Guest Blog!

Hello dear friends and family!

It's Kathryn.  Christina and I decided that I should do a guest blog so everyone could read a little about Jamaica through my eyes thus far.  Summing up two weeks is going to be hard so this is going to be long, my apologies in advance.

So first of all I want to say that this has been one of the most rewarding, challenging, and overall life changing experiences of my life.  I have met so many new people, seen so many different places, and learned even more about myself and the world around me.  Everyday here is something new and there is always an adventure to be had in each and every day.

Speaking of adventures, I have now experienced first hand what it is like to go to a Jamaican doctor.  An entire day spent in the doctor's office and four medications later I am finally starting to feel a lot better. 

Moving on to brighter and better adventures.  This past Sunday, we were able to walk eight of the children from Sophie's Place, where we live, to mass down the street. I honestly do not think I have words as to how moving this mass was.  It was two and half hours of pure worship and praising God for all of the blessings that we have in our life.  The people are so alive and put everything they have into praising God.  As I looked around at the people in that church I know that some of them live in the shacks that surround our home for the month. Many of them do not have running water, but rather collect the rain water to do wash, rinse, and bathe.  There are no floors and their rooves consist of metal sheets. However, these same people that live in these places, have taught me more than they could ever even imagine about the true meaning of giving thanks and appreciation.

There have been several days here that I have felt completely overwhelmed and frustrated. I have at times questioned why I had ended up here and what exactly I had to give to this place and these children.  There are so many children with so many different needs. I find it frustrating that I am not yet a nurse because I feel as though I don't have as much to give to these children and at times don't know where to even begin.  However, it seems as though everytime I feel this way one of the children has a way of bringing me up and it is then that I refocus on the fact that I am exactly where I need to be.  The one day I was close to tears with all my frustrations when one of the children came running up to me, lept into my arms kissed my cheek and looked up at me saying mama.  It was then that I knew that nothing else mattered.  It didn't matter how much caregiving knowledge I have, or how much I felt I had to give.  The one reason I know I am here and the one thing that I absolutely have to give is to love these kids. I wake up every morning striving to remind myself that I am truly the most blessed girl in the world, having the privilege to love and care for these amazing and perfect children every day no matter what happens in the day.





Ha thought it would be funny to show you just how frustrated I have gotten.

Not flattering at all but I think it captures that joy and laughter they bring me everyday. 

Me the boy that calls me (and all three of us mama) and Mandy a week and a half ago before the baptism.


When people ask me what is my favortite experience so far it is so hard to answer because there have been so many high points.  However, one of the most moving experiences for me is when the children, that mind you have physical and/or mental disabilities, and on top of it all are orphans, get up at 4:00 in the morning for praise and worship.  They get up to sing praise and worship songs that are all about giving thanks. Talk about at a loss for words.  All I can say about this is these children inspire me everyday to live with such gratitude and such a joyful heart each day.  I find more and more now that I am here, I am aspiring to live the life of gratitude that these orphans live every day.  I can only hope and pray that I can teach and give these children half of what they have taught and given to me.

We have also been getting a true taste for the Jamaican culture, which is also one of my favorite parts of the trip as well.  We have successfully learned public transporation with no mishaps as of yet although one gentleman did attempt to pickpocket Christina at the bus stop one day.  Thank goodness we have made bus friends that now look after us along the way.  We learned that in Jamaica you do not sit on the ground.  Every morning we sit on the ground at My Father's House waiting for the Mustard Seed bus and everyone always yells at us saying our bottoms will catch a cold.  We asked a few of the teen girls what that was all about and they said it was very improper.  Woops.  Lesson learned. We have also had what must be the best ice cream on the island at a place called Devon House, tried the infamous Jamaican patties, and have learned that Jamaicans eat rice with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Here is a picture of Leroy, Christina, myself, Mandy, and Bashy after getting ice cream at Devon House.

 
Last night we went to this little place they call jackets with the short term group.  It's really a man's home to which he has converted his roof top deck into a restaurant.  The food was awesome and the view was breathtaking, really, a hidden treasure.  It is at the top of the mountain so you can look down on the entire area. 

I must end saying that I am forever grateful and thankful to all of my friends and family that have gotten me here today in whatever way.  It is because of all of you that I know and can share the love that these children need the most.  I ask for continued prayers for Christina, Mandy, and I as we enter into the second half of this trip. 

 Kathryn

                  "I can do no great things; only small things with great love." -Mother Theresa