Day 8

For those who won’t get to the bottom, here is an abbreviated version.

Woke up, weather was humid and sunny with some clouds, had devotions, consumed breakfast, received work assignments, devoured lunch, worked some more, free time (spring, playing cards), had supper, debriefed, went to Tuesday evening fellowship, went to bed.

To those who will make it through this entire post.

This morning was the start of a new day, yet it began like any other day here in Jamaica, sunny and warm. The team woke up, spruced up their sleeping arrangements, and then had devotional time. We often scatter all over the church when we wish to read and reflect, but when the time rolls around we all reconvene at the breakfast table for morning muster. John led us in our Bible Bullet this morning and we had a treat in the form of corn meal porridge.

Once we finished breakfast we prepared ourselves for the coming work day. Due to our victory over Anna’s house, we were energized to continue our work on our new project, the athletic field. However, we were told that the field wasn’t ready for us, but they relocated our efforts to the church.

Pastor Gordon was recently able to purchase a plot of land next door which needed some hands on work. Our number was then split as some hands began working on the land others assisted Rose, our supervisor, in the assembly of his brand new tiller. He was very excited to get it running and he was quick to use it on the plot to create a garden plot in a piece of it. Pastor Gordon was so excited when he saw it he raced to grab his sweet corns seeds to plant a patch. Naturally, Coach Nelson jumped at the chance to assist.

Lunch time came around and we enjoyed a meal of cheeseburgers with fixings. We appreciated the taste of home and discussed the next portion of the job. Michael was asking if he could do some small repairs around the school including fixing toilets, doors, and fencing. The rest of the crew began working on leveling a road for future cementing. It required digging up roots, rocks, and more buckets of dirt being carried elsewhere. Some of our number even helped to replant a few banana trees that were in our way.

When the work was concluded for the day, we were surprised by some ice cream from our hosts. Afterward, we scattered for free time including walking to the spring to cool off, playing Uno and other card games and calling home for a few minutes for updates (Rain....Really).

We gathered again when it was supper time and we ate some fried bananas, corned beef mash, and mixed vegetables, with a side of PB&J. We debriefed and then entered the church to join in with the Fellowship Service. We listened to some testimonies and sang more songs for much longer than it felt before it ended and the churchgoers went home. This took us to nine o’clock and we all agreed it was time for bed to be prepared for another day of work.

Hope that all your basements are still dry or at least that your pumps work and you’ll hear from us again soon.

With best wishes,
Andrew Fast
Jamaica Mission Team