ChuckE hasn’t been carrying his weight, and since the team was exhausted from all our hard work, we decided to delegate
Wow! Day 3 is already complete! We had the privilege of spending a short amount of time with an eclectic group of kids at the Naz Children’s Center first thing this the morning.
Bill with his guitar
Pastor Ed and Sophia with the children
Bill led the children with some songs, and Anne shared the story of “The Good Samaritan,” while the children formed features from the story with our home-made play dough. It was encouraging to see value given to the children with special needs, the way the Naz Children’s Center does.
After morning devotions, we headed over to Zion to tackle the projects that were fresh in our minds. We arrived and hit the ground running. The team moved over 2 tons of rock and dirt from one enormous pile to a spot behind a new building to set the foundation for a new basketball court. Simultaneously, hours were spent painting the new building that will eventually be used for medical and dental offices, as well as ministry work.
Allen and Jess : “Will we ever reach the bottom of this rock pile?”
Will ministering to Jamaican children
Knowing we would be there again today, many women, men and children were waiting to fellowship with us and many even helped with the work load.
Melanie sincerely enjoyed an impromptu hymn singing session with some of the Jamaicans, Bill oversaw the backfilling behind the medical building, Jenn focused on the painting, Jess demonstrated her hard work ethic, jumping in each project as needed, and Will, recently deemed “White Soul” by one of the locals, was a key factor in moving the backfill. All of us served with grateful hearts, understanding the great blessing and responsibility we have been given.
Anne went with Alex, the chicken man, to see how a couple people in the community are doing with their chicken coops.
Yvonne and her thriving chicken business
Yvonne, a next door neighbor to the church, has made a successful business of selling chickens since receiving her first bunch about four years ago. With the money, Yvonne is able to send her children to school, pay for medical bills and recently, she even bought a washing machine! Yvonne is the perfect demonstration of how the chicken ministry is designed to work!
Thank you all for your continued prayers! We are living in the answer to each of them! Please feel free to comment or offer your questions under this blog and we will be happy to respond.
Yeah ..a Chucky siting! Do your part for the team Chuck old boy! Allen and Jess “playing” in the rock pile cracks me up….but with that in mind……remember the great hymn..”On Christ the solid ROCK I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”…..And also Matthew 7:24-28, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the ROCK!” So DIG IN and build God’s house on the Rock like it appears you are doing! You guys are doing a fantastic job I KNOW! I can see it in your smiles, the joy on your faces and the boundless enthusiasm of this group!! Keep up the good work team! GOD BLESS!
BONNIE
By: Bonnie Billington on February 19, 2011
at 8:40 pm
thanks for latest update. especially love photos. wondered if women Yvonne might possibly be the same person that spoke to us on the phone the night of the pasta dinner? cold and windy here today. what’s the temp there?? you continue to be in my thoughts and daily prayers. Pat MacFarlane
By: pat macfarlane on February 19, 2011
at 9:25 pm
Wow!! Thanks for sharing these pics, Please tell Yvonne I said Hi – she looks well. Ahhh so many amazing memories, My Love goes out to all my Jamaican Family. God Bless you all, we are so proud of this Amazing team that God has put together to further his Kingdom!
By: Sly on February 19, 2011
at 9:28 pm
Love the updates. Each of you is a blessing not only to those who are there but to all of us as well… We can learn so much from all of you… My thoughts and prayers are with you.
By: Josie Horton on February 19, 2011
at 11:30 pm
Thank you for your wonderful updates on all your work there and sharing photos. What a wonderful success in Yvonne! She has worked hard and she can is a great example for the others who receive chicks. Sustaining the business and helping your neighbors is exactly what will lift up community. Praise God!
Continue to pray that God does amazing things through each of you!
By: Tamera Toogood on February 20, 2011
at 2:47 am
Hey Pat! Yvonne is a different woman from the one we spoke with at the Jamaica dinner. Cynthia and her husband Robert are the ones we interviewed at the dinner.
The weather is absolutely gorgeous down here – today had to be in the 80s during the day, and the night was cooler with a wonderful cool breeze in the air. We are absolutely soaking up the lovely weather!
By: Pastor Ed on February 22, 2011
at 12:30 pm