Samaritans Feet

The past two days we have been able to host the Samaritan's Feet Team.

Confession: I was not that excited about hosting teams already again. We

are finding out groove in school. I feel like I just finished with work team

season. A group came last year and gave shoes to the kids, and the ministry was 

a really great idea. The team just didn't really connect with the kids or staff.

This year all I can say is "My cup runneth over."

Praise Jesus!

 The kids would come in, take off their shoes and socks, and wait

for the next open chair. Feet are a dirty thing here in Jamaica

. Its just about impossible to keep feet clean here.

 Teachers tried to warn me...they don't have socks... 

their feet will smell. The older kids

knew there feet were not the cleanest and some were a little 

embarrassed to take off their shoes and socks.

As soon as they got in a chair none of that mattered.

 This team has beautiful heart. They stopped and 

talked with each person they served. They got to know 

about them, There was a signer at each station to help

facilitate communication. So they could invest in each person.

 It was beautiful!

 after their feet were washed they were given

 a pair of socks,

 and a brand new pair of shoes.

 The kids LOVED it.

 The thing I loved MOST, as I was able to watch this team, is how 

they truly loved my kids like Jesus. Classes would come in and the they

would see certain kids and the different people on the team would call

"'dibs' on that one" because they hung out  with them the day before and they 

wanted to wash that ones feet. 

It was an Amazing Day. Thank You Jesus.

After a long day of washing feet and getting shoes for all the kids

and staff, the team were willing to stay and play with the kids until

it was supper time.

Christ like love... in Action... I love it!

O'Baby!

4 new babies have arrived at New Hope with in the

past month or 2. 1 little princess and 3 princess.

I don't know their names yet. Each time I ask

the staff can't remember, or I can't remember what they tell me,

 or with the newest little guy he doesn't yet have a name. 

 The princess.

 Prince #1

 Prince #2

This little booger would NOT look at me and kept his hands in

his mouth. All of them are a little sick with runny noses/ coughs

prayers for healing would be greatly appreciated.

Prince #3 

He is a premie, very tiny, and was never given a name.

If the goverment doesn't name him. New Hope will

pick one for him.

Please pray for adoptive families for these precious blessings.

Thanks!

Happy Friday!

The kiddos planting a flower garden for me. How nice:)

 Sanieka and I

Prayers for this girl would be greatly appriciated. She has many

things working against her, BUT PRAISE God for being bigger

then them all!

 Antonia and Shaniqua

the little girls who come hang out with us after school.

 My little Diva, who ran up to me and took this picture of us.

Love her!

 The kiddos seeing how many kids they could get on 

the slide at one time.

 Sanieka, letting the rabbit know whose boss.

Jevaughn Moments

I feel like I could have posts dedicated to him and his "quirkiness"

alone. He sure keeps life intersting. If he is not locking himself

in grated halways that we don't have keys for (see post below)...

 He is swinging with a plastic bag over his head!

No worries, I removed the bag once the kids pointed out what he 

was doing... and after I took a picture :)

Happy Friday!

Internet

Thanks to a kind donation I was able to get a laptop for the library. With

That and a little portable box from Digicel the kids  now have access to the 

internet down at the school. As you can

see THEY LOVE IT! It really is a nice tool to have, Now I don't have to

sputter to try and answer one of their random, out in left field, questions,

or try to find it in one of our 1970's encyclopedias:)

Its also helping me to set up new and positive incentives for rewarding

my older students for good behavior. I love seeing them get so

excited to use it after school for facebook and email.

Praise Jesus for providing a way in with the older kids!

O'Boy!

Meet Jevaughn. He is a stinker, and he doesn't learn things

real fast. For example locking himself in, thinking he is

so smart to get away from the other kids, only to realize no one 

has the key. Most kids learn after this happens the first time.

Not Jevaughn....this is his second time locking himself in as 

we search all over to find a key to get him out.

If nothing else its teaching all the other kids what NOT to do:)

Photo Dump

 Damaine trying so hard to sneak up on and catch the rabbit.

 Tyrell found an old broken cell phone and "talked" for hours on 

it after school.

 Britania LOVES having her picture taken.

 I was talking with Paris the other day and she made the comment

"I'm 8 now...." and that first part just stopped me. How can my baby 

be 8. I know her birthday is in Aug. I knew she was 7, but 8 seems so

old. How is that possible? Yesterday I was just meeting her and she 

was 3....now she is 8! Craziness!

 Digging for worms/grubs

 I love them!

 Best Friends.

 More Best Friends.

We had someone donate a bunch of soccer things to all the schools.

Yesterday we handed out the shirts and the kids all Loved their

new jerseys.

Damaine vs. the rabbit.

Blessings on your day!

Perfect Saturday Mornings

 Finding a shady spot under the tree

 hanging out with the kiddos

 playing with spiders

and the kids drinking my coffee when they think I'm not looking:)

Praise Jesus for lovely Saturday Mornings!

Things that make me smile

 Kyle, getting more bold and independent each time I see him.

 Joy, sitting contently cracking herself up.

 Ted, mowing the concrete play area.

 Malcolm, talking Princeton for a walk.

 Omar, 'flying' around on his plane.

 Tafiqui playing with Princeton.

 Abby girl, trying so hard to fix the scooter.

 Trish's ornery face. She was cupping rain water, that had collected 

the sink of the play kitchen, in her hands then running around trying

to throw it on people.

 Tafiqui, running in the store room for snacks

when Auntie went in for more diapers.

Princeton, holding onto those snacks as tight as he could.

Auntie tried to pick up the snacks to put them back and 

ended up dragging Princeton with her he had such a tight

hold on them.

Thank You Jesus for the little things.

JOC visit

Thursday night the J.O.C. Team arrived for a long weekend on the island.

(J.O.C.= Jamaica Operational Committee)

 Friday consisted of meetings with Pastor Morris in Mile Gully,

 And visiting with Amanda and the kiddos at New Hope Children's Home.

 Saturday was spent in this room, around this table as we had meetings

most of the day-evening. Meetings are not my favorite things, but I

praise God for all that was accomplished while sitting around those

tables this weekend.

 Sunday we drove down to the south coast to attend church at the

Deaf Bible Church in St. Elizabeth. It was so fun to catch up with Pauline 

(Tashi's mom), and spend some time with the people there. St. E is

one of the most peaceful places I know. I love it!

 The request was made, since we were already in St. E, to stop

by lovers leap. We took the team, heard the story of the lovers leaping, 

and took lots of pictures. Here I am with a girl I love very much:)

 The view of treasure beach from lovers leap

 looking 5 miles strait down from the top of the cliff, to the ocean.

Tashi wanted just one more picture before we left. Alan didn't want to

be left out and jumped right it:)

Praise Jesus for all the love and support He provides!