We're still here!

Can you believe we're at the end of day five? We can't. Time has been going so fast while we've been here. Here's a quick rundown of what has been going on:

We finished up our construction work on Tuesday by mixing cement, pouring room where we were working, and getting filthy. Mixing cement is harder than it looks...especially when you don't have a machine to do the work for you; we mixed it the old fashioned way. There were lots of sore bodies by the end of the day, but we were happy to have helped put new flooring down for a room here. 

Both yesterday and today, we have continued with our VBS. Some things have not worked out exactly as planned, but flexibility is the name of the game. Despite our changes in plan, things have worked out for the best. It's always a joy to be able to share God's word with the Deaf students and teachers here.

This morning, we split into two groups: Saundra, Janelle, Angie, Lynn, and Josh presented a workshop for the teachers at the school. Each of us had a different subject that we taught about, and they all related with Deaf education. The teachers were very receptive and excited at the things they learned in the workshop. God has specifically given each of us things to say that perfectly meet the needs here at CCCD. While the teachers were in the workshop, Andrew, Matt, Frankie, Jorge, Brancent, Tori, and Christina did crafts and a scavenger hunt with the students.

We had the chance to lead chapel again tonight. We did a drama about the story of Lazarus and afterwards Josh dialogued with the kids on the facts and meaning of the story. Everyone paid attention the whole time, and there was even some further discussion with some of the students after chapel. The longer we are here, the more God is using the relationships we develop to open doors to talk with the students about spiritual things. Please continue to pray that God opens more doors as he did tonight.

Finally, yesterday we took a trip to Big Tree. Big Tree is just that, a big tree on the campus grounds. It is over 100 years old, and it's huge and beautiful. We had fun eating dinner and making dampers around the campfire. Dampers are a CCCD tradition of wrapping dough around a stick, baking it over a fire, and then eating it with butter and jelly. They are awesome!

While we were at Big Tree, got a chance to see some of the local agriculture: coffee bean, orange, lemon, and banana trees as well as spearmint plants.

It wouldn't be a good blog post without pictures, so we'll leave you with a few that best describe our last couple of days:

Tori holding up a breadfruit. We ate it on Tuesday, and it was pretty good!

Mixing cement on Tuesday morning.

Garfield (hearing) working on the cement floor.

Group pic of our team in dirty clothes after construction. Armando (Deaf) is in the background. 

View of our back porch.

The Bible study group doing their thing during VBS on Tuesday.

Lynn playing Bible games with some of the students.

Guess which one is the American?

Recreation with the younger students on Tuesday.

We told the students to do their best impression of Jorge.

Group pic at Big Tree.

Making dampers. 

On our nature walk to look at the different plants of Jamaica.

The Jamaican boys taught the American boys a thing or two about cricket.

We all tried our best not to make fools out of ourselves.

Lastly, I know you are all dying to hear about Saundra Ford's swag status. Let's just say, her swag is growing, and you'll see the results soon!

Thanks for your prayers and support. Please continue! More updates soon....