hi guys, I made it here safe through many flight delays and a bomb threat in Miami airport. but GRACIAS A DIOS, thanks be to God nonetheless. the sun has not stopped shining or burning since we got here. its winter time even though its in the 90s. ( its considered winter because it rains about everyday for short periods.)the language learing can be very tiring at times, or funny as i get my words mixed up and make myself look stupid ( fun times!) the Lord has consistently reminded me about him being my shepard, which is one of the things he does best. my family, my MCC staff and host family are gifts from God. their excellent.the food is good, especially the natural fruit juices.

i have to adjust to some things, like the overcrowed, buses, loud street vendors and vans with loud rooftop speakers screaming propaganda in the early mornings.

but im learning to count it all joy and learn obeidence through suffering.

at orientation, which help send me off on a excellent note. i meet some friends i wont ever forget. but during oreintation,we had a cross cultural exercise in the form of a card game. i didnt understand the directions and a rule of the game was that we could not talk at all at any point during or before the game. by the end of the game i was frustrated and a bit bitter. i was actually suprised how much emotion came from a 20 min game. i concluded that i dont like not being in control of my environment if i can have a hand in changing it. i like it when i
m adequate and confident in new situations, but in this game i was not, therefore, i couldnt find my footing and felt helpless.

its now friday about a week away from oreintaiton and im playing a card game i dont know with my host sister and one of the other SALTers( north american) named Emma. i instantly get the flashback of the card game, but i came from it feeling alot different.

eventhough i didnt understand the rules right a way, i played nontheless. eventhough i made the same mistakes over and over again, i eventually learned. i concluded that it wasnt about getting the game right, but its was about enjoying the people i was playing with and if i didnt always understand or get it right, it was more than ok.

i would love! to hear from u guys. mimijamaica@aol.com