A Week of Firsts.

Hey everyone, this Creighton Arrington blogging. Well it's the first full of day camp and everything is just awesome. I really and truly am grateful for being able to get this chance to be here in Jamaica with the teen ministry. I really miss my family and I wish they were here with me right now enjoying the trip with me, however, there are other important things I have to worry about; the better word I guess is not worried but concerned about. What I mean is that this is the first time that I've ever been a counselor. Another first is that I've never been out of the country and even more I've never flown before. Going in order so far, counseling is great, the kids I have is fun and they seem to listen, follow the majority of the directions they're given; we have plenty of days to work on that. Being out of the country is definitely a different experience. However the flying, is certainly something I did not enjoy; I liked the second flight from Miami to Kingston more than the first mainly because it was night time by then, so I could not see anything out the windows on either side, and I got a pair of headphones from one of my friends so I could watch the inflight entertainment. Another first was that I was the first one in the group to get sick, I had a nasty stomach ache, but I'm fine now after throwing up last night; I got sick mainly because I was really dehydrated and I think one of the sauces I had yesterday, which tasted good to me, did not agree with my stomach. Finally, the last two firsts for this week, so far, is that my boys and I had our first challenge and dominated, and also this is the first time I have ever blogged. Hope everything is still fine over in the states and in a way I can't wait to get home, but I really don't want to leave. I will try to blog latter, bye.

DANCE PARTY!!!!!!

Tonight we started off just how we ended last year, high energy and a lot of sweat. First we danced in circles while playing musical chairs, were yours truly made it into the last chair (but it was hard, everybody was really working for it haha). Then after that everybody got on the dance floor; Americans and Jamaicans alike; but it wasn't long before you could tell whose who. And of course, we had total swag, playing both Jamaican and American music, everybody was happy. Now we just cant wait till the end of the week were we can really let loose! Love from Jamaica, Jessica Williams

It's their arrival time!

         We are SO EXCITED, words cannot even begin to express the amount of joy we have at the opportunity to be counselors here in Jamaica. Taking a tour of the grounds again this morning put everything into perspective. We can't wait to see the character building that will happen this week. We also can't wait to give our hearts completely to this mission and our campers.
        Being here makes us so grateful for God's artistic side. The view from up here in the mountain is ABSOLUTELY incredible. We  can see EVERYTHING! God is SO big! At night we can see the city lit up, and countless numbers of stars. It just makes us realize how small we are and how powerful God is.
        They're almost here. It's now time for us to take off our camper hat, and put on our counselor hat. It's time to give fully of ourselves. It's time to inspire, and get inspired. It's time for JamCamp 2011.

                                                                                    Love always,
                                                                        Jamie Perello and McCall Ponder

Bus. Road. Black Sand.

We have arrived at the restaurant where we are all waiting to eat. Naturally things are taking a little longer than we are used to but we are trying to adjust to being here. The restaurant (called Jack Sprat) is right on a beach with what they call black sand. The water is wonderful and is the perfect temperature. Some of the people decided to get in the water and swim while we wait for our food. We have been traveling a lot over the last few days. We have spent around 4 and a half hours on a bus and in and out of Juicie Patti (the McDonalds of Jamaica) where we all ate delicious beef patties. After we eat, we are headed up to the camp. The ride is sure to be a little more terrifying now that it is dark, but like everything we are doing, it is a fun adventure. Kids come tomorrow and after two days of traveling we're all ready to settle in and have JamCamp. Love and miss you all! Stephen G.

Progress Update: Eating Dinner by the Ocean...

That last post was written around 2:30 pm but didn't get posted until a few minutes ago.

We are eating at a restaurant called Jack Sprats by the ocean. Very beautiful. Some of us went for a swim in the ocean. Nice!

From here we will go the camp about 45 minutes away.

We are all safe and having a blast.

Jeff

"God is Good!"

Day one in Jamaica and...WOW! We worshipped this morning with the Kingston Church of Christ and there couldn't have been a better start for our trip. The music was on point and had half of us in tears with lyrics about God's power and providence. The communion today came out of Deuteronomy 4 and focused on remembering God's love showed to us through Jesus on the cross and to us personally when we made the choice to make Jesus Lord of our lives. THe sermon was out of Nahum 1 and challenged us as much as the communion encouraged us. We focused on God's righteous anger and how condemnation that coms from sin is a result of his justice. He offer us free love, but we must make the choice to either repent and feel his grace and forgiveness or stay in our sin and have his wrath stored up against us. As we sang today, "God is good...How could we let him down." Amen for being in Jamaica and worshipping with our brothers and sisters this morning! We're currently en route to the other side of the island so please keep us in our prayers that we can take the lesson to heart and fight to be righteous and ready to serve this week. Much love Mon! - Jacob R.

First Morning!

Our first morning is great. Breakfast was much more efficient this year! The coffee was so needed. It still amazes me how cordial and "proper" the waitresses are here. The parents are all doing well. We can't wait to worship with our brothers and sisters in the Kingston Church! Then we are off for an afternoon on the beach.

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Night, Night!

Finally in our rooms.  Hungry and tired. We didn't get to eat and our plane was delayed in Miami so we got to hotel at midnight our time. Proud of the kids as I didn't here one iota of complaining. Breakfast at 7am and then off to worship with Kingston church.  Hunters had a productive day as they held a marriage devotional for about 40 couples. Tomorrow they will meet with a group of parents while we haed to camp...well, we stop at a place called Jack Sprats in Treasure Bay where we will eat and play on the beach, then go to camp.  Thanks for the opportunity to be here with your children. They make me proud!!! Good night. Sleep well. Jeff
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Finally home. Cliche?

Jordyn Beaty and Emily shapiro coming at you live from the Jamaican bus. Just heard our first yeah man and im pretty sure were on the wrong side of the road.  Stomachs growling, lights blinking, eyes almost shut... Traveling is overrated. When everyone said we would shine a light in jamaica, we didn't realize it was because were so white. So.excited for camp Monday. America in the rear view mirror, Jamaica's future right before us. Blurry pic rough roads.
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Hurry up and wait!!

So its me Sam and we have been sitting on the plane for 30 mins. We sprinted or OJ-ed thru the airport to just sit here. Ah well God is teaching me to be patient I suppose... Well over and out until the next blog. Pray for us!

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