Jam-aica packed day!

Today was another jam packed day! Starting at 6:30 we left to go do devotions at a nearby school here in Montego Bay. At St. James High School the group had the chance to sing a few songs, give a couple testimonies and share a quick devotion with around 350 kids. The group loved the opportunity and really took the chance to step out of their comfort zone.

The school doesn't have such a bad view either. . .

A sign at the school displaying the words of national hero Marcus Garvey. . .

The Jamaican coat of arms painted on the school. . .

After we left the school we went to a local infirmary. An infirmary is basically a place for people to go when they have nowhere to go and no one to take care of them. Many have physical and/or mental disabilities as well. As these places are quite understaffed, the staff has time to only take care of the bare essentials. So when teams or individuals come to spend time with them it's quite a treat. The team spent time talking with the residents, singing with them, praying with them, reading the Bible with them (all at their own requests) and generally loving them with by just simply holding their hands or putting their arms around them. It was definitely an eye opener for the group seeing the living conditions and the physical condition of most living there.

I found a friend, Gabriel. . . few teeth but loves to smile, clap and sing!

Some of the residents at the infirmary. . .

After we left the infirmary we headed out to Spot Valley where we painted a classroom at the school while others TRIED to dig the foundation for the wall around the church property. The key word is tried. . . the trees and brush and clay served to be too much for the small shovels and picks. A backhoe has been ordered. Ha!! But the painting went extremely well and the classroom is now a beautiful (and much brighter) mint green. The principle and the teachers were very excited to see the improvements, sure that the brighter environment will improve the morale of the class.

A partial "before" picture of the classroom. . .

And the girls proudly showing their achievement. . .

So it was a great day! Long, but great! The team is having a great time and they're already making plans to come back next year! Tomorrow is going to look very similar to today with the exception that we will be visiting a children's home housing around 90 mentally and physically disabled children. I've been there before but it's always an experience with new teams. God is definitely going to be stretching them tomorrow. . . even more than today.