Well, we made it home safely and soundly tonight. It's been a very long day and I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed in a little while. Mrs Baugh and Slater cooked our breakfast this morning and we had aki and saltfish (a request from JR), callaloo and scrambled eggs (we had to finish up what what left from the other night), cereal, toast, fresh fruit and Blue Mountain coffee grown right there at the City of Refuge. We prayed a final prayer together and took a group photo on the steps of the main building then we broke to finish up our packing and cleaning our rooms.
The trip down the mountain was nice, not too scary and not nearly as wild as the night before. I think we were all just plumb tuckered out. (Yes, I said plumb tuckered out. ) Both our flights were on time and there was a bit of a time crunch at Ft Lauderdale to O-town so we had to hurry a little more than we'd have liked, but we made it.
A couple of guys from our team, Ernie and JR, had family welcoming committees at the airport to meet them. It was touching to see their reunions tonight. It's kind of ironic that this trip was Ernie's first mission trip and that JR and his family are soon going to Jamaica as missionaries. Both ends of the missions spectrum in one scene. Nice.
Kathy and Neil and Byron and I met their kids at Sonny's for dinner and then we came on home. Kayla is still at Aunt Wanda's house until tomorrow and I can't pick up the pups from the vet until Monday. I miss them all--but especially the pups.
Byron is very tired. It was a tough but fulfilling week for everyone involved so I'm sure fatigue isn't a rare thing right now for our group.
The Lord truly blessed our team this week. The driveway is complete. No one was seriously hurt--only a few scrapes and bruises. We made it through several trips up and down the mountain. To my knowledge no one got traveler's diarrhea. We got to know one another better than we would have with a week at home and the Lord met with us each day at our devotions. And now we are home again.
Father, thank you for a successful mission trip. Without your presence and your blessing it would have been of little worth. But, you were there. You did bless. You did strengthen us. You did protect us. I love you, dear Lord.
Suz
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
day seven--fun day--whooo hooo
Today we had a fun day. First was our daily routine of breakfast and devotions. I shared about what the Lord has been saying to me this week with the team. The Lord has been bringing up the subject of relationships to me so I spoke about them. In Mark 1:16 Jesus called Simon to leave his fishing nets and become fishers of people. Simon was called by Jesus but he chose to follow Jesus and to embrace him as Lord and friend. Just as we choose to follow Jesus and embrace Him, we can choose to embrace those who are placed in our lives. We did a good work this week pouring the driveway and if we also choose to embrace the relationships we've made this week, it will add a richness and depth to the mission we've completed here.
After we finished up we left and went down the mountain to a dock and caught a boat that transported us to a small island where we played in the blue Caribbean Sea. This place was idyllic. Soft white sand beaches, turquoise waters, clear skies and cool breezes made for a lovely time today. We stayed a few hours and played and played.
We left the island and went to lunch where most of us ate Jamaican beef patties and then it was time to shop. Most of us were pretty tired by that time but we forged ahead and had a good time doing so. After shopping it was time for dinner and we ate at Devon House which is actually an historic old home place for someone important in Kingston. The grounds are beautiful with gorgeous flowers everywhere. There was a singer in the gardens singing traditional Jamaican music which added to the lovely atmosphere. The service was pretty laid back and slow but it was a nice dinner with good company and entertaining music. So there aren't too many complaints here.
The ride up the mountain was unique to say the least. It's a pretty treacherous road and for some reason, our group was mighty wild tonight and we cheered our driver Paul on when he drove fast around those tight mountain curves. We yee-hawed and wahoo-ed over and over again and it was a blast. We should have been scared silly but we weren't. I don't think I have laughed that much in a very long time.
Tomorrow is a full day again. We will have breakfast, pack and clean our rooms and be on the bus for the trip down the mountain to the airport by 9:30 am. We will be hurrying up for sure in the morning. It will be a long day but everyone is looking forward to seeing our families tomorrow night.
I'm tired tonight and it's a good tired and I thank you Lord for a great fun day today. I enjoyed spending the day with you and my friends today. I love you so much.
Suz
After we finished up we left and went down the mountain to a dock and caught a boat that transported us to a small island where we played in the blue Caribbean Sea. This place was idyllic. Soft white sand beaches, turquoise waters, clear skies and cool breezes made for a lovely time today. We stayed a few hours and played and played.
We left the island and went to lunch where most of us ate Jamaican beef patties and then it was time to shop. Most of us were pretty tired by that time but we forged ahead and had a good time doing so. After shopping it was time for dinner and we ate at Devon House which is actually an historic old home place for someone important in Kingston. The grounds are beautiful with gorgeous flowers everywhere. There was a singer in the gardens singing traditional Jamaican music which added to the lovely atmosphere. The service was pretty laid back and slow but it was a nice dinner with good company and entertaining music. So there aren't too many complaints here.
The ride up the mountain was unique to say the least. It's a pretty treacherous road and for some reason, our group was mighty wild tonight and we cheered our driver Paul on when he drove fast around those tight mountain curves. We yee-hawed and wahoo-ed over and over again and it was a blast. We should have been scared silly but we weren't. I don't think I have laughed that much in a very long time.
Tomorrow is a full day again. We will have breakfast, pack and clean our rooms and be on the bus for the trip down the mountain to the airport by 9:30 am. We will be hurrying up for sure in the morning. It will be a long day but everyone is looking forward to seeing our families tomorrow night.
I'm tired tonight and it's a good tired and I thank you Lord for a great fun day today. I enjoyed spending the day with you and my friends today. I love you so much.
Suz
Thursday, January 29, 2009
day six--the work is done--part deux
It was a hard workday today. The mud came too dry and it came out of the truck in a lump. It was difficult to move it around without major effort. The guys and girls pulled and pushed and troweled without letting up until it was put in the right place. They had about a 30 minute break when they could have had a lunch break if the food had been ready a little early, but it just wasn't happening. At the very moment they called lunch time for the team, the fourth truck showed up. A few of them came up and ate but the others had to stay and keep working the mud. We finally took sandwiches, cookies and tea down to the others so they could at least have something in their stomachs.
They ate on the run and kept working until the job was completed. It was an extremely difficult day for driveway pouring but everything finally turned out OK and it was done. As hard as it was today, that's the name of the game with concrete. It can't be left to sit while the crew has a leisurely meal. When it's there, it has to be worked until it's just right. It takes muscle and diligence and that's what our team had during this whole week. Every one diligently muscled through the pain and difficulty until the goal was reached.
Leslie and her girls and I met with our children that we sponsor this afternoon. The Bryan's brought gifts for their girls as did Byron and I. We spent a little while with them while they played with their dolls and admired their dresses. Each little girl was happy with her special presents. We played with them for a while and then walked them back to their house moms so they could continue with their daily routine. The children at City of Refuge are loving and affectionate. They love hugs and smiles and attention. It's a great feeling to get big hugs and big smiles from them.
Tonight Slater and Mrs Baugh fried chicken and fries and we also had cho cho and carrots and salad. It was a delicious meal once again. We used paper plates so clean up wasn't as bad as it could have been. And let me assure you, we know how bad it could have been.
Tomorrow is fun day and it's home on Saturday. As good as this trip has been, I believe we are all ready to head for home.
Thank you, Jesus, for home. There's no place like it and no place is truly home without you, Lord. I love you and thank you for taking care of us this week. It's been good--really good.
Suz
They ate on the run and kept working until the job was completed. It was an extremely difficult day for driveway pouring but everything finally turned out OK and it was done. As hard as it was today, that's the name of the game with concrete. It can't be left to sit while the crew has a leisurely meal. When it's there, it has to be worked until it's just right. It takes muscle and diligence and that's what our team had during this whole week. Every one diligently muscled through the pain and difficulty until the goal was reached.
Leslie and her girls and I met with our children that we sponsor this afternoon. The Bryan's brought gifts for their girls as did Byron and I. We spent a little while with them while they played with their dolls and admired their dresses. Each little girl was happy with her special presents. We played with them for a while and then walked them back to their house moms so they could continue with their daily routine. The children at City of Refuge are loving and affectionate. They love hugs and smiles and attention. It's a great feeling to get big hugs and big smiles from them.
Tonight Slater and Mrs Baugh fried chicken and fries and we also had cho cho and carrots and salad. It was a delicious meal once again. We used paper plates so clean up wasn't as bad as it could have been. And let me assure you, we know how bad it could have been.
Tomorrow is fun day and it's home on Saturday. As good as this trip has been, I believe we are all ready to head for home.
Thank you, Jesus, for home. There's no place like it and no place is truly home without you, Lord. I love you and thank you for taking care of us this week. It's been good--really good.
Suz
day six--the work ends today
I thought I would write a little this morning and finish up tonight. We enjoyed our usual delicious breakfast and had a great devotion. Ernie shared with us about himself and about forgiving those who have hurt us in the past. It was a touching time of sharing and many of us identified with what he had to say.
If there's one thing that is common to us on our trips it's how we all begin to feel free to be transparent with one another. It's a matter of trust and it is built day by day and experience by experience during the week. Our devotional time is a safe place to let people know who we are-- really. These open times are relationship builders that cement (no pun intended) friendships long after we land back on USA soil. It's one of the best parts of going away with a mission team from our church.
The guys and girls are down the mountain pouring concrete right now. I heard the cement truck comin' round the mountain about 20 minutes ago and then heard his horn honk as he drove up to drop the concrete in the prepared driveway. Today's work should complete our job here this trip.
Tomorrow, Lord willing, we will have a fun day with a trip to what Mrs Kim called Gilligan's Island where we plan to snorkel and swim and then it's off to shop and have a nice dinner out. Everyone has worked so very hard it will be a greate respite from the week's labor.
I hope to see my little girls today and give them their presents. I bought them each a new dress, a baby doll with its own blanket and some fun stickers. I think I might have a problem with the dress for Crystal the eldest one. She seems to have shot up a lot taller than I expected and I'm not so sure now that her dress will fit. That's part of the problem with only seeing them once a year. I sure hope it fits.
Right now, I'm headed to do a little room cleanup duty and a little laundry of my own but will add more tonight. I love you and miss you all.
Suz
If there's one thing that is common to us on our trips it's how we all begin to feel free to be transparent with one another. It's a matter of trust and it is built day by day and experience by experience during the week. Our devotional time is a safe place to let people know who we are-- really. These open times are relationship builders that cement (no pun intended) friendships long after we land back on USA soil. It's one of the best parts of going away with a mission team from our church.
The guys and girls are down the mountain pouring concrete right now. I heard the cement truck comin' round the mountain about 20 minutes ago and then heard his horn honk as he drove up to drop the concrete in the prepared driveway. Today's work should complete our job here this trip.
Tomorrow, Lord willing, we will have a fun day with a trip to what Mrs Kim called Gilligan's Island where we plan to snorkel and swim and then it's off to shop and have a nice dinner out. Everyone has worked so very hard it will be a greate respite from the week's labor.
I hope to see my little girls today and give them their presents. I bought them each a new dress, a baby doll with its own blanket and some fun stickers. I think I might have a problem with the dress for Crystal the eldest one. She seems to have shot up a lot taller than I expected and I'm not so sure now that her dress will fit. That's part of the problem with only seeing them once a year. I sure hope it fits.
Right now, I'm headed to do a little room cleanup duty and a little laundry of my own but will add more tonight. I love you and miss you all.
Suz
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
day five--second half of the pour
Breakfast this morning was pancakes, eggs, cereal, toast, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. When we'd all eaten our fill we went to the porch for our usual devotion service. I wish you all could be here for these special times with the Lord. The sun is coming up over the mountains, the ocean breeze is cool and blowing steadily and the birds sing really loudly here in Jamaica. Pastor JR spoke to us today and encouraged us to keep our walk with the Lord exciting. We sang a few songs and prayed. It's a sweet time in the Lord together before we go our separate ways to work.
The guys and girls worked especially hard trying to get the second leg of the driveway poured today. There was some problem with a wire puncturing a water tank on the concrete truck but other than that and a few changes, the day went well. The younger ones worked especially hard carrying water down to the concrete crew. Caleb and Taylor filled bottles, carried coolers and ice to them like worker bees. The older boys, Judah and Geordan have been knee deep in concrete and kept on trucking. I'm so proud of our young ones on this trip. The girls, Dani and Taylor, also jump right in to help wherever they are asked, as do the boys.
Supper was jerk chicken, rice and beans, callaloo (a delicious green that tastes a little like asparagas), festival (a fried doughnut like bread), and salad, with cherry cake for dessert. We also had sorrell to drink. Mrs Baugh took the sorrell blossoms, which are a gorgeous rose red color, and boiled them with fresh grated ginger. The mixture steeped overnight and then today it was strained twice and sweetened with sugar and served over ice. It's a different taste to be sure, not unlike cranberry juice. I think I could grow to like it very much.
After dinner we had church with the children. The music was lively and worshipful and Pastor Steve brought us a message about miracles. Mrs Kim had a word from the Lord for someone and said today was a new day for him or her. Today was a new beginning. Starting now. It was a joyful word and surely good news. I love how the Lord's mercies are new every morning for all of us. Pastor Gary then led us in a communion service with the kids. It was a touching service and I was very glad to be there.
I'm starting to miss home. I know, I know, it's only been a few days but when you are around someone else's children all day, it makes you want to see your own, too. I want to see Amy and Holly and Kayla and Hannah and Summer and Sid and Tony and Lane. I miss Aunt Wanda and Aunt Margaret. I miss my pups and my home. Some might think it silly but after a little while Jamaica feels further and further from home.
I guess I'm just tired tonight but I'm sure I'm not the only one. I'm looking forward to resting and waking refreshed because of the Lord's blessings that are new every morning. It's going to be a good day tomorrow, Lord willing. He is truly good.
I love you, Jesus. I enjoy spending time with you. You're the best.
Suz
The guys and girls worked especially hard trying to get the second leg of the driveway poured today. There was some problem with a wire puncturing a water tank on the concrete truck but other than that and a few changes, the day went well. The younger ones worked especially hard carrying water down to the concrete crew. Caleb and Taylor filled bottles, carried coolers and ice to them like worker bees. The older boys, Judah and Geordan have been knee deep in concrete and kept on trucking. I'm so proud of our young ones on this trip. The girls, Dani and Taylor, also jump right in to help wherever they are asked, as do the boys.
Supper was jerk chicken, rice and beans, callaloo (a delicious green that tastes a little like asparagas), festival (a fried doughnut like bread), and salad, with cherry cake for dessert. We also had sorrell to drink. Mrs Baugh took the sorrell blossoms, which are a gorgeous rose red color, and boiled them with fresh grated ginger. The mixture steeped overnight and then today it was strained twice and sweetened with sugar and served over ice. It's a different taste to be sure, not unlike cranberry juice. I think I could grow to like it very much.
After dinner we had church with the children. The music was lively and worshipful and Pastor Steve brought us a message about miracles. Mrs Kim had a word from the Lord for someone and said today was a new day for him or her. Today was a new beginning. Starting now. It was a joyful word and surely good news. I love how the Lord's mercies are new every morning for all of us. Pastor Gary then led us in a communion service with the kids. It was a touching service and I was very glad to be there.
I'm starting to miss home. I know, I know, it's only been a few days but when you are around someone else's children all day, it makes you want to see your own, too. I want to see Amy and Holly and Kayla and Hannah and Summer and Sid and Tony and Lane. I miss Aunt Wanda and Aunt Margaret. I miss my pups and my home. Some might think it silly but after a little while Jamaica feels further and further from home.
I guess I'm just tired tonight but I'm sure I'm not the only one. I'm looking forward to resting and waking refreshed because of the Lord's blessings that are new every morning. It's going to be a good day tomorrow, Lord willing. He is truly good.
I love you, Jesus. I enjoy spending time with you. You're the best.
Suz
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
day four--half done with pouring
Today was an excellent day all around. Breakfast, devotions by Steve Bryan, worship at sunrise and the presence of the Lord made this morning perfect. The weather was beautiful. Hot Jamaican sun, lovely cool breeze, gorgeous view, good friends and six concrete trucks and only one glitch. Perfect, in mission terms. The glitch didn't happen until the last truck got to us and it broke down only feet...many feet...from where it should have gone to drop the cement. With the aid of a tractor and the bucket on it the concrete made it to it's destination to finish up the day's work.
What a great sight to see--many, many hands working hard to put the driveway to bed. Men, women and young people up to their knees in cement pulling and pushing with rakes, shovels and even feet to place it just so. Add to the mix an audience of those of us a little older and two classes of children here at the City of Refuge and you almost have a celebration in the making. One of the girls I sponsor, Crystal, found me and hugged me tightly until her class had to move down the road to watch the pour with her class. It's touching to have so much affection showered on me by a little girl I've only met a couple of times. These children are so easy to love--eager to receive and eager to give. There were a few ahhs, ooohs and cheers as the driveway proceeded toward completion. What a grand time!
We broke for a lunch of chili and grilled cheese sandwiches and ate in shifts so some could keep working on the cement till it could be left alone. The afternoon was productive with the rest of the trucks dropping their payload on the wired foundation. The guys and girls called it a day about 5pm and it was time for some relaxation. Slater and Mrs Baugh fixed a beef stew, rice, baked potatoes, salad, mixed veggies and cake for us for dinner. It was delicious as usual and afterward we met on the porch and JR told us his bear story. There was much laughter and fun. Oh how am I learning to love these friends of mine even more than I did before we came here.
Tomorrow, Lord willing, will bring six more trucks, the end of the pour, and a completed driveway. The pace is a little less pressed this time here and the mood more relaxed. The guys have some breathing room, workwise and it makes for a more lighthearted trip.
The Lord was extra good to us today. What a blessing to get so much done today. I wish I could describe the relaxed, good-hearted atmosphere we are enjoying this week. It's a whole separate good blessing, worthy of praising the Lord mightily--and I do.
Father, how I love spending time with you and your people. It's a joy to see you in the small things like laughter over coffee, or work, with friends, and in the big things like six concrete trucks making it up the one lane mountain road to complete a driveway at a children's haven of rest and protection. You are good, Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you so very much.
Suz
What a great sight to see--many, many hands working hard to put the driveway to bed. Men, women and young people up to their knees in cement pulling and pushing with rakes, shovels and even feet to place it just so. Add to the mix an audience of those of us a little older and two classes of children here at the City of Refuge and you almost have a celebration in the making. One of the girls I sponsor, Crystal, found me and hugged me tightly until her class had to move down the road to watch the pour with her class. It's touching to have so much affection showered on me by a little girl I've only met a couple of times. These children are so easy to love--eager to receive and eager to give. There were a few ahhs, ooohs and cheers as the driveway proceeded toward completion. What a grand time!
We broke for a lunch of chili and grilled cheese sandwiches and ate in shifts so some could keep working on the cement till it could be left alone. The afternoon was productive with the rest of the trucks dropping their payload on the wired foundation. The guys and girls called it a day about 5pm and it was time for some relaxation. Slater and Mrs Baugh fixed a beef stew, rice, baked potatoes, salad, mixed veggies and cake for us for dinner. It was delicious as usual and afterward we met on the porch and JR told us his bear story. There was much laughter and fun. Oh how am I learning to love these friends of mine even more than I did before we came here.
Tomorrow, Lord willing, will bring six more trucks, the end of the pour, and a completed driveway. The pace is a little less pressed this time here and the mood more relaxed. The guys have some breathing room, workwise and it makes for a more lighthearted trip.
The Lord was extra good to us today. What a blessing to get so much done today. I wish I could describe the relaxed, good-hearted atmosphere we are enjoying this week. It's a whole separate good blessing, worthy of praising the Lord mightily--and I do.
Father, how I love spending time with you and your people. It's a joy to see you in the small things like laughter over coffee, or work, with friends, and in the big things like six concrete trucks making it up the one lane mountain road to complete a driveway at a children's haven of rest and protection. You are good, Lord. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you so very much.
Suz
Monday, January 26, 2009
day three--our first work day in Jamaica
It was our first work day on the mountain today. We started with an early breakfast and devotions and then it was time to head out to start on the driveway. Those who are working on the road got busy placing rocks around the forms and cutting steel. Some of the others worked on various projects like installing smoke detectors in the children's houses, electrical work and repair on furniture. A few of the women and younger ones painted a wall on one of the houses. I worked in the kitchen and helped distribute the things our group collected for the home. That meant one million steps down to the houses and then two million steps back up again. When you're here if you're not walking uphill, you're walking downhill.
It was a good day and then we ate a delicious supper of rice, beans and fried snapper and salad. Afterward, we entertained one another telling funny, but true stories. We heard a few about the pastor and some about Byron. We laughed a lot. It was great fun. Afterward, Glenda, Leslie, Rhonda and I washed a mountain of dishes. It was an immense amount but we finished them all with the exception of one sticky rice pot. We'll clean that one up in the morning.
Mission trips are a lot of work. Bodies are pushed to their limit and extra efforts are made to complete the task at hand. Mission trips are also a lot of fun. There's always laughing somewhere. Relationships are made and strengthened. Spiritual walks are deepened and our hearts are opened up to people we might never have met were it not for the trip. We are encouraged to hear what the Lord is saying to us this week. We know He's always speaking, we just make an extra effort to tune our hearts to His voice during our week away from home.
It's been a different trip this time because some of our usual friends that travel with us on these trips aren't here for one reason or another. Friends, you know who you are...you are dearly missed.
The Lord is certainly good to us. I appreciate him more and more every day.
Thank you, Father. What a blessing it is to be here on the mountain serving you. I love you so much.
Suz
It was a good day and then we ate a delicious supper of rice, beans and fried snapper and salad. Afterward, we entertained one another telling funny, but true stories. We heard a few about the pastor and some about Byron. We laughed a lot. It was great fun. Afterward, Glenda, Leslie, Rhonda and I washed a mountain of dishes. It was an immense amount but we finished them all with the exception of one sticky rice pot. We'll clean that one up in the morning.
Mission trips are a lot of work. Bodies are pushed to their limit and extra efforts are made to complete the task at hand. Mission trips are also a lot of fun. There's always laughing somewhere. Relationships are made and strengthened. Spiritual walks are deepened and our hearts are opened up to people we might never have met were it not for the trip. We are encouraged to hear what the Lord is saying to us this week. We know He's always speaking, we just make an extra effort to tune our hearts to His voice during our week away from home.
It's been a different trip this time because some of our usual friends that travel with us on these trips aren't here for one reason or another. Friends, you know who you are...you are dearly missed.
The Lord is certainly good to us. I appreciate him more and more every day.
Thank you, Father. What a blessing it is to be here on the mountain serving you. I love you so much.
Suz
Sunday, January 25, 2009
day two--Jamaica
It's been a good day at the City of Refuge. We slept well last night and then went to church with the children this morning. We had fun in singing and worship, and then Pastor Steve Puffpaff, who returned home last night from a conference in Belize, and brought us the message. It was a good service and great to see the kids again.
Everyone seems to be doing pretty well. But this morning I just couldn't seem to wake up completely. My eyes were heavy and my body was exhausted, so as soon as church was over, I headed back to our room and went to sleep--without lunch. I know, I know. Suz? No lunch? Yep. That's how tired I was. And then I slept. I'd rouse around and hear what was going on outside my window and then crash again. I slept the rest of the day, all afternoon until time for prayer service at 6 pm...then Byron woke me up. I feel much better now than I did earlier in the day. At first, I felt a little embarrassed about it but it passed.
I have found great emotional rest, and, on this one, physical rest, in our trips around the world for missions. It's a time when we can set aside our responsibilities at home for a moment. It does no good to worry about them because we are too far away to tend to them. We have to let Jesus take care of our lives back in the states--and so we do. We pray, turn them over to the Lord and rest. At least that's what I'm learning to do. It's a learning experience, along with everything else in life.
Tomorrow we start working on the driveway. Lots of work in a little time. Pray for us that the Lord will bless our efforts and give each one strength in body. We love you all and think of you often.
Father, Thank you for your ever loving care for us. We depend upon you mightily. Help us this week, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, we pray. How I love you, Lord.
Suz
Everyone seems to be doing pretty well. But this morning I just couldn't seem to wake up completely. My eyes were heavy and my body was exhausted, so as soon as church was over, I headed back to our room and went to sleep--without lunch. I know, I know. Suz? No lunch? Yep. That's how tired I was. And then I slept. I'd rouse around and hear what was going on outside my window and then crash again. I slept the rest of the day, all afternoon until time for prayer service at 6 pm...then Byron woke me up. I feel much better now than I did earlier in the day. At first, I felt a little embarrassed about it but it passed.
I have found great emotional rest, and, on this one, physical rest, in our trips around the world for missions. It's a time when we can set aside our responsibilities at home for a moment. It does no good to worry about them because we are too far away to tend to them. We have to let Jesus take care of our lives back in the states--and so we do. We pray, turn them over to the Lord and rest. At least that's what I'm learning to do. It's a learning experience, along with everything else in life.
Tomorrow we start working on the driveway. Lots of work in a little time. Pray for us that the Lord will bless our efforts and give each one strength in body. We love you all and think of you often.
Father, Thank you for your ever loving care for us. We depend upon you mightily. Help us this week, emotionally, spiritually, and physically, we pray. How I love you, Lord.
Suz
Saturday, January 24, 2009
our first day in Jamaica
It's about 7 pm in Jamaica. After our hour-long Mr Toad's Wild Ride up the mountain we couldn't wait to get out of the small bus and stretch our legs. We gathered up our belongings and were assigned our rooms where we deposited all our suitcases and met on the lanai for a quick meeting as the Jamaican sun began to set with its orange sherbet hues in cotton candy pink clouds. After our short orientation we were free to settle in and explore the immediate area and ultimately relax.
Our travel here was long but mostly uneventful with the exception of my own ticket. There was some kind of ticketing glitch in Ft Lauderdale that took a few fancy-footed phone calls back and forth with our travel agent back home to get it straightened out. When my blogging about the incident was mentioned the agents at Air Jamaica were concerned that I would write unkind things about their service. I assured the two ladies that I had no intention of saying anything but good about them. They were professional from beginning to end and diligent to help straighten out the confusion. Air Jamaica gives us good service each time we fly with them. There are no complaints here. The glitch was fixed and I flew with the others in our team as scheduled. Even the landing was one of the smoothest we have ever had. It turned out all right.
Then there was the earthquake. OK. That makes it sound really dramatic and it wasn't that way at all but I like a little excitement every now and then. It was only about 5 minutes after we arrived as we stood outside our rooms talking amongst ourselves, we heard a large bump. I thought one of the children with us had kicked a wall or hit the wall with a suitcase, etc. It was short, and sweet and noisy. Then, Kim, the missionary, immediately received a phone call telling her that we'd just had a small earthquake. It was my first ever earthquake. How exciting! At least it's exciting for this small town Southern woman.
Breakfast is at 8 am, church with the children is at 10 am, and lunch is at noon. Then we have a couple hours to relax while the children rest and at 3 pm we have free time to play with them. It's going to be a full day tomorrow. Monday the construction work begins.
It's going to be a good week here at The City of Refuge. I can feel it in my bones. Although we've only been here once before, it feels a little more homelike each time.
I will set aside time this week to meet with the three little girls Byron and I support each month; Crystal, Denise and Abigail. Photos will have to follow after I get home. I'm just not that tech savvy.
Thank you, Father, for traveling mercies for our team. It's been a good day all around. I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds here in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. I love you more and more each day.
Suz
Our travel here was long but mostly uneventful with the exception of my own ticket. There was some kind of ticketing glitch in Ft Lauderdale that took a few fancy-footed phone calls back and forth with our travel agent back home to get it straightened out. When my blogging about the incident was mentioned the agents at Air Jamaica were concerned that I would write unkind things about their service. I assured the two ladies that I had no intention of saying anything but good about them. They were professional from beginning to end and diligent to help straighten out the confusion. Air Jamaica gives us good service each time we fly with them. There are no complaints here. The glitch was fixed and I flew with the others in our team as scheduled. Even the landing was one of the smoothest we have ever had. It turned out all right.
Then there was the earthquake. OK. That makes it sound really dramatic and it wasn't that way at all but I like a little excitement every now and then. It was only about 5 minutes after we arrived as we stood outside our rooms talking amongst ourselves, we heard a large bump. I thought one of the children with us had kicked a wall or hit the wall with a suitcase, etc. It was short, and sweet and noisy. Then, Kim, the missionary, immediately received a phone call telling her that we'd just had a small earthquake. It was my first ever earthquake. How exciting! At least it's exciting for this small town Southern woman.
Breakfast is at 8 am, church with the children is at 10 am, and lunch is at noon. Then we have a couple hours to relax while the children rest and at 3 pm we have free time to play with them. It's going to be a full day tomorrow. Monday the construction work begins.
It's going to be a good week here at The City of Refuge. I can feel it in my bones. Although we've only been here once before, it feels a little more homelike each time.
I will set aside time this week to meet with the three little girls Byron and I support each month; Crystal, Denise and Abigail. Photos will have to follow after I get home. I'm just not that tech savvy.
Thank you, Father, for traveling mercies for our team. It's been a good day all around. I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds here in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. I love you more and more each day.
Suz
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Missions Sunday
Our church goes all out for our Missions Sunday services. A few months ago Pastor Gary asked me to write a 20 minute monologue and perform it for our congregation on our church's annual Mission Sunday. He had a specific picture in mind for what I would write, how I would dress, and the ultimate message of my character. I accepted his request and did my best to work within these parameters.
Last Sunday, January 18th, was the day. In the midst of a fully decorated church campus, complete with thatched roofed stands serving Caribbean foods like jerk chicken, coconut pudding and fried plantains in the foyer, flags of a multitude of countries hanging from the ceiling in the sanctuary, and giant posters of photos of our own people from our church's past mission trips, I fulfilled my part...and it was grand. It was a tremendous day. What a rush!
As for my part, it was work, but it was joyful work. I researched what Pastor Gary wanted. I read Acts and Phillipians thoroughly and often. I familiarized myself with Paul's conversion and his subsequent mission to the Jews and Gentiles. I thought about how the day might have begun for the others with Lydia and I considered how it might have felt to be with her when the Apostle Paul met them at the riverbank on Sabbath morning. I imagined myself as a new believer in Jesus after hearing Brother Paul share his own testimony and the events that followed in the town of Phillipi. I thought about my character a lot and how she fit into the scheme of things as a new believer in Christ. Even so, before, after and during all that work, I prayed. The Lord answered and I wrote down what He gave me--my character's monologue in a simple, easy to follow story.
Once I got the story down, that part was complete and it was time to memorize--9 pages--but I didn't want to merely quote memorized words, I wanted to tell Myra's story. That's her name. Myra. Although I was the one who named my character, I know there have been many, many Myras and even Marks in the church's history. Those unnamed brothers and sisters of ours in the Lord who have, over time, served Him faithfully. They have worked and done their part and more to tell others about Jesus and the changes He makes in the lives of His children.
So, I began reading and practicing to get the words into this old brain of mine. It wasn't an easy task, but it wasn't impossible either. I practiced and prayed. I prayed and practiced. And at some point, it stuck. It worked. I could tell the story all the way through without skipping sections. As much as I practiced, it was prayer that cinched it. The Lord truly came through for me in this project. Without His help and blessing I would have been a stumbling, bumbling woman in costume trying to tell a story to our congregation last week.
I appreciate the compliments for the part I played in our special day at church. We all like to hear, "Well done," but I'm not writing this entry today for praise for myself for this project. Heaven's no! I couldn't have had less to do with its success than if I'd not done a thing.
I write this morning to share with you the faithfulness of God. There is no one more faithful than He. I believe He gave me the job to do and what He calls us to do, He will equip us for. So, it was the Lord who gave me the monologue and I can easily say, it was good. The Lord does good things. I take no credit for it. It was the Lord who helped me remember Myra's story, not my own doing. Of this, I have no doubt. Someone asked me if I was nervous on stage. Truth be told, no. I had no reason to be afraid of what would happen. The Lord carried me all the way from beginning to end.
Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace...21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
What a great God we serve! He bent to help me when I called on Him and He will do much more if we only ask. Jesus always proves to be faithful to us. The Lord was certainly a very present help to me in time of need for this project. He shores up my trust in Him over and over again.
Thank you, dear Father. All honor, all praise, all accolades are completely yours. You did good. I love you so very much.
Suz
Last Sunday, January 18th, was the day. In the midst of a fully decorated church campus, complete with thatched roofed stands serving Caribbean foods like jerk chicken, coconut pudding and fried plantains in the foyer, flags of a multitude of countries hanging from the ceiling in the sanctuary, and giant posters of photos of our own people from our church's past mission trips, I fulfilled my part...and it was grand. It was a tremendous day. What a rush!
As for my part, it was work, but it was joyful work. I researched what Pastor Gary wanted. I read Acts and Phillipians thoroughly and often. I familiarized myself with Paul's conversion and his subsequent mission to the Jews and Gentiles. I thought about how the day might have begun for the others with Lydia and I considered how it might have felt to be with her when the Apostle Paul met them at the riverbank on Sabbath morning. I imagined myself as a new believer in Jesus after hearing Brother Paul share his own testimony and the events that followed in the town of Phillipi. I thought about my character a lot and how she fit into the scheme of things as a new believer in Christ. Even so, before, after and during all that work, I prayed. The Lord answered and I wrote down what He gave me--my character's monologue in a simple, easy to follow story.
Once I got the story down, that part was complete and it was time to memorize--9 pages--but I didn't want to merely quote memorized words, I wanted to tell Myra's story. That's her name. Myra. Although I was the one who named my character, I know there have been many, many Myras and even Marks in the church's history. Those unnamed brothers and sisters of ours in the Lord who have, over time, served Him faithfully. They have worked and done their part and more to tell others about Jesus and the changes He makes in the lives of His children.
So, I began reading and practicing to get the words into this old brain of mine. It wasn't an easy task, but it wasn't impossible either. I practiced and prayed. I prayed and practiced. And at some point, it stuck. It worked. I could tell the story all the way through without skipping sections. As much as I practiced, it was prayer that cinched it. The Lord truly came through for me in this project. Without His help and blessing I would have been a stumbling, bumbling woman in costume trying to tell a story to our congregation last week.
I appreciate the compliments for the part I played in our special day at church. We all like to hear, "Well done," but I'm not writing this entry today for praise for myself for this project. Heaven's no! I couldn't have had less to do with its success than if I'd not done a thing.
I write this morning to share with you the faithfulness of God. There is no one more faithful than He. I believe He gave me the job to do and what He calls us to do, He will equip us for. So, it was the Lord who gave me the monologue and I can easily say, it was good. The Lord does good things. I take no credit for it. It was the Lord who helped me remember Myra's story, not my own doing. Of this, I have no doubt. Someone asked me if I was nervous on stage. Truth be told, no. I had no reason to be afraid of what would happen. The Lord carried me all the way from beginning to end.
Hebrews 13:20 May the God of peace...21equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
What a great God we serve! He bent to help me when I called on Him and He will do much more if we only ask. Jesus always proves to be faithful to us. The Lord was certainly a very present help to me in time of need for this project. He shores up my trust in Him over and over again.
Thank you, dear Father. All honor, all praise, all accolades are completely yours. You did good. I love you so very much.
Suz
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
strong, calm sanity and a quiet life
I don't like drama. You know, the kind of upheaval that happens when one person tries to force her opinion or her will on others. Or when every problem or glitch in personal plans is considered disaster, and every slight a catastrophe. There are enough genuine heartbreaks and troubles in life to deal with without overreacting to the small stuff. Many times these anticipated crises can be averted or won't even materialize with a little time and a little patience and it makes the wildly erratic reaction completely unnecessary and foolish.
OK, now that I've said that, the trouble is, when there's a glitch I've been known to overreact and panic with the best of the panickers. I am not proud of this but it is the truth.
My heart was pricked when I read Oswald Chambers' devotion about being intimate with Jesus.
Chambers writes, "When once we get intimate with Jesus, we are never lonely, we never need sympathy, we can pour out all the time without being pathetic. The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having His unhindered way...The only impression left by such a life is that of strong, calm sanity that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him."
Even the Apostle Paul writes about this drama-less way of life for God's children.
I Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed before. 12. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not have to depend on others.
We are inundated with messages to make this life as exciting as possible. Remember the old beer commercial, "You only go around once in life so grab all the gusto you can." (How in the world did I remember that?) I don't think this is an inherently bad idea because there is nothing wrong with experiencing many new and unique adventures, and serving the Lord is adventure in itself. After all, He is the Creator. New and exciting describes so much of life serving Him, but I also think this search for "the next exciting thing' outside of Christ spills over into other areas and creates drama where it wouldn't normally show up.
The worldly equation seems to be: Drama = exciting = living life to the fullest.
Go ahead. Watch an episode of Jerry Springer. I dare you.
I long to live a quiet life. Daily drama is a real threat to strong, calm sanity and ultimately to peace of mind and heart. It is not my friend.
Father, You give us stability when we'd be all over the place with our emotions and our feelings. With you we find a sure place to rest and to reside when life is in turmoil all around us. Help me find adventure in serving You and let me enter into the intimacy with You that gives me what I so desperately need. You are our hiding place, our rock, our strong shelter. I love you so very much.
Suz
OK, now that I've said that, the trouble is, when there's a glitch I've been known to overreact and panic with the best of the panickers. I am not proud of this but it is the truth.
My heart was pricked when I read Oswald Chambers' devotion about being intimate with Jesus.
Chambers writes, "When once we get intimate with Jesus, we are never lonely, we never need sympathy, we can pour out all the time without being pathetic. The saint who is intimate with Jesus will never leave impressions of himself, but only the impression that Jesus is having His unhindered way...The only impression left by such a life is that of strong, calm sanity that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him."
Even the Apostle Paul writes about this drama-less way of life for God's children.
I Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed before. 12. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not have to depend on others.
We are inundated with messages to make this life as exciting as possible. Remember the old beer commercial, "You only go around once in life so grab all the gusto you can." (How in the world did I remember that?) I don't think this is an inherently bad idea because there is nothing wrong with experiencing many new and unique adventures, and serving the Lord is adventure in itself. After all, He is the Creator. New and exciting describes so much of life serving Him, but I also think this search for "the next exciting thing' outside of Christ spills over into other areas and creates drama where it wouldn't normally show up.
The worldly equation seems to be: Drama = exciting = living life to the fullest.
Go ahead. Watch an episode of Jerry Springer. I dare you.
I long to live a quiet life. Daily drama is a real threat to strong, calm sanity and ultimately to peace of mind and heart. It is not my friend.
Father, You give us stability when we'd be all over the place with our emotions and our feelings. With you we find a sure place to rest and to reside when life is in turmoil all around us. Help me find adventure in serving You and let me enter into the intimacy with You that gives me what I so desperately need. You are our hiding place, our rock, our strong shelter. I love you so very much.
Suz
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
a resolution of rest
I have laid aside my usual resolutions this year. You know, losing weight, getting fit, eating healthier foods, etc. etc., but I am already struggling with the one determination I have made--getting more sleep. Yep, I need to go to bed earlier and I just can't seem to make it before 12:30 a.m.
I don't know what there is about staying up late for me. I set my sights on 10 pm for a target time. You'd think that'd be late enough for anyone, but it isn't for me. I outlast Byron. He's conked out by 9:00 or at the latest 9:30 pm. Kayla stays up till 11pm. Then there's that last hour and a half when any sane person would crawl beneath the covers to wait for the dream fairy to tap her on the forehead and send her off to la-la land. It just doesn't happen that way for me.
If I make myself go to bed before I'm so sleepy I can't hold my eyes open, I lie there contemplating everything. Family, the pups, the next day, the next week, well, you get the idea. Many times I pray, taking advantage of the dark and quiet, but as often as not, my mind wanders and I get antsy. That's when I start to turn and twist like a chicken on a BBQ spit. Over and over I go. Shoving Treasure out of the way, getting all tangled up in the covers, wondering what in the world am I doing in bed so early! The urge to bolt from my bed is so strong, I can hardly contain myself, but I know what I'll do when I get up. I'll go sit on the couch, turn on the tv and veg out for a little while and maybe have a snack. I DON'T NEED A SNACK!
Then I get sleepy and head off to bed again. Sheesh. It's so aggravating. It seems as though this wouldn't be a problem if I could sleep in the next morning, and I do get to sleep a little later than usual because of the swap between middle school and high school starting times. I don't have to get up until about 7:30-7:45 a.m.
Trouble is, most mornings, Treasure has to get up to go out at about 6 a.m. and she's not about to hold it and let me sleep. She jumps at me, and pokes me with her nose telling me it's time to start our day. So, why take out one dog when 3 will eventually have to go potty. That's when the parade starts. First, I take Treasure off the bed, then I let Blue and Chico out of their crates to take the walk down the hall and through the kitchen to the garage where the pups head out into the dark yard to check their pee-mail.
After a few moments in the brisk morning air, we go back inside where all three dogs now snuggle down into their pillows and blankets in the family room and promptly go back to sleep for another hour. As for me, a few moments up and outside wakes me up...sorta...anyway, it's enough that I couldn't go back to sleep right then, but give me a couple of hours and I'm ready for a nap. If I can't take one, then I am drowsy and tired all day. It's a vicious cycle, I tell you, a vicious cycle!
So, I have one, solitary resolution because I'm just tired of being tired. When my body struggles to simply put one foot in front of the other, then I know my mind surely isn't working at full capacity either. Life has to be lived. There are decisions to be made, relationships to nurture, a household to maintain and projects that need to be completed well. If we have no rest, we don't function as well as we might. I am not yet succeeding completely with my goal but neither am I giving up. It's only one thing I'm trying to change. It can't be that hard. Can it? But, it is hard for me. I can't do it on my own and I don't want to drowse my way through this year.
Father, thank you for caring about every detail of our lives, even our rest. I need help to sleep and to awaken refreshed and renewed. I need your help, Lord. I love you. You are good.
Suz
I don't know what there is about staying up late for me. I set my sights on 10 pm for a target time. You'd think that'd be late enough for anyone, but it isn't for me. I outlast Byron. He's conked out by 9:00 or at the latest 9:30 pm. Kayla stays up till 11pm. Then there's that last hour and a half when any sane person would crawl beneath the covers to wait for the dream fairy to tap her on the forehead and send her off to la-la land. It just doesn't happen that way for me.
If I make myself go to bed before I'm so sleepy I can't hold my eyes open, I lie there contemplating everything. Family, the pups, the next day, the next week, well, you get the idea. Many times I pray, taking advantage of the dark and quiet, but as often as not, my mind wanders and I get antsy. That's when I start to turn and twist like a chicken on a BBQ spit. Over and over I go. Shoving Treasure out of the way, getting all tangled up in the covers, wondering what in the world am I doing in bed so early! The urge to bolt from my bed is so strong, I can hardly contain myself, but I know what I'll do when I get up. I'll go sit on the couch, turn on the tv and veg out for a little while and maybe have a snack. I DON'T NEED A SNACK!
Then I get sleepy and head off to bed again. Sheesh. It's so aggravating. It seems as though this wouldn't be a problem if I could sleep in the next morning, and I do get to sleep a little later than usual because of the swap between middle school and high school starting times. I don't have to get up until about 7:30-7:45 a.m.
Trouble is, most mornings, Treasure has to get up to go out at about 6 a.m. and she's not about to hold it and let me sleep. She jumps at me, and pokes me with her nose telling me it's time to start our day. So, why take out one dog when 3 will eventually have to go potty. That's when the parade starts. First, I take Treasure off the bed, then I let Blue and Chico out of their crates to take the walk down the hall and through the kitchen to the garage where the pups head out into the dark yard to check their pee-mail.
After a few moments in the brisk morning air, we go back inside where all three dogs now snuggle down into their pillows and blankets in the family room and promptly go back to sleep for another hour. As for me, a few moments up and outside wakes me up...sorta...anyway, it's enough that I couldn't go back to sleep right then, but give me a couple of hours and I'm ready for a nap. If I can't take one, then I am drowsy and tired all day. It's a vicious cycle, I tell you, a vicious cycle!
So, I have one, solitary resolution because I'm just tired of being tired. When my body struggles to simply put one foot in front of the other, then I know my mind surely isn't working at full capacity either. Life has to be lived. There are decisions to be made, relationships to nurture, a household to maintain and projects that need to be completed well. If we have no rest, we don't function as well as we might. I am not yet succeeding completely with my goal but neither am I giving up. It's only one thing I'm trying to change. It can't be that hard. Can it? But, it is hard for me. I can't do it on my own and I don't want to drowse my way through this year.
Father, thank you for caring about every detail of our lives, even our rest. I need help to sleep and to awaken refreshed and renewed. I need your help, Lord. I love you. You are good.
Suz
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)