Well we are off on our big adventure to Jamaica. It started out with an uneventful trip from Zanesville to Detroit Metro Airport on Saturday morning. We unloaded all of our bags at the international terminal and marched inside only to find out we were in the wrong terminal. Rick & Shane, who brought our luggage, had already left so we had to load all of our bags into the remaining vehicles for the ride over to the other terminal. As Derrick sings “Always look on the bright side of life.”

The next shock came while I was standing in line and had a lady tell me that I needed a signed and notarized letter from Kim saying that it was okay to take Ben out of the country. Feeling that there was little chance of success I tried to call Kim hoping she could find a notary on a Saturday and fax the letter. I got Rachel at our house who said Kim was at my mom’s. Fortunately, just at that moment the lady came back and said I didn’t need the letter after all. “Always look on the bright side of life.”

The rest of the trip through the ticketing process was uneventful but boring. The plane was late arriving and therefore departing. However, an incredible tailwind got us to Montego Bay on time. (That was the first time I have ever been in an airplane that reached a ground speed, as opposed to air speed, of over 600 MPH. Wow!) “Always look on the bright side of life.

The march through customs and immigration was also uneventful. The customs officer did hem and haw a little bit about the guitar amp I brought but then decided to let us through. We had no idea what to expect for transportation for the 3 hour ride to Mandeville. We didn’t recognize anyone there to meet us but a gentleman walked up to Brad and said he was there to pick us up. He then pulled up a big 40 passenger bus that would accommodate all of us with ease. We began to wonder if this was all on the up and up but it seemed to be okay so we got on. About 3 hours later he delivered us to Mandeville at approximately 12:30 AM. “Always look on the bright side of life.”

We got very little sleep last night. The sun came up about 5:30 here so it was difficult to sleep in. We also need to get accustomed to the dogs barking all night. We are staying in the “big house” (those of you who have been here before will no what I am talking about) and accommodations are great. The shower is cold though and we had an interesting morning listening to everyone shutter as they took they’re showers. Francis (The wife of Owen Gordon who is the principle of the Jamaica Bible College where we are staying.) cooked a wonderful breakfast for us. Thank God for Francis! “Always look on the bright side of life.”

The van came to pick us up for church at 10 AM. It took two trips but we all made it safely. We had an excellent Sunday School then enjoyed the church service. I was asked to give a greeting and then I introduced the quartet who sang a couple of songs. The service got over at about 1:30 and we had dinner at 3:15. Thank God for Francis! We had rice and peas, chicken, fried sweet potatoes, salad, pastry and guava punch. “Always look on the bright side of life.”

Tonight we are going to lead the worship service at the Battersea Church. They seem to be excited to have Kristy do her clowning. I think she is getting nervous. I think I’ll try and catch a short nap then get ready to go. The weather has been absolutely wonderful. In the 70’s and not a cloud in the sky. “Always look on the bright side of life.”