Jamaican me crazy

Sunday Day 4

After church we rode with our friend Lucky to Ocho Rios, where we went to the grocery store to buy more food, and visit a craft market. The craft market was very overwhelming, and we felt out of place. It was obvious we were tourists, and we were immediately approached by lots of vendors. Some of us bought paintings and other souvenirs, and Kristin had her hair braided by a Jamaican hair stylist. Then we walked down the street to the internet cafe, where we posted on our blog and checked a few emails. After the internet cafe, we went to Margaritaville, where we could get a little taste of home and hang out on the beach. Margaritaville was an outdoor restaurant with a pool, hot tub, water slide, and a private beach. We had a blast there and could finally relax and have some fun together. John and Jacquelyn DOMINATED in the chicken fight in the ocean, and we have a video of the chicken fight to prove it! We were all exhausted after playing in the ocean and pool all day, so we enjoyed a delicious dinner there and then rode home to rest up for another day of work.

Monday Day 5 (Todd's birthday)

We started out the day with another amazing Breakfast by Mitchel™ (with the Monday morning special, Mickey Mouse pancakes) and made it out to the work site around 8:15 again. The girls primed the walls and ceiling of the kitchen, which turned out to be a tedious task. The guys mixed mortar, and most of us were able to try throwing the mortar on the wall (some of us unsuccessfully). We have some very talented helpers, Ivan, Norman, and Collins, who are machines when it comes to mixing and throwing mortar. It rained a lot on this day, which was helpful because it washed the paint and mortar off our arms and faces. Mitchel spent all day working on bringing electricity to the fellowship hall by recyclying a drop cord we brought along with us. When the first group got back to the house after our day of work, we prepared a small surprise party for Todd, wrapping up the painting he had bought and a few of his other belongings as presents. Lindsay and Beth made Todd a delicious funfetti cake that was devoured after dinner. Dinner consisted of goat with curry (that was bright green but tasty), chicken, potatoes, rice, and greens. We think we may have set a record for longest game of uno ever, and went to bed early again.

Tuesday Day 6

We woke up to Breakfast by Mitchel™ and had awhile to wait for our cabs to pick us up. As soon as we got to the work site, we were put to work mixing mortar and carrying it to Ivan, Collins, and the other "throwers." The throwers finished the top of the inside walls and moved to the outside of the building to do stucco (which was the same process as was used on the inside walls). The girls showed their strength today when they mixed their own batch of mortar by themselves and carried some bags of concrete. After lunch we had some time to play with the kids at the school next door. They were not shy at all, and had no problem coming up to us and jumping into our arms. We were more tired from playing with the kids than working, (the girls were) but we went back to work anyway. We mixed more mortar and cleaned up the kitchen and the main inside room. Mitchel finally finished hardwiring the electricity into the fellowship hall. Through his efforts the church will now have electicity in the fellowship hall that they will undoubtedly use for the entire time the building is standing. Our day ended around 4 and we headed home to wash some more of our dirty clothes. Jacquelyn and Lindsay learned how to wash clothes by hand, making them really appreciate the washing machines back home! Tonight's dinner included chicken, pork, potatoes, rice, and cabbage and carrots. Since we finished dinner, we have been looking through the pictures from today, playing cards, and tossing around the soccer ball. Some of the neighborhood kids just challenged us to a game of futbol on Sunday, so we better start practicing!

Wednesday Day 7 (Justin's Birthday)

Because of Justin's birthday, Tony gave us the day off tomorrow. We are going to Dunn's River Falls, a waterfall nearby. After that we hope to find an internet cafe and update the blog. We will also go back to the market and eat dinner at a local jamaican restaurant. Thursday it is back to work.

To all our friends and families: Thank you all for your support. We wish you could all be here with us! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to spread the love of our Savior to the people of Jamaica.

Todd, Lindsay, Tony: Happy Birthday Amber!!!

Fun Facts about Mitchel:

Mitchel doesn't do push-ups he pushes the world down.

He can fix anything.

We lose Mitchel and then he finds us.

He's a cook

He's a Photographer

He's an electrician

He's a doctor

He's a comedian

He misses Elaine (his wife)

He's a bargain shopper

Mr. Clean

Survived an oven explosion and then fixed it on his first try.

First Class Dancer

He's a romantic (see flowers)

Mitchel: Here's another flower for you, love you. See you soon.



Pictures:


The girls playing with kids at the neighboring school


Another Picture of the girls and schoolkids.


Tony Collins and Norman. Tony lifts the buckets of mortar up so collins can apply it to the wall


Lindsay and Matt putting primer on the walls and ceilings of the kitchen


Kristen Beth and Jacquelyn taking hammers to the smooth parts of the wall outside so the stucco will stay better


Lindsay and Beth making lunch with Tony supervising


Eating our lunch made by Beth and Co.


All of us hanging out after a long day of work


All of us at Margaritaville

Our next update should be next Tuesday, we should have lots of fun stuff for you then. Thanks for keeping up with the blog and keeping us in your prayers. Thanks for all the comments, we love them!!!