Week 2: Complete! Week 3: Beginning!

Week two is complete. We had a an incredibly busy week! Two houses were built, a foundation was made for a new house, lots of marl was hauled, the schools were visited, and about 60 families were able to shop. It was an incredible week! We said goodbye to our friends from Deerbrook Covenant Church, Christ Community Church, and Western PA this morning! Shortly after, we picked up our team for this week, Abundant Life Baptist Church from Lee's Summit, MO. (See picture below!)

Last week we had a brother and sister that were able to share this experience together. Devon Russel, a 17 year-old Senior from Lee's Summit, MO was here for her second trip. Her brother, Reed Russel, an 18 year-old high school graduate, was here as well. Each of these siblings had a very unique and challenging week and I wanted to share it with you. I asked each of them to write about what they learned this week...

My week here in Harmons was an awesome experience this year. Because I have traveled to Jamaica one time before, the mysteries and surprises of the week were not as eye popping as they were a year ago. Rather than having the anticipation of experiencing each day for the first time, I was able to focus on developing relationships with Jamaicans rather than focusing on my insecurities of being in a new place. This mindset proved to be very beneficial in understanding what the Lord was trying to teach me about His heart this week.

I came into this week with the prayer that God would capture my heart and give me a burning desire to know more about Him. Phil and Dave (the meeting guys) led our team to understand truth in waiting on the Lord to bestow His peace and joy upon us. For a year, I had been wanting the joy I found in Harmons last year, but that joy didn't last. I learned this week that I shouldn't be working for the gifts of God, but rather have a receiving attitude that I might allow Christ to fill me up and live through me.

--- Devon Russel

After taking an easy stroll up the slope of my faith for the past 17 years, I came face to face with a cliff. Growing up in the church, my hand had always been held throughout my life as a Christian. When I reached the cliff, which symbolizes the transition from my fake faith to my real faith, I slowing started to lose interest in the pursuit of my relationship with God. An impasse. I had drifted too far from the expectations of the Christian faith that I looked back and viewed my life in the church in a whole new perspective. I realized I was living a lie and I was tired of it. I began to question many of the accepted beliefs we as Christians posses. I looked past the cliches and started to become honest with myself. It was refreshing...

Because of these realizations, I had lost all motivation to practice my faith or pursue that relationship with God. Through the meetings led by Phil and David, I reached a conclusion. I lacked motivation because I had no idea how to take that first step up the cliff. If you don't know how to take the first step, you're not going to take it. Our discussions made it clear what this first step will be, to know that I am fully accepted by Christ and to allow Him to to fill me up and use me as He wants me. I feel like I am back on track and I feel a peace that everything is as it should be.

--- Reed Russel

That's all for now! Have a great night and check back soon!

--- Lacy