Jamaica Mission Trip Day 7 – October 11, 2019

Day 7 – Fun Day Josie Maynard

Today was our last day of the trip and we visited YS falls. On our bus ride there, we stopped and got patties in Santa Cruz. When we got to YS, the whole group decided to participate in ziplining. We got to go down 5 lines and got a great view of the falls. After we ziplined we headed to the falls where we could rope swing and jump into the water off of a cliff. I know for the girls, this is what we spent most of our day doing. The falls were a little chilly so we hopped into the warm water pools to heat up a little bit before we left. When we got back to JDV we ate some amazing jerk chicken and then headed over to the firepit to make dampers. Dampers are big rolls of dough that can be filled with anything! We used peanut butter, Guava jam (a Jamaica jelly), chocolate, or butter.  Overall, our last day was a lot of fun and we continued to bond as a team!

Jamaica Mission Trip Day 6 – October 10, 2019

Day 6 – Concrete Day 2 at KnockPatrick – Susie Satterfield

Today we were blessed with another opportunity to work alongside students from CCCD, locals from JDV and another mission team from Pennsylvania.  We divided into groups focusing on making concrete, creating an assembly line to haul the concrete in buckets up to the higher tiers, pulling weeds, cutting down trees, and clearing the water catchment areas in preparation for water catchment.  All of our efforts will afford CCCD to establish a greenhouse for educational, occupational, and nutrition purposes using green techniques.  It was an exhausting yet rewarding day to be able to work alongside folks who shared a deep love of the Lord

In the afternoon, we were blessed to share a meal with locals from JDV and try more Jamaican cuisine.  For lunch we had mac and cheese, watermelon, and coconut bread with real bits of coconut in it (It was delicious).  It was a time of fellowship and developing relationships.  In the afternoon, we took a brief tour of the school and saw where classrooms, dorms, and the small auditorium were located.  We took a break and spent time with students.  We explored the wonders of a rhinoceros beetle and a snail the size of a ping pong ball.  The students were fascinated with the horn of the beetle and the texture of the snail.  Little did I know that spending time with the students would lead to meeting the principal and discussion of the possibility of teaching in Jamaica.

Everyone we’ve met at JDV and CCCD just seem filled with the spirit of the Lord!  I can feel his presence in and around me every moment of the day.  God’s hand has been over us and blessed us beyond compare.  As Pastor Chris preached about Philippians 4:8, the P48 train is bountiful and evident everywhere!  God is good, we are blessed and loved beyond compare. Serving the Lord has brought forth the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the fruits of the Spirit.  Thank you, Lord…Follow the Filling!

Jamaica Mission Trip Day 4 – October 8, 2019

Day 4 – Deaf Can in Kingston – Leah Creasman

Today we took a 2 hour trip to Kingston! While in Kingston we visited Devon House and Deaf Can! We stopped at Devon House first. Devon House was the house of the first millionaire of Jamaica. While there we got to try Popular Jamaican food called patties. There was a wide selection of flavors from chicken, beef, goat, or fish! After lunch we looked around in the shops and then got some ice cream. The ice cream was delicious and very messy. After eating ice cream we left Devon House and went to Deaf Can. Deaf Can is a coffee shop showing Jamaica that the Deaf can do anything. We went to the main DeafCan location but there are shops all around Jamaica, one inside of a Toyota dealership . While at DeafCan I ordered a delicious latte made by a deaf employee. They did a power point and showed us around the site. Once we were back at JDV we got to experience something none of us had experienced before. We got to unload the transfer truck of supplies for the CCCD. This truck included everything they needed for the next 6 months. Doing this took almost 2 hours. It was a very cool sight to watch; everyone deaf and hearing working together to unpack the whole truck.

Jamaica Mission Trip Day 2 – October 6, 2019

Day 2 – Church – By Catherine Sage

Sunday morning, I was not expecting to experience the service that I did. Going to Jamaica knowing little to no sign language, let me be honest, I was lost during the whole service, but with the help of a student interpreter I could understand what the pastor was talking about.  This was not your normal church service. It was definitely eye opening to see how different communities go about their services. During worship, the songs would play, and while I could hear, it was moving to see how the deaf can sign while worshiping.  God revealed to me that I can praise him in different ways. Whether that be through sign, lifting my hands in worship, or dancing. It was an amazing experience. God in a room full of different people with something in common: worshiping the same God and learning that we are all created on purpose with a purpose.