the church. This dirt is used as back fill for what will eventually be a basketball court behind the new church building.
“You can do it, Sophia!” Melanie, Jessica and Allen
Eric and a helpful volunteer
We “dug” (pun intended) right in. Wheeling barrows of rocks from the mountainous pile to the soon to be new home of the basketball court proved to be a very laborious task, but we took it on full steam and soon worked out a system. Given the time we had, we made a big dent in the rocky mountain.
Jenn Caber shared a devotional with the Jamaican children, and one boy, Lamar, even asked Jesus Christ to forgive him for his sins. They happily colored with her and enjoyed some special attention, bubbles, lollipops, candy canes, bubble gum…and most of all hugs and love. Many of the team partook in meaningful conversation with the locals who helped us with the projects throughout the day.
In addition to all the work at Zion, some of our team accompanied Alex the chicken man in his travels, to disperse the flocks of chicks to the assigned families. Many more people have been blessed by these efforts!
Friday (tomorrow) looks to be a full day of work, completing the many projects we began today.
Great job getting your daily update and photos back to us – I know it’s not easy! Everyone at home loves to hear and see how you are doing. Praise God for your servant’s hearts!
By: efcjmt on February 18, 2011
at 8:33 pm
WE (JMT 2010 JMT) told you guys this was a WORK trip! We weren’t kidding WERE WE???!!!! You will sleep VERY well! Where is Chucky???? Still jet lagged????
By: Bonnie Billington on February 18, 2011
at 9:29 pm
HI JULIE……..HI ERIC!
BONNIE
By: Bonnie Billington on February 18, 2011
at 9:30 pm
Great work guys! Keep it up! We are praying for you. So awesome to see Eric in the pictures. I’m so glad that you and Julie were able to come again this year. God Bless!
By: Mark Carpender on February 18, 2011
at 11:39 pm
Hey sophia Synergy girls say HI and good job on putting the Iphone down hahah.. we love you all, God Bless you all!!
By: Sly on February 19, 2011
at 7:22 am
JMT, I am so very excited for you and am keeping you close in my prayers. I know that you are doing wonderful work there and that God is moving mightily through you. I talked with a few of my “Jamaican family” there today and they have truly been touched by you and all that you are doing. I pray that this is a life-changing experience as it was for me last year. Thank you for being the hands and feet of God. Each of you carry His Light into a place and to a people who hunger for it. I look forward to seeing more pictures and keeping up with all that you are doing there. Many blessings to you all!
By: Tamera Toogood on February 19, 2011
at 7:29 am
ed the kids want to see pics of you. ”wheres daddy”
By: Sly on February 19, 2011
at 8:30 am
Glad to see everything is going well. We will continue to pray for you guys. It is exciting to see God’s work being done.
By: Rich Morton on February 19, 2011
at 9:23 am