Getting our Hands Dirty

Hello Blog world,

George and I 

Yesterday was pretty good day I must say. The team went to the Maypen infirmary  and it was really cool to see the team interacting with people that have different disabilities, both mental and physical. I did some interacting too and met some pretty amazing people. For those who do not know the infirmary is unlike anything that I have seen back in the states. The living conditions may be rough but the joys and happiness that we bring to those people is indescribable. They inspire me so much cause of how much hope and joy we can bring to them by just sitting with them, praying with them, and reading the Bible with them. You can truly see God working in this place. At times I found myself with no words to say to some of these people which was tough. I wanted to say something but I had no words to say. Often times I would just ask if they had a favorite Bible verse or something they wanted me to read and more times than not they would just say "Pick one" or "Any of them" and so I would read them a few different ones. One guy I talked to, George who was in a wheel chair and missing a leg and he really made me appreciate what I was doing in Harmons. He said that we (American's) bring hope and it was really amazing to hear his words and it really help put things into perspective. He just kept thanking me and it just really meant a lot to me.

Well today the weather was a lot better. I actually saw the sun today which hasn't been seen in quite some time! I decided to go to house number 1 work site which was a lot of fun. I got to spend some good quality time with part of the team that is down here plus it was fun working with some of the Jamaicans. For the first part of the morning we had to haul some marl, which is used to mix with the cement to make concrete, to where we were working which was hard work but fun. There were times where us "American's" couldn't really do that much so we play riddle games and other stuff. It was cool to just hang and work with them.

I am having a great time here in Jamaica. It is hard to imagine that it is only the first week and I have already learned and made so many great memories. I have met a lot of people and are forming deep relationships with people. It is so great to be able to spend a summer to really get to know people and to sit and talk with them and not have to worry so much about that time factor. I can say "Hey lets finish this conversation tomorrow." I am missing a lot of my friends and my family at home but I know God is guiding me and along this journey with me which I find so much comfort in!

Well that is all for now, until next time,

Austin

PS Kelly and Sarah are SUPER AWESOME people!