Team Jamaica Day #3

(By Aliza Kamman and Emily Wood)

We started this morning with another eight o'clock breakfast, this time of cod fish and beans with dumplings. Our normal breakfast of cheerioes were distant memories. We then had another brief team meeting to plan and prepare for our upcoming day. After slopping on layers and layers of sunscreen we headed to the bus which arrived at nine.

Before landing at our final work destination, we took on the role of tourists and were shown around Emancipation Park by our bus driver Mr. McIntyre. The park was beautiful, filled with flowering trees and plants as well as a fountain, a statue (of which you can ask your team member later), and a 500 meter running track. After taking a bazillion pictures and visiting the park office for brochures, we were entertained by a running race put on for us by Ben, Carolyn, Issac, and Shannon. These four crazy souls braved the heat and humidity and raced along the track. Isaac was was the clear winnner, with Ben nipping at his heels. Carolyn was close behind and Shannon brought up the rear. After departing from the park we drove to see the statue in Kingston that honors Bob Marley. Our stop there was quick, as we were all restless from riding on the bus and eager to get working.

Upon our arrival at Kingston Gardens, we were greeted again by Mrs. Gallimore, and our new friend Heather. We were shown around the house of which the majority of the rooms had been turned into makeshift classrooms and health clinics. We were quickly put to work in two groups. Nancy and Matt led the outside group under the direction of Heather, which cleaned up the yard and planted new flowers and trees. They claimed that digging holes for the trees was like working with cement. As fast as you could pour water in it, it dried up and was once again rock solid. On the inside of the building Kerry, Ben, Carolyn, Aliza, Emily, Adam, Wyane and Conor scrubbed walls, windows, floors, and bathrooms under the direction of Todd and Mrs. Gallimore.

Finally lunch arrived and we all were able to take a much needed break. Juici Patties were brought in. The breaded tacoish lunch, which resembled a hot pocket in some ways, was quite popular among the team. While the chicken ones were preferred by some, others preferred the beef, which were said to be 'less spicy'. After lunch, we resumed our work until 2:30, when all the work that could be done was done. We then quickly gathered our belongings in hopes to get back to the Y to play games with some of the boys from yesterday. While Todd was whisked off by some JBU members to take care of some business, we all boarded the bus and were off.

Making our way to the pool we were provided with entertainment of sorts from Rajive and Heather, as well as a cricket game that was playing on the bus radio. When we reached the Y we were all disspointed to find that since it was Friday the boys had been dismissed early and were no longer there. They graciously let us use their pool anyway, and we all jumped in to "Cool our core temperatures down" as Matt told Adam while strongly suggesting to him that swimming was a good idea.

After a little cool down, we were all feeling much better. We headed back to the locker rooms to change hearing that Todd was "On his way back." After and hour of Ninja, Jehovah Can-Can, and the Froggy Clapping Game, we were reunited with Todd, and we were on our way to the supermarket. With american currency (that confused the cashiers quite throughly) in hand, we picked up snacks for the downtime after dinner, and some more of the much loved Kola Champange. Then it was back to the hotel for dinner. After a quick change of clothes and a very filling meal of chicken, beans and rice, and cucumbers we were back on the bus.

After arriving at the Bethel Baptist Church we gathered with Heather, Rajive, and many of their other friends for Youth Fellowhsip (youth group). Todd, Jake, Ben and Conor preformed the "Jesus and Me" skit. We were never aware that Jesus smiled so much! The Fellowship leaders asked for volunteers to help out, Wayne and a few others joined in the company of some 'regulars' to perform a few other skits on the topics of tithing, sexual purity, and challenges faced at work. They were very pleased to have us, and we loved the oppertunity to worship and praise with them them! After goodbye and many goodnights (a term they use as a greeting in Jamaica), we boarded the bus to head back for the hotel for the night.

Mr. McIntyre's son, Maurice, drove us home and taught us all we ever needed and wanted to know about computer software, as he is an expert in that field. After swapping stories of the day on the bus, we climbed out and gathered at the hotel for our evening meeting. We were assigned our journal writing prompt for the day, gave our props to one another, discussed what we could do better, and went over the plan (subject to change as always) for tomorrow morning. When we were dismissed we were reminded to stay quiet, as we now have neighbors in the rooms next door. Snacks from the supermarket were eaten and keys got locked in rooms. *cough Conor cough Meyer cough* After a tiring day we are all ready for bed (especially Todd).