I Saw Santa Before Christmas

Here comes Santa Claus

Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus lane....

Oh, wait, Santa Claus isn't coming... Santa Claus was already here. Last week I, along with Jamie, had the honor of serving beside the mission team from Santa Claus UMC, Santa Claus, IN. The team consisted of 10 members and built a house for two 70-something sisters, Myrtel and Amboursine Blackburn. On Sunday evening, October 11, the team was able to attend a program at St. Cyprian's Anglican Church which showcased a number of local, award-winning performers in song, piano, dance and spoken word. For lunch on Wednesday the team was treated to a meal provided by Uncle-B's, a local jerk stand/cook shop owned by Mr. Brown. The choice of meal was fried chicken, curried chicken, or brown stewed pork, served with rice and mixed veggies, a sample of their jerk pork, and a cup of chicken foot soup. What a meal!!!

(Arthur and I had stopped at Uncle-B's the previous week and asked Mrs. Brown if she knew the Blackburn sisters. She said Amboursine had been in just a few days before and mentioned how difficult things were getting with the house they were in. Mrs. Brown was so excited to see us and to know the sisters were getting a new house that she took time out to take us to find the sisters.)

Thursday morning we took the team to the infirmary in Pt. Maria where they sang, prayed, read Scripture, talked and laughed with the residents. Some residents were new to them and a few, like Richard and Sylvia, are old friends for some. Richard was sharp as ever and had everyone in stitches. What a wonderful time of ministry!

Friday we took the team to Ocho Rios for a little bit of touristy stuff... the market and shopping, floating down the White River, and then to the Hibiscus Lodge for the night. I even talked a few of them in to walking down the road to get some Devon House I-Scream. Mmmmmm!!!! Then on Saturday it was on to the airport for the goodbyes. The week had come to an end. What a wonderful time of service and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. (This was my 3rd time to serve with Santa Claus UMC. My first was in Oct. '06 during my first visit to JA, and the second was last Oct.)

Thank you to Santa Claus UMC for a great week!