Bonjour!

Hi there! Life here in Jamaica hasn't been super exciting lately that's why I haven't been writing in there quite as often, but I figured it's been long enough... I really need to update you guys.
SO there's still short term missions teams here. I've been working with people from the teams alot. It's really great to hear from them how they're enjoying what is for them they're first missions experience. They are all really curious about how I got here and what I do here and how YWAM works. It's a bit tough though because the people only stay for about a week so I don't get to know anyone very well. But it's all good cuz I have Jermaine and my other friends here on staff!

Jermaine just got his license about two weeks ago, so that's been exciting. He's really excited about having it. The people that he used to live with let him borrow the car anytime he wants so we've been driving alot. Last Saturday Chelsea and him and I drove to Kingston for the day to visit Chelsea's boyfriend Astro. It was really fun and good to see more of Jamaica that I haven't seen yet.

Today I went to Copse and Westhaven. Copse is a boy's home, where young boys come to stay while they're waiting for court dates, or if they're out of control. Some of them are so young, It's crazy that they're there because they've done something serious. One little boy that I was talking to said that he chopped up his sister, so that's why he was there. I don't know what that exactly means, but it sounds serious enough. He's only 11.
Westhaven is an orphanage for handicapped kids. We only went there for about 15 minutes. I have been there before, but everytime I go there it's so difficult for me. It's quite a large orphanage so it's overwhelming to be with all of those precious children who are in such a horrible state physically and mentally. Lots of them just lay in bed all day. I tried really hard to not show that I was uncomfortable and scared, because I didn't want the kids to think that I didn't like them, it's just difficult to see young children in that condition. It's hard to see children in a normal orphanage, much the less handicapped children in one.

God has really been teaching me some stuff lately. I've been learning self-control / self-descipline. I'm learning how to control my emotions, feelings, words, thoughts and physical desires. Tonight I realized how important controlling your emotions is and that I haven't been doing a very good job at it. Emotions are good and normal, but you have to be careful what you do with those emotions. Sadness is normal, but if you let it lead to depression that's wrong. Anger is natural, but letting it lead to uncontrollable rage is a sin. Feelings are normal, but what you do with those feelings/emotions is key. When I get sad or upset I can't let it control my whole life...my thoughts, words, actions. I need to deal with that emotion and not let it ruin my day/week. I've been noticing how much it talks about self-control/self-discipline in the bible lately. It really talks about it alot. It's one of the fruits of the spirit. It's right alongside love and joy...and those are biggies, so self-control must be a biggie as well.

God is good!