Olivia Welch. Obedience

Starting off, my name is Olivia for the ones who don't know me. I am 17 years old and go to Blue Springs High School. For the ones who do know me.. WHAT'S UP! :) I am having a great time here in Jamaica. I would like to tell you the story of my decision to come. For a long while there was a wall in the way of my walk with God. Of course God was waiting on the other side for me calling my name. But I would plug my ears. Once i got that barrier out of the way, i was able to hear what he had been planning and trying to get me ready for. It was Jamaica! I specifically wanted to come here because I heard Laci Thurn talk about the relationships you build with the Jamaicans. I really wanted to experience that. But that mission trip was always in the January, when i was in school (I have never been good with make-up work). When this opportunity opened up I felt God nudge me right into it. He provided ways left and right for me to go. That was the time when I knew I was obeying his desire. With God on my right side, he was with me through the packing, nail biting, luggage hauling, flying and landing to get here. And here I am NOW!

I would like to blog about the infirmary because I had the biggest experience I have had in a long time. Yesterday, I was part of the group that went to the infirmary for half of the day. I thought that the environment was going to be like a nursing home. Yet I knew the conditions would be worse. So with that in mind I was blown away when I saw what it was really like. The moment I stepped out of the bus I was welcomed with a big smooch from a popular lady, known as Patricia. That was a great first welcome. After that I ran to the other bus to search for Debbie Lalli (my buddy). She and I were going to go through this first time together. As we were walking up the houses of people, the smell started lurking. We started at the house up at the top. As we walked through I noticed that this was nothing of what I expected. Humans laying around waiting for the days to pass. I watched Debbie and did exactly what she did. We touched. A simple rub on the shoulder or hand. That first house wasn't just a slap in the face but a kick in the gut as well. In the second house we sat on a bed and talked to some Lady's with some other people. I then realized how many rows of beds there were... and how many people where there to fill those beds. Debbie looked at me and asked me how I was doing and I was speechless. Tears started rushing and we went outside to get my act together. I'm thankful Debbie was there. She talked me through my feelings at the perfect moments and was silent at the perfect times as well. After about 2 minutes i was able to go back. But i stayed behind Debbie and just watched.

There was a man who Debbie said hello to, and i waved, that when she asked how he was, he responded "I'm scared". that was the absolute hardest thing that I heard. He explained that he was scared that he wouldn't be taken care of. And showed us his rash and said he wanted to be changed. It was hard to look that man in the face and try to tell him everything will be okay. Because in his eyes.. nothing was okay. Then we came across a man named Raphael. He wanted us to read so he asked Debbie to read Psalms 91.(GO READ IN NOW)                                                                                               NOW.
That psalm affected me so much! I was actually smiling. Then he MADE me read..... well crap. He wanted me to read Psalms 88. (if you want to be in tears and understand what these people feel. Read this. You will get a first hand look. Read it in different versions too). Now that was a hard verse to read.

There were happy times when i watched Ty and Patricia fool around, then I was able to smile, but I still wasn't able to forget about the others. After an hour and a half the bus showed up. And I quickly leaped on and stared out the window. Luckily the leaders requested we were quiet the rest of the way home to recap the things we experienced. With so many thoughts in my mind I was able to conclude to a feeling. Helpless. I felt helpless to the people in need. And i hated it. When we got back to the harmony house I went to me bed and was able to let it all out. Then my roommates Olivia Gholson and Taylor Batson came in. They then explained to me their first times and told me it was normal. The thing that really stuck out to me that was when Olivia said was that "this shows you that you have a heart for these people" (that will apply more later but at that moment i didn't think anything of it).

Today I woke up and I felt replenished. Yet the thought of there are people that are living right now in that situation was still in the back of my mind. I went downstairs and took a seat next to Veronica Pistone and I told her how much I didn't want to go again. (Earlier we signed up to go a full day... I didn't know what I was getting into). She told me to wait. and if God wanted me there he would put me there. So I waited. I heard the list of people working at house 1.. house 2.. and foundation. My name wasn't on those lists and my head hung low. Then the list of the infirmary was called. My name was the last one said and tears started right away. When we got up to go to the work cites Veronica pulled me over and said God wanted me there for a reason. We prayed, loaded the buses and took off.

When we arrive I have a great feeling. A feeling of want. I wanted to talk to every person there. I wanted to be friends! I took Jordan Higgans along with me to go play dominoes with the guys. This started my morning off great. These men where so awesome! Not only there personalities but there domino skills as well.... i didn't win one game. Then I went outside with Jordan(I told the guys I needed some time to get my game skills back together). We walked around and visited with tons of old friends. I saw Raphael. I was able to tell him how much he helped me. Throughout the day I had a wonderful time! I loved every minute of it. 6 hours filled with pure joy. We had a lunch break and i DOWNED that sandwich and wanted to get back out there with my friends. These wonderful people would have me read the bible, tell them stories and love them forever. No longer did the smell get to me. I didn't smell a thing. The bugs were just part of the package and I enjoyed that too. Overall... LOVE. And I proved to myself that I did have a big heart for these people. There was bible reading, story telling, back rubbing, sassy comments, balloon blowing and funny face contests. And of course dancing and singing. God is good. I didn't look at the people like they were people that wanted to be loved and had mental and physical disabilities. But as people that wanted to give love as well. Some would start to complain but then say "but God is good and he knows what he is doing". God takes care of his people!!! And he sends us out to make sure they know and remember :) GO BE OBEDIENT!


Happy Birthday Mommy! I Love You!!