We're tangled in the hills of Jamaica at Maldon Baptist Church. We're ready for a very exciting week! Thank you for all of your prayers so far.

After we received a warm welcome on Sunday night at the church, Monday kicked off with ministry training and devotional plans. Afterward we walked to the highschool and shared our invitation with them to join us for the week and Logan addressed the group before they took exams. At 5 o'clock children's ministry kicked and the children had a great time with the team learning about David and Goliath. After a delicious supper, we had a youth focused worship service where we looked at Hebrews 12. Pastor Joel Sanje raced down the aisle and illustrated the need to run the race and throw off anything that entangles. (Angie, Pastor Joel says "I love you, Schmoopie.")

We woke up this morning and began to scrape the multi-purpose building where we'll be painting and preparing for the church to set up a trade school there. We're looking forward to more children at the "After-School Special" today and we look forward to putting up pictures as soon as the internet cooperates! With Love, from Suntree UMC Team :)

Blessing and inspiring young people in the community

The students assemble and share smiles and hugs. We are learning lots of new names and falling in love with Jamaica.

Just for fun

Pastor Joel gears up to race Sanje to make a point! The Jamaicans loved it! It made an impact too--God wants us to lay aside the things that keep us from running the best race that we can.

Here's the crew starting to scrape the multi-purpose building, before they can paint. It's not glamourous work, but it will make the fresh coat stay much longer and look great for years! Everyone pitched in and gave it their best for the morning.

Here is a view of where the team is helping and staying. Most of the ministries we are involved in are right here in this very building.

It's crazy how quickly the time is flying! Yet we feel like we have known the people here for so long. Today we have our third afternoon with the children and we look forward to worship together tonight.

Wednesday morning, after a wonderful breakfast of "festivals" and sweet oatmeal, we split into two groups and went to visit local shut-ins. The students each took leadership roles as they prayed for, shared scripture with, and sang to these people. Later in the day we again showed the love of Jesus through a lively After School Special, during which various children acted out the Daniel and the Lion's Den story.
In the evening, Sun Tree led a worship service. Blake, Allison, and Logan B. led worship, and Pastor Joel began a message about the craziness but courageousness of Peter walking on water. Logan Busacca then finished the message,challenging everyone to think about how God really wants us to step out in faith, while incorporating examples from her own life. Next, Angela and Danny shared testimonies of how they came to know Christ. Next, Allison and Blake sang a special song, and a group of Jamaican young women sang "Open the Eyes of My Heart". The service ended with worship. All in all, we definitely saw God's hand moving today.

On the way to one of the home visits, we ran into a banana wholesaler. She gave us delicious bananas to share with the group!

On Thursday we finished what we started! After many hours of scraping several layers of old paint off of the multi-purpose building, we were finally ready to paint! We got up early, painted through the morning after a quick breakfast, took a quick lunch break, and then finished up in late afternoon just in time for After School Special. Wow, what a work! But it's finished and looking beautiful! It has given Pastor Conrad an even deeper vision for the use of this building!
The After School Special was a great time but it was difficult to say goodbye to the children. Many have made lifelong friends and have lifelong memories.
We had one final church service Thursday night and really got to know a lot of people! Again, it was difficult to say goodbye to our new friends.
Friday was our fun day and everyone enjoyed the beach and their time to buy gifts for all their family and friends.
It was off to the airport this morning, and once again, goodbyes were difficult. . . but it was a great trip that will never be forgotten!