| March 4, 2008
Hello from beautiful Jamaica, “Gem of the Caribbean.”
February is a very busy month for Jamaicans, particularly school children.
Sports Day was February 4th, with all day cheerleading, track and field events, good food and lots of rain. I still marvel at how they run all events in their sock feet. Everyone had a good time and most kids went home having won something or feeling good about their efforts. The competition is between the three houses at Iona—Swaby, Dixon, and Henry. I am in Swaby and am proud to say we came in second.
Ash Wednesday is a national holiday here, with most businesses closed and special celebrations in the churches. This year, Boscobel hosted the service, and though the church is an unfinished structure, more than 600 people attended. The day began at 7:30 a.m. with 16 people from ages 12 to around 60 baptized in the “pool,” a beautiful tiled structure built into the floor below the choir area. I found it very moving to hear each candidate for baptism say a few words before they entered the water.
The worship service began around 10:00 a.m. with great music and devotion along with the sermon. Lunch was an hour and then at 1:30, we were treated to a wonderful concert of island music unknown and known. It ended with a brass band that was outstanding. The music shook the little town for sure. The service ended around 4:45 p.m. It was a long, meaningful day.
Celebrate Jamaica Day celebrations at Iona School.
School resumed on Monday, and kindergarten began to prepare for a Valentine's presentation for the school, and the entire school started to get ready for February 28th, which is the day the island schools took a day to “Celebrate Jamaica, Celebrate Me, Celebrate School!” It was an all-day affair. Each grade level studied one of the groups of people who settled the island and gave it its rich history. Their presentations included information on food, religion, clothes, homes, language, why they came, and so forth.
For art, each class researched and developed banners or posters to go along with their presentations. In music, each class learned to perform a song or dance for their respective group. It was quite an undertaking for all of us, teachers and students alike, and it was very successful.
It was a beautiful day with good attendance and media coverage. From kindergarten to sixth grade students made presentations. One of the best was when all 42 kindergarteners, ages 3-5, said the Lord’s Prayer in Taino and English. They were dressed as Tainos and precious in every way. Everyone enjoyed entertainment, food, and fellowship.
Less than a week later, Jamaica celebrates Peace Day throughout the island, with special devotions, speeches, and activities. The theme this year is “Peace for Prosperity.”
We look forward to March 12, when the Iona choir will compete in the parish music festival. We have our work cut out for us. The theme is gospel and we are doing a medley of songs with some moves and unusual items. It will be a great day just to hear the many different songs.
As you can tell, Jamaican schools are very busy now, and of course with Easter so near many different worship services and such are to come.
Next month I will report on my second Easter on this beautiful island and my days at Iona.
In the belief that, “with God all things are possible,”
Vicki
The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 266 |
