Day 10 - July 30

We began our day with an interesting breakfast - jamaican porridge (yum) and swordfish (no thanks - for me:) )  I think we all were wondering if we were going to make it through the day today - it was to be a long hot one!

As we arrived at BG, the toddlers were on the veranda excitedly chanting for us to come! what a sweet sound to our ears.  We quickly put our things down, prayed for God to carry us through the day and for divine appointments.  I got to go to the schoolers room today - it was a blast!  I had about 15 min. to figure out what devotion/story that i would do and it went great!  Brayden & I acted out David & Goliath - the kids loved it:)  We sang, did an activity, sang some more, had snack, sang some more, and then another activity to keep them busy for 3 hrs. - whew - we did it:)  The rest of the day we spent outside with all of the children.

Brayden has attached to a little 3 yr old boy named Quan - he's trying to talk me into adopting him.  I told him i'd pray about but just not too sure about that right now... however, i have fallen in love with a little girl that was abandoned last week and brought to BG - last week when we were there she didn't make a peep.  today, i got her to do raspberries and babble a little bit saying dadada or mamamama - so sweet.  Then she fell asleep in my arms  -as  i looked at her precious sleeping face, i wondered if her mom misses her and wondered if she will someday have 1 mother again to rock her asleep - i guess for today, i was that mom...

It has been sweet to see the team fall in love with all of the children at BG - we all tend to have our favorite:)

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Blogged By Ronnie: It was a long day , Hence its Monday ;) So into Blossom Gardens to serve the Aunties and Love on these precious children with God's love. It was enlightening to have the lack of energy knowing that all that came out of me would either be my flesh fleeing to lay down on a bench or God showing up in a mighty way and holding me up.So forward on  I went to the baby room for the first 3 hours and just held sang and fed them.One little girl was getting her hair done all pretty and a brand new outfit was picked out for her along with a new pair of sandals. They got her all dressed and she left escorted away as one of the Aunties turned to release tears- there was a handful of children that left BG today with good promise to be adopted out which is so wonderful but at the same time so heart breaking for these Aunties who love these children and do such an amazing job at caring for their needs- these children are definitely loved by these women. After feeding time I was beginning to feel the lack of energy again and needed to eat to regain stamina. I ate and read from my Bible the Proverbs of the day. What really stood out to me was the verse from Prov.30:5 "Every word of God is pure : He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. 8: " Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither  poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; lest I be full and deny thee, and say Who is the LORD ? or lest I be poor, and steal and take the name of my God in vain." I have had this burden and fear that leaving Jamaica and returning back to my normal life would soon erase what I have seen and experienced while here and I feared the shame and guilt that I would have to live with- I made this verse my prayer and was just asking God to help me to serve Him and please Him with my response to what I have obtained through this that it wouldn't be vain. I left the break room heavy and began talking with the Financial Advisor of BG and was asking him how he was doing. He responded by telling me that he was heavy spirited and I told him how I was feeling that a couple days ago. I listened to him as he poured out his heart and burden for providing for his family and the trying to understand why he chose to put his faith in God. He serves the Lord, He loves him and has brought up his children in the Lord and while he struggles to provide he sees the evil prosper in their ways and it really dissuades him and leaves him feeling heavy. After just reading this chapter from the Bible I realized that this was very relative to what we were talking about. As we were both sitting very tired after such a long day - God showed up and encouraged us both. He was asking me where we were staying and he lit up and said he knew where we were because he goes to the Verney House once a month for meetings with the Gidions Bible Association. He brings Bibles to Nursing Homes, Hospitals and the Homeless etc. I was telling him how we were kicking ourselves about not bringing Bibles after their being a number of requests for them at the Granville Girls Home (Prison) He was quick to say that he will bring them Bibles - what an awesome encouragement to him to be reminded how he is making a difference and for us because we had been praying that God would provide Bibles for these girls wanting Bibles.Thank You Jesus! Please pray that as the girls receive these Bibles that they will grow and desire after God and His will for them and that His word would not return void- Oh how He loves them <3

Day 9 - July 29

Trying to get up to date...

Sunday - July 29 - we had another day of rest & relaxation.  We were able to sleep in a bit and then had our own worship and church/devotion/sharing service - it was GOOD!

After lunch, we headed back down to the hip strip to finish up some souvenier shopping and then to have our last chance to put our toes in the jamaica beach!

It was a time of GOOD relaxation - a time to charge our batteries for the week ahead.  We are supposed to spend the entire day at BG on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday (9-4) and then Thursday morning at BG and afternoon at Granville and our final day on Friday we will spend the morning at BG and the afternoon at Melody House.

Keep us in your prayer:)

Day 8 - July 28

Today was a relaxation/fun day to rejuvenate ourselves.  We had to say good bye to Ryan yesterday and Carl today - they both had commitments back in Walla Walla.  They will surely be missed!!!

The team journeyed to YS Falls - about a 2+hrs. drive but definately worth it.  Taylor & Brayden are still not feeling 100% and Jane has come down with a bad stomach bug.  Jane did not come with us.  We had a great time - most of us did the zip line and played in the falls. i hope to post pictures soon but i wanted to get the blog updated.  Here's a link so you can see what it is...YS Falls website

We ended the day with delicious Jerk Chicken at "Jerkies" - YUM!

Day 7 - July 27 (sorry for the delay in posting...)

Part 1 - I didn’t get to go to BG (blossom garden) today – brayden woke up with a sore throat, headache & stuffed up head.  Taylor doesn’t feel well either & stayed back at the VH too.  Many of the team members are starting to have the same symptoms – Alyssa has been stuffy since the 2^nd dayL she’s been a real trouper and always smiling and ready to go!  What a blessing it has been to get to know everyone better on the team.

So… while back at the ranch – Debbie & I got some laundry done – yay! And  I finished reading 2 books that I had started about 2 months ago. I had read them a few years ago but since Tom Davis is going to be our keynote speaker in November at the orphan conference, I wanted to re-read them. I’m so glad I did – I love his books – definitely recommend you read them.  “Red Letters – living a faith that bleeds” and “Fields of the Fatherless”.  While refecting back to my post yesterday about as Christians and now knowing first hand of the plight of the orphan in jamaica – I thought that I would share a bit of what I read in “Fields of the Fatherless” that really resonated with me and thought it might too with you – so, here’s a little excerpt from the chapter: The Old Enemy: Fear – “ THE PADLOCK ON OUR COMPASSION: FEAR – There’s a common, very human reason for our resistance.  You see, the reason we don’t help the beggar on the road, or the single mother we know who is working herself to death, is the same reason we won’t help the orphan dying on the other side of the world.  We flee from the need in front of us because of our ancient, ruthless foe, fear. – When we see or hear about the atrocities happening to children in America or other countries, the fear of our lives being rudely interrupted enters in the equation of our attempts to help. We think, what if I became too involved? – We are afraid of changing what we’ve always done.  Our lives have become comfortable and manageable.  If loving the stranger, the widow and the poor have never been a part of our lives in the past (even if we know it should be) it’s much easier to keep on living the way we always have…The idea may cross our minds to sign up to take a meal to the elderly widow who broke her hip last week.  But then maybe we rationalize our lack of follow-through by telling ourselves someone else will do it. – What if these impulses are from God? What kind of joy might we be cheating ourselves out of? – Ironically, it turns out that fear is what prevents us from growing and changing.  Fear wants nothing to change; fear demands the status quo.  And the status quo leads to death. – Who wants the status quo?  It is stagnant and stymied living.  On the other hand, compassionate involvement is vibrant and fulfilled living.”

The moment in my life that I realized that fear was starting to hold me back was the moment that I decided that it would no longer!  It was about 8 years ago when we were praying about adopting for the first time and a dear friend of mine said to me “Is your faith stronger than your fears or your fears stronger than your faith?”  it was at that moment that I was determined to no longer let my fears hold me back.  Since then, God has totally changed our life – never in a million years did I think that I would adopt 2 times from china, start an orphan ministry (soon to be non profit) and go on 2 mission trips so far…  I love those dot, dot, dots… because I know I have no “plans” for my life but God does.  I’m just excited to do what He has for me to do –whatever that may be – I’m available and do my best to be obedient to His will.  My prayer for you is that you too will put your fears aside and if you are feeling compelled to do something for “the least of these” that you will do it.

Part 2 – the team returned from BG around 2:30 and they were wiped out!  I wished so bad that I could’ve been there to help.  We teach a bible lesson with the schoolers,  do worship and other “filler” activities.  The Aunties have them in their chairs from 9-12 with a snack half way through – next to impossible to keep them entertained/occupied for that long.  Usually a handful of us are with the schoolers and the rest split up between the toddlers & infants to help the Aunties J

We were invited to the “Fish Fry Fundraiser” at the Melody House – MH is a private home so I think they are doing fundraisers or willing to take donations more than others do.  It was an interesting night – enjoyed some of the entertainment of dancing and a fashion show.  Since it was a public event, we were able to take some pictures of the girls for personal non-public use – yay!  Thankfully, I was able to pry Brayden (Taylor & Debbie made it too) out of bed to come with us to get some fresh air and I think it helped.  I’m hoping everyone is  better tomorrow – (Saturday) we are planning on going to YS Falls for some fun and relaxation.

Day 6 - July 26

It was hard to roll out of bed this morning – we were up late last night with the MH girls. But it was definitely worth it!  To be able to love on those girls was THE BEST!!

Our first destination today was BG to take 15 “schoolers” to the beach!  I know that I’ve been looking forward to this day for that past 6 monthsJ  We had a bus to take all of the kids and a few team member s – the others team members were in the van.  While on the bus, Ryan sang some fun songs with the kids – BOY do they LOVE to sing!  They were really getting into it and it was a beautiful sound to my ears.  We had the amazing opportunity to take the kids to a private beach just for us!  It was perfect.  We lined everyone up and fitted them with a lifejacket (b/c jamaican’s don’t swim ;)  - and for safety ).  The team went out to the water with the buckets & goggles and then shortly behind us the kids came running down.  They had a blast – so did we!  We were actually right next to the airport and the kids loved watching the planes come in for landing.  We all had a wonderful time just swimming, scooping water & filling up buckets with sand, building sandcastles and searching for shells to collect – all the things “ordinary” kids should be able to do and to think that this is a once a year (hopefully) thing for them makes my heart sad and happy at the same time – happy that EO is here to love on them the way they/we are doing.  Our next surprise was  to take them for a ride in a glass bottom boat – it was exciting for them but scary for some too.  They loved watching the lion fish swim under & around the boat and even more fun was watching uncle carl swim under the boat – our teen boys got to do the same too – it will be a great memory for all! We got back to the beach with just enough time for a snack of fishy crackers & pineapple – yum! And another last minute swim… 

After taking the BG kids back home, we turned around and headed to Granville Girls Home.  I was able to take a picture of the outside – I hope it turned out & will try to post it… we didn’t get there until about 3:00 and many of the “good” girls were on a field trip.  So, when we arrived the court yard (made of dirt) was pretty empty – slowly the girls started to emerge to visit with us.  I brought UNO and was happy to meet “Ashley” – she had a Jamaican name but I had her repeat it about 3 times and then she finally said  - “just call me Ashley – that’s what I go byJ “ and she smiled – her smile lit up her beautiful face.  She didn’t look like the others when we were there the other day – she looked to “nice” – no scars and a fresh face with a twinkle in her eyes.  As we played THE LONGEST GAME OF UNO EVER, I began to ask her questions about her experiences at the home etc… Come to find out, she had just gotten there yesterday – I immediately asked her if she was doing ok to let her know that I knew that this was a rough place.  Throughout our conversation/game I discovered that her mom died when she was 2 (not sure how, yet) and that she’s been living with her older sister.  The social worker took her to the home b/c ashley’s sister can’t take care of her and needs a job L  My heart is breaking for this girl too – I’m worried about her there and if she is safe from the other girls – they are a very rough bunch in more ways than one.  We began to finish our visit around 5ish and ended with worship and a quick devotional.  We said our goodbyes and I prayed with Ashley – I just felt so strongly that she needed it.  She then asked me if I would be coming back and I told her that I sure hoped that I would be next week!  I’m curious to find out what I will see in her eyes then – I hope and pray that it is the same sweet sparkle – please keep her in your prayers too…

After dinner tonight we had a very short time of sharing (everyone is tired) but one thing that was shared that I think that we all agreed upon at our table was this: Now that we are here and have experienced and seen what we have with the plight of the orphan here in Jamaica -that as true Christians, we cannot not do anything.  As Christians we cannot turn our backs.  And you as a reader of this blog – it is my prayer that your heart has been pierced for the orphans too.  Please join us in prayer as to how we can best help. 

Another thing that I learned today is that there are NO child sponsorship programs in this country at all.  World Vision & Compassion do not have programs set up here – I’m not sure why… It seems this country isn’t really getting ANY outreach from very many organizations.  I’m so glad that Embracing Orphans is here and if you would like to help the children here, please pray about contributing to them – they could really use your help.  I’m pretty certain that they would be the first outside organization to own a home & to run a girls home.  Their connections and relationships with the officials here is amazing and I pray that they can continue the work God has planned for them.

Day 5 - July 25

WHAT A DAY!! 

If you haven’t noticed by now, we are not allowed to post pictures of any of the childrenL  As we are bonding & building relationships with these precious kids – it is TOUGH!  We want to share with you the faces of the children we are falling in love with but if we do we could end up in jail for 12 months – not a risk worth takingL

Today we began our day at BG – our team of 14 split up to visit with the schoolers, toddlers & infants.  I had the pleasure of going to the infant room today.  It is soooo easy to fall in love with these little guys – so so precious!! I had little Kimberly – she is about 10 months old but was born premature.  She is delayed developmentally and I kind of suspect Cerebral Palsy – she has a side that is very stiff but I’m not an expert & it’s not my job to diagnose her – just love on her and that is exactly what I did and it was a blessing to me to be able to do that.  So tiny…  While at BG, we’ve been trying to visit with the Aunties too – they really work hard and love these kids too – the home and children are spotless.  They put on a stern look but once you start visiting with them they really lighten up and start to smile a bitJ

We got to visit “The Father’s House” today – what a blessing that home will be for the children of Jamaica – please pray that God will provide the money very soon for this home so it can open!  We had time to worship & pray over the house today.

After 5 hours at BG, we came home to clean up to get ready for the party that we were throwing for the MH girls (and it is a girls bday too) an even better reason to celebrate!  We were delighted to treat them to dinner, dessert (bday cake with the candles etc..  – most children don’t get a celebration like this here in the children’s home) a little bit of entertainment/devotional, worship songs, a couple of games & they could choose to swim or a movie (6 out of the 8 swam).  WE ALL had a great time!  It was wonderful to get to know the girls better – they really loosened up and had a great time.  It was a great feeling to just watch them laugh and have a truly good time with nothing to worry about!

I don’t think anything too “deep” happened today but keep us all in your prayers as we minister to these 3 homes.  We are heading to BG in the morning to take the children to the beach! And then to Granville Girls home.

Oh – one more thing that I was thinking about the other day… as we drove to the Granville Girls home  (I think yesterday –it’s all becoming a blur) - was how poor this country really is.  There are many many homes that are left abandoned or unfinished, the roads are AWEFUL (it feels like we are 4 wheeling whenever we go somewhere) there are people out on the streets selling ANYTHING that they can to earn a dollar – it is poor. We drove by all of the “all inclusive” resorts on the way to the home and it got me thinking if anyone that ever goes to those places ever ventures out of the walls to really experience the real Jamaica??  So, I challenge you the next time that you come to Jamaica to get out and experience the country!!  I’ve heard so much about how wonderful it is in Jamaica and now that I’m here  - I’m trying to find out why it’s so wonderful? The beach is pretty but this country needs some serious prayer – not only for the children but for the people.  The churches here can’t even reach out to the orphans in their own country because they are needing to reach out & feed their own church family L And  - I could go on…– maybe next time…

Day 4 - July 24

Blogged by Ronnie...

I am not much of a blogger so much of what I wanted to share with you in this entry is directly from my Journal – I hope that it reaches you in some way as God has through just walking where He would lead me. It was a lovely Wednesday morning seeing Debbie arise and smile with no more migraine – Thank you Jesus!! And thank you Saints for praying! We were presented with a lovely breakfast including scrambled eggs, a collard green like substance and mango slices fresh from the tree outside and a cup of Jamaican Java and shortly after set sail for Café Blue and I got an iced Jamaican coffee brew and some hula hoops at the drug store next store for the kids at the Blossom gardens for 350 Jamaican dollars :O we got stamps, water and all the items to get through the week. Our first stop would be at the Melody House where we finished up making some aprons and t-shirt rugs and had a sweet day of victory with sewing machines working when they all decided not to work the previous day,  I was working with a young girl who really wanted to quit along with me with all of yesterdays frustrations – but we both managed to get through the project with restored sewing machines and had a victory in the completions of two aprons which she made for a friend and even stitched her initials into it- so sweet and thoughtful of her- The Melody House is having a fish fry for a fundraiser on Friday so you can be in prayer for  God to accomplish all that concerns the facility and move people to take action to support financially and prayerfully and however else the Lord would impress their hearts. We ate lunch in the vehicle on our way to the Grandville Girls “Home” around 1.With a lovely 45 minute drive and satisfied bellies I was feeling pretty confident in presenting the girls with a smile as well as Jesus love . As we drove up to the gate there was a security guard that authorized our entry in the court yard where we parked and were then enclosed by a maybe 12 ft. fence lined with bobbed wire. The girls were on the other side of the fence that looked more like a prison to me than any facility I have ever seen- they were ruff housing it and hitting and pushing and laughing, quite a mixed amount of emotion all at once. There were around 60 girls there ranging from the age of 10-17. We were all responsible to bring out what we had brought in . I brought a Uno game and a bag of color crayons for coloring- and before you know it the girls had all the crayons out and we were sitting at the picnic table playing uno and coloring. I was greeting and getting to know names and was sure to keep a smile on my face as to bring cheer and a merry countenance to the girls- I held that smile on my face and was sure to keep it there at all times. Then I began to notice things, such as dark sad eyes and scars over every piece of flesh I saw – I began to recognize in the midst of the clay covered ground marked with rubble was  where the feet of these hurting children would spend the next season of their life however long that would be I have no idea- but it was a dagger to think that these girls had never experienced a sense of love and acceptance. It was really hard to take in and I immediately grew sad with  hidden tears that the little 10 year old girl that called me Momma was around the age of my eldest daughter and  I imagined my Hannah behind these bars. This little girl wanted me to walk with her and play with her. We sat and played a round of jenga and then she just wanted me to watch her and tell her what a great job she was doing- I kept praising her and high fiving her and just watched her as she announced “ this is is fun” This is soo much fun Momma” I know that this is what a lot of the girls must call the Nannies or workers but I couldn’t help but respond in my heart “ I am willing,  I will be your Momma” I loved this little girl and I took her under my wing. I will never forget her and will pray for her as she were my own daughter for safety favor and Jesus to be in her and show her great and marvelous things and show her the plans that He has to prosper her and give her a future and hope. This was so hard especially walking away feeling helpless and at the same time accountable. There is no way that I can just turn away and do nothing . I have this awareness and responsibility for these girls. I know that the burden isn’t for me to carry because I also know that the love that I feel fades away in comparison to the love that the Father has for these girls.  I will just end this with this verse James 2: 14- 17 “ If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; which doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works , is dead, being alone.

Day 3 - July 23

Today I worshiped with the schoolers and Jessica, Ryan, Carl and Crystal@ Blossom Gardens .We sang old man Noah had an ark eieiO .  Jessica gave the bible study of Noah’s ark she acted it out with the kids help it was great! One girl got up she had asked Carl if she could sing her favorite song it went like this in a little Jamaican accent…”Jesus on the telephone tell him what you need, tell him what u need today ,some want silver some want gold, but I want Jesus in my soul” The words  were so sweet  they hit me hard .These children are so easy to love and make happy! Today I put on a mask and chased them around the playground today and held them and hugged them and sang to them. Just being with them makes them happy!I am blessed .I have a new nickname they call me mrs sweety because they call Candy Sweetie’s in Jamaica.It was cool!

Blogged by Candi

Today we went to BG & then to Melody House for the first time.  MH has about 9 teen girls - we taught them to make t shirt rug & how to sew aprons.  They LOVED it!  We are looking forward to going there tomorrow (tues)

  Blessings - Kirsten

Day 2 - July 22

Ahhh - - what a wonderful night sleep for almost everyone ;) some of us got to listen to the “Sumfest” concert that went ALL night long – it was good music, most of it I recognized which was bad b/c then I would lay in bed singing the tune in my head as I tried to will myself back to sleep – as soon as a foreign tune came on I was able to return to my sweet dreamsJ  anyway – enough of that!!

Everyone made it to breakfast this morning dressed in their finest for church– Praise the Lord that Caleb and Candi were well! We enjoyed scrambled eggs, fried banana, fried bread & toast = delish!!

After bkfst, we caravanned to “The Family on The Rock” church.  Everyone was dressed in their very best!  It was a fun experience – we worshiped for about an hour and really enjoyed the worship.  During announcements they had everyone stand up that had a birthday or anniversary and they were sung a special song and people around them would give them hugsJ  Then it was time for the children to go to Sunday school – they had all of the little children come up in front of the church to be prayed for before they left to their classes and the fathers in the church came to the front to also bless the children as they walked by them – very coolJ  After the service, We had a group picture and then headed back to VH.

Upon arriving at VH we got our lunch – corned beef sandwiches, cheese sandwiches & sweet bread.  We had a few minutes to change into our swim suits to get ready for 1 of our fun days of shopping & beach days.  As soon as we stepped out to meet everyone, the rain came pouring down!!!  It didn’t stop us though – the group was dropped off at Doc’s Cave.  We decided to dodge the rain drops as we ran into stores and got a few souveniers.  Low & behold the rain stopped!!! We enjoyed about 2 hours playing in the beach.  The kids had goggles to see under the water.  Apparently they saw a sting ray, fish & a star fish around the area we were swimming!! Cool!  They were pretty jazzed!!  One thing that we realized is that there is no surf in jamaica – no waves to ride etc… weird!

Around 4:00 the group headed back to VH where we cleaned up & sorted through the 14+ bags of supplies that we brought.  We got it all “somewhat” organized and now have a plan for what we will do tomorrow – it will be interesting to see if that is God’s planJ  We are planning on visiting BG in the morning and Melody House (MH) in the afternoon. Looking forward to that!  While the adults were sorting,  the teen boys (Brayden, Caleb & Jethro) went swimming and had a great time with a gecko that they found.  You will have to ask them about that!

Dinner was delish again! Jerk Chicken, rice/beans, potato salad & shredded vegetables (kinda like a coleslaw)  We had a time of worship with the team – Candi & Ryan (from EO) led us – they did a great job! And then a little devotional from Carl J

breakfast at VH

church

Please keep The Father’s House in your immediate prayers!  The loan that they were hoping for did not come through and EO is needing some MAJOR SUPPORT to get the value of the loan down so the interest won’t be outrageous.  Please join us in prayer for this desperate need.

Day 1 - July 21

Wow!  What a whirlwind of a day it was!  Praise goes out to God the Father for paving the path for us to get here! In addition to the bus & luggage fees, we pretty much went went unnoticed about the 10 matching army looking bags filled to the brim with stuff  - only 1 person was questioned about what we have in it and that answer was sufficient – Praise Jesus!  After we made it through customs – we then had to figure out how to get all of our bags/luggage out the door without our luggage carts (they were not allowed outsideL)  I’m sure the Jamaican men had some great stories to tell when they got home about how these American women tried to carry 2-3 50 pound bags 4 feet and barely made it!!  It was quite the sight!  But the best sight for us was to see who was waiting for us out the door – Julie & Carl!! Woo hoo – relief  - we had officially arrived!

After the short jaunt to The Verney house, we got somewhat settled in our new home for the next 2 weeks.  We are definitely not staying in a 5 star hotel (maybe a 2-3 star on the room but 4-5 stars on the hospitality!) But I think its good – we are here on a mission trip to serve Jesus not to be serving ourselves in worldly accommodations!  To confirm that notion – I was greeted with a dead 2 inch cockroach in my closet – suffice it to say that I will be zipping up my luggage every night and not getting up in the middle of the night to go to the restroom! J

WE only had about 30 minutes before we went to visit Blossom Garden’s children’s home.  WE had a short tour of the facility and then was quickly put to work feeding, bathing & playing with the kiddos! It was great!  The smiles on these children are precious and their willingness to be held & picked up by anyone is nice & helpful for us to feel comfortable but as I sit and write this I’m thinking about all of the other people that may have come in & out of their lives as quickly as we will be –it makes me sad.  So sad that they may never experience the constant love and compassion of a mother & father – I pray that they will someday have that and also know that they will always have the love & compassion of our heavenly Father.

It was a sweet sweet site to  look out at the team – each & every one of them engaged in a child’s precious life – playing with them, giving them the eye contact, human contact and attention they need.  I had to hold back the tears for a moment watching this and it will be etched in my mind forever.

The team did quickly start to fade after 2 hrs at blossom garden – we then headed to a market for snacks etc… it was then back to Verney House for some rest & showers before dinner. We had alovely meal at VH (verney house), reflection on our moments at BG (blossom garden) and some time of worship.  It was really cool to hear everyone’s reflection on BG J

Please keep Candi & Caleb in your prayers for healing of sickness – they came down with colds & icky stomach stuff after we got home from BG.

Team in Jamaica

The team made it safely to Jamaica! Praise God there were no issues
with customs. They are going to have lunch and then they are off to
Blossom Gardens to see the children!!

First Leg done!

Yay!  We made it to Seattle!  We had a few members meet us at the airport and we all got there at about the same time - yay:) 

We got all 14 people checked in - we checked in about 25 bags for 14 people and we were supposed to pay about $840 in luggage fees and the airline kiosk only charged us all about $300?? give or take... i'm still not quite sure who had to pay and how much but we give God the glory for all of that!!  Praying now that customs goes just as easy!!

Now we are chillin at SeaTac!

Amazing Start to the Trip

God was so awesome today! It turns out the bus that the bus company
was intending on bringing would have been much too small for our team
and all their luggage. It would have been a small disaster. HOWEVER,
the small bus "broke down" so the bus company had to bring a huge tour
bus with more than enough room for all the luggage. Plus, the team got
to ride in style and in comfort. Thank you God... YOU ARE SO AMAZING!!

Today is the day!

The journey officially begins today at 2pm when we load the bus at CCTC but God begun the journey many months ago!

Please keep the team travels in your prayers today. That we make all of the connections and cruise on through customs!!

We arrive in montego bay at about 10am on Saturday July 21.

Blessings,
Kirsten

Sent from my iPhone

Test email to blog

 

Just preparing for the trip with a test email…

 

John 12:26

New International Version (NIV)

²⁶ Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

 

 

Blessings,

Kirsten <><

 

http://thevickermanfamily.blogspot.com/

 

Being Flexible...

I'm pretty sure that being flexible may be our "motto" for this trip :)  It will be good - i am usually a type A planner and have a pretty good idea what's going to happen next.  However, it was about 8 years ago that I let God have control of my life and now I'm just along for the ride...  He has taught me that it is HIS plan that matters the most and you know what- IT IS!!  It is so much more fun too :) So... I'm excited to see what's going to happen!

With that - The itinerary that i just posted a few days ago is all wrong - however, our arrival and departures are correct but the orphanages that we have been planning & preparing to visit are not the ones that we will be visiting.  I just got word from EO (Embracing Orphans) that we will be visiting 3 different ones (not sure why - will know soon)  We are now visiting the SOS children's village, Melody House (small home for teens) & Granville Girls Home (teen home of 60 girls).  I am looking forward to see what we get to do there!

Please keep the entire team and their families in your prayers now and during the trip...

We are leaving the church at 2pm on Friday via bus to Seattle...

Almost time to go!

I can't believe that it is almost time to go! I'm hoping to keep this blog updated as we continue on our journey...

Our team are all making last minute preparations and packing!  At this point, i don't think that we need anymore supplies.  If you are wanting to help, please lift us up in prayer or donate $ to our trip to be able to do what God wants us to do while we are there.

Here is our schedule of our trip:

Calvary Chapel Tri-Cities - Jamaica Itinerary

July 21-August 4, 2012

Friday, July 20

·         Depart Tri-Cities for Seattle

8:00                 Arrive @ SEA airport; check-in

10:20 PM        Depart SEA via                     

Saturday, July 21

6:05 AM          Arrive @ CLT

7:55 AM           Depart CLT for MBJ

9:50 AM          Arrive @ MBJ

                        Customs & immigration

                        Verney House Address (for customs forms):

                                    Verney House Hotel

                                    2 Leader Road

                                    Montego Bay, St. James Parrish; Jamaica

           

                        Lunch - patties & soda/water

12:00 PM        To Verney House

                        Drop off bags, unpack; clean-up

2:00 PM          Short tour of Blossom

4:00 PM          To MegaMart for snacks, bottled water (if desired), & forgotten items

                        Verney House - swim, relax, nap

6:30 PM          Dinner

                        Devotions; de-brief from Blossom, prayer & worship

Sunday, July 22         

8:00 AM          Breakfast & devotions

9:00 AM         Church - Family Church on the Rock in Montego Bay

                        Lunch, beach time @ Doc’s Cave Beach

6:00 PM          Dinner

                        Devotions/evenin’ meetin’

Monday, July 23

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

Tuesday, July 24

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

Wednesday, July 25

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

                        Beach with Blossom Kids

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

Thursday, July 26

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

Lunch              Father’s House - activities, etc.

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

                        Possible evening activities @ TFH

Friday, July 27

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

Lunch              Father’s House  - activities, etc.

                        Spa day for the girls?

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

Saturday, July 28

EO Volunteer Darren Chlipala arrives in Kingston via AA 1399 @ 11:15

9:00 AM         Breakfast

                        YS Falls trip

1:30 PM           Carl to the airport

3:45 PM           Carl departs via AA 1370

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

Sunday, July 29

8:00 AM          Breakfast & devotions

9:00 AM         Church - Family Church on the Rock in Montego Bay

                        Lunch, beach time @ Doc’s Cave Beach and/or shopping on the Hip Strip

6:00 PM          Dinner

                        Devotions/evenin’ meetin’

Monday, July 30

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

                        Pedicures/spa day for Blossom Gardens staff

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

                        Possible evening activities @ TFH

Tuesday, July 31

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

Lunch              Father’s House - activities, etc.

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

Wednesday, August 1

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

                        Possible evening activities @ TFH

Thursday, August 2

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

                        Movie night w/the Father’s House girls

Friday, August 3

7:30 AM          Breakfast

8:30 AM          Depart for Blossom

                        Lovin’ kids and staff at Blossom Garden’s Children’s Home

4:00 PM          Depart for Verney House

                        Clean-up, rest, swim

6:00 PM          Dinner/devotions, etc.

Saturday, August 4

8:30 AM          Breakfast

9:30                 Load & depart for airport

12:40                Depart MBJ via US Air