My Jamaican Comfort Zone

Hey y'all, this is probably my last blog during my trip to Jamaica and so I just wanted to share what I've been learning while I have been here! This trip has been absolutely incredible and although it’s difficult to know I’m leaving sooner than I originally planned, I know it’s for the best and God has an awesome plan at home for me to dive into.

As I prepared to come and live here, and be submerged in this culture for such a length of time, I never realized how comfortable the Lord would let me become here, in the sense that I have truly felt at home in this place.

I honestly did have moments of skepticism before I left. I would think to myself “Katelyn, can you really go and live in this different culture for a month or more and be okay there apart from everything you know?” But in those moments of doubt, I trusted that this was God’s plan for me to be here. And oh, how sweet His plan has been for me, always, through my entire journey of life.

That’s what I really want to write about today. What I’ve learned during this trip. I didn’t come here to necessarily do any “soul searching” or to “find myself” or any of those big things. I came to Jamaica following my heart, because God has made this place so near and dear to me. I trusted that if I came here obediently I would be used and that He would guide me and help me learn and understand Him more clearly and His plans for me.

Unfortunately, His plans remain a mystery to me. But, the mystery of these plans is what continually captivates me about the Holy Spirit and continues to grow us.

As for being directed and used, I can say 100% without any doubt that I know God has been at work in me and that I have made a difference. Not just because Nel has told me, but because this Jamaican experience has been so unique compared to all of my others.

This time was the most different because of having campers. It was so incredible to be a part of the lives of all the children and teens that came through New Generation Camp this summer. I am thankful for knowing them all and grateful to have met them, as well as the staff members.

The most incredible part was getting to experience the lessons that they all learned. The focus or theme for camps this summer was Identity, and so in their own ways each group focused on teaching campers more about their identity in Christ.

I wouldn’t say that I have struggled with a personal identity crisis or anything like that, but I will admit that the past several months and couple of years I have let my identity be influenced by things outside of Christ and so I didn’t let him entertain 100% of my focus.

I have always been such an advocate for childlike faith, as it is a HUGE part of my personal testimony and I have seen it be so largely and exponentially moving in so many lives. Seeing childlike faith at work again this summer was once again convicting. Through the eyes of children and teens at New Generation Camp, seeing them grow closer in touch with their identity in Christ has been a pleasant reminder that there is much more comfort and security in this identity than a worldly and social one.

Trusting an identity that isn’t centered on Christ creates struggles, doubts, fears and too many other voids in the heart to keep track of. So my commitment as I leave is to keep my identity rooted in Christ, going confidently in Him and knowing that as His child, I am capable of conquering much more than if I try and maintain life on my own.

When my identity is myself, sure I am special and unique, but when my identity is in Christ, I am a Masterpiece that He is constantly pouring into and continually building, it’s a simple choice, I just have to let him in and surrender control to Him.

This all comes back to comfort zones because in Jamaica, I am completely out of control of every aspect of my life and that normally that would be uncomfortable, but because I know God is taking care of it all and I’m here for His purpose and Glory, I am comfortable. I am also convinced there is so much less distraction. Yes it is by choice, because I am in a place where things aren’t as readily available. But the society I come from is so convinced that we can’t live without being the biggest and the best. We are obsessed with complexity.

I don’t want to go home and become obsessed with being complex again and complicate myself to a point where I lose sight of who I should be and where my focus should stay. I also want to be able to trust God as completely at home as I do here. I don’t want to become distracted by society and its expectations.

Obviously this means making sacrifices, but over the past month I’ve confirmed that there are many things I’m so used to having that I certainly don’t need to get by. Not to say that I have to get rid of everything in my life, or that it’s all evil because it isn’t; but I don’t want to be dependent upon worldly things or people for happiness or contentment as I sometimes have in the past. I want those things to come from the Lord and I want to fully trust that He will provide and sustain me with all the other things that I need, and desire to be happy and strongly identified in Him, in the right times that I need those things or people in my life.

I apologize for rambling, but I’ve wanted to just share what’s been on my heart from this trip, and here it is. I can’t wait to be home soon and just be loved by my family and friends there. I miss you all dearly, and I’ll see you soon!!

In Grace’s Amazing Hands,

Katelyn

PS- here’s a video by the Skit Guys—Who I absolutely LOVE—talking about being God’s Masterpiece. It definitely helps define letting your identity be rooted in Christ. Check it out, it definitely made a difference to me!

My Jamaican way of Life

So this time I want to give y'all some details on what camp life is like for me as Nel's assistant and what I get to do besides interacting with the campers. It's really fun but I'm kept very busy. 

I start my days pretty early, sometimes leaving to pick up the cooks at 6:00 so (believe it or not) Im up and awake before then. As soon as the cooks arrive I join them in the kitchen to assist with meal prep for the day, or if Nel picks them up I go down and start getting ready before they arrive! 

Now this may seam un-glamorous, but anyone who knows about my past experiences in Jamaica knows that Mrs. Barbara, the main cook is top notch and my kitchen idol!

Spending time working under Mrs Barbara is possibly one of the best things of being here. She is wise and just a blessing to be around. Being in her kitchen is always a Mary moment because its constant absorption and building up! I've learned many new things to make and ways of doing things to take home from her in these short weeks, and it is so valuable in every sense of the word!!! 

My favorite things to do in the kitchen are make all of the traditional Jamaican meals like dumplings and fritters and calaloo with salt fish, stewpeas with turkey neck, and all f the fresh fruits and veggies we use! Mrs Barbara even grows her own pumpkins here at camp and she is so proud of them! Lots of vegetables are common at home like sweet potatoes, tomatoes, yams and carrots, but some are native to Jamaica like cho cho, a sticky, green thing that leaves a glue over your hands that you spend the rest of the afternoon peeling off. 

My least favorite thing in the kitchen is peeling papayas at breakfast. Not only does it taste horrible, in my opinion but it smells absolutely awful! Basically it smells rotten and I can't see how they eat it and love it so much.. As for fruits I love the mangos and oranges, which aren't actually orange on the outside here. Also bananas and plantains are so plentiful here. We have many banana trees at the campsite. 

I also do a lot of driving for Nel, going into town to the supermarket or wholesale, hardware store or the market to pick up this and that. Driving on the wrong (left) side of the road and car isn't so bad and I'm used to it. The worst thing is I'm just slow compared to everyone else and they're always passing me (overtaking as they say here) and the road to camp is horrible so it takes about 10-15 minutes to travel the 2.5 miles up from the main road. 

Sometimes I'll go to Salem or Priory or St. Ann's Bay or Ocho Rios to pick up this or that and I am amazingly so comfortable remembering where to go and how to do what I need to. I don't feel one bit foreign. Today I picked up a staff member from the bus stop in Ochie and not only did he say I fit in perfectly as a Jamaican driver, apparently I'm a natural, but he also said I don't even drive like a woman! This is said to be a sincerely high complement!!!! 

One thing about driving that I don't get though, is that nobody takes one-way streets seriously. Even Aunty Nel, occasionally defies the warning if it looks all clear. I guess its just another way of life on the island! 

That's all for now!! Love and miss you all!!! 

In Grace's Amazing Hands, 

Katelyn

my Jamaican birthday post

Greetings y’all! Sorry it’s been so long, but finding time to actually sit and write is difficult and getting to the internet that’s sufficient for posting is just the same!

To fill you in, Tomorrow ends children’s camp and begins the last week and 4^th and final New Generation Children’s/Teen camp. Then during the month of August we at the campsite will host various other groups who rent out the site for their own camps.

The groups have been so wonderful. Each so unique and fun, very adventurous and highly entertaining! This trip has been so stretching and different than any of my previous visits here and putting it into words isn’t just cake like you may think!

Although I was most involved in the Ultimate Series Camp for the oldest teens 14-17 years old, and it was a super incredible time to watch them learn and develop spiritually and just to mature as young individuals, I have to say that my favorite group so far has been the Leadership Group the very first session.

These kids are essentially a pre-counselor training group. They do deep leadership and team-building sessions. It was a small group of only 12 youth and they had 2 counselors, I also got to participate with them a lot and definitely related to most of them.

Ultimate was fun too, at first we weren’t sure how many youth we’d have committed to camp, but God provided good numbers and it was a wonderful week. We ended with a trip to Mystic Mountain and I had an incredible outlook on the island, and got my first Jamaican sunburn of my 4 visits to the place. But all is well now.

The Great Adventure (Kid’s Camp) has been fun just because I really love the young children. They’re so loving and absorbent and just eager to learn and be poured into!

All of the children I have met this summer, as well as the peers I have been blessed to work with have been an incredible blessing thus far.

It’s also been wonderful to celebrate my 23^rd birthday today in this place. I’ve been fortunate to celebrate my birth in many different places, communities and cultures and this is definitely my favorite so far, just by the love that I feel here, though I am so distant from my home.

Aunty Nel took me to Scotchie’s for Jerk food for lunch and we had Devon House I-Scream afterwards in Ocho Rios. Judith also brought me a piece of Cheesecake when she came in from Kingston for the day. The biggest disappointment of the day is I’ve really wanted a plain Coca Cola and never did get my hands on one. Oh the little things! Oh well, there’s always tomorrow for another small treat!

Missing everyone at home, my family, friends and precious puppy. But I’m still confident that I’m right where I need to be! Loving y’all and hoping that you’re all glad for the update! I’ll be back with you shortly as soon as I can!! Hoping for wonderful adventures in the final week of camp!

If there’s anything you’d really like to know, please feel free to email me at kate.paige.hukill@gmail.com and I’m glad to answer questions and communicate in that way as best I can!!

Please also continue to keep me and New Generation Camp in your prayers!!

In Grace’s Amazing Hands,

Katelyn

I'm In Jamaica, Mon...

So I just wanted to check in with y’all from beautiful Jamaica! I arrived this past Thursday, on the 4^th of July after an early morning flight out of DFW and being bumped to the second flight out in Atlanta and upgraded to first class, it was quite nice. Only my bags were delayed but not for long and there was no hassle with customs or immigration at all!

Friday the staff arrived in the evening for staff training camp, so that morning, Nel and I went to St. Ann’s Bay for the market and things and so I could remember where everything is. Amazingly, in a place that is quite unfamiliar, nothing seems too foreign to me. Friday night, quite late, the staff arrived and had dinner, then we all had a quick get to know you moment and went to bed for an early morning on Saturday.

Saturday morning began with everyone breaking up into camp groups and acquainting us and sharing our testimonies. Most of my time here will be working as the facilities assistant and doing various projects for Nel around camp, but I will be serving as a counselor for a week during the Ultimate Adventure camp from July 11-20!

We’ll work with the oldest group of students, age 14-17 and it will be the first official group through for the summer! The other staff for this camp were an amazing group of people and I can’t wait to continue to get to know them and work along side of them!

As Saturday progressed, we had some general orientation and training from Nel and different bonding types of experiences and we ended the day with an evening of prayer and worship at the cross on the top lawn. It was an experience truly unlike any I’ve ever had.

In all of my past trips to Jamaica, we’ve been here as an American team, but this time, I’m totally immersed in this culture and experiencing something completely different and stretching. After only a few days, I honestly miss little, aside from my family and friends at home. But I've literally told EVERYONE here about my dog, I miss him A LOT! He really is special to me and my own little prize! :) (Don't worry mom, dad and Emily, I've shown y'all off too, and Jamaica says I look like daddy and thinks Emily is my twin!)

Today we had our final session of staff training and then the majority of staff traveled home to Kingston. In the morning, Nel and I will also go to Kingston until Wednesday to take care of some administrative things and for final preparations before the long month of non-stop camps begin!

I can’t wait to experience it all and share with you as I’m growing!!!

Until next time, In Grace’s Amazing Hands,

Katelyn

 

My Jamaica Love

There's a place in this world rooted deep in my soul. The people of this country have captivated my heart and The Lord has truly blessed my soul by this place. It's a vivid spot in the world. Full of vibrant life and joyful spirits; full of people who truly yearn for love and depth in their relationships. Jamaica taught me a lot about myself. It reminded my of a greater purpose to live for and a greater love to exemplify in all that I do.

Every single day, there are instances that cause me to reflect on my times there and be filled with unspeakable joy. I love it and I know I'll be back in due time.

Today I am thinking of Jamaica because I miss my family there. No longer are the people in my life that remain in that country just my friends, but now my family. They are a part of me, connected by the Holy Spirit, that I cherish to my core.

Every day, I am blessed by my moment of selfishness that led me to this place and by God's grace turned into a life changing blessing and continuing gift. Jamaica reminds me why I strive to live and love above reproach and why my call to serve at home and internationally is Biblical and a command that I wish to fulfill.

Not everyone is fortunate to know where they're called to invest their love and their life. I am so glad that my Father has shown me the people who are my hearts desire to love and invest in, to the best of my ability.

Today my prayer is that the people I am surrounded by and that are a part of my life can see where their mission is, but understand that it isn't just a mission. It's a deeper call to love our brothers and sisters, unconditionally, and when we do, they return it, wholeheartedly!!!

I cannot wait for the day I am back in my hearts home, Jamaica, the place which my soul yearns for and I see in so many dreams.

Until then, for these people I will pray, for St. Anne's Bay, and Priory and the Basic School in Chester and New Generation Camp. The places I have had a small hand in helping to build up and long to return and continue to invest in! 

In Grace's Amazing Hands,

Kate

For My Love of the Game

          In the process of applying to Texas A&M for Sport Management I'm required to write a Statement of Purpose essay. I wanted to share mine with everyone who supports me in my journey and the things I pursue for my life! I love you all and thank you! Feel free to critique and edit before I submit to the University!!! Thanks, y'all!! 

          Nelson Mandela said, “There is no passion to be found in settling for less than you are capable of.” Well I have always been confident that I am not only capable of achieving greatness for myself, but instilling it in the hearts and minds of others who’s passions are similar to mine.

            In 1994, when the Texas-Louisiana Baseball League sent a team to Tyler, Texas, and my parents took me to my first game, we were all completely unaware of the impact that the game of baseball would make upon my life. Yet some of my fondest, childhood memories are of trips to Mike Carter Field to watch the Wildcatters. At the time I hardly understood the game, but the sounds, the sights, even the smells, the entire atmosphere of baseball captivated my young soul.

            Of course I had my first crush that summer too. He was the Wildcatter’s shortstop, and a right handed relief pitcher, Troy Dean Conkle. I was smitten, but mostly because he was my friend too. For my fifth birthday, Troy and the Wildcatters, oh yeah, and my parents too, gave me the most magical, memorable experience, EVER! Rigger Wildcatter, the mascot, took me to the field, where the team had all the fans sing to me! Then Troy gave me an autographed t-shirt, with his number, a rose, and a special kiss on the cheek! Looking back at the pictures of that day, I can remember it so clearly. It was all I wanted, and it proved to me then that I loved baseball.

            The Wildcatters were in Tyler for two more years, but even after they left and we couldn’t just go down the street to the ballpark for games, my daddy kept my fire fueled. He introduced me to the Texas Rangers. It was the era of Rusty Greer, Juan Gonzalez, Mark McLemore and my favorite, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. There were many greats to admire, and though the team was far from what they’ve been in recent years, as a child, it was baseball to watch and my heart took great joy in it. To me, this was all that mattered. The spring I turned seven, I also got an opportunity of a lifetime, daddy signed me up to play on my first team, in the Rose Capital West Little League.

            I was the only girl on the Diamondbacks that season. A pudgy little blonde in my teal jersey and grey pants with my stirrup socks and brand new cleats, I was ready as any of those boys for that first practice and then the games. I remember when Coach Hunt told me he was so glad to have me, taking the chance on the boy’s sport, and I just told him I loved baseball and I was ready to play. I was far from the best, and when he gave me a chance to pitch with him one night-it was coach pitch-I totally blew it, but he still gave me the game ball because he knew I tried my hardest that night. Our team came out on top that year, we were the champions of the league and were to be honored at an event with all of the other teams and the east little league too. But that was my only year in baseball, because not long after, Tyler got a girl’s league and I got sent there.

            Fast-pitch wasn’t baseball, but it was close enough and it was a way for me to stay involved so I was okay with it. I still loved the sport and I just wanted to learn it better, so I kept it up. At this time, I decided I wanted to actually be able to identify with a position, and be the best I could there, so I decided to be a catcher. I loved catching, and I did it all through junior high school, and then I decided to join the Lady Raider Softball team at Robert E. Lee when I got to high school. I was in for a shock. It wasn’t quite the camaraderie I’d always imagined and seen in movies, nor what I was used to. The competition was at an entirely new level and I couldn’t just play because I loved my sport anymore. I had to play to win. My coach, Edgy Arbuckle was cutthroat, aggressive and intimidating, and unfortunately, after two years playing for her, I no longer loved what I was doing and I left the team.

            But I still loved watching baseball with dad on TV, and I’d learned to stay in the news and keep up with things going on online during spring training. I’d also started entertaining myself with college teams, during the College World Series in the summer and began to identify with the team from the college I planned to attend, Hardin-Simmons University. It was a small, Division III school in Abilene, but they played UT Tyler, so I got to watch them a few times before I moved off, and I definitely kept up with their news. By the time I got to Abilene, I was determined to know all about the Cowboys and be a regular fan.

            My first year at HSU, once springtime rolled around, I became a regular at John J. Hunter field. I’d gotten to know some of the guys through FCA as well as other fans and the Sports Information Director’s Graduate Assistant. Through these friends I got to know even the head coach and his wife and make valuable connections on the staff of our Athletic Department, which led to filming games and even announcing for the Cowboys throughout my time at HSU, only furthering my passion for the game and desire to make it something I invest my future in.

            My junior year, in on a breezy Saturday night, the Cowboys were playing Mississippi College. In the top of the 8^th MC tied the game with the Cowboys, and in the bottom of the same inning, HSU came back. I was in the press box filming, and in the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and none on base, with a kid up to bat who’d done nothing all game and it looked like we could hold and go ahead in the bottom, he smashed one out, to take it back. In the bottom, HSU tied it again, sending the game into extra innings and the crowd into a sigh of relief and hopes of a soon end. The game ended an hour and a half later after 15 innings! Mississippi College would score one or two each time back up, and HSU would hold them off, and finally in the 15^th HSU clenched the game and ASC West Division title. Sometime in the 10^th inning that night, I imagine online viewers began getting a pretty shaky broadcast, and also a very chatty play by play from an anxious, excited recorder. I had my best friend on the line calling the game to him, as he was a way at a track meet, but he wanted in on the action.

            The next round of the playoffs didn’t go so well for HSU, but that night will ever be engrained in my memories, along with all of my trips to Cowboy’s games and the times I got to be involved in the action. People think its crazy the way I still get when baseball season rolls around. They ask me to explain how much I can enjoy something so much when I don’t even do it myself. Simply put, I truly have a deep love for the game. I don’t just watch it; I follow it year round. It’s not an April through October sport for me. I’m constantly in the news, reading reports and trade rumors. When I can’t follow the action of the sport, I follow the business, and it saddens me that sports of our era have truly become big business.

            I earnestly believe that there are lots of athletes left across the professional and semi-professional industries that make their mark in sports not just for the fame and money but because they still love their games. Yet among the trappings of the fame and fast-paced lifestyles, their passions just become their paychecks.

            I want to study sport management because I believe that it only takes one person reminding players that the core values of their sport and the purity of their game is reason enough to do it and remain deeply in love with what they’re doing and playing for, aside from the money. As well as reminding them that after the money is gone, they have to live for something and they should love sharing their passions with others, because something or someone shared it once with them.

            Whether its recruiting and scouting, becoming an agent, broadcasting or working in sports journalism, which are all things I have considered. I want to be able to do it not only with great passion, but also while exerting great knowledge and professionalism.

            I know the business and political aspects of sport in our culture cannot be escaped, but I know that a deep love of the game still exists in the heart of most players and yearns to be expressed. As I pursue my dreams, I desire to help others pursue theirs with purity and integrity, even in a time where these things seem lost and ancient.

            I am confident that directing others in sport is not only what I want to do, but also something I have been called to invest my life in. Sport has been my passion from a young age, and the knowledge that I have of sports as well as the memories are some of my fondest. The opportunity to pursue this education at Texas A&M is one I will cherish most dearly and I believe it will give me the greatest direction into my future, as I take the next steps into loving my game.

In Grace's Amazing Hands, 

Katelyn Paige