Wednesday...saying good-bye to our new friends.

Hello friends.

Parting is such sweet sorrow...

We learned that this statement is most certainly true today. It was our last day at Westhaven Children's Home and also the last day for the medical clinic. Phyllis, Lauren and Pastor Stacy were able to put the finishing touches on the paint and plants in the Westhaven Memorial Garden with the help of a few other friends. The finished project is quite beautiful and will hopefully become a place where the children and all those visiting Westhaven can take a few moments to pause and remember the joy and blessings brought by those children who have passed away. After finishing the garden, they helped wrap up various projects and spent time with the kids...

Helen wrapped up another successful day at the medical clinic. Today, they switched venues and were seeing patients in a make-shift clinic in the spare room of the local Basic School (ages 3-6). They saw 52 more patients today, making their grand total well over 275 in 3 days. What was most striking was that people were walking miles and miles on rocky, mountainous ground to see one of our doctors. What a difference they have made in so many lives. Helen was able to enjoy a few minutes of "lap time" with some of her favorite kids before we had to leave.

Bill continued his concrete work by hammering and chisling away at previous Jamaican engineering efforts. Most of the day was spent building forms and preparing the structure for finishing touches by next week's team. He also got to spend some time doing his favorite thing: mixing concrete by hand with a hose and shovel.

At the close of the day, we were treated to one of the finest banquets we have ever seen. The director of Westhaven, Ms. Grant, and the staff put together a sampling of some of Jamaica's finest treats: cheese sandwiches, bun & cheese (a local favorite) and mango punch...complete with cake and rum-raisin ice cream. It was a treat for us but hard to eat while all the children waited patiently for us to finish...for once we were done, we were all able to take a plate and serve a child for the last time before boarding the bus for home...

Tomorrow, most of the group will be heading to Clifton Boys' Home for a day of projects and relationship-building with the boys that live there. Look for an update on that adventure tomorrow!

Peace-

Your Mission Jamaica Team