Hey Everyone,
Thanks for the prayers with the infected foot, it's all good now!
I can't believe that the summer journey is finally coming to an end. It has been a challenging, rewarding, and growing experience. I know that God called me to Harmons although there many times that I wondered whether it was so. It was nothing like what I expected-- I can't really put in to words how it was different but I know I could never have imagined it being like this.
This week has been a combination of saying goodbyes, cleaning up around the house, and debriefing with the staff to prepare mentally, emotionally and spiritually for going home. Tonight we served dinner to the 40-some Jamaican staff that we employ throughout the summer. From the house crews to the cleaning ladies to the cooks, they all piled in for a delicious meal and some great fellowship. It was really cool to see them all together but tonight was the first time I really realized that goodbyes were in order-- some of them I will not see again before I leave.
I know now that Harmons will never be an experience that I had that I learned from and moved on. Harmons is a part of me. The people here have had such in impact on my life that I can't imagine just continuing on with life. Harmons will, God willing, be a place that I keep returning to as often as possible. To serve those in need, yes; to spread Christ's love, yes; but also because I have friends here that I will never forget about.
We fly home Friday but it's not goodbye, it's see ya later.
Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. I'd love to talk with anyone about my experiences, but have patience because words can explain only so much.
In Him,
AdamE
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Loving the person or the blessing?
Hey everyone,
Well, the infections are healing up but my right ankle is still pretty swollen. So I've still been a bit laid up around the house and I'm itching to get back to mauling harl and mixing concrete.
Just some food for thought today since I haven't done much that is worth blogging about. The other day I was walking on the street and a few kids that I had never met came up to me to ask/beg me for things. Obviously a big part of our ministry is giving to those in need but as the summer has gone on it has gotten more and more difficult for me to bear with all the begging each day. The worst is when you can tell that they look at you merely as a dollar sign rather than a person who desires to build a relationship with them. So as I was walking a bit frustrated by the encounter, it all of a sudden hit me that I do exactly the same thing.
Often I talk with God because I need/want things. Now of course our heavenly father loves to lavish gifts upon us but what is it that he really wants us to be satisfied with? HIM. I felt so convicted about how often I'm only satisfied with the blessings of God rather with the person of God. And I think it reveals that fatal flaw that we all have-- that I'm more in love with myself and meeting my own desires than I am in love with God. I am just like those kids sometimes that don't care about building a relationship, they just want to use me for what I can give them.
I can't believe it took me all summer to realize this but I thought it was worth sharing.
Only 8 more days, such a bittersweet end to the summer.
Much love,
AdamE
Well, the infections are healing up but my right ankle is still pretty swollen. So I've still been a bit laid up around the house and I'm itching to get back to mauling harl and mixing concrete.
Just some food for thought today since I haven't done much that is worth blogging about. The other day I was walking on the street and a few kids that I had never met came up to me to ask/beg me for things. Obviously a big part of our ministry is giving to those in need but as the summer has gone on it has gotten more and more difficult for me to bear with all the begging each day. The worst is when you can tell that they look at you merely as a dollar sign rather than a person who desires to build a relationship with them. So as I was walking a bit frustrated by the encounter, it all of a sudden hit me that I do exactly the same thing.
Often I talk with God because I need/want things. Now of course our heavenly father loves to lavish gifts upon us but what is it that he really wants us to be satisfied with? HIM. I felt so convicted about how often I'm only satisfied with the blessings of God rather with the person of God. And I think it reveals that fatal flaw that we all have-- that I'm more in love with myself and meeting my own desires than I am in love with God. I am just like those kids sometimes that don't care about building a relationship, they just want to use me for what I can give them.
I can't believe it took me all summer to realize this but I thought it was worth sharing.
Only 8 more days, such a bittersweet end to the summer.
Much love,
AdamE
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Forced to slow down
Hey everyone!
Our final group of the summer is here and it's the church that my mom works at-- Mecklenburg Community Church. It is the smallest group of the summer (16) so it has been extremely different but also a lot less stressful. Learning 16 names is much easier than learning 51 names.
The beginning of this week has started off a little differently than usual because I haven't been able to go to any worksites with the teams. I've been fighting some infections on the tops of my feet and can't do much of anything right now. It seems that my feet are healing though so hopefully I can be back on the sites tomorrow or Thursday.
As annoying as it has been to not be able to haul marl, mix concrete and other fun activities (I actually enjoy them), my wounds have forced me to slow down a little bit and hang out with some of my Jamaican friends. Also, yesterday I went into Mandeville (the closest large town) with my boss Josh to buy a bunch of supplies. It was a neat opportunity because usually there are a million people clamoring for Josh's attention so it was cool to get to talk with him one on one without interruption. I got to hear more about his heart for ministry in Harmons and tell him about how my summer has been and what I'm thinking about my future.
Today was a pretty relaxing day. I spent a lot of it in the house preparing for devotions for the week, I hung out with my mento for a little bit and now hopefully I'm going to have bible study with a friend if he shows up.
Thats all for now!
Much love,
AdamE
Our final group of the summer is here and it's the church that my mom works at-- Mecklenburg Community Church. It is the smallest group of the summer (16) so it has been extremely different but also a lot less stressful. Learning 16 names is much easier than learning 51 names.
The beginning of this week has started off a little differently than usual because I haven't been able to go to any worksites with the teams. I've been fighting some infections on the tops of my feet and can't do much of anything right now. It seems that my feet are healing though so hopefully I can be back on the sites tomorrow or Thursday.
As annoying as it has been to not be able to haul marl, mix concrete and other fun activities (I actually enjoy them), my wounds have forced me to slow down a little bit and hang out with some of my Jamaican friends. Also, yesterday I went into Mandeville (the closest large town) with my boss Josh to buy a bunch of supplies. It was a neat opportunity because usually there are a million people clamoring for Josh's attention so it was cool to get to talk with him one on one without interruption. I got to hear more about his heart for ministry in Harmons and tell him about how my summer has been and what I'm thinking about my future.
Today was a pretty relaxing day. I spent a lot of it in the house preparing for devotions for the week, I hung out with my mento for a little bit and now hopefully I'm going to have bible study with a friend if he shows up.
Thats all for now!
Much love,
AdamE
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Some fruit
Hey Everyone!
I think the theme for me this summer has been obeying God despite not seeing any fruit. It has been very difficult for me and I've learned that I rely way too much on seeing the final results of things for my joy. I think I talked about this in an earlier post, but I'm realizing more each day how I need to find my joy in the act of obedience rather than the fruit that sometimes comes through it.
As it often seems to be the case, when we start finally learning our lesson God blesses us beyond belief. As I'm finally starting to be content with the act of serving, God is just now revealing some fruit from my work this summer.
Our staff received an e-mail the other day from one of the students that came down this summer to let us know how his life was completely altered after this trip. He mentioned that he was struggling with depression and questioning his faith but that his relationship with Christ has been renewed after going home. I received a note on Tuesday from a student thanking me for the time I put into the devotionals. In the past, affirmation like that would have been essential to my ability to continue doing what I'm doing. But once God has weaned me off the need to hear others' approval, I finally got to hear that I've been doing a decent job. Mos tof the summer it's been tough to talk about spiritual things with my mento, but the other day he seemed to be listening closely to something I had to share and he said that he would carry it with him in the future.
I know that my summer in Jamaica is not about me. Although I wish it was many of the times (consciously and subconsiously), I need to remember even as I go home that this summer is about obeying God's call on my life and allowing him to use me as an instrument to worship him.
Thanks to everyone for you prayers and support!
I love you all,
AdamE
I think the theme for me this summer has been obeying God despite not seeing any fruit. It has been very difficult for me and I've learned that I rely way too much on seeing the final results of things for my joy. I think I talked about this in an earlier post, but I'm realizing more each day how I need to find my joy in the act of obedience rather than the fruit that sometimes comes through it.
As it often seems to be the case, when we start finally learning our lesson God blesses us beyond belief. As I'm finally starting to be content with the act of serving, God is just now revealing some fruit from my work this summer.
Our staff received an e-mail the other day from one of the students that came down this summer to let us know how his life was completely altered after this trip. He mentioned that he was struggling with depression and questioning his faith but that his relationship with Christ has been renewed after going home. I received a note on Tuesday from a student thanking me for the time I put into the devotionals. In the past, affirmation like that would have been essential to my ability to continue doing what I'm doing. But once God has weaned me off the need to hear others' approval, I finally got to hear that I've been doing a decent job. Mos tof the summer it's been tough to talk about spiritual things with my mento, but the other day he seemed to be listening closely to something I had to share and he said that he would carry it with him in the future.
I know that my summer in Jamaica is not about me. Although I wish it was many of the times (consciously and subconsiously), I need to remember even as I go home that this summer is about obeying God's call on my life and allowing him to use me as an instrument to worship him.
Thanks to everyone for you prayers and support!
I love you all,
AdamE
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Chill weekend and Carmel Baptist!
Hey everyone!
Not much time but here it goes. The weekend was really awesome because I got to stay in Harmons with Tayler, Mac and Krista while the John and Mike went to Ocho Rios with the team. On Saturday I got to hang out with my mento a little bit, then played some dominoes with my friends Barry and Pops while having a pretty cool discussion on what it really means to be a Christian, then spent the evening hanging out with the girls. It was really cool to be here for a full day without responsibilities, when I could hang out with my Jamaican friends as much as I wanted without thinking about the next task at hand. Sunday morning I woke up to go to church with Pops. We went to the Open Bible church in Greenpond. It was an experience, extremely different from American churches. At one point the minister looked out into the crowd of about 30 and asked if "our white brother would like to share a word" with the congregation. I was taken a little off guard but he told me to talk about what i love about God so I talked about how his love is unconditional and his grace can overcome all my inadequacies and weaknesses. I'm not sure if what I said made any sense but I got a reassuring look from the minister as I sat down. There was a lot of charismatic worship and the sermon was off the cuff which is a huge difference from the churches I've attended in America.
After church I caught a taxi to go to Porus to see my mento play in a soccer game. It was the Harmons U-15 team that he's been playing on the past two years. The coach asked me to give a motivational speech so I talked a little about teamwork and working as hard as you can as if for God and not for men but again, I was not exactly prepared for it so I'm not sure if I got my point across. They tied 1-1 in a game they probably should have won but my mento played really well.
This week I'm hanging out with my former youth group which is a real treat. But I'm tired so I'll catch ya later.
AdamE
Not much time but here it goes. The weekend was really awesome because I got to stay in Harmons with Tayler, Mac and Krista while the John and Mike went to Ocho Rios with the team. On Saturday I got to hang out with my mento a little bit, then played some dominoes with my friends Barry and Pops while having a pretty cool discussion on what it really means to be a Christian, then spent the evening hanging out with the girls. It was really cool to be here for a full day without responsibilities, when I could hang out with my Jamaican friends as much as I wanted without thinking about the next task at hand. Sunday morning I woke up to go to church with Pops. We went to the Open Bible church in Greenpond. It was an experience, extremely different from American churches. At one point the minister looked out into the crowd of about 30 and asked if "our white brother would like to share a word" with the congregation. I was taken a little off guard but he told me to talk about what i love about God so I talked about how his love is unconditional and his grace can overcome all my inadequacies and weaknesses. I'm not sure if what I said made any sense but I got a reassuring look from the minister as I sat down. There was a lot of charismatic worship and the sermon was off the cuff which is a huge difference from the churches I've attended in America.
After church I caught a taxi to go to Porus to see my mento play in a soccer game. It was the Harmons U-15 team that he's been playing on the past two years. The coach asked me to give a motivational speech so I talked a little about teamwork and working as hard as you can as if for God and not for men but again, I was not exactly prepared for it so I'm not sure if I got my point across. They tied 1-1 in a game they probably should have won but my mento played really well.
This week I'm hanging out with my former youth group which is a real treat. But I'm tired so I'll catch ya later.
AdamE
Thursday, July 23, 2009
A full day at the infirmary
Hey everyone,
So today I got the opportunity to go to the infirmary for the whole day. If you've been reading the blog regularly you may already know what the infirmary is but let me explain it anyway. The infirmary is a home that houses around 200 patients that have various physical or mental ailments that make it difficult to care for them. People can be sent there as early as their 18th birthday although most people there are elderly. The only thing everyone has in common at the infirmary is they were dropped off their by someone who was able to "prove" that the individual has no one to take care of them. Many of them don't have any family, others have family that can't support them, and a few actually have family that COULD support them but have convinced someone that they cannot. Once people are sent there they almost never leave-- except in the rare case that an obscure family member pops up saying they would like to care for them. The people there that are mentally sound know that they will be at the infirmary until they die.
The conditions at the infirmary are pretty bad, but it would be difficult to explain in detail without actually experiencing it for yourself. It smells bad, the people and facilities are constantly dirty, the nurses are not always the most compassionate of people etc. To be honest, at the beginning of the summer the infirmary was the one part about coming to Jamaica that still made me nervous. We take each group there Wednesday afternoon for about an hour and the first two weeks of the summer I would get a knot in my stomache on the way there.
This summer Tayler (one of my awesome fellow summer staffers) is taking smaller groups from the teams to the infirmary for full days. As the summer has gone on I've become more and more comfortable at the infirmary to the point where Wednesday afternoons are one of the highlights of my week. It was hard to find a day when I didn't have any personal responsibilities but today worked out perfectly for me to go with Tayler and the kids from the team.
I spent the whole morning hanging out with my friends Raphael Richards and Geraldine Thompson. We just sat and talked about life for a few hours. I asked them more about their pasts and I asked them to share some words of wisdom with me (which were quite powerful). Then I played dominoes with Raphael, which is like the national game of Jamaica. I visited with another friend of mine, James Reed, and he also blew me away with some of his words of wisdom. He told me about the importance of serving God while you are young and he narrated the stories of Samuel and Joseph for me. There was something kinda cool about hearing the stories as he narrated them in that situation rather than sitting at home and reading them for the umpteemth time and notting getting a whole lot out of them.
God continues to reveal himself in amazing ways to me at the infirmary. I know it's gonna be really difficult to say goodbye to my friends there which is something that I never would have expected at the beginning of the summer.
Thanks to all for the love and support!
AdamE
So today I got the opportunity to go to the infirmary for the whole day. If you've been reading the blog regularly you may already know what the infirmary is but let me explain it anyway. The infirmary is a home that houses around 200 patients that have various physical or mental ailments that make it difficult to care for them. People can be sent there as early as their 18th birthday although most people there are elderly. The only thing everyone has in common at the infirmary is they were dropped off their by someone who was able to "prove" that the individual has no one to take care of them. Many of them don't have any family, others have family that can't support them, and a few actually have family that COULD support them but have convinced someone that they cannot. Once people are sent there they almost never leave-- except in the rare case that an obscure family member pops up saying they would like to care for them. The people there that are mentally sound know that they will be at the infirmary until they die.
The conditions at the infirmary are pretty bad, but it would be difficult to explain in detail without actually experiencing it for yourself. It smells bad, the people and facilities are constantly dirty, the nurses are not always the most compassionate of people etc. To be honest, at the beginning of the summer the infirmary was the one part about coming to Jamaica that still made me nervous. We take each group there Wednesday afternoon for about an hour and the first two weeks of the summer I would get a knot in my stomache on the way there.
This summer Tayler (one of my awesome fellow summer staffers) is taking smaller groups from the teams to the infirmary for full days. As the summer has gone on I've become more and more comfortable at the infirmary to the point where Wednesday afternoons are one of the highlights of my week. It was hard to find a day when I didn't have any personal responsibilities but today worked out perfectly for me to go with Tayler and the kids from the team.
I spent the whole morning hanging out with my friends Raphael Richards and Geraldine Thompson. We just sat and talked about life for a few hours. I asked them more about their pasts and I asked them to share some words of wisdom with me (which were quite powerful). Then I played dominoes with Raphael, which is like the national game of Jamaica. I visited with another friend of mine, James Reed, and he also blew me away with some of his words of wisdom. He told me about the importance of serving God while you are young and he narrated the stories of Samuel and Joseph for me. There was something kinda cool about hearing the stories as he narrated them in that situation rather than sitting at home and reading them for the umpteemth time and notting getting a whole lot out of them.
God continues to reveal himself in amazing ways to me at the infirmary. I know it's gonna be really difficult to say goodbye to my friends there which is something that I never would have expected at the beginning of the summer.
Thanks to all for the love and support!
AdamE
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Quick turn-around
Hey Everyone,
Not much time to write today but let me give a quick update. This week is the first time we've had a "quick turn-around;" these will become the norm for the rest of the summer. We dropped off the last team at the airport Sunday morning, went to eat lunch, and then picked up the next team at the same airport in Montego Bay. It was kinda difficult saying goodbye to so many kids after a week and then immediately attempting to learn 51 new names on the bus ride back to Harmons. But this new group has been great, and I'm really enjoying getting to know them and hearing what they have to say in devotional times.
I'm trying to not do this too much, but I'm already starting to look forward to next week when my home church Carmel Baptist will be here. I'm pumped to be reunited with some old friends.
Besides that I'm just grinding away as usual-- spending a decent amount of time on the worksites building houses and foundations and hauling marl, hanging out with my mento, and getting to know the teams and other Jamaicans. It's a busy life but I love it here because it's so much simpler.
That's all for now,
Mucho amor,
AdamE
Not much time to write today but let me give a quick update. This week is the first time we've had a "quick turn-around;" these will become the norm for the rest of the summer. We dropped off the last team at the airport Sunday morning, went to eat lunch, and then picked up the next team at the same airport in Montego Bay. It was kinda difficult saying goodbye to so many kids after a week and then immediately attempting to learn 51 new names on the bus ride back to Harmons. But this new group has been great, and I'm really enjoying getting to know them and hearing what they have to say in devotional times.
I'm trying to not do this too much, but I'm already starting to look forward to next week when my home church Carmel Baptist will be here. I'm pumped to be reunited with some old friends.
Besides that I'm just grinding away as usual-- spending a decent amount of time on the worksites building houses and foundations and hauling marl, hanging out with my mento, and getting to know the teams and other Jamaicans. It's a busy life but I love it here because it's so much simpler.
That's all for now,
Mucho amor,
AdamE
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