2 weeks in Palawan, Philippines… impossible to sum it up into one word, one sentence or even one paragraph!!

We arrived into Puerto Princesa, Palawan and greeted by the DEAF, Inc directors, Sarah and Isagani, and also students Ernan and Jobert. In all the craziness upon arrival, we had to stay overnight in Puerto Princesa because our bags did not make it to Manila before we flew to Puerto Princesa. Not having a bag overnight has never happened to me!

We went to a store that’s like WalMart, I got a tshirt to sleep in for the night. Wearing same outfit for 3 days…. no fun! But that quickly was forgotten the next day as we took a spontaneous trip up north to a Underwater River which is a cave. We went there while we waited for our bags to arrive. The drive there was about two hours… it gave us an opportunity to see part of the island.

We then went back to the airport to check on our bags… we were relieved to see our bags!!!  We did not have to pay for the bags at all because our bags didn’t arrive. May be a blessing in disguise!

After that, we headed over to the campus in Aborlan. We got there at like 10pm. Everyone was waiting to greet us!!!

Monday, we started working on the girls dorm. The foundations were already set, we just needed to put in the walls. The first week was a week of hard working! They finished the walls of the dorm on Thursday and started making the “A” framed beams for the roof. (not sure if that’s the right term but you get the idea.)

Also, through the week, Jay- the leader, and Crockett asked me to sign the Bible verses to the boys group at the morning devotions. That went well.  Friday, I taught the girls about peer pressure. It was neat to see how they responded to my lesson when I asked questions.

The weekend, we went to Brooke’s Pointe to stay the weekend at Craig’s. Craig is a missionary whose parents moved from British to start a missionary in Brooke’s Pointe. He’s the one who found DEAF, Inc and informed Jay about the school. Saturday night, we got hit by a HEAVY RAIN !!!!!!! Teresa got a plastic bag hoping to keep her dry which it eventually got ripped and didn’t keep her dry afterall. Hilarious! Some ran to the next door, I just walked fast cuz I knew I wasn’t gonna get any wetter than the rest! Hahaha

Sunday night, at Craig’s church… one of the verses he talked about  from the Bible, he brought an interesting point that just amazed me. Col. 1:6 - ”All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth”.   There was 5 cultures in the church all at the same time: Filipinos, Americans, Austrillian, Deaf and Hearing.  No matter what culture you’re from, we all still need God in our life, Jesus as our Personal Savior! Good to hear of what God is doing in other places. After church, in the backyard at Craig’s, it was a HIGH TIDE !!! Water was coming from the beach up to the street !! Craig said that was unusual! And someone was talking to someone in the community and said that they haven’t seen this high since like 1946! What an opportunity to see this. It was awesome but at the same time, it was scary… wondering if those huts on the beach would make it through the night. The houses were actually huts…. not concrete! 

Monday morning, We headed to a school just around the corner from Craig’s and we did a short program. Matt shared the story about Christmas. In the end, 3 girls became saved! Praise God for that! After that, we headed back to the deaf school and started working on the campus again.

Tuesday morning, I taught the girls about sexual purity. It was interesting because Matt and I had conferenced on Sunday to make sure we were on the same page and shared some concerns and ideas of how we could get the children to seriously consider their commitment to stay pure until married. We shared the same ideas and knew it’d work out. The girls didn’t respond right away. However, the rest of the week, the girls came to me in the mornings and wanted to have a talk in private. Three girls made their commitment to God to stay pure. One was still praying about it but did have a talk with me. Meeting at one of the huts was one of my morning routine instead of working. I felt it was important to be of a positive encouragement, a guidance for the girls so I made myself be available at anytime the girls wanted to talk. Even few of the boys wanted to talk with me too. The times spent with the students at the hut was amazing. It gave me the opportunity to get to know them on a personal level, and even learned that one guy wants to become missionary! I was able to give him advices on that. God is good, at all times!!!

Rest of the week, in the mornings were spent talking with the children and staff. They confided into me.  It was neat to see how they warmed up during the second week.

I want to share two special stories that I close very dear to my heart…

* John-John is a 13 years old boy whose parents are deaf and works at the school. Through the week, he lives with his uncle who is a muslim. JJ even recieved a muslim name. He lives with his uncle because of school and comes to the campus on the weekends, staying with his parents. Because Matt was a team member last year, JJ spent time with him on the first weekend before he headed to his uncle’s. Matt shared with us about JJ. It got heavy on my heart to be praying for John-John. I prayed about JJ all week. When JJ came back on Friday, Matt shared with the team that JJ had to move back with his parents. God answered our prayers! It was amazing to see the result!! The second week, JJ finally warmed up to me and followed me around like a lil puppy! He’s a sweet kid! I understand why Matt loved this kid!  On the last day, he slowly walked up to me and stood close to me, I gave him a hug… as he walked away, he took his shirt and wiped his tears. OOOHHHHHH  that broke my heart!!!  I called for him to come back and we hugged some more.  Such a dear kid!

* There’s this family that has put a burden on me…. They’re very special family to me now. I’m considering them my kids now.  (CONGRATULATIONS FAMILY !! )    Anthony Vargas has a sister, Ednalyn 14 and two younger brothers, Fury 10 and Wowie 9. Anthony’s the oldest. He’s 19. The story is…. 4 years ago, Sarah, the school director was with a social worker and was led to meet Anthony because he was deaf but his siblings are hearing. She learned that their father passed away and his mother abandoned them. Anthony forced himself to try and work to make some living and support the siblings. Sarah found eating only coconuts, and their hut was really really out of shape. Sarah was going to take Anthony and he didn’t want to be seperated from his siblings. She took them under her wing. She already has 3 children of her own and cannot afford to support Anthony and his siblings. I’m “adopting” them and start giving some kind of support for the Vargas family. God has led me to meet them for a reason. It’s to show them the love their mother didn’t. I won’t be able to do that on a daily basis for them to see but they know I’ll be praying for them daily and will love them. Sarah told Wowie that they have a “new mom”. 

I know God has sent me to Philippines for many reasons. May it be of an encouragement to the students, to the Director’s family, to the staff, and as well as to the Hands & Feet Ministry Team but it was a personal growth for me in my Christian life as well. Thank you again for all of your prayer supports! I really appreciate it! May God bless you for supporting me!!!

WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!!!!

Please pray for the whole trip… everyday!! Dec 31st – January 19th.

There are certain dates I’m asking for your praying for me:

WEDNESDAY Dec 31st- Safe flight to Pittsburgh especially with the weather being so crazy lately….

THURSDAY January 1st- The team of 15 flies out to Philippines! Pittsburgh, to NYC with 9 hours layover!!! Then to Hong Kong, then over to Manila Philippines, then over to Palawan, Philippines. 18 hours of flying!  PRAY FOR JET LAG!!!!!  I’ve read some tips via internet on avoiding Jet Lags. I’m gonna TRY them. 

WEDNESDAY January 7th- I’ll be doing Evangelistic Meeting to the whole school.

FRIDAY January 9th- I’ll be doing a devotion to the all girls on peer pressure.

SATURDAY January 10th- I’m doing a 10 minutes devotion for our team specifcally on the word “encourage”… Pray that my 10 minutes message would be very encouraging to my team members.

TUESDAY January 13th- I’ll be doing a devotion to the all girls on Sexual Purity. Jay, the leader wants me to be BLUNT on this issue.

WEDNESDAY January 14th- I’ll be doing the Evangelistic Meeting to the whole school.

MONDAY January 19th- We fly back to USA, again long day of flying!

EVERYDAY: Be in prayerful for our safety while we are doing some construction work, pray for the other team members who will be doing the devotions as team members are assigned to do 1 or 2 lessons for the school. Pray for the team’s patience. Pray for my patience as I am in a new culture, new sign language even though I love language and I’m sure I’ll get frustrated at some points, especially when I’m doing the devotions to the children… I really want to be VERY CLEAR for the children and staff to understand God’s words through me. 

Check back again sometimes after the 19th. I’ll be posting some pictures and stories to share.  

Thanks again for all of your supports, and your prayers!!

Be blessed!!

~A

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY for our mission trip to Philippines!

I’m travelling with Hands & Feet Ministries from Pittsburgh area. This will be from January 1-19th.  I’ll be traveling to PA on Dec 31st and stay the night at the team leader’s home.

We will be doing construction work at the Christian School for the Deaf in  Philippines. We also will be doing lot of devotion, ministry to the children everyday. Please pray that our team will reach out to the children.

I ask you to be in prayerful for me as I continue to prepare for the 4 lessons I’m going to be doing while I’m there for the 2 weeks. 

Also, pray that the funds comes through for this trip as well. If you’re interested, you can send money to:

CHECK PAYABLE TO:

On To Victory! Ministries       (in MEMO area, write: Amy Blough Philippines Trip) 

2614 N. University

Peoria, IL 61604

Thank you in advance for the prayers! I will be blogging again as time approaches, and I highly doubt that I will have access to computer during my time in Philippines so you’ll have to wait until I return and hear all about what God has done on this trip.

You may wonder how this happened…  I met the Hands & Feet Ministries team when I was living in Jamaica for the 6 months. The team leader and his wife, we clicked. This team was my favorite team of all teams that came to Montego Bay, Jamaica in the 6 months. After I returned back to the States, the leader, Jay Buckhalter contacted me and invited me to join the team to Philippines. I prayed and felt there is a reason why God got me and Hands & Feet Ministries together. What’s the reason, we may find out, or we’ll never know until the day I’m at Home.   Regardless of the reasons, I’m looking forward to seeing what God has in store on this trip for everyone involved.

Be Blessed!!! 

Two weeks ago, my church, St. Paul Baptist Church had gone on their first mission trip ever! God is GOOD, at all times!

How did we get to MoBay, Jamaica?? It all started one year ago when my friend, Amy G has brought the MoBay CCCD’s Hands in Praise team to Peoria, IL! I became the HIP’s groupie, following them wherever they were performing in the area for the week. At the last minute, Ja’nice was touched by the performance and asked her Pastor to let the HIP perform on Wednesday evening services. I didn’t know where that was and she joked about how she has been interpreting like 5 months with no deaf members. I went to the Weds program, and got me interested in attending their regular Sunday services. Needless to say, I love that church!! I then became a member of SPBC in November. God then has opened the doors for me to be missionary to the MoBay CCCD children and staff for 6 months from January-July! I had informed my Pastor about my leaving for 6 months so he’s aware of it. He got curious on how this works, how I got into this field etc… The more we talked about it, the more he felt that God has opened the doors for him and he wanted to walk through it. Praise God he did! He then asked Ja’nice to start organizing a mission trip to MoBay CCCD.

The day’s finally arrived!! October 18-25th. We welcomed a small team of 3 members from North Carolina to join our team for the week. Warren, Kirk Plattner, Kishaun (student), Reid, and Andicea came to pick me up. The surprise was Andicea!! To our disappointment, it was the Jamaican holiday weekend, honoring the Jamaican Heroes. Most of the children were gone until Wednesday. We had about 15 children who stayed on the campus through the weekend. Most of the staff were on campus as well. It was still great opportunity to spend some time with them.

With the Plattner Family, Kirk holding Drew, Keri holding Truitt.

Sunday evening, we had our team devotion time with no electricity but candles, we sang and felt God’s presence with us. It was a blessing night, and a great way to start the week before we started working.

Monday, We were assigned to do two different things…  one assignment: 4 members at the vocational building, to break the droppings of cements on the floor, they wanted the floor to be smooth. That was a HARD WORK!!! The rest of the team worked at the new nearly completed upper level of the school building. I spent my time on my buttocks or knees scraping off paint droppings, cement droppings,  making sure the floor’s smooth, swept the dusty floor 2 or 3 times, then mopped 2 or 3 times!! Then I painted the edges by the wall so it’d be ready to use the roller to paint the entire floor. Throughout all these work, I was sweating bullets!!!! My clothes were soaked throughout the day/all week!

We worked only until Noon. We were to go to the beach which was normally to be done on Sunday afternoon but it was pouring rain so it was postponed to Monday and we got to take the children with us. That was a blessing to see the children who weren’t able to go home but to have some fun during the holiday weekend.

Tuesday, I then started on the second room, same process and also the second coat of painting were applied. But with a bit more of sanding. While I was painting the second room edges, I came up with an idea of making a “baseboard” because the corners of the floor and wall isn’t a straight edged. It was hard to make it look nice. I brought the idea up to the campus work team leader, Kirk Plattner which he liked the idea and said that it was called a “mop strip” in Jamaica. So, I started on lining the walls, and made that my project to accomplish in all 3 rooms. It certainly looks great!

Wednesday, most of the children returned to the campus. So many were very happy to see me again. One staff told me that the children had mentioned how they missed me, how they’ve missed the library time. Some missed just chatting with me cuz they learn so much from our conversations. That certainly was a blessing to hear and know that they were influenced by me in an educational way.

Also on Wednesday morning, Karen from SPBC had the opportunity to do devotion for the children in the morning before school. We talked about how we need to choose our foundation of our Christian life.

Thursday, Pastor Dev from SPBC preached about not to ask why, who, where, when but HOW? It was a very inspiring message. From where I was sitting, kind of in the back row, I could see the children signing “Amen”, clapping their hands at the “Amen point”, and their heads nodding. Some children’s face expression were saying “wow”. I’m just thrilled that Pastor Dev came and experience a new way of reaching out to people using the gospel.  Ja’nice interpreted and she was awesome! I was afraid the children wouldn’t understand and thought maybe that one of the Jamaican teacher to be the interpret but the teachers said for Ja’nice to interpret. She was awesome! Did a great job!! May God bless Ja’nice and Pastor Dev for doing God’s will!!! 

Pastor Dev preaching at the morning chapel

Thursday; work team: We started on the 3rd room, which needed sanding BADLY !!! Needless to say it was dusty using the sander! swept 3 times, mopped 3 times, and I started on painting the edges and doing the baseboards of the room. That’s where we all have stopped and left the rest for the next team.

Sanding the floor

Thursday evening: The children performed for us as a thank you for our work on the campus. Because I have been there for 6 months, I noticed they’ve done new songs and skits which was a blessing for me to enjoy their performance. In additional to the program, they added a new “harmony” group which included Mr. Reid, Ms. Clarke, Ms. Browne from CCCD and also Pastor Dev from SPBC singing Great is thy faithfulness(I think) interpreted by Ms. Sherrie Pyne from CCCD!  BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!    Andicea, a deaf teacher, a very good friend of mine said to me that it was the first time that she has seen a work team member join in with Jamaicans doing a performance in the program.  GREAT BLESSING !!!!!!!

Friday: It is a free-day for the team members where we take a trip and enjoy the day from a hard sweaty work all week. We got to go to the Dunn’s River Falls. Gorgeous!! I spend my time laying at the beach cuz that’s RESTING time for me. I was truly tired at the time.

Throughout the evenings, at the devotions, it isn’t really common for the deaf staff to join in on the devotions with the team but they joined us….maybe it’s because of the fact I’m there and they wanted to spend time with me but certainly I know they’ve been blessed by the discussions we’ve had from a team member, Kyle from North Carolina. We were blessed to have him be willing to lead the devotions every night.  Then after the devotions, Andicea and I along with some staff were often up, catching up on life and all etc… until 11:00 or so.

With my Jamaican Gals

Friday night, we didn’t have devotion but spent time playing with the children upstairs in the gym area. It started because I was upstairs with them, a student, Jarvell H. said to me how he wishes Pastor Dev could preach more! I told him HOLD ON! Let me get Pastor Dev. And I got Dev to come out of the team kitchen and I “interpreted” for them. During the conversationwith Jarvell, Crystal, Racquel, Pastor Dev and myself, Pastor Dev mentioned that he will talk with Ms. Russell about coming back here to preach every morning and every evenings of the week he is here the next time. I was truly blessed to be part of this new passion and truly touched by how God has used so many people to get Pastor Dev to Jamaica and how he wants to come again. I just can’t describe it into words! A blessing, I tell you.  GOD IS GOOD, AT ALL TIMES!!!!

Also during the conversation, Jarvel was talking about how he became the Head Boy (a role model for the children… a leader for whenever there is problems among the students etc…) Crystal and Racquel are also Head Girls too. Pastor Dev went and got a book on being a Christian Leader and gave it to Jarvell and the Girls. He instructed them to study the book, I added on how they can read chapter by chapter at a time, get together and discuss, learn from each other on how leadership works and how they can be of a better leader to themselves and their peers. Pastor Dev said when he comes back, he will sit down with Jarvell and the Girls to discuss what they’ve learned from the book etc…  Please join me in praying that they will continue to be motivated by the book and apply it into their experiences as the Head Boy/Girl.

Later in the evening, all team members spent time upstairs in the gym with the children, running around, dancing, playing with balls etc… It was a delight to see all of the team members to spend some fun times with the children. Lot of laughter in the room. Such blessings!!!

Saturday, woke up at 3:30am, left for the airport at 4:30am to fly to Kingston, Jamaica, the capital of Jamaica however I had to wait an hour at the front desk which was around 5:45am before I could check in when they opened. The flight to Kingston seemed like a 5 minutes flight!

I stayed with my friend in Kingston for the week. I stayed at my friend’s family’s home.  Saturday was spent at home just chatting, meeting the families etc… then in the late afternoon, I went with my friend church for a choir practice who was going to travel to Portland on Sunday to minister to the small church there. The members of the group were surprised at how my friendcould sign and interpret for me. Then in the evening, we went to a formal dinner where they selected friend’s mother to be the Honoree and received an award.

Sunday, we had to be at church at 6am I think (I forgot… needless to say it was way too early!!!) Jamaican time….got delayed for about an hour. We travelled about 3 hours. The last hour and half of the journey was a very very rough bumpy road.  I sat up front in the middle. Needless to say I was tired and my buttocks were N U M B !!!!    Finally I was informed that we were about 1 1/2 miles away…. well, that actually took thirty minutes, VERY ROCKY and BUMPY road! Along this road, we got to see river down the valley, small current river. It kind of reminded me of home in a way. BEAUTIFUL sight….  such a great reminder of God’s creation!

Phillippo Baptist Church were to go there to sing few songs at the church in Mill Bank. Upon arrival, there was this church, simply a one room church with no doors, a makeshift roof which was destroyed from the Hurricane in 2007.  My friend tried to interpret the services for me… Such blessing! I was touched by what the Pastor of the church said… Even though the church is in need of repairs, but that isn’t what is important. It’s having people together is what makes it a church. Such a great positive attitude regardless of the damages of the church building.

Mill Bank Church in Mill Bank, PortlandPhillippo Choir sings for Mill Bank Church

After church, some of the Phillippo members walked around in the community, reaching out to the community. Such a blessing to witness this event. I have Facebook and was recently added on as a friend with one of the Phillippo member who took lot of pictures… he took so many pictures and shared stories about them. It was very inspiring! God was using the Phillippo Members to reach out to the community.

We got back to SpanishTown at like 9:30PM. I was really disoriented cuz I had fallen asleep in the van for the last half of the ride back home. It was a looooong day but a very blessing day!! 

Rest of the week, I just spent time hanging out at work. I’m always thankful for making new friends in Jamaica. Friday night, I got to see the Phillippo Church folks again before I fly back to the States. Watched the church’s cappella band practice. Then watched the drama team practice which turned out to be full of laughter. They so funny, I tell you!!

I flew back on Saturday. I was not looking forward to that. We picked up Shelly to tag along. I thought she was nuts for leaving with us at 6AM on a Saturday morning! BLESS HER!!!!  These past 2 weeks has blessed me with many friends, new friends, and open arms of welcome. The more I visit,  Jamaica has become a home for me. It gets harder and harder to go back to the States. But I know I am doing God’s will. That’s my peace!

Peace out to you all!

Be Blessed!!

I’m heading to Jamaica again for two weeks in Jamaica October 18-Nov. 1st.

I’ll be going to Montego Bay for a week with my church mission team. It’ll be their FIRST MISSION TRIP EVER !!! I’m SO excited to be part of this team to experience their first mission trip serving God at the CCCD in Montego Bay. We are also very excited to see what God has in store for the CCCD, and for us personally. I know it will make such impact on everyone involved. Please be in prayerful for this trip.

After that, I’ll be travelling throughout Jamaica visiting with friends for another week. I’m also looking forward to see what God has in store for me through the week as well.

I look forward to seeing everyone at MoBay and other parts of Jamaica. CANNOT WAIT to go “home”!! Yea, it’s my second… well…. maybe 7th home. LOL

PRAY FOR:

* St Paul Baptist Church Jamaica Mission Team as we prepare our hearts for serving God in Jamaica.

* The staff and children will be inspired by our team in some ways.

Through the last weekend, I watched a little bit of St Louis Cardinals game, but actually sat through most of the game on Sunday….  it was SO SWEET!!!!

Ironically they were playing the Padres, a team from San Diego, where my sister is from! top 9th inning… it started out 3-5 (Cardinals)…. Padres scored and got us tied. Then Cardinals were at bat… The Padres had 1 out, and decided to walk the next two batters and it was base loaded. Here I was thinking… it’d be sweet if we got a Grand Slam… Well, sure enough! WE GOT A GRAND SLAMMER!!!!!

That’s a winner!!   5-9     SUH-WEET!!!    Nice game to watch for the first time since I’ve been back from Jamaica!   God is good, at all times!  

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

It’s the end-of-term exam week.

PRAY FOR THE CHILDREN TO DO THEIR BEST!

So far, this has been a much better of a week than last week! Thank you all for your prayers!  Yesterday I subbed for the teacher that I usually work with. She called in off from work so I took care of the class.

The Dance team…. They got 2nd place for the dance cagetory they competed in!!! Also they got an award for the best costumes! AND an award for the best dance teacher! CONGRATULATIONS to the Montego Bay CCCD’s Dance team!!!!

PRAY FOR:

*Students preparing for the end of term exams this week. The exams are next week. Pray that they’ll do their best as we all encourage them to!

*Pray for the students as they’d be heading home for the summer. It will be hard for some of them to be back at home. Pray for them.

*Pray for me as I prepare myself for doing a 30 minutes presentation at the CCCD teachers’ training week. 

*Pray for April Cox- she’s the wife of the Pastor who are staying here until end of July. She has shingles. She’s been staying inside her home for the last 3 days. Pray for her. I’m sure it isn’t easy!

* Continue to pray for the children, staff and me everyday!!!

Actually we weren’t jammin’ it up. Friday was my birthday. I was being secretive about that but only 4 staff knew it was my birthday. I begged that they do not throw me a party. Personally, I don’t like being in the spotlight, and also I know money is tight enough for them so I don’t need gifts from them. Just saying “Happy Birthday” means that they remembered and that means lot to me.

I woke up at about 6:30am and to my surprise, I had a text message from Reid wishing me a Happy Birthday and that he hoped I have a great day and may God bless me with many more years.

At chapel, as they just finished performing a program for the work team that was here through the week, Russell was about to close with a prayer but Reid interrupted her and said it was my birthday. So, I HAD to go up front. I of course tried to pull a trick on them saying it’s not today! It’s a wrong day. etc….  Miss Russell said that at least she wasn’t asking how old I am. Hahaha

They all started singing “Happy Birthday” to me….  they sang the first verse, then they usually sing “May the good Lord bless you” but this time Russell added something else which made it fun. Here’s the song they sang…

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, Dear Amy,

Happy Birthday to you!

How old are you?

How old are you?

How old are you?

May the good Lord Bless you!

May the good Lord Bless you!

May the good Lord bless you

Many more years!

When they sang “How old are you?”

I answered “I don’t know” then “Only God knows” and then I said “only my mom knows”   Hahahaha  It was a good fun!!!

We didn’t do anything for my birthday. I got gifts from my family that were sent with Sue and Randy Sanders couple weeks ago. Also the OTV mission team chipped in on a gift for me. (THANK YOU GUYS!!!! That was so sweet of you all !!! Sue- please email me with Charnell and Eve’s email address. Thanks!) Overall, my birthday was a good day.

PRAY FOR:

ME- I’m kind of feeling a bit unmotivated this week. 

*And continue to pray that I reachout to the staff and the children daily. I noticed one staff, Andicea becoming close to me and confiding in me with some of the issues she has been dealing with. I think she sees me as a great example and wants to “copy” that. She’s been asking me questions and sharing. We say we are best friends. I say “my Jamaican best friend”. ;-) Pray that I continue to be a light towards her, that my actions and words is from God reaching out to her. But not only her but to other staff as well.  

*Also pray that I’d be able to come back in September.  

Dance team- they’re traveling to Kingston for a national dance competition. They left this morning at 5AM! Pray for their safety. Pray that they dance their best and that they do it FOR God.

Plattners Family- they found out they were not granted an extension stay in Jamaica, so they are to travel back home on Friday morning. They’ve been serving at JDV and Knockpatrick CCCD since May. Pray for their safe travel back to Peoria area. Also pray that they’d be able to come back to Jamaica soon. Keri had ideas and was ready to get started on those things and disappointed to not do them.

The Cox Family- they’re the family who are here at MB CCCD until end of July. Keith has been preaching every Sunday mornings which gives the staff a break from doing church services. It’s been good. Pray that the children will be touched by his sermons, change their hearts and give their life to Jesus.

Staff & Children- The staff… I think they’re like me, unmotivated these days. It’s probably just a burn-out thing. They’re ready for school to be done. They’ve been working on preparing the students for the end-of-term exams which will be in two weeks. Pray for the children as they are preparing for the exams. And also for those who has not yet accepted Jesus as their personal Savior.

PRAISE GOD:

Racquel- she’s a 8th grade student. After the 2 weeks holidays back in March, she didn’t return to school due to no financial for tuition. She returned yesterday. I’ve missed her. She was always very converstational with me, asking questions etc… It was SO good to see her. She said that her father still didn’t have the money but let her come anyway for the last month. That just was hard to hear. That’s why the sponsorship from America is NEEDED! Praise God she’s back for the last month. She said that she studied through the last two months at home, and remembered my encouragements, the things I taught her etc… she even hung on to some questions she had in mind to ask me. Amazing sweet gal!! It’s good to have her back.