Sunday, July 19, 2009

Last week!


Last night was a great night, because Rebekah and I were able to go to the girls home. We did facials and nails and just hung out with them. They are great girls, and I pray that they will keep growing in their faith.
I can't believe this is my last week in Florence! It doesn't seem real to me, but it is definitely bittersweet. I am ready to get home and see everyone, but I will sincerely miss the people I have grown close to this summer. But the week is not over yet, and there is still work to be done!:) I cannot wait to see how the Lord will work during this last six days!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Blessings

So far this week has been a great week! Today at the YMCA we had 4 children come to know Jesus! Two boys and two girls. I was soo pumped after that! The lesson we have this week is about the man with leprosey and how he was so thankful Jesus healed him. I reminded the children that they too should always thank God for their blessings. But I am the first to admit that I don't thank God enough for what He has given me!



He had blessed me with sooo much! My wonderful godly family, amazing friends, a Christian education, a great church family, and all my needs are met! But mostly I am so thankful for Jesus dying for me and making a way to salvation. My Savior just blows me away by His awesomeness!!!! When I see a rude person or just a hateful individual, I am in awe of how Jesus also died for them. I am soooo thankful of His loving compassion to us! We, as humans, are constantly screwing up, but I am also glad God is more patient than I am. And now I am thankful that I have 4 more brothers and sisters in Christ!!! Hallelujah!!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Jamaica = One Love

There is one word that pops in my head when I think of Jamaica. And that word is LOVE. I fell in love with this beautiful country full of beautiful people!!! They are so compassionate and generous. My team went there to serve them, but they would also want to serve us and make sure we are enjoying ourselves. It amazed me that they would constantly have a smile on their face even though they barely had anything. I would see the poverty that they lived in and it completely broke my heart. I could not imagine it!


It was an amazing week though, and I feel sooo blessed to have had the opportunity to serve in Jamaica. We had VBS at Springfield Baptist Church, and it was of course not what we expected. My class was actually full of young adults instead of teenagers, and we did not have 500 as expected. But God still was glorified this week! In our class alone, we had two women that came to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!! I was so excited!!! It was a blast getting to know everyone, and the children stole my heart! I call the little girl in the picture, Tia, my baby girl. I fell in love with this precious child! She was by far the happiest baby I have ever met. All the children were so loving..


We went to Garland Hall Children's Orphanage, and that was a very special day for me. Immediately I had several kids grab onto me and would not let me go. I could see the hope and the love in their big brown eyes. So I tried to give as much love to them as possible. I wanted to take all of them home with me of course.


I have learned so much from their culture... they have taught me to be more laid back. No Problem Mon... IRIE... which means everything is good or will be okay.


Friday was the hardest day for me, because I had to say bye to everyone. I could feel the Lord working inside of me, and I cannot even describe to you what it felt like. It was an overpowering feeling, and I ended up having a complete melt down when I went back to my room. My heart breaks for these people, and I have a feeling the Lord will take me back there someday to once again work and to serve them. I ask you to pray for the Jamaicans, that they will all come to know God and that they will never stop smiling those beautiful smiles!