I'm Here!

After my plane came to a stop, the flight attendants asked everyone to shut their window shades and turn on their air vents as high as they could go so that the plane wouldn't get hot before the plane left again. It's hot in Jamaica.

As I walked through towards immigration, I saw a lizard outside the window.

The man in the uniform at customs asked me all the official questions that are policy for security, then said, "Thanks, mon." as he handed me my passport and I walked through.

I got my bags and walked outside to find Brittany, my team leader. The heat hit me hard, but I was already sweating. I found her and we walked to the car. I put my bags in the back, then Brittany said, "I'll drive." I expected so, and was confused at this statement, especially as she walked to the...right side...of the car. They drive British-style here. Didn't know that.

As we attempted to leave the airport, reggae music bumpin' on the radio, the parking lot didn't take US dollars, so Brittany had to go buy something where they took US and get change back in Jamaican so we could leave the parking lot. She brought me back a Jamaican patty, which is basically ground meat and sauce inside a pocket of flaky, pastry-like stuff. It was good.

We dropped my stuff off at Toby's Hotel, where we'll stay at the next couple nights before our groups come and we stay in Burchell Baptist Church.

To prepare for an upcoming trip, we drove to a meeting at a small conference center up in the hills. It was so fun to take everything in as Brittany and I chatted. I love her. We have a lot in common and she is so comfortable to be around. She is the team leader I'll be working with the most over the summer, and I'm excited about it.

Driving around, I saw touristy shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. among shack-like structures, crumbling cement walls, and grass hut-things. Everything is colorful. I've seen lots of dreadlocks, too. The people seem super laid-back and friendly. Strangers talk to each other.

Brittany and I met with an elderly American lady who's been a missionary at the Baptist Conference Center here for about a year. We figured out meals for a trip that's coming up in a few weeks, talked for a while, then went to find someplace to eat.

We ate at an outdoor beach-side restaurant at sunset. It was gorgeous. I ordered curried goat, but they were all out. I had fish that I'm pretty sure was taken from the ocean straight to the fryer. It still had fins and eyeballs. It was accompanied by bammy sticks, which is cassaba, some sort of root. It's a bready circular thing. My meal was very good. I'm hoping to get some curried goat tonight.

Speaking of goats, there are wild goats and stray dogs and cats everywhere. I love it. They say there's actually more goats than people here in Jamaica.

Today we have run some errands, picked up Tito, an assistant leader, from the airport, then met with Reverend Thomas, who we'll work with this week. He showed us the community we'll work with, and there are definitely needs. The area really is slums, and as you walk down a hill into the neighborhood, there's a crumbling wall with murals of young people who have died in the community.

Soon we'll pick up Josh, the last member of our team for this trip, talk a little about delegations for this week, then relax before working hard tomorrow to prepare for our groups coming in.

I'm feeling excited, but a little nervous as I need to remember a lot of directions, places, names, times, and I may also be called upon to help lead worship. My guitar-playing skills lack practice and confidence. Please pray for the groups that are coming on Saturday and for the people we'll serve while we're here. I hope all is well at home. I miss you and love you. Let me know how I can pray for you.