And the lighting strikes at CCCD July 15, 2008

LITERALLY!

 

The lighting hit CCCDcampus! It was SCARY but very cool! It blew out the phone lines and modems all over the campus! We were without phones for two weeks and then for another two weeks with no access to the Internets! That’s why I wasn’t able to do my weekly updates. My apologies!

 

 

Dear Prayer Warriors,

Greetings from Peoria! You read that right, I’m back in the States as of July 12th after staying in Jamaica for 5 1/2 months. It’s been hectic around here…visiting with a friend, and two days with my sisters who were in town from Joliet and California for the weekend. Now it’s just me back at my parents’ house. My parents are on their 5 weeks long journey out west since July 1st. So, I won’t be seeing them for another 3 weeks.

God certainly has used me in every possible ways, towards the children, the staff, the work team members, and even towards myself. It’s amazing how God could plan all this to work out! God is good, at all times!!

During the first 2 months, it was mostly spent on getting the feel of how things are done around the campus. Then I started to be able to feel comfortable with sharing some ideas, perspectives etc in regards to how children learn. Then the last month was spent on becoming more close with everyone.

The children…they thought that I’m a work team member and like those ‘one week team members’, I’m sweet and always letting them do whatever they want. Not me. I drew the line at when I need to be strict with them. The children were surprised at that. Even a student told me that the girls talked about me in the dorm one night, discussing at how they were surprised I got serious with them. They started to respect me then and during the last 1 or 2 months, they started to feel that they could confide in me with their troubles, or just to be their friend. Sadly, few have come to me feeling that they could trust me more than they could trust the staff.

The staff…. sadly, they’re divided into 2 groups, hearing and deaf. They feel the other staff are not easily trusted. I’m with the children all day, the evenings are spent with my adult friends. So, after while, they trusted in me and we’ve become personal friends. Oh, I wish I could share what they’ve shared with me. I’m always constantly praying for the staff everyday.

The work teams…. I’ve been blessed to have developed some friendships with some of the members from all over the states. They were able to ask me about my experiences, about some things I know about typical Jamaican life etc… and coming from a Deaf person like me, I may have opened their eyes on how it really is here in Jamaica. There was this one gal from Indiana who was here for the last 7 weeks of school, Krista mentioned to me how she felt that God has used me to be of a support system for her in regards to help her understand the cultures better etc…

And myself…. this experience certainly has improved my personal relationship with God. That’s the most important thing in all this. God has taught me about patience, humbleness, willingness, listening with caring heart and love.

As you can see, all this would have not been possible without your prayers and financial supports. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for everything!! Even the once-in-a-while emails, comments on the blogs, and personal letters sent to me throughout the 5 months certainly has been of an encouragement for me. Thank you again for everything!!

I have no idea what is in God’s plans for me in terms of going back to Jamaica. If not able to come back in September, my church has a Mininstry work team trip planned for October and I’m sure to join in on this trip. If God touches your heart to continue to give me the financial supports, gladly accepted! Email me if you need some more information on where to send the financial supports.

 

Blessings!

ON TO VICTORY!!!!

The JAMerican Gal