Liquid Sunshine

    As far as the weather goes, today has been nothing spectacular. In fact, it has been raining since about ten o’clock last night. Because of our rural location, it has even been difficult to find a time in which the electricity has stayed on long enough to complete this blog. So, you might be wondering, what do we do when it rains during the work day? Well, we work. This week’s team includes two groups, Valley Fellowship from Overland Park, Kansas and Deerbrook Covenant from Lee’s Summit, Missouri. And let me just say, they are awesome! Their attitudes and work ethic are not hindered by this weather that our culture so often frowns upon. What they, along with most people, don’t realize is that rain is considered a precious gift to the Jamaican people. This summer has actually been surprisingly rainy, but typical summers in Jamaica are extremely dry. Since water is the necessary ingredient in practically all areas of life, we must ration the water we have. After being here about a month and a half now, I would definitely agree with the Jamaicans when they call rain “blessings from Heaven.”  To be honest, I think working in these “blessings” makes the day all the more fun. I had such a blast today working in the rain, and I’m confident the team did as well. Their attitude reflects their joyful, humble spirit of Christ. At one point, the sky opened up in a torrential downpour. Less than three minutes later, I found myself in a very small shop with about fifteen other people, laughing and joking around. As I was thinking about this tonight, I was reminded that this is the attitude we should have in everything. Acts 14:17 says “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”  Wow, is that not awesome? God provides the “inconvenience” of rain so that we will have crops to harvest and food to eat. Our hearts should be filled with joy at this, not grumbling. Plus, at least for now we don’t need to waste our sunscreen.  That is all for now. One Love!

Sarah Means