After a long day of travel we've arrived and settled into our "hotel" here in Jamaica. Continue to pray for us as we find what God has in store for us this week.

Throughout the journey of preparing for my missions trip to Jamaica I prayed that I would be in God’s will to come here. So far Jamaica has taught me how to appreciate my home, air-conditioning, and God’s blessings back in Virginia. The first day here we visited a school and the kids were so welcoming and always had a smile on their faces. At least 7 girls wanted to hold my hand at one time which really touched me because back home we go through everyday life and don’t think about the needs of other’s much in foreign countries. The people of Jamaica want to be loved, just like any of us. Throughout the day yesterday I realized how much I am going to miss it here. The girls loved to braid my hair and play with it. The boys are amazing at football (soccer) and even a 5 year old could beat me! One girl named Natasha from the school told me she was really going to miss me and asked if I was coming back and luckily I was able to say yes! After the school we visited Granville, a girl’s home for those who have had a rough home life. The girls at first did not open up much but after a while began to smile and talk with us about their stories and what they like to do. It was awesome to see how they have some of the same interests as us back in America such as music, movies, and food. After the girl’s home we went to play sports with the kids at a church and I enjoyed loving on the kids and playing football (soccer) with them. Today we are going back to the school to play with the kids and I cannot wait to see their smiling faces! After the kids home we are going to the infirmary which is like a nursing home and for the disabled. After the infirmary we are going to play sports with the kids and to a bible study at one of the local churches! Also, I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us this week and so far I am learning so much about the Jamaican culture! I am not just blessing the kids by being here but they are blessing me in return! It is truly a wonderful experience being able to hang out with the Jamaican people and spread God’s love through our actions.

Today our team went to the basic school and when we pulled up to the school, there was a little girl who saw our van pull up and she started to jump up and down and had the biggest smile on her face when she saw us. This gave me and the team so much excitement and we were ready to go out and start doing our ministry.

The children did a couple of songs for us and by the teacher having them sing to us, it just made us even more excited to get started and minister to the children. We broke off into two groups and in my group we were coloring with the children and reading them stories. I got to talking with a little boy and I found out how old he was and what he liked about school and from that little conversation a bond was created between us. Anytime he saw me he got a big smile on his face and came up and gave me a hug.

I also had the opportunity to go down with the other group and there was a group of women and I went up and started talking to them. There were two babies with the women and I got to talking to the women and they let me hold their baby. My other team member Becca, also got to hold the other baby and it was something that both of us wanted and looked forward to doing. We were talking with the women and learning about how some things are different here than in the United States. It gave me a new appreciation for where I live and the things I have.

We take so many things for granted and are just so greatly blessed with everything that we have. Being on this mission trip has opened my eyes and heart to how we all need to be. We need to have the kind of compassion and loving spirit that the Jamaicans have. So far on this trip I would have to say that this was the best day of ministry.