Even God Rested

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny, just-the-right-temperature day. We had several different groups going to different places, and I went with the group headed to Ocho Rios. We spent a little time in the market bartering for our souvenirs, and then found a really great, airy terrace to have lunch. It was called 'Mama Marleys', and Bob Marley's music was blasting, his videos were playing on the big screen, and, to top it off, it was Jamaica's Independence Day and one of their national cultural celebrations was being televised. The bartender was very proud to share lots of information about the cultural displays, and he made a wonderful coconut rum cocktail! I had a goat curry for lunch. That's right, I jumped in and tried the goat, and it was great!

After that, we spent the afternoon at Dunn's River Falls.  It was really a delight to see, and to see the pictures of it makes it seem crazy to me that we climbed this river-waterfall at all.

What I probably enjoyed more, though, was that I got to break away from the group for a little while and took pictures all over the beach and up the falls.

When we got back to the hotel, we were treated to rum cake, a big meal of jerk chicken, rice and peas, and sweet potatoes. Then, we had just a really spirit-filled closing meeting around a bonfire on the rocky beach area at the hotel. We shared about our experiences of the week and our gratitude for all of the specific things that each of us contributed to the work this week. Then, under the bright moonlight reflecting off the ocean, waves crashing and bonfire blazing, we sang all four verses of Amazing Grace, and I swear that I heard the angels singing along.
Glory be to God, and what a fitting end!

Jamaican Jellies of Gratitude

Yesterday was another awesome day. We saw patients at Brainard, in a church. The chiropractors shared the alter with 'Dr. Eyes', as we've called the willing servant with is who is a farmer back home, and our patient data entry specialist, or the Canadian graduate student studying history, as he's known back home. It was a tight squeeze for the entire clinic, and it was LOUD in that church. I'm actually a little hoarse today from talking so loudly all day long with my patients. No problem!

We were much busier and stayed longer at the clinic than on previous days, and it was a joy. We had many repeat patients from the year before who were requesting to see either Dr. Kent or I specifically, because that is who they saw last year. There were even people who presented to the clinic just for chiropractic, not to see the medical doctors or dentists at all. That is really rewarding to see, as it means that we've had enough consistency here that they're learning what chiropractic is and it's value. Maybe we have a budding Jamaican practice on our hands! Applied Chiropractic of Jamaica?

Often we have patients through the entire clinic who want to give us fruits from their farms as an expression of their gratitude, which is such a lovely gesture. Yesterday, I had a gentleman on my table who when we were finished told me, "I still need to see Dr. Eyes, but if I can do that quickly, I will have enough time to go to gather a couple dozen Jellies for you." Jellies are young coconuts which you slice the top off of and drink the coconut water inside. So, I interceded to scoot him to the front of the 'Dr. Eyes' line, and on our trip home, as our bus was rolling down the hill, we found this gentleman with his wife and child holding so many coconuts for us! They just sat their patiently waiting for us to drive by so that they could share them with us. And we appreciated the treat!

Today we are finished with clinics and begin reflecting on what has been accomplished this week. We'll do that while enjoying the beauty of Jamaica at Dunn's River Falls. I'm excited to share some gorgeous photos with you!

Infirmary Clinic

Yesterday was a gorgeous, sunshiny day. We spent it doing various odd jobs, mostly related to the administration of medical missions here. We also held a clinic at the infirmary, or 'Poor House'. It's something like a nursing home that is state-funded and is the end of the line for people who don't have the money or the people around them to care for them. We brought our normal clinic set-up to them, and it was really great to be a part of that really important service, as these people probably needed most to see us of anyone that we've treated yet this week.

Then, last night we finally had enough spare time to spend a little time relaxing at the Jerk Stand with a nice cold Red Stripe, the Jamaican beer. Not too bad, mon. Not too bad.

Can You Help My Friend?

Good Morning from Jamaica!

In this post are a few pictures that I've taken this morning, both of the Jamaican sunrise and of where I'm sitting as I write to you today.

We had a really awesome day yesterday. We were at the Enfield clinic, and it went really well. Dr. Kent and I are not seeing the volume of patients that we have on previous trips, but the quality of the interaction between us and our patients has gone up immensely because of it. I've had time to both treat thoroughly, and to just open up and chat with patients as they're on my table. To ask about their lives. To get to know them. To let them know that we care about them. It's been really rewarding to hear so many inspiring stories.

One gentleman that I talked to, Lester, was in a bad bus crash, and injured his foot many years ago. He's had foot pain ever since, so he was seeing the foot specialist that we have along on our team this trip. She sent him to us to help him further with rehab exercises, etc. In talking to him, I learned that he's a mechanical engineer, but there's no work for him here. He's also really interested in service and in mission work and has been researching various international mission trips. And so, I asked him if he'd ever been on a mission trip. And he quickly replied, "That takes money." Silly Jen. It's just sad to see someone who's highly trained and willing to work, but who is limited severely by his poverty. Then, as we were about to leave and were just loading the last things on our truck, this gentlemen came hurrying up to me, "Jennifer, can you help my friend?" He had his friend with him who had just been poked in the eye with a stick, and who now couldn't see out of his eye. It was a pretty serious injury. Long story summed up, Dr. Guy stepped in, gave him a seat on our bus, dropped him at the local hospital, spoke to the eye specialist in Kingston, and handed him cab fare to get to the eye hospital there, as there are few to no ambulances in Jamaica. We've laid many prayers over him since.

Today, we're in for a different sort of day than we're used to. We're going to hold a clinic at the 'Poor House'. It's sure to be transformational for everyone in the team.

Long Road

It has been a busy, fruitful couple of days here. We spent Sunday organizing our supplies and holding a clinic for the staff of the mission hotel here, Galina Breeze. It was so wonderful to see all of our patients and to get a little acclimated to the work in such a beautiful, relaxed setting.

Yesterday marked the official start of our rural clinics. We took the 2 hour drive up the mountain to Long Road, and found some very gracious people there to greet us. The personality of every clinic is always a little different, and at this clinic it seemed to me to be all about their gratitude. I was blessed to have 2-3 patients in a row right away in the morning who came off the table smiling so big and who gave me excited hugs because they felt better.

Unfortunately, though, it rained all day, and at times there were really heavy downpours. That is in itself not all that pleasant, but we were working inside a church, and so out of the weather. More so, the problem is a cultural one. In Jamaica, they respect the rain. It's a very cultural thing that when it rains, you stay inside. Period. They have to face long walks and waiting at taxi stands and dangerous muddy roads, so as a rule they go out very little when it's raining. So, our clinic numbers were down significantly, but we did end up seeing 112 patients overall. In chiropractic, Dr. Kent Booher and I saw bout 30 patients total.

Today we're headed to Enfield for another clinic. It's still been raining heavily this morning, but we can see the sun breaking through the clouds now. Here's to a sunshiny day!

Welcome Back

We've made it here! It was an extra long travel day yesterday, but the troubles seem so small now after a good night's rest, a hot shower, and a cup of exceptional coffee. I am tucked into our 'cafeteria', waiting for everyone to finish their morning preparations, and watching it rain on and off outside. It's quite a nice, reflective start to the week.

Not one person in our team of 33 was stopped or searched in customs. We all walked straight through, and all of our bags, and all of their contents, made it with us. Thank you for all of you that prayed for our safe passage! We stopped on our way to the hotel at Scotchies again, which is an authentic Jerk Stand. What a treat after traveling! We feasted on jerk chicken, jerk pork, pumpkin soup, festival bread, coconut water, and probably a couple of Red Stripes, too.

It has been such a blessing for me that as soon as I walked out of the airport, I have been receiving excited 'welcome back' greetings from so many of my Jamaican friends. It's really quite fun to see God at work building community amongst the people of this mission. I count myself so very blessed to be here, to be called to this work, to have the means and the ability to do it. What a gift it is to serve. I read this quote this morning from Chan's 'Crazy Love', "We naturally assume that if we look out for our own interests and concerns, we will be happy. But, people who sacrifice for others will tell you that seasons of giving are the most rewarding." Amen to that.