“WAGWAN?” (what is going on) → The locals speak patawon. It is an English language, but they love to cut off the endings to words and mash them together, making it kind of difficult to understand, BUT I think I am getting the hang of it!

We landed in Jamaica on Friday after a quick three hour flight, and a little scuffle at customs. Driving through the country was jaw dropping. For the first time, I was in a different country. We are driving on the left side of the road, there are cows, goats, and dogs in the street, colorful buildings, long grass, beautiful mountains, palm trees, pot holes, and zero stop signs. Thankfully, we made it to the base in one piece! As we pulled into the base, I realized we were about to do more than manual labor; we were instilling hope. Before my feet even touched the ground, little girls were crowding around the bus with open arms. “Thank you, Thank you”

It has only been a week, and this was just the start of it.

I will be in Jamaica for a little over five weeks, 36 days. During the week, our ministry days are Sunday to Thursday, starting each day with worship and a devo, but ministry looks different for each team. Some of us are repairing/building roofs, others are going into schools or maintaining base operations. My team got the blessing to be on the goodwill team (all the odd jobs). Repairing roofs is a major need in Jamaica, but what about all the other damage?

Starting on Sunday, our squad prepared a community dinner for more than 100 locals. The kids ran around, everyone conversed, and there was so much joy in the air.

Throughout the week I have realized that ministry should be built on the foundation of putting relationships over tasks. I was so busy focusing on if the tables were set up, if the food was prepared, if the community was connecting or if the tents were aligned, that I overlooked the real reason I was there. At the end of the night the plates were cleaned, the tents were put away, and the air was still, but the memories ruminated. The love that I pore out over the next four weeks will continue to bring hope to the community even after I leave.

On Monday, I tried to embrace the pace of peace. When Jesus called his disciples they took nothing with them. They relied on faith alone. Peace is always available, and a peaceful pace leaves room for conversations, prayer, tears, and growth. It is slow.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth”

I am learning God doesn't need me to restore the destruction. In fact, God doesn't need me for anything, but he wants me to rely on Him. He wants me to be still with Him. He wants me to slow down in order to spread love and hope. God said, “go”, and I am here. I am here to be with Him. I am here to work at the pace of peace because maybe the interruption is actually the mission.

Through working at the pace of peace, God has already brought so much fruit, so let me share a few stories!

1. On Monday, my team got to build stairs for a 93 year old lady who lives alone. For more than a year, she had to jump into her house. As we worked, she watched us question every decision we made. “That doesn't look right. Are we sure we are supposed to do it like that? That looks really uneven. How do I stop missing the nail?” Don’t get me wrong, by the end of it, these were the sturdiest stairs I have ever seen, but if I were her, I wouldn’t even look at those steps, none the less use them. With that being said, she was so grateful. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for these lovely, beautiful, and kind girls, thank you.” No matter our works, God uses the relationships within ministry to instill blessings.

2. On Tuesday, my team got to fill pot holes. I thought that we would be ignored or asked to get out of the road, but every single car (like actually EVERY. SINGLE. CAR. on this busy road) slowed down. “Thank you, thank you, you are doing a great job, thank you, stay safe, thank you”. Everyone would wave, give a thumbs up, or honk their horn as a symbol of gratitude and recognition. I even got to speak with a lady who owned a shop on the corner. I asked, “where do you see God’s greatest power?” She said, “I woke up this morning.” Like wow, actually yes. We often desire miraculous signs, but we look past the biggest blessing of all. God woke us up this morning. His power is just as visible in the mundane as it is in feeding 5,000. 

3. On Wednesday, my team got the opportunity to clear trash, trees, sand, and rock from in front of a house. This was no easy task, and even though the home owner had passed away, I was able to talk to many neighbors. Locals would even sit with us as we worked, saying, “put your back into it!”, with a huge smile on their face. I asked another lady, “How do you worship God every second of the day?”She said, “Without God in me, my body would not move, so every time I take a breath, I thank him.” Every time we move, speak, or breath, we receive a blessing from God – even having functional fingers to type and a brain that is able to articulate this blog is a miracle.

4. On Thursday, my body was physically exhausted. My team and I continued to clear rocks, as we jacked up the house, and attempted to roll it 10 feet on logs. Long story short, the house was very unstable, BUT my team encouraged me, and when I was weak, they worked harder. They are amazing!

Next week, my team is going to be roofing! I am very excited, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. Thank you for the prayers, and all of the encouragement. Believe it or not, these stores are just the start of what I experienced this week. There’s also kids’ ministry twice a week, team time, line dancing, long conversations, card games, worship, cooking/serving in the kitchen, and a long adventure day spent at the Caribbean ocean (so beautiful).

• Love, Gianna Catanzano