So....apparently being floured on your birthday in Jamaica doesn't involve any pretty Jamaican flowers. Notice the spelling....yep it's just baking flour thrown on your head. Why? I'm not so sure, but it was a fun experience. I'm so thankful for such a loving team that made me feel just as special as I would at home with my family and friends (even though we've know each other a total of 11 days). It was a great day to say the least. I got to attend my first Jamaican Church service, which was an awesome experience. Clinton the pastor here at the Harmony House is a man that truly lets the spirit speak through him. It's a beautiful thing. I spent the afternoon lounging around listening to the rain until our first team showed up around dinner. After dinner was our UNPACKING PARTY!! My first actual job experience of the summer. Though somewhat stressful it was tons of fun...for me anyways. I'm pretty sure the teams that had been up since 3a.m. wouldn't have agreed. Never the less it was a pretty sweet day to turn 20. I'm so so thankful to God that my birthday fell on a day I would be here. Having a birthday at home is great but being here knowing I'm serving God and celebrating a day that signifies that I'm growing up in Him with eternity to look forward to was something I just can't quiet explain.
As for today, we took a walking tour of the community in the rain. The teams were just awesome, I didn't hear a single person complain about having to walk or the fact that they were soaking wet by the time we returned home. As I stated on here before my job is organizing and helping out with the store. So, today we went through bags and bags and bags of clothes only to fold them and place them in suitcases, run them upstairs and organize and reorganize (sorry girls). The girls I worked with were without a doubt hardworking. I'm so thankful to have the opportunity to view this experience as a staff member...somewhat in the background. My first trip this past January was an amazing one to say the least and I'm extremely grateful for it! But getting to see things from a staff point of view is completely different. Last August when God had the plan for me to start my leadership in 2:42 (FBC Stephenville's college ministry) I was terrified that people wouldn't accept me as (what I thought at the time was supposed to be) superior to them. I thought to myself that I could never break out of my quiet reserved self and become a strong confident leader. Very shortly into my leadership I learned that leadership isn't all about what you can say and do. What grew my leadership most my first year was sitting back and watching the people in my group handle situations along with them growing in their faith. In my short time here in Harmons I have learned much more. That leadership is about working alongside people and more so guiding them into also becoming leaders (or for the paradigmers, first followers). We are all called to lead. Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19 "therefore go and make disciples of all the nations.." Correct me if I'm wrong but to me the words 'MAKE DISCIPLES' means to lead people. To work alongside them in their walk with Christ. I guess what I'm trying to convey in this message is that once we have been lead by someone, ultimately the Spirit, we are then called to go LEAD someone else (even if we are the shy quiet girl from Texas). We are all called to lead each other. I love you all dearly! Have a great week! :)
Be Blessed
Mel
Oh and p.s. the Rangers also shut out the Indians on my birthday :)
Best. Day. Ever.
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