Beyond Amazing!!!!

I had decided on the flight down that "amazing" was my catch phrase for this week, but I am finding that that word does not even come close to describing everything I have experienced.  The clouds, land masses and oceans did provide an amazing view and there are more stars in the sky in Jamaica than anywhere I have ever been (Yes, it even beats out every sand dune I have ever vacationed to.)  But the people here take me far beyond that word.  We had the honor tonight  to participate in the first ever staff night for the entire Harmony House staff,  some of the hardest working people I have ever met, and I was floored at the richness of the bingo prizes given away.  Five pounds of fish, 5 bags of concrete mix, a jar of peanuts, a four roll pack of toilet paper, all accepted with the most genuine smiles and fullness of joy.  These are the items that our prized by our Jamaican family.  These are the items that I take for granted.  These are the items that have humbled me.

The last two days I have had the opportunity to work along two of the most incredible men.  Ganga is legendary at Harmony House.  The first person to begin teaching me and my closest friend so far.  I have been blessed with two days working at the greenhouse alongside him and listening to his many stories.  But the one who really breaks me is Stanley.  Stanley overflows with joy, smiling every time you see him.  He worked as hard as any of us at the job site, taking buckets of marl and dumping them into our sifter so we could remove the rocks from the precious powder used to mix concrete for the homes we are building.  While I came down here wondering how my knees would hold up to the opportunities presented to me here, Stanley worked alongside me with legs weak from cerebral palsy. He did not complain once,  not taking Advil every 12 hours as I am, and works with great joy, so willing to tell his story of how he gave his life over to the Lord when he was able to have a surgery done to help his legs.  Scripture tells us in 1Cor 2:27-31
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;  God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that are not - to nullify the things that are, so that none may boast before him....Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  I am indeed shamed by this young man as he works harder and does more everyday than I can fathom.  Praise God for showing me that.

There are many more stories of deepening relationships with my team meeting new people and being the hands and feet of Christ at May Pen.  I would love to share the goodness of what God has gifted me with here, so please ask.

Doug, sweetheart. I miss you and the boys.  I hope you and Mary are giving Levi some extra love from mommy.  Raymond, honey, I miss you too.  Tonight "Voice of Truth" was playing and I thought of you. I am so glad to have listened to that voice and come on this journey.  It has been beyond amazing!