The Adventure continues

The past two days have been a huge blessing but exhausting in every way. I'm still trying to wrap my head around all that has happened! 

We ended our conference with 128 teachers. This was the most we've ever had! 

One of my jobs was to interview the teAchers who came to the conference I can't wait to show you what they had to say. Their videos were do heart felt and just precious!

I will upload videos of the conference ending! The Jamaica teachers gave each one of us a gift to ThAnk us for blessing them. Then they sang songs to show their appreciation to us. 

After the conference was over each lady came and hugged us. My cup runneth over! 

We are done loading the back of the bus with boxes every morning and Afternoon.

I think I'm going to wait until I get home before blogging about the schools and the orphange. The orphange was harder than I imagined.

Tomorrow is our vacation day so stay tuned for what we have planned!!! Another first will be happening!!

Thank you for your prayers! They are felt and appreciated more than you will ever know! 

           Good night fromJamaica,

                            Jenn  

The Bat

The Bat

On Monday morning I was sitting at the registration table when Peggy said Jenn I need you to come my room. She meets me in the hallway and says We are okay with this but there is a bat in our classroom. I walk in and sure enough there was a bat sleeping on the wall. I look at her and say I'll take care of this on just a second. I go find Steve the janitor and tell him what's going on. He says are yall scared of a bat? Hmm no but we don't want him to start flying around during a session. So Steve walks up to the wall and hits it with his fist. The bat starts flying around in circles for a few minutes. Finally he flew out the window and I saw my first bat in Jamaica!

                           Making Memories,

                                Jenn

Drum Roll Please

                         Drum Roll please

Today we had 107 teachers attend the conference. This is the most enrolled for a Tuesday we have ever had. We had 69 schools represented by their teachers. Wow! It was an Awesome day that went by way too fast! I have learned so much on this trip. I was blessed and was brought sweet treats by some of the women. Our team is having a blast and everyone is working so hard and teaching their heart out! I promise I will blog longer later but tonight is very quick! I am very tired. After the conference today we cleaned up loaded up the bus. We had our devotion and team meeting before dinner. As soon as our team washed dishes and cleaned our dining area we took off on an adventure. We went to glistening waters! Our group got on a boat and went out into the water where the salt and fresh water meet. Then You jump in about 5 feet of water. The water lights up and it glistens all around you. This was truly the coolest thing I've ever seen. Glistening waters only takes part in 4 places of the world. Google the images it's breath tAking. This is a moment and a memory I will never forget. 

Tomorrow is the last day of our conference so please keep praying for our team!

              Good night from Jamaica,

                              Jenn

Let's get this Conference Started

Let's get this Conference Started

My morning started off with a fabulous braid by one of my team members Lisa. We packed the bus and it was time to go to the conference. When we arrived at the conference we set up the classrooms and registration. My job this year is helping with registration, setting up lunch,  anything team members need, take pictures and etc. etc.

This morning as the teachers arrived they were so happy and excited to be at this conference. Some teachers were dropped off, some drove and some walked. These teachers are the sweetest and such a joy to work with! For lunch we served: cow foot, veggie tips, barbecue chicken, rice and peas, and a pasta dish.  After lunch two of the women brought Patti and I a guinep (pics below). You bite it in half take the skin off, and get the juice off the seed. It was delish! 

This was the first year we have had volunteers at the conference. Can I just say they were a huge lifesaver and a blessing. 

As we were wrapping things up at the conference it came a huge rain. I run to the cafeteria to wrap up our materials and quickly go put them on the bus. While outside in the rain I just looked up and could see this magnificent scenery of mountains, rain falling down, and the coolness that it brought. You see the classrooms we teach in do not have air conditioning so you sweat a lot. 

Due to the rain we changed how our conference was suppose to end for the day. Honestly it was hard to see some teachers walk away in the rain but they had the sweetest smiles and were so excited to have their new materials for their classrooms. 

The conference was a huge success with 80 teachers! 

After we got back to our home for the week we rested while listening to the rain fall which was soooo peaceful. The rain stopped for us to watch the sunset. The ocean is right across the street from our home for the week! 

Yes I have more stories that I want to share but it's late so there's more to come. We appreciate your prayers! 

                          God Bless,

                               Jenn

Jamming in Jamaica

This morning when we got to attend a new church service called Uprising that has been started at Fairhaven. Pastor Dave has started this ministry to reach the people in this area. They are focusing on the people on hip street.  This service is set up in the breezeway where we are staying. It was outside with fans blowing on us. Pastor Dave started the service by reading the verse," blessed are those who trust in the Lord." This is a great reminder that at all times we need to trust the Lord. We sang new songs that I will try to upload the videos of it. During the service a precious little boy and girl sat in front of me. They were so just so cute. After service we tore down to get the area ready for unpacking all of our materials that were shipped here. Donna and I went into the shed to hand the ladies there boxes for the week! Have I mentioned it's hot here? Today was a true workout from lifting and carrying boxes from the shed. Everyone pitched in and through the heat we got everything done quicker than usual! each day we will take about 25 to 30 boxes to the conference. We will take new boxes each day which means we will load then into our bus each day. 

As we were preparing bags for each teacher a guy walks up to me and says You look familiar.. I said I live in the Dallas area.. I go to Prestonwood. He says do you know my brother Brian Pruett. Yes I do! In fact didn't I meet you with him at a Roughrider game a couple of weeks ago. 

Small world--he's leading a trip with a different group.

I want to tell you more but I'm tired! Our breakfast is at 6:30 in the morning. We leave for the conference at 7:00 am! The conference will be from 8:00-3:30! 

Thank you for your prayers! 

God bless 

JennSmith

PS I'm blogging from my phone so please forgive me if I have any spelling errors.. 

Remind me to tell you about my new friends!! This story will encourage you!

Rise and Shine- it's Jamaica Time

                  

                  Rise and Shine 

               It's Jamaica time 

This morning came pretty early but I was so glad to spend it with my mom. She dropped me off and headed for Lufkin.

After security I go get my last tea for the week. As I'm in line the ladies ask me about my shirt so I tell them what I'm going to be doing. Well I was immediately blessed with a bigger drink than I ordered  and they gave me some tea bags for the trip! I was blown away and just thankful. I find my seat and this study is for the Longs Bc they always say I don't meet a stranger. So the guy sitting by me is from Wichita Falls. Side note they are a group of 35 going to help with construction, hanging out with kids in the orphanage and etc..

Back to the story He says so your a teacher in Allen. This is a long shot but do you know my cousin Katie Massey. Yes my jaw drops Katie and I have taught together, been roommates, gone to church together, and etc. 

pretty cool right!

Today was our travel day  getting to Jamaica. Once we get to were we are staying we unloaded our bags.Then we Went to the school to set up the rooms for the conference. After this we headed to the pier for dinner. As we ate dinner we watched the sunset- which truly is breathtaking. 

After we got back we had our orientation meeting followed by our team meeting. The ladies led our devotional time they had made a spoon with a word written on it. So I reached my hand in the bag the one I drew  has been my word lately- FAITH. Immediately it was a sweet reminder of all I have been learning. 

Our team consists of 15 women from all stages of life. I'm really excited to get to know these women and work with them this week!

Tomorrow is a full day! 

 Thank you for all your prayers! 

God Bless,

Jenn

Let the Adventure Begin!

Let the Adventure Begin

It will not be long until I will  be boarding a plane and headed to Jamaica! This trip fell in my lap on April 15th with an opening so I jumped on the opportunity to go. It has all happened super quick to booking flights,  raising funds, helping different teams pack for the trip, learning my role, and etc etc.

I have to stop and SAY a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone for helping me prepare for this trip whether it be financially or through your prayers.  I am still in awe of how quick this has come together! A huge thank you to those helping take me to the airport and then picking me up when I get back!

In case you didn't know I went on this trip a few years ago and  I came back so thankful for everything we have in the US and our schools.

Questions I've been asked this week:

Are you ready for this trip???   

Yes I am!!  I am still in last minute packing mode and finishing loose ends here. Plus spending time with friends who have been on vacation before I go!

What are you most excited about this trip?

 First, the teachers of Jamaica they are so thankful to learn different teaching strategies to teach their students.

Second, having the opportunity to attend church in Jamaica.

Next, getting to go on this trip with some amazing women which for some of them it will be their first time. I'm excited to get to know these women on the trip and make memories that will last a life time.

Finally, on Thursday we will be going to spend time hanging out with children.  

Thank you for following this adventure! 

 I can't wait to share stories with all of you!

God Bless and Love y'all,

Jenn