Today of all days was my day to write the blog. The bitter-sweet day of the week for me and our team. The day our team has to say our goodbyes to the wonderful people we just met, the people we grew strong friendships with, and the people we have come to love over the past week. Today we had our fun day to reward us for all the hard work we put into the week, but for me the fun days would have to be the other days. The days we got to meet new people, learn to sign, and to share God’s Word for as little as painting a house or as big as making concrete.

Throughout out the week you could really feel God’s presence even if it was the little things, such as the kids being able to sign “Jesus Loves you and me” to having a cool breeze when it was so hot we can just barely stand it.

Today when we went to the water park at one of the times the whole team started singing and dancing in the pool. Everyone at the pool was watching, but no one cared we just kept singing and dancing. That’s just one of many memories I will never forget of today and the week, but everything has to come to an end.

Out of all the work and effort we did over the past week, saying goodbyes was the hardest thing to do. I was told that I have to come back next year by the Pastors son, Caleb. He said he’s going to try and write letters to me if I would write back to him, he’s seven. It just breaks my heart thinking I’ve made such and impact on someones life and then have to say goodbye.

I absolutely cannot wait to have God lead me back to JDV and enjoy the future things He has in hold for my life. I can’t wait to see the amazing kids I met on this trip and see them older and maybe even different. This trip has taught me that there’s not always just the pretty side of the island there’s also the side that we were on that doesn’t really have any tourist attractions.

I will truly miss JDV and all the people on campus. The kids and the adults I love them all, and I am very excited to learn more signs and in the future hopefully being able to sign fluently. Part of my heart will be staying behind in Jamaica and I can’t wait till next time.

Lots of love from JDV,
Haley Roberts