3.26.2011

j a m a i c a . 2 0 1 1 . t w o

While in Jamaica, we visited two very sobering places. Places that didn't smell, look or feel pleasant. At all. Places that made me feel so spoiled. They made me realize how much I have - that I need to use to bless others.

How can I stand by and watch? How can I do nothing when I have a closet full of clothes, a pantry teeming with food, and a family that loves and cares about each other, while these people have none of these things?

Although they have next to nothing, they are happy. Happy to live the next day. Happy to have a bed to sleep on - if you can even call it a bed. The joy of the Lord fills their souls! Just like it should mine.

The Lord used these places to allow me to look at my life from the outside in. To look at my selfishness. To see how much I'm blessed. And to see how much I have failed to share my blessings. I have so much to learn!

These places {the orphanage and the infirmary} are really hard to get the feel of if you haven't been there. Nonetheless, I would like to share some pictures.

Meet the orphanage ---


It was so inspiring to hear that almost half of the 20 - 30 children at the orphanage were in the process of adoption! Praise the Lord! The kids were all so sweet. I loved them all.



The infirmary ---

How can I describe the infirmary? When we first arrived, I heard someone singing "Jesus Loves Me". I looked around, trying to see who was singing. I saw a lady. She lived at the infirmary. She had some type of mental problem - but was so happy. Singing about Jesus' love for her. God bless her.
The infirmary wasn't very well kept. The people there seemed like they didn't have any reason to be happy. Yet, they were. Many had disabilities. Many had mental problems. A few just didn't have anywhere else to go. I kept trying to figure out why they were happy. Then I looked closer.
Many had Bible verses above their beds. A few had scripture memorized. One lady had Bibles on her bed all around her. They had found true satisfaction! True hope. Peace. And true love. They had no earthly possessions. Almost nothing at all - but Jesus. After visiting them, I realized something very important that I will learn time and time again. Jesus is all I need.

I hope that I will never forget the things that I learned after going to these places and seeing these things. I hope that you learned something too, by reading of our experiences.
{Once again, more to come. =D}
-s. olivia

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