Blog Titles are Always Awkward

Ashley Winkler here.  Louden Valley is currently in Harmons with us and it has been fun to get to see them experiencing Jamaica for the first time. (only two of the team members are returning members).

Pictured above: Kimberly, Jadia, Tatiana, Apple-J, and Jardene. (...and I'm the white girl in the middle)

Yesterday, Kimberly, Jadia, Apple-J, as well as some others, walked with me around town to visit their various family members.  As we walked, we talked about everything.  We talked about our families, our classes, our friends, and our faith. We played games, did dances [[when no one was around]], and took walking breaks to pick "plums" from the trees (The plums were not ripe, but we still ate them. They were green and tart, but delicious all the same.)  We were exhausted by the time we returned to the Harmony House.

Today was a much different day.  I got to take Jadia, Kimberly, and Apple-J to the infirmary with me for almost two hours.  For the first 15 minutes, they were very wary of getting too close.  They crowded behind me and watched as I introduced them to some of my friends who live there.  I was impressed as the girls became opened to the residents. They were reading Bible verses, singing songs, and hugging the men and women we met.  Through their humility and willingness to get up-close and personal with the residents, I was able to see God at work in them. We talked about how encouraging it was to see people who are disabled singing songs of praise to their Creator. The conversations that occurred because of our trip together have been awesome. Glory to God!

"May the LORD make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  May HE strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones." --1 Thessalonians 3:12-13