This might be short and sweet and I know you already know that we had a good flight down here. We are having great weather...and we are having great relationship building times...even though it is day 1. Having been here 2 times before, now I know why it is important to come and build those relationships. We are encountering our Jamaican friends calling us by name which means the world to us...and it means the world to them also when we can respond calling them by name. The response is overwhelming. There is so much more to come that the first timers dont even know about. By the end of the week, they will be emotionally drained, knowing what I know. If you have never been on a mission trip, you don't know what you are missing.

I worked on house team 2 today and the woman that will be receiving the home is named JoAnn. She has 3 children and was so overcome with joy when we showed up to start working on her house, she cried. There were around 8 women that joined her as we were building the home and approx. 12 children playing around the job site. 3 boys were helping sift marl. It was extremely hot so we bought bag juice and cooled off. Tomorrow we will be starting the stucco process. We will let you know later how it is progressing.

Love you all, thanks for your support and prayers.
Jeff Batson

I'm so proud!

I am just proud...proud of this team. I have seen unity in a huge way...people wanting to serve each other, seeing a need and doing it...giving each other a hard time...lots of laughter and even some tears. This team has blessed my heart so much and it is only day 2! Each one has shown character and just a willingness to do whatever is asked, no complaints. It's made my job fun and enjoyable! As I look at each teammember..we truly are a team hand-picked by God. Each person comes from a different walk of life...different churches and states...many different ages represented....many walks of life...and each story has a unique place here. As I have been hearing the stories of what has brought people here...man, THIS IS GOD'S TEAM! It makes me wonder what Heaven is going to be like...when the whole Body of Christ is finally together...we are experiencing a small taste of that here...the Body coming together for one purpose, one mission...it's been great!

We are all tired and weary and lots of headaches tonight...but we are all ready to go enjoy Music Night and dance the night away....we already got a sneak preview from Joey today, dancing and singing..."Touch my Body"...on our work site!

Thanks for all your prayers...there are a couple people feeling yucky...so please pray for the health of the team! We are enjoying this journey!

Amy Hayward

Well, we arrived safely and I am so thankful. I am getting to know the team and let me tell you there are some amazing people that I am being able to minister with. Yesterday was a rough day for me emotionally...missing home and wondering what my purpose for being here is. I am asking God constantly to not allow me to miss what He has for me. I don't want to get in the way of anything that He wants to accomplish. As I sit here this evening I have to tell you that I still dont know why God wants me here.
We went to our first job site today and I was stretched physically. It was very hot and I was not sure that I was going to make it through the day, but by the grace of God I did. I had the privledge of meeting the lady who we are building the house for and she was beautiful. She was so thankful and kind to us. I also was able to meet about 10-15 children that captured my heart immediately. They surrounded us and made it snow on us by rubbing styrofoam together over our heads and yelling "Merry Christmas"...it was truly touching. I did things today that would make my husband very proud as far as using different tools and things. The Jamaican men were so kind as they showed me how to do what was asked. They never made me feel inadequate, they were only thankful for the help. I miss home very much, but I know that God wants to show me something BIG...and I want to see it. Much Love to all...
Jennifer

hello everbody its doug .it was a good flight but a long bus ride.i was so sick i couldnt wait to get off.right when i got off the bus this little boy came running over to me and gave me a big hug,i tottaly wasnt expecting that but it was very cool.today we hauled maul and the people were out watching us and laughing at joey singing and dancing.i want to say high to my family kristal tyler allison kaitlynn i love you guys.i would like to thank God for stiring the hearts of the family that made it possible for me to be here. thank you and we will see you soon

We're here! We arrived on time, safe, with no problems, just weary from our day long travels. (Audrey, Justisn is safe and he and Doug already beat Joey in Spades) We saw the sunrise from the plane, the brilliant oranges and hot pinks. Colors like I had never seen. I was in awe at the vastness of the Ocean, the beautiful blues and greens as we flew over the shore line. It is so green here. We traveled for about 3 hours by van through hills and mountains. The colors of God's creation are so bright and beautiful. Last night as I feel in bed with no shower, too tired to even brush my teeth, I thanked God for our safety, the relationships we would make this week and the privilegde to be a part of this. I slept good! Today, I got to meet Noel and many others David had told stories about. It is amazing how the Jamaicas remember those who have been here before. We toured a neighborhood on foot today. We got to see how some of the Jamaicans live. (I think I want a clothes line when I get home.) Today, I worked sorting our donated items for the store and God gave me a story. I lost something last night, first night here. I hoped and prayed it got sorted into one of the 25 large trash bags of donations. As I sorted school supplies, no, then the medicines, no, then tolietries, no. So many others have shared stories of thier trip being paid or some amazing thing of how they got here. I asked God for a story, my own little miracle. As I searched through a bag of toys and got near the bottom, there it was, Megan's camera bag, but no camera. I asked God again for my little miracle. A camera is a thing, I could buy her a new one, but I won't have my own pictures to share with stories when I get home. I asked God again and in the very bottom of this big, black trash bag, there it was in with 3 little cars... my miracle, Megan's camera, returned to me. God showed me that when I am willing to DIG DEEPER, he has great things for me, my own little miracle. I could go on and on, but will let someone else share. Mom, Dad, Megan, Matt & Janel, We love you and THANK YOU for your help getting hear. Megan, THANKS for the special card and $$. You have to come back with me. Love, Cindi aka Church Lady

....and some more....

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