We Are the Ones Being Blessed -S. Stinson - DAY 7

Our first week in Jamaica is quickly drawing to a close and although we are anxious to see our friends in other parts of the island, it is very very hard to say goodbye to our brothers and sisters at the church in Cave and the many new friends we have made here in the Savanna-la-Mar area.  Today marked the end of our VBS and nightly services here - had a full house for both (standing room only tonight and a great sermon from 18 year old Zach Gerbholz!) We trust that the week was as encouraging for our Jamaican brethren as it was for us....the "lively choruses," the smiles on children's faces, the frequent requests for Bible studies from eager learners, the many notes of appreciation and multitude of hugs make us realize that WE are the ones that are being blessed and uplifted in more ways than we ever would have imagined before visiting this warm and loving group of Christians. Among today's particular highlights....getting a very early start on the day to walk down to the market as it opened and explore the shoreline and streets of Sav as the rest of the city was just waking up...delivering a bouncing bundle of joy (ok it was actually a boxful of 25 chickens, but they were babies and VERY FLUFFY!!!) to our friends that live on the sugar cane farm....climbing up the mountain to visit the homes of two of our favorite VBS students who live in very humble circumstances but have views fit for a king of the azure blue waters of the Caribbean.  Their mountainside perch nestled among the mango trees and bougainvillea will change your perspective on what's truly important and leave you longing for a simpler life.  I am in love with this place and these people. -Shannon Stinson