The past two weeks here in Jamaica have gone by faster than I can explain. We are busy. Very busy most of the time. But I would not take back a single moment I have spent here with the people of Jamaica. Camp in the city is over and I am back to spending time in Mt. Friendship. I am so eager for September when school starts in Jamaica. Some of my favorite moments from camp last week were: teaching a group of 9-11 year olds a dance to “Thriller” and “Beat It,” by request, and taking the children on a field trip to Ys Falls. The falls are about 3 hours away from Kingston and involved a fun bus trip of singing, laughter, and sleep. The children swam for a few hours in a beautiful water hole, experiencing the beauty of the Jamaican countryside.
At the falls, I did something I thought I could never do: swing off a rope into a water hole, too far for my liking in a tree. Thanks to Sarah and Matt (my fellow PVIs), this extraordinary event occurred twice. I am so afraid of heights it’s not funny. But it was fun, even in the midst of my panic attack.
I found out some sad statistics of the neighborhood that the camp takes place in: 3 out of 4 boys will not make it to age 20 and there have been 18 deaths (most murders) in the past month in the area. Each street has a rivalry with another street, and many seek revenge for only living on another street they don’t like. It’s sad to realize this reality, and see the kids that will become involved in this whether they want to or not. This makes me think about how lucky I am to have the opportunities I had as a child and to live in the place that I did for 22 years. Thanks Mom and Dad!
I also experienced church for the first time in Mt. Friendship this past Sunday. The church felt really dead; there were very few people there and little music to worship with. But the love was there and the potential to make this church as lively as it once was. Hopefully, over the next year, Charity and I can help the people of Mt. Friendship transform this church into a place of spirit and charisma. It’s exciting to think about!
During mass, I sat in back of three children. Not too long into the service, a little boy appearing around age 5 came to sit next to me. He had with him a little bag of juice and biscuits. I was like, “Great! A new friend to sit with!” The boy was very curious about the hymnal I was holding, and soon snatched it from me to get a better look. He then took the hymnal and lightly hit me with it over the head. Yes, I was more than surprised and even laughed a little inside. I quietly told him not to do that, and then watched him hit the child in front of him over the head with the hymnal. It was then that this child got the hymnal taken away. He was a mischievous little person and I had to pay close attention to him during church. But I fully enjoyed his company.
This weekend coming up, we are planning to FINALLY hit the beach for some much needed relaxation and fun. I can’t wait. But what I am most excited about is getting started in a clinic in the area. Yesterday, we went for a tour of Food for the Poor in Spanish Town. This is a huge organization in Jamaica that provides housing, food, healthcare, and more opportunities to the poor of Jamaica. They have a clinic in Kingston that provides free healthcare for those who cannot afford it. I have been welcomed as an RN volunteer! There is a lot of paperwork and other things I must do before I can actually start, but nonetheless, I am thrilled to be using my nursing abilities down here.
“The gift to love is the gift of the power and the capacity to love, and, therefore, to give love with full effect is also to receive it. So, love can only be kept by being given away, and it can only be given perfectly when it is also received”-Thomas Merton
At the falls, I did something I thought I could never do: swing off a rope into a water hole, too far for my liking in a tree. Thanks to Sarah and Matt (my fellow PVIs), this extraordinary event occurred twice. I am so afraid of heights it’s not funny. But it was fun, even in the midst of my panic attack.
I found out some sad statistics of the neighborhood that the camp takes place in: 3 out of 4 boys will not make it to age 20 and there have been 18 deaths (most murders) in the past month in the area. Each street has a rivalry with another street, and many seek revenge for only living on another street they don’t like. It’s sad to realize this reality, and see the kids that will become involved in this whether they want to or not. This makes me think about how lucky I am to have the opportunities I had as a child and to live in the place that I did for 22 years. Thanks Mom and Dad!
I also experienced church for the first time in Mt. Friendship this past Sunday. The church felt really dead; there were very few people there and little music to worship with. But the love was there and the potential to make this church as lively as it once was. Hopefully, over the next year, Charity and I can help the people of Mt. Friendship transform this church into a place of spirit and charisma. It’s exciting to think about!
During mass, I sat in back of three children. Not too long into the service, a little boy appearing around age 5 came to sit next to me. He had with him a little bag of juice and biscuits. I was like, “Great! A new friend to sit with!” The boy was very curious about the hymnal I was holding, and soon snatched it from me to get a better look. He then took the hymnal and lightly hit me with it over the head. Yes, I was more than surprised and even laughed a little inside. I quietly told him not to do that, and then watched him hit the child in front of him over the head with the hymnal. It was then that this child got the hymnal taken away. He was a mischievous little person and I had to pay close attention to him during church. But I fully enjoyed his company.
This weekend coming up, we are planning to FINALLY hit the beach for some much needed relaxation and fun. I can’t wait. But what I am most excited about is getting started in a clinic in the area. Yesterday, we went for a tour of Food for the Poor in Spanish Town. This is a huge organization in Jamaica that provides housing, food, healthcare, and more opportunities to the poor of Jamaica. They have a clinic in Kingston that provides free healthcare for those who cannot afford it. I have been welcomed as an RN volunteer! There is a lot of paperwork and other things I must do before I can actually start, but nonetheless, I am thrilled to be using my nursing abilities down here.
“The gift to love is the gift of the power and the capacity to love, and, therefore, to give love with full effect is also to receive it. So, love can only be kept by being given away, and it can only be given perfectly when it is also received”-Thomas Merton
you are way smarter than the rest of your friends by doing something from the heart.....you have a special place in my heart and i wish i could be there with you......keep smacking the bad boys!
ReplyDeleteyou're awesome!
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