Royal Servants

Guatemala 2011 - Leader Reflections

2011-06-18T17:57:00.000-05:00

Our 2011 JCS Mission Team is now on their way home and, from my perspective, it was a great success. Spiritual writer, Henri Nouwen once said, "It is of great importance that we leave the world of measurements behind when we speak about the life of the Spirit." So, I won't bother talking about things like the number of kids we worked with. In fact, I don't even know. But what I can talk about are the movements of the Spirit that became evident each evening as our group circled up to discuss the day.

During our final debrief session, I asked each participant to share a few sentences describing what they believed God was challenging them with this week. As I listened I summarized those phrases and paragraphs into a list of words. This list represents, in the most simple form, a list of things God is doing in the lives of these team members. As I told the team last night, I don't believe these words represent only what God did on this trip, but rather, they represent a broader movement of God in their lives. I challenged them to continue to ponder these words and to watch for ways that God may carry these themes on as they return to "normal" life.

So, here is the list:

Relationships
Perspective
Priorities
Gratitude
Contentment
Hospitality
Patience
Surrender
Trust
Stewardship
Listening
Seeking
Prayer
Journey

There is no real way to measure the outcome of this trip. But with words like these emerging in the hearts of these students, I'm confident that this experience will forever be an important part of their journey.

Thanks to all who have been in prayer for this team, and for those who also helped make it possible.

Peace,
joe
Director of Short-Term Missions
Simply Missions

Guatemala 2011 - 8 Days, 30 Pictures, 1 Amazing Trip!

2011-06-18T15:44:00.000-05:00

Our traditional closing prayer at the Airport.

Making signs for the carnival stations.

The fearless leaders.

Some of the team in front of our bus.

Card games, a popular evening activity.

Kassidy cleaning up around the bleachers, with the help of a Guatemalan woman.

Morning prayer on the soccer field before work begins.

Danilo (one of the GSM coaches) presenting the devotional to the kids.

Team "Monkey"!

Our face painting crew! It always draws a crowd.

Team members praying over a Guatemalan boy who received some "new" cleats that we brought down.

More team members praying. It was a theme for the week.

Bleacher repair project: Check.

A nice view of Volcano Agua from Renacimientos.

Climbing the steps to Renacimientos.

Painting in Renacimientos.

More painting...

Afternoon soccer at Bremen.

Charlie presenting a devotional to his soccer team.

Ramiro praying with kids after the carnival.

Roy, Charlie, and Polo preparing to build the sombra (shade structure).

The sombra being installed.

Happy workers!

Danilo presenting a devotional under the new sombra. Without it, many would have gone home due to the rain.

Some of the carnival crew with some of the kids.

Charlie, Tricia, Amy, John, and Joe sporting the new GSM shirts.

Our team circled for prayer at the soon-to-be GSM property.

Our prayer circle.

The Team!

Team lunch in Antigua.

Guatemala 2011 - Day 7 (Friday)

2011-06-17T23:32:00.000-05:00

Last day. We have learned many things. Like hola for Chris. But more than that we learned about contentment and listening to God. It has been a great week and we miss everyone.

Seth and Chris ;)

This week has been major. Starting with way too much airport food…. I already have issues when I eat food… not in a bad way I just get an upset tummy. But anyway I’ve learned a lot, especially about prayer. I’m pretty ADD and this week Joe talked about silent prayers, like being completely silent and not even thinking anything just listening to God not asking for anything. I struggle with the whole being still and having nothing going on in my brain. I always have completely random thoughts bouncing around making absolutely no sense at all to me and they are in my head. I’ve been recently aware of the fact that I’ve been trying to squeeze God into my little box of life plans and He is just so “God” He wont fit and I continue to try to put Him there trying to make Him fit my plans instead of doing what He wants me to do in His time not waiting for Him to work on my time schedule. God doesn’t work that way at all and I don’t know how many times I’ve learned that lesson but God will keep teaching it to me because He will never give up on me.

Today we went to Antigua which is awesome because shopping is awesome! ;) This was my second time being there and each time I’m amazed at what goes on like the bartering and how much cheaper it is. I absolutely epically fail at bartering and I feel like the Guatemalans secretly laugh at the dumb gringo, because of how unskilled I am. But it is still awesomely fun.

I’m stoked to be coming home tomorrow. Even though I’ve had an awesome week, I miss my family and my tubby! ;)

-Tamry

Guatemala 2011 - Day 6 (Thursday)

2011-06-17T11:51:00.000-05:00

Salutations from Guatemala!

Our team had our last carnival today with the kids in Betania. This week the part of the festival I have been involved with is a game working on shooting accuracy. We set up a goal with a hula hoop (3 points) and tennis rackets (2 points) and the kids will get “un punto” (one point) for hitting a cone. Today, I got hit by the ball. I also saw Michael Jackson… he’s ALIVE!! …and playing soccer in Guatemala.

This trip has been quite an experience, totally different from last year. This year our team has been able to split the day with the carnivals and different work projects. The time with the kids has been amazing and tons of fun. This week has been exhausting but what kept me working this week was seeing the joy in the kids faces when they would play they carnival games. Also this year I have seen God’s hand in answering prayer. Earlier this week a worksite was granted a new facility which they have been hoping to receive for seven years. I was reminded through this experience how God’s timing is always the best timing. This is just one of the many lessons I have learned this week. Another thing we did today was visit the future site of Global Soccer Ministries of Guatemala. The land of the future site is beautiful and full of opportunity. I am excited to see God’s work through this land. –Em

HOLA!!.. Sadly this is pretty much the only word I know in Spanish but I AM getting better. I was really nervous about the language barrier but it is amazing what you can accomplish with hand motions (except for a select few that would be considered offensive here). The people have been so friendly and receiving towards our group and the Bantas are so kind, thoughtful, and self-sacrificing. They always thank us for what we are doing but our work seems so little in the great scheme of things. However, I’m so grateful that we have been given the opportunity to work with them. God is doing some GREAT things down here in Guatemala and I hope that our school and this team can stay connected with the mission of Global Soccer Ministries (GSM). I’m also so proud of all the students on the trip and the things that they have been sharing in our group meetings. It’s so encouraging to see God working in their lives! On another note we’ve been able to play soccer almost everyday… can’t get much better than that!!-Kara

Signing off-

*EmKa… (Emma & Kara)

Hi, this is Glyn – just wanted to add a note. This week has been so amazing and I am ‘soccer-ed’ out. Can you imagine that? We played most days in a match with the older teens which was a blast. Today, we worked in our forth academy of the week. It’s hard to convey in words the smells, the sounds, the crowds and the poverty. When we get back, give us a little time to unwind and process. I, at least, feel that the returning culture shock may be more intense than that initial adaptation.

The teens have been amazing. Serving, caring and just being faithful in working so hard. The sun at times has been so hot, so don’t think the suntans are as a result of kicking back.

God has been working in such amazing ways, teaching us about our relationship with God. We have been talking about our willingness, our posture before God and just a general attitude of faith.

We are missing our families and look forward to seeing you all soon.

*Glyn.

Guatemala 2011 - Day 5 (Wednesday)

2011-06-16T18:18:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone!

Well it seems like we’ve been here for way longer than five days but it’s been an awesome experience, this team is great and I’m still excited to see what God has waiting for me and all the rest of us in this last couple days. Just spending time with different kids everyday that live hard lives is eye opening for me. Seeing the smiles on their faces when they win little stickers for the games we have set up for them just makes me realize how great I really have it. It motivates me and encourages me when I see how happy, joyful and thankful these Guatemalans are for everything. Even though there are people constantly watching us from their windows and doorsteps not doing anything and just seeing us picking up after them, it still motivates me to do more.

This trip is making me realize so many things I need to change in my life. When you come on a trip like this, when the focus is totally on God, it makes you realize how many distractions there really are that waste your time. I’ve realized I take all those distractions for granted, along with family and friends and other things that I value. The littlest thing in my life could be the biggest thing to someone else in their life. I’ve been working at a certain game each day for the kids and I’ve been playing goalie, I know I’m not good at a lot of things but I’ve realized that even though you’re bad at something God can still use you. God could work the most in that weakest point in your life.

In our devotions we’ve had key words each day, like “Willingness”, “Posture”, “?” or “Confusion” and today was “Remain”. We need to remain in God and just let Him work through us. Everything will take time, we can’t force it. A big verse that has stood out for me for a long time, especially this week is John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.” It pretty much is self explanatory. It’s just a reminder to me everyday about humility. God needs to be the top priority and it’s not all about me, it’s about God. I need to be available to God at all times, whatever, whomever, whenever, wherever. Give everything to God, and take credit for nothing.

Today we built a shelter type structure by another soccer field. We painted the walls around the field and we got the structure built. All we really had to do was set up the games for the kids, put up the shelter, finish painting the last wall and wait for the kids to come. While we were finishing that up along with eating lunch, we saw a huge thunder cloud come in. We all knew it was going to start raining. Altogether, we quickly put the structure up as it started raining. Many of us just prayed silently while we saw that cloud roll in that it wouldn’t rain so the kids would come out. God still allowed it to rain but the kids still came out and they had a blast. We accomplished everything we meant to today even though it did rain, which also meant we got to put the brand new structure to use! Today was a success. I could say so much more but this week has definitely been great so far and I can’t wait to see what God has for me when I get home!

Mom, dad, and the rest of my family and friends, thank you so much for sending me on this trip! I love you guys and I hope you’re all doing well.

*Madeleine

Hey, hey! Well my ears and hairline (of all things) are sunburned, and I now have a white band on my legs just like my sister’s but besides that, my time here has been amazing so far; Guatemala is so beautiful (and reminds me so much of South Africa). Anyways, our day started at 7:00am with breakfast and soon the team was off to the third soccer field we worked on this week. Along with painting a cinderblock wall around the field and constructing a shade/rain shelter for the kids, we gave the children a carnival with several different soccer based activities. After 8 hours in the sun yesterday, honestly, the rain we experienced today was a nice relief even if we did get soaking wet. Getting stuck in traffic due to a fallen tree was nothing compared to the traffic jam we went through yesterday.

After dinner back at the seminary our team gathered together for debrief and a reflection on that day’s devotions. Tonight’s “theme” was Remain and we talked about how it’s better to stay rooted and let God work in our lives and let us grow rather than wander off on our own path. This week I’ve learned many things but a couple things that I find important are:

1. That God never loves me less, no matter what I do, and

2. God’s plan is always the right one.

We think that there’s only one way for something to happen and we’ll pray for that thing when really, we should be praying for the reason why we want that “thing”. Also my plan and controlling my life is never a good thing so, even though it may be hard, I just need to trust Him because He’s the only one I can trust with my life. This week still has so much potential and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for those whom we come in contact with as well as what God has in store for our team individually and as a whole.

I’ve been so blessed to be with the crazy (I do not use this lightly) people I’ve been with on this trip. Thank you all for supporting us and praying for us!

*Alexandra

Guatemala 2011 - Day 4 (Tuesday)

2011-06-16T18:16:00.002-05:00

Hola amigos and familia! I miss you all so much! I hope your all having a good week so far, I know I am. God is really speaking to me through a number of things and I’ve only been here 3 days. The thing that has stood out to me the most is the joy of the people here in Guatemala. We went to zone 18 today to work and the people living there face lots of challenges. Many of the children come from abusive homes and have pretty much nothing, but yet they are so happy! Just saying “hola” to them puts a huge smile on their face. Even though I’m here to witness to them, they are also being a huge witness to me by being content in joyful in even the worst of conditions. Which then makes me ask myself the question, how can I complain about anything or be unhappy at all when these people have nothing and I have nearly everything they could ever want? It is really a wake up call and it is teaching me to be content in any circumstances and to be a witness through the joy I get through Christ to other people just like the Guatemalan people have been to me.

Carrie

Hello things have gone well here. There is so much that I have seen and felt. One of the culture shocks here would have to be the driving. It’s crazy! If you cut in front of somebody it is ok. But one of the things I have noticed the most is the poverty. Yesterday when I ate lunch I saw the kids looking at us eat and I felt bad because though I wanted to give them all a portion of my lunch I could not because I did not have enough. It just made me think of how blessed America is and how we take things for granted. I am glad though I am able to serve and minister to these kids and show them the love of Christ. Hope all is going well back home.

Matthew

Guatemala 2011 - Day 3 (Monday)

2011-06-14T12:04:00.000-05:00

Hola everyone!!! I just want to say that this trip has been great and personally life changing. Today we got to build relationships with the kids from a community called Cipresales. This group of kids was amazing. A lot of the stories of the kids were sad and quite scary yet they all were sooo happy to play soccer with us and play the games that the Bantas had planned. The littlest things that we would give them gave them happiness. I love the people here they are very loving and kind. I have never kissed cheeks (that's a Guatemalan greeting) or shaken hands with this many strangers before. I like it!!!

One of the things that has been life changing for me are the devotions that we do. Today we read a section in our devotion book called All for the Glory it talked about the will of God and the purpose of our lives. The verse that stuck out to me was Isaiah 43:7 this verse said that we should glorify God in everything. This is the purpose of our lives. This is Gods will to glorify him in everything. I can’t even put a number on how many times I’ve asked God “what is your will for me” or “what do you want from my life” and this is the first time that I have found the answer right before me in the bible. I’m super duper excited to work with more kids tomorrow and attempt to speak their language and come up with ways to explain what I’m trying say. Thank you for your prayers God hears you and He has given us a safe trip thus far. I love you all through Christ and wish a good night.

~ Maty

This country is beautiful and the people are incredible. The Bantas (the missionaries we’re working with) have such great hearts for God and for the people here. They have really made it a point to show us the city and have us really experience what it would be like to live here. I cannot believe it is only the third day here. Already, God has taught me so much! This group is so supportive and I have already seen God work through us and in us, especially through prayer.

The second night here we had our debrief after dinner. After a few people had shared, Joe asked if anyone had any prayer requests. I decided to share something I wasn’t sure I wanted to share. My request had been from something earlier in the day. A group of us had been playing a soccer game at the seminary. I was feeling really lousy about how I was playing and just felt like quitting. I had been feeling for awhile at home that my soccer skills were lacking. I was seeking to be THE best instead of MY best. So, I shared during the prayer time about how I was feeling. Then Joe threw Lyv and I in the center of the circle and everyone surrounded us and prayed for us.

It wasn’t until today that I saw the power of that prayer. Today, Glyn sat down with me at lunch and we talked about what I had shared. Having coached me in soccer, Glyn knows how hard I am on myself. I believe the knowledge and wisdom he shared with me will really help me through this battle of my view of myself. Glyn told me to look up Psalm 139. When we returned to the seminary, I read that passage. It’s about how God knows our every move even before we make it. This is because God exists outside of time. He sees everything at once. This spoke to me specifically about my mistakes. I finally realized that God has ALWAYS known every mistake I’ve ever made and ever mistake I will ever make. So, when I make a mistake, it doesn’t surprise God. He knew it was coming. The beautiful thing about this is He loves me anyway. He loves me because I am covered with the blood of Jesus Cristo!

Thank you for all your prayers! Adios from Guatemala!

~Kass

P.S. Carrie loves her mom! J

Guatemala 2011 - Day 2 (Sunday)

2011-06-14T11:57:00.000-05:00

Hola from Guatemala City, Guatemala! It’s the end of the first full day here and we’re finally settling in. It is going to be a fantastic week, though this morning I did not think so. I woke up – my first morning in a foreign country – with a bad attitude towards everything. (Part of the reason for this attitude may have been the millions of ants invading our room, and my suitcase.) The thing was – I knew I had a bad attitude and I even wanted to change it – but I just didn’t. Everything changed when I got to church. We were greeted with WIDE open arms! I’ve never hugged so many strangers and had so many people that I didn’t know happy to see me. With all the smiles and greetings, I couldn’t help but get a little happier. The people here are just so friendly.

Then there was the prayer. The pastor opened with seriously a TEN minute prayer. It was all in Spanish – but fortunately I could figure out a lot of it. At first – due to my attitude – I was annoyed with how long the prayer was. But then God showed me how ridiculous my thinking was! These people have sooo much less than I have at home – yet it took 10 minutes for them to thank God for all He has given them. Also, the people here value their family above everything. I have been so un-thankful for everything I have, and have even taken family for granted. I love my family so much but I know that I don’t show them that enough and I don’t appreciate them enough. I have so much to be thankful for. I could/should pray for an hour and that’s probably still not enough.

We (Carrie, Lyvia, and I) also met a little girl today. Her name was Asati – I think. J She knew a little bit of English and was so eager to talk to us. She was precious and we really hope to see her again. It was encouraging how much we could communicate (even in Spanish) when we tried. Tomorrow we get to spend time with a lot of kids so I am very much looking forward to it and it sounds like we will be spending a lot of time with kids this week.

-Katie

Hola Familia y Amigos,

I feel like I have already been here for much longer than just 2 days. It is so wonderful here. Guatemala is like nothing I have ever seen before. It’s incredible and I feel so comfortable. God has given me peace and I feel at ease being here. I know that, that is from all the prayers from everyone back home, Muchas Gracias(: I’ve been here less than 48 hours and I have already struggled, learned, and grown. There have been muy things that I have struggled with, but I’ll just share two(: The first one is something I have struggled with even back home, Contentment. Not only contentment with where I am, but who I am and who God wants me to become. Joe talked about how when we look in the mirror and we see something we don’t like, we shouldn’t just walk away, but fix it. The second struggle is something that God showed me in the devotions that Joe gave us for the trip, Willingness. Willingness to Change, Willingness to see a different View, and Willingness to be Available for whatever God has planned for my life. The first devotion talked about Scaffolds. Two sentences that stood out to me were: Old ways and whole parts of you will need to be heated and scraped off. The crustiness of the way you used to be will need to be washed off. It talked about how God will have to take away the surface that has been hiding what’s on the inside. It won’t be an easy or painless process, but a much needed one. It will definitely be worth it in the end. I am very excited to see how God works, not only in me, but in this entire group. Again, gracias for all the prayers and support, it’s more than appreciated. Buenos Noches, Amor to all.

~ Lyvia

Guatemala 2011 Update - Day 1 (Saturday)

2011-06-14T11:52:00.000-05:00

I apologize that it has taken me so long to get these first posts up. The Seminary is in the process of switching internet service providers and there have been some glitches in that. We hope that they get that sorted out soon. In order to make these posts, I've gone to a cafe (kinda like Starbucks) while the team is painting this morning.
I wish I could promise that I'll be able to make frequent updates from here on out, but I just don't know. I'll do my best.

Day 1 was our travel day and we had a great journey down to Guatemala! When we arrived here we grabbed some lunch and settled in to the Seminary. I've personally been extremely impressed with the team dynamics of this group. Everyone gets along really well together and I'm really proud to be leading this team as we visit various communities in Guatemala city. All the parents should be proud of their kids as well.

The next few posts are what some of the students have written in the evenings, following our debrief sessions. Again, I'm proud of how these kids are responding to the promptings of God in their lives. The work of the Spirit has been evident from day 1! Thanks to all of you for your prayers as we serve here.

Peace,
joe

Update

2011-06-12T21:44:00.000-05:00

I talked to Joe tonight. The internet has been down at the seminary. They should have it either tomorrow or Tuesday. Everyone is doing great and staying healthy!
-Laura

We made it!

2011-06-11T19:08:00.000-05:00

The team has arrived safely in Guatemala.

Helpful Info

2011-05-27T16:06:00.000-05:00

Guatemala Team,
Don't miss this post with some really helpful information about entering Guatemala.

What To Bring To Guatemala

2011-05-20T08:47:00.003-05:00

Consider the fact that Mother Teresa and her sisters “traveled only with such personal luggage as could be contained in a bucket or a cardboard box”.

CLOTHING
Dress should be casual and conservative. Don’t bring your favorite clothing to work in, as you will likely be getting dirt, paint, etc. on them. It’s a work trip not a fashion show!
Remember that we do not work in shorts.

Packing Tips: Bring a mixture of clothing that will allow you enough variety, but won't weigh your bags down too much. Don’t over pack. Expect to wear pants and shorts more than once.

· Casual shoes – I wear my shoes and pack the flip flops so as to save space in my bag.

· Work shoes – You don’t necessarily have to have work shoes other than your casual shoes but I have seen many people completely destroy their shoes on a work site. Also, you may be tracking around more than just “dirt” if you know what I mean. Keep that in mind when choosing what you will work in.

· Sandals or flip-flops

· Socks. For some reason, people run out of socks regularly. Plan accordingly.

· Underwear (that’s fun to wear!)

· Comfortable Pants/Shorts - On work days, pants or Capri’s below the knee are expected. Knee-length shorts may be worn while we are at our lodging facility only. Short shorter than knee-length are not permitted. Skirts and dresses are ok for our Antigua day and/or church. Consider what clothing is made out of before you pack. Lightweight and breathable materials may generally be more comfortable. (Hint: Cargo pants are my preferred choice for traveling because I always have a safe place for my passport & wallet.)

· Comfortable T-Shirts – No short or skimpy shirts, No tanks, spaghetti strap or strapless tops. Any writing/advertisement on shirts should be appropriate. (Hint: It is best if your t-shirts are not 100% cotton as those kind tend to retain moisture and do not dry quickly, I actually prefer %100 polyester because it dries so quickly. Wash it at night and it will be dry by morning!)

· One Church outfit – Girls: dresses (below the knee, with sleeves) or skirts (below the knee) with sleeved shirts. Guys: Kaki pants & a short sleeved dress shirt or polo shirt. (Hint: Most cultures dress to the nines for church. If you are going to err here it should be on the nice side).

· One Antigua outfit - We’ll be going to Antigua for our fun day. It is an extremely popular tourist area. We usually encourage people to dress in “nice-casual” attire. So, don’t plan to wear your work clothes on this day. Also, Antigua has cobblestone streets so we recommend shoes that will be comfortable for walking in those conditions. (One time I tripped on a rock the size of a softball in the middle of the sidewalk. Thankfully I had the right footwear or I would have broken my toe.)

· Hat, Bandanna, Sunglasses (you may not be a “bandanna person” but the Guatemalan sun can quickly convert you!)

· Rain Poncho (that can always be carried with you in your daypack)

· Comfortable work gloves

GENERAL ITEMS

· PASSPORT + 3 copies. One copy will be given to your team leader before leaving the country. One copy should be kept by you, in a location other than where you keep your actual passport. It is also recommended that you make a third copy of your passport and leave it with your family here at home.

· Toiletries: Shower soap, hand soap, razor, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, tooth paste, contact solution, Q-tips, Hair dryer etc. (Hint: Same sex team members may consider sharing shampoo in order to save space and weight in bags. Liquids should be packed in ziplock bags in order to prevent spills in your suitcase.)

Contact wearers: Don't chance missing the view! Bring extra contacts – just in case. Also bring your glasses.

· Towel & Wash cloth

· Sun screen, chap stick, & Aloe

· Bug repellent – though I don’t typically see lots of bugs in Guatemala.

· Medications & Vitamins / Allergy & prescription medications

· Small Hand Sanitizer or Wipes (it's good to have this when adequate hand washing facilities are not readily available.)

· Small Kleenex packs (these are handy).

· Bible, Notebook, Journal, Pen (Hint: you’ll need a pen on the airplane for completing your immigration forms)

· Ear plugs (in case your roommates snore - these are priceless!)

· Alarm clock

· Camera & batteries or charger, memory cards, etc.. (They have standard outlets and electric items work fine in Guatemala)

· Flashlight

· Trash bag– you’ll want this for your dirty clothes on the way home.

· Stationary – you may want to write an encouragement note for someone, etc.

· Refillable Water Bottle – You may also consider bringing some of those individual Gatorade/PowerAde Packs to flavor your water. Purified water will always be available for you during your stay.

· Small daypack (Hint: those nylon bags with strings make great daypacks for packing gloves, rain poncho, water, sunscreen, chap stick, kleenex, and hand sanitizer to the work site)

· Personal snacks (Sealed packaged snacks if desired. Granola bars, power bars, etc. Don’t take anything that will melt. Don’t eat in your room, or anywhere you don’t want cockroaches. Be prepared to share.)

· Card games, or the like.

· Money: You’ll want spending money, for souvenirs or for food in airports (all food in Guatemala is already covered), and you may also consider bringing some money to give at the church service we will attend. From time to time, teams also like to make an additional donation to the missionaries we serve with at the end of the week.

We will carry a small first-aid kit with things like aspirin, band-aids, Imodium (just in case), and antiseptic cream to cover most situations.

OTHER IMPORTANT STUFF TO HAVE:

Good Attitude
Flexibility
Patience
Willingness to learn and grow
Love for other people

WHAT NOT TO BRING:

Knives & Firearms
Fireworks
Pets
Electronic gadgets that mean a lot to you – (iPods, phones, etc..)
High value items (jewelry, etc)

Reflecions After Returning Home

2010-07-20T12:41:00.002-05:00

We've been home for 10 days now, so I asked some of our team members to reflect on the transition from a week of life in Guatemala to life back here in the USA. Here's what a few of them had to say...

My trip to Guatemala was..incredible. I learned so much from John and Amy, along with everyone else I met. God taught me to be patient, to trust, and to love more freely. God also taught me i love mission trips, and I'm definitely looking into going on more! Returning home was difficult. The first few days, i flat out didn't want to be here. I wanted to be back in Guatemala, but I've been noticing that Jackson is like a small portion of what i experienced in Guatemala. There are people who love the Lord, but also people who need to hear about God. And until the next trip I go on, this is like a missions trip too.
-Lexy

Returning home from Guatemala has been a lot tougher than I imagined. I miss everything about it. I miss the cites, the people, and maybe even the smells! :). I have thought about it everyday since being home. I spent some of my time making a video about the trip. This helped me preserve some of the memories from the trip. Also talking to people about my experience has helped a lot. God has continued to teach me things since being home. Now, that I have had time to digest more of the trip and the experiences, my thoughts have gone crazy! Writing in my journal and rereading some of the journal I did while in Guatemala helps straighten out some of my thoughts. I continually see things at home that remind me of Guatemala and the people there. I can't exactly describe the feeling I have had. The whole experience has made me rethink a lot of things about my future and what God may have in store for me. I thank him everyday for allowing me to go to Guatemala and experience something that has been life changing. Most of all, I have thanked God for the people He placed in my life while on the trip. I have worked to stay in touch with them, and I can't wait to see what else God has in store for all of our futures. I have learned that God is a slow moving God. I have to be patient. I have to wait with an open mind and an open heart. Overall, the past week has almost felt like an out of body experience. I can't believe that it's already been a week since being there. I am looking forward to keeping track of Global Soccer Ministries and someday returning.
- Alex

As soon as I got home the first thing out of my Mom’s mouth was, “Do you want to move to Guatemala to teach?” It surprised me, but it probably shouldn’t have. I was still processing everything going through my mind. I didn’t think I’d have so much to think about when I got back from Guatemala. I knew a mission trip would be a life changing experience for me, but I didn’t expect this. It’s like my heart is breaking. I’m overwhelmed. My brain feels constantly clouded. I want so badly to be back down in Guatemala City helping. God opened a door for me, one I never expected to be opened. In a more practical sense though, I still have two more years of college. My degree will be for teaching science, not English as a second language. I still can’t fluently speak Spanish. And then I wonder, is this really where God is leading me or is this me over thinking it. My mind wanders back to a devotion we did on the trip. Philippians 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Whatever God has planned for me, he will complete his plans. He is slowly and carefully building me into the woman he wants me to be. So I will just have to be patient and see what God has in store for me.
This trip really impacted my life in many ways. God made me realize there are ways I can be helping in my own community until or if I am called to Guatemala. I am seeking to become more involved in my home church. I also know I want to go on another mission trip. I think it was very important for me to be around Christians from different cultures than me. My brothers and sisters in Guatemala taught me so much but I know I have much more to learn. I am so thankful for everyone who helped make this trip possible. Most of all, I’m thankful for all the ways God continues to bless me and amaze me.
- Kate

The trip home was sad only because i was afraid i wouldn't be as close to God as i was when i was in Guatemala. But i realized you don't have to be on a missions trip or out of the states to be close to God, i was wrong in thinking that.
I can be close to God right here at home. I just have to keep my faith on a strong foundation. Guatemala had taught me a lot in that one week that i was there. It taught me how to love others unconditionally and that i don't need any thing to
be happy, all i need is my Lord and Savor Jesus Christ who paid the debts of my sin on the cross.
- Sandi

2010-07-10T17:51:00.001-05:00

In Miami awaiting our connection to DTW.

Day 7

2010-07-09T22:49:00.002-05:00

This week has been the most amazing experience in my life. It is really hard to explain this whole week in one post but honestly I will never be the same. This week we have been working on a school and the changes that I saw in the end were great. The last day we worked for a little bit then we got the rest of the day we got to play with the children. It was so fun and I will never forget them. Today we went to Antigua and got to shop the entire day. This was the funniest shopping experience I have had. This week had been mind blowing both in my faith but also my relationships with others. I have made friends that I would have never been able to meet if I didn’t go on this trip. It also has been a blessing that the other group staying at the seminary had a worship service every night and being able to worship with God after everything he has done has been an awesome thing. They will never know how much it helped us and I want to thank them. Another thing that has hit me this week has been seeing God working through John and Amy. The way that God is using them here has made me think I want that when I get older. That in my future I want God to work through me in a way that I can’t even control. I would never trade what I have experienced in this past week for anything. God has opened my eyes to many things and has changed a lot in my life.
- Emma
P.S. Hey Mom thanks for the notes of encouragement!! I love you guys!!

This week has been a life changing experience. I know that is what everyone says, but it is so true. This week has been so out of my comfort zone, like being away from home in a foreign country. Also being with kids is totally not what I enjoy doing. Being here has been so amazing. There was another mission group here with us this week from Tennessee, and every night they had a worship service and were kind enough to invite our group to join them. Thursday night they decided to just have worship and prayer. During the last song, “Here I Am to Worship” (Which to me has just always been one of those songs that I knew all the words to and just sang because it was a song I liked), the meaning of the words just jumped out: Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that you’re my God. You’re altogether lovely, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me. I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross.” I thought how true those words have been this week. I was completely and totally vulnerable to God and what he had to say to me. It hit me that He wanted me to bow down and listen to Him for once in my life.
Emma and I grew to be like sisters again this week. She challenged me to do a few things that are going to be extremely hard for me, but very beneficial. And I did the same for her.
During this week I have also gotten really close with Al. I now look to her as an older sister. She gives very good advice and just loves the Lord with a passion I haven’t seen in a person in a long time. She is so willing and ready to share a verse, or her faith, and wants to be whatever God wants her to be. I want to be more like Al.
While being here, I have realized I am a stronger person than I ever knew. And now because of Al, Emma, and the Tennessee groups worship service, I am a stronger Christian. Being here was an indescribably incredible experience.
-Tamry

Day 6

2010-07-08T23:20:00.002-05:00

¡Hola, Kate y Alex aqui! So we have a lot to say and only so much space to write before you get tired of reading. We’ll make it short and sweet…or try. Today was our last day of work. The wall is not complete but we helped lay the foundation. Painting was completed on all the walls and steps outside and the majority of the auditorium/church. It was so awesome to see the fruits of our labor. And we could tell our work was much appreciated by the woman who started the school, Pastor Jaime, Fermin and the entire school. Today wasn’t all work though. We both spent time in a 4th grade classroom observing. La profesora, or the teacher was teaching math, specifically fractions and areas. The teacher had so much passion for her students. You could see it in her face and the way she spoke. Teachers at this school don’t get paid well either, so you know she must really love her job.
After observing we threw a party for the students that consisted of games, face painting, animal balloons, snacks and sharing our testimonies. It was my (Kate) first time and so I was a bit nervous but really excited to stretch myself spiritually. It was difficult to tell how the students took in what we were saying, but even if one person there was encouraged it was worth it.
Both of us have enjoyed getting to know our team members. The conversations, specifically shared over a paintbrush and dirty walls was a great way to learn more about each other. Although there’s a gap in age, we were both extremely excited to build new friendships. It’s also a great opportunity to be a role model. Did you know as many as nine people are always looking up to you? It just makes us wonder, are we always setting a good example. We couldn’t have asked for a better team, a better leader, or a better host family. The Banta’s are an amazing family that we will always be encouraged by.
Today, being our last day of work was bittersweet. We seemed to hit a wall in our work ethic, but we never stopped seeing God. He was there in the conversations, the children playing, the view of mountains, volcanoes and greenery, or the sudden downpour as it approached us from the distance. It was difficult leaving the school thinking we may never see this place again, but God willing we will return. Because… “Greater things are yet to come and greater things are still to be done in this city.”
- Kate & Alex

Where to start…Wow what an amazing week. I have met so many people after God’s own heart. I have learned so much about this team and the people of Guatemala in just 4 short days. Each person has touched my life in their own special and unique ways. I just thank God for this opportunity to be here and to work next to each and every one of them. The work at times was hard but we all pulled through and accomplished the task. I also want to thank God for John and Amy Banta, their vision for ministering to this community of people is so much bigger than any of us can ever imagine. I pray that all that read these blogs can see what God has planned and lays it in your hearts to help any way that is possible.

In Christ Jesus-

Chris

Picture Problems

2010-07-07T23:10:00.000-05:00

I've been having difficulty getting pictures to upload on to the blog. I have managed to get a few on to my personal facebook account and also on the Simply Missions Facebook page. If you are on facebook you can check them out.
- joe

Leaders Perspective

2010-07-07T22:04:00.000-05:00

It is always nice when we have the technology available to post blog updates on these trips. Unfortunately, the little glimpse that you get to read from these team members is just exactly that – a little glimpse. It is impossible for us to convey even a small portion of what we are experiencing here. Truth be told, it will take months for most of us to process all that we’ve taken in and participated with in these few days in Guatemala. For all those friends and family reading this, remember to be patient with us when we return. We’ll have a lot to say but it may not all come out right away. Keep asking and keep listening.

I want to say a special word of encouragement to all the parents of the students on this trip. You are all doing something right. I am so proud of all of them! These girls have heart, passion, humor, positive attitudes, strength, and spunk! I love them all and am so privileged to be able to share this week with them. Thanks for trusting me to lead them on this journey, it is an honor to serve alongside each of them.

For me personally, this has been a great trip. For some reason I have this tendency to be in Guatemala with the Banta’s when God is stirring things up. Last time I was here we were praying for a house for them, this time we are praying for a soccer complex on a hilltop that overlooks the city. It’s the kind of thing that most of us only get to read about in missionary support letters and here we are living it as it unfolds. Today we stood on that property and prayed for God’s provision. There’s just something neat about being that close to a situation that God is orchestrating. I trust that you can sense that excitement in the posts, but if you can’t, I’m sure you’ll see it on the faces of these students when they return home.

Speaking of prayer… thanks to all those who have been praying for good weather. We have been working in a ditch and painting outdoors every day this week and have not gotten wet yet. Considering that this is the rainy season, I’m going to go ahead and call that a miracle! We have one more work day and then we get to enjoy a tour day in Antigua. We’d love great weather for both days, so keep praying!

Finally, I am so blessed to be a missionary to missionaries, to lead teams on these journeys, to introduce people to missions, and to be a part of the work that God is doing around the world. Thanks so much for all of you who make the ministry of www.simplymissions.org possible!
- joe

P.S. feel free to comment on any of our posts, we read your comments and enjoy them!

Day 5

2010-07-07T22:01:00.002-05:00

With my neck red and my ears blistered, I woke up on this overcast morning in Guatemala very tired and needless to say a bit sore. Once again, the ride to the school offered reassurance from God that He was going to strengthen our entire group. I can not seem to get over the beautiful back drop of our work site. With the mountains and hills stretching as far as the eye can see, God has definitely left His fingerprints. A few things left there mark on me, today. The first one happened while scraping the scum off the stairs. There was a two year old boy and a three year old girl trying to walk up the steep stairs. While they were attempting this task the little girl grasped tightly to the boys hand. She was patient and continued to encourage. A bit later, while I was painting it hit me. God was like, this is how I am with you! “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” God is grasping my hand tightly, never letting go. What an image?!
Towards the end of our day, John took us to a potential spot for his dream soccer complex that will have multiple fields, locker rooms, and maybe a school one day. He took us up a mountain that had a view of the entire city of Guatemala. John’s enthusiasm and passion never ceases to astound me. You can see God living within him and working through his ministry. I hope that I can take my passions and use them to bring people to God. This is such a great opportunity for this ministry and God is working so much through it.
Tomorrow is our last day of work and I am a bit sad. I hope that I can take back what I have learned and share it with others. God never ceases to amaze me. He has brought many new friendships and helped strengthen old ones. I have learned that all I need for true happiness, true hope, true faith, and true love, is God.
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13
-Alex

Day 4

2010-07-06T22:40:00.002-05:00

Today was a great experience with the work crew, I saw God all around me within friends and the students. I have never experienced God as I did today. I saw and noticed Him working through me and others. Today I think we all got closer as a group and as friends, we all now have a deep connection with one another. We all took turns digging and hacking at the dirt and painting and still seemed to get what was needed done.
-Sandi

So today was a really great day I saw God everywhere I turned, within our group and within the kids that I got to play with. All of the children have so little and still the laugh and play its really amazing to think that they have little and still can remain happy, even though I could barely understand what they were saying just to be around them was amazing. Another thing is when we were working in the trench and picking up rocks we all grew a lot closer bonding and laugh and having a good time. Even though we were working we made the best out of it and had fun along the way. It really amazed me at how eleven people who are so different can come together as one. We also played a soccer game against a bunch of buff dudes from Tennessee and got our butts kicked but its okay because we kept a positive attitude and tried to keep persevering just like we have been doing so far all this week. I am really proud of what we have accomplish so far this week and I know we will keep going until the job that has been set before us is finished.
-Sierra

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8). This is my first mission trip and first time ever being out of the country; I’ve had no clue what to expect and everything our group has done has put me out of my element and made me see things from a different perspective. A big surprise to me was the warmth and loving character from the Guatemalan people. I am a naturally happy person, but that maybe because I have everything I could ever want, being a privileged American; I guess I was expecting a sinister attitude from the people I smiled at. To my surprise and joy I found that even though these Guatemalans have so much less than I, they find joy in their life. I am convicted; why do I let stupid worries burden me? I will never forget how incredibly blessed I am.
I find myself being amazed by John and Amy Banta; they are such Godly servants, always putting others before themselves. They have poured themselves into their ministry and rely on God for their source of strength. They are not only great parents, but great friends to people of all ages. John has so much energy; he was extremely pleased to see that we play basketball (you don’t find many basketball players in Guatemala). John is a fireball that, I must say, is an extremely good basketball player! John and Amy are a blessing to work alongside.
I have grown close to John and Amy’s intern, Danielle. She is a great person that I’ve found a lot in common with. I enjoy working with her and am so glad she is from Grand Rapids so I will be able to know her better when we both get back to the states.
God has blessed our group with many times of laughter, many times of deep reflection and connection. I am so thankful for all that God is teaching me on this trip to Guatemala; it’s so beautiful here and I don’t want to leave. I know, however, that when I do leave I will be able to talk about what I have learned with others and encourage them in the ways that I have been encouraged here.
-Angela

Day 3

2010-07-05T21:01:00.000-05:00

Today was our first day of work and probably my first day hard labor in a year that didn’t include a basketball. This week we are working in Canalitos, zone 23, which is an impoverished community on the outskirts of Guatemala City. The drive to the community took about thirty minutes. As we winded through the mountainous landscape we took in the beautiful views of volcanoes in the far off distance and the more realistic view of the community we had come to serve. Homes were scattered throughout the hills, all of them extremely modest and most of them made of sheets of tin. The reality that this is all many of the people of Guatemala City have to call home is still sinking in. The drive out to Canalitos was just as much of a learning experience as the actual work we put in today.

Our project for the week is working at a school in the community of Canalitos. It is there that we began preparations for rebuilding a wall that surrounds the playground and keeps the children safe during recess and the afterschool program Pastor Jaime runs. The wall was taken out not too long ago by the heavy rainfall, which accompanied a tropical storm that swept through Guatemala. The work was really tough. A one meter deep trench is needed to lay the foundation for this wall. The dirt however is moist and quite heavy. Also, we began putting a fresh coat of paint on parts of the wall that still exist. This was no easy task either. The wall needed to be cleaned and the chipping paint scrubbed away.

Okay, so I have so much to say but this is the last thing I promise. Today I saw God in so many places. In the children I played with, the warm smiles of people passing on the streets, the relationships being built among our team, but mainly I saw Him in the woman who started this school up about 36 years ago. She began this school in her home and gradually expanded as more students came in. God provided her with the resources to build this school in Canalitos where she now provides 200 students with an education. She is using her life savings to make this school possible. God gave her a vision and her perseverance and desire to fulfill it amazes me and I don’t even know half the story I’m sure. I have so much more to say, but I’ll save it for my journal.
-Kate

Day 2 - In Pictures

2010-07-05T09:14:00.000-05:00

Day 2 - Sunday

2010-07-05T08:21:00.000-05:00

Saturday for the first half was just walking in like a half awake blur. The second half of the day was pretty cool. When we arrived at the seminary I played a little soccer with Luke and Titus (two of the Banta’s kids). Then later we all crammed into the van for a tour of zone 18 where John and Amy serve. On Sunday we went to church, which was probably the best service I have ever been to and I couldn’t understand half of what was said. Brandon, the guest speaker, talked about Matthew 9:35-38. It talks about how Jesus was going from town to town healing and preaching and was super busy, but was never too busy for anyone. If God is never too busy for anyone or anything, why are we almost always too busy for Him? After church we went to John and Amy’s for lunch, then we went to the zoo!!! We were playing in the fountain, and we were basically an exhibit for the Guatemalans. They were most likely thinking “those crazy Americans”. After the zoo we came back and went to the park and played some soccer with a few Guatemalan boys. I was on a team with Jose Diego and a boy who I called Fabreeze because I couldn’t pronounce his name; it was close to Fabreeze though. Since it was the 4th of July, there was a party at John and Amy’s. We ate, talked, and Chris did a few card tricks for Sandi, Sierra, and I. We went back to the park and lit fireworks. It was great!!!
- Tamry E.

My experience in Guatemala so far has been incredible. We arrived Saturday, and as soon as we got here I knew I was going to love it. The people, the city, the language, everything is so intriguing to me! John gave us a tour of Guatemala City our first day, and what I learned quickly was soccer is the knot that ties everyone closer here. There are soccer fields everywhere, kids playing in the streets, and people wearing jerseys-not to mention the world cup everyone’s already ecstatic about. It’s their bonding point, and definitely what they love to do.
The church service has definitely been my highlight point of the trip so far. We sang, half being in Spanish, and half in English. After worship, Brandon (guest speaker) talked on the vision of the world, verses the vision of believers. By not conforming to the worlds ways and making known were Christians. Everyone was so.. compassionate and loving and you could tell they truly loved the Lord. It was by far one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life, and I absolutely LOVE the mission trip so far, and I am so glad God has blessed me with the opportunity to come!!
-Lexy U.

Thoughts on the Journey

2010-07-04T10:10:00.002-05:00

The first day of our trip to Guatemala was a long day of transport through various airports and several modes of ground transportation. The day was exhausting, but painless, as everything went as smooth as one could ask for when travelling internationally with a group. Upon our arrival in Guatemala City we were promptly met by John, Amy, their kids and a couple of their friends. John and Amy are our missionary hosts and they seem to be absolutely on fire for their cause here. I am delighted to have met them and honored to have the opportunity to serve here with them. The entire group was given a van tour around the area that John and Amy serve. It was a wonderful opportunity to get some brief exposure to the living conditions and people in some of the poorest communities in Guatemala City. John was a great guide and has all inspired and excited to get our hands dirty as we work with and help the people in these areas. For me, I hope to be able to provide whatever help and service I can. However, it already seems clear that the people here probably will have more of an impact of my life than I will on theirs.
- Scott G.

In Guatemala!

2010-07-03T18:32:00.000-05:00

Our team arrived in Guatemala City safely at 1:45pm (3:45pm Eastern). We breezed through immigration and customs and made a quick rendezvous with our host missionary family - John & Amy Banta. We grabbed a quick snack at a familiar favorite (McDonalds) and then headed up to the Seminary where we will be staying. We just finished up orientation (pictured below) and we are getting ready to head off to take a tour of some of the areas we will be working in this week. The accommodations are fabulous, the people are friendly, and everyone seems to be in good spirits.

2010-07-03T11:32:00.001-05:00

On board for our flight from Miami to Guatemala City. Hope to post an arrival update later this evening.

2010-07-03T08:28:00.001-05:00

On the ground in Miami.

2010-07-03T04:16:00.001-05:00

All checked in and through security. Everyone is bright, cheery, and excited for the day! Next stop, Miami.

2010-07-02T22:15:00.001-05:00

Ready for a great trip to Guatemala tomorrow!

JCS Summer Mission Trip Announced

2009-10-21T13:42:00.003-05:00

Destination: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Dates: July 3 through July 10, 2010. Applications are available to download online by clicking here. Applications must be completed by January 10, 2010.

Cost: $1,325. Cost includes pre-trip training materials, air & ground travel, meals, lodging, project materials, team t-shirt, sightseeing costs, and emergency medical insurance. Basically, we cover everything.

What: Our week will be spent serving alongside missionaries John & Amy Banta. The Banta’s are serving God in Guatemala through Global Soccer Ministries. Soccer skills are not required. We will be assisting GSM with a variety of projects throughout the community.

Transportation:

We’ll travel by bus from JCHS to Detroit Metro Airport and fly to Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Food & Lodging:

We will be staying at the Nazarene Seminary in Guatemala City. Most meals will be prepared by the seminary staff. A few meals will be eaten out at restaurants as well. All in-country meals are included.

Communication:

The Royal Servants blog (www.royalservants.blogspot.com) will be our primary way of communicating to friends back home throughout the trip. The blog will also serve as a pre-trip bulletin board with various updates and helpful information. Check out the blog to see pictures from previous JCS mission trips and read stories of how God changed peoples lives.

What will we do:

1. Build relationships: Above everything else, we want to build relationships with people. This takes priority over all of our other goals because we recognize the eternal nature of relationships. Each day we’ll have time to hang out with people living in the slums. We might do this through sports, clinics, and/or feeding programs.

2. Be Christ: This involves an incarnational view of Christian missions. We will be extensions of the incarnation to those we encounter – we have God’s Spirit in us and we want to be Christ’s hands and feet for the world. Sharing Christ in this manner requires an active personal relationship with Christ. We can’t share what we don’t have.

3. Work: We will work and work hard to contribute as much as we can throughout week. Each participant will be expected to do their share as we assist Global Soccer Ministries with various development projects in and around their community.

4. Have fun: It is unavoidable to have fun on trips like these. Though it may not manifest itself in specific activities on our schedule, fun will be present. If you don’t like to have fun you may be disappointed. Fun takes many forms on these mission adventures, often in spontaneous and unpredictable ways.

Who are we working with?

Global Soccer Ministries International (GSM) Because of its global popularity, soccer is one of the greatest sports tools in the world to win the lost to Christ. GSM uniquely presents training sessions using scripture, prayer, the love of Christ and player-coach relationships to lead players to come to know Christ and deepen their faith. The respect that comes with great coaching opens the doors for GSM to identify and assist individuals within the community who have desperate needs both spiritually and physically.

Simply Missions is a division of Global Outreach Development, Inc. Simply Missions exists to provide short-term mission experiences that are simple, effective, and relational with an emphasis on developing leaders who will provide similar experiences.

If you have any questions please contact Joe Neill: info@simplymissions.org (517) 917-0617

5 Keys to Successful Re-entry

2009-06-27T09:39:00.004-05:00

Hey Team, thanks for a great mission trip! Now that we are back it can feel like the trip is over. But there are a few things that you can do now to continue getting the most out of your experience. Here they are...

1. Know the #1 Question, "How was your trip?"
Everyone will ask you this question. Be prepared with a short answer that doesn't bore them. Leave room for them to ask more questions if they are interested. Don't be offended if they say, "That's nice." and move on in the conversation. Remember, they didn't have the same experience you had, so it's not as important to them as it is to you.

2. Find a Processing Partner
Find a friend that will be willing to just sit and listen to you for 2 or 3 hours while you talk about your experiences. That time will allow you to hear yourself talk about the trip and you may discover some things that you didn't know you had learned. Remember, we often don't know what we think until we hear ourselves say it.

3. Plan what will change
On trips like these many people make important decisions to change things in their lives. Unfortunately, some hope to change everything and then are frustrated when nothing changes. So, avoid that by planning one thing to change. Be specific and set goals. Find accountability and have someone help you make the changes you want to make in your life in response to the trip.

4. Don't let it end!
Even though the trip is "officially" over, you can keep it alive with two key activities: First, by praying consistently for those people you met along the way. And second, by becoming an advocate for missions. Talk about the trip and how it changed you. Talk about the needs you saw. Inspire others to take action by getting involved.

5. Write a prayer letter.
Take time to write a letter to all of the people who helped make the trip possible for you. Tell them about your experiences and about what God did in your life. Ask them to continue praying for you as God continues to show you how to be involved in Missions.

Jamaican Airport

2009-06-24T14:16:00.002-05:00

They team made it through security at the airport and will be home soon!! Aren't you excited? I am soooo excited!!!! Yes, this is Laura. : )

Student Perspective: Rachael

2009-06-23T22:12:00.001-05:00

Wow!! What an incredible week—and what an incredible trip to remember. As our time in Jamaica winds down, I cannot help but stand in awe of how fast this has gone. Not simply how fast this trip has gone, but how fast these four years have gone. I am so incredibly filled with the Spirit of God as I reminisce about all of my trips and remember the things I have experienced. One thing is for sure—these past four years have been so filled with God and so filled with growth that there are no words to describe the things God has done in my life and the ways He has changed me and drawn me closer to His heart. It is truly a bittersweet feeling as I come to the end of my last trip.

As I think about my years of traveling and serving the Lord in various places around the globe, I am overwhelmed at the vastness of my God and the way He teaches me and speaks to my heart on each trip. My heart is instantly brought to a state of worship. Although I have been on many trips throughout the years, I have come to know that each individual trip contains its own individual lessons. This trip is no different. There are so many things that I have learned this week, but one thing is prominent in my mind.

This week, our group devoted our time and effort to building a house for a family whose home was destroyed by a fire. We completed our project yesterday, and as Solomon and his family stood on the front porch smiling for their first pictures at their new house, I was overwhelmed with a sense of God’s healing. At church on Sunday, a woman who was preaching said something I will not soon forget. She said, “There is not one broken vessel that our God cannot mend.” As I stood watching this broken family take their first step towards healing, the meaning of these words rang true and strong in my heart. Our God is an Awesome God. Our God loves His children, hurts when His children hurt, and tenderly holds them while they are in the midst of sorrow. But even more than this—Our God MENDS the broken hearts of His children and REDEEMS them to a place of hope and healing. And that is exactly what God did to Solomon’s family, and that is exactly what God can do in each of our lives as well. In fact, that is the very reason that Jesus suffered and died on His cross—to provide each one of us with redemption and hope that does not dissolve.

Our God is an Awesome God. There is truly NO broken vessel that OUR GOD cannot mend.

Rachael H.

Day 7 Recap (In Pictures)

2009-06-22T19:54:00.010-05:00

Day 6 Recap (In Pictures)

2009-06-22T19:45:00.005-05:00

Sunday was a welcome day of rest for our team. We've been working hard on the house and everyone needed a break. Church was a unique cultural experience and I think everyone enjoyed it. A few of the students gave testimonies and the choir kids sang "Blessed be Your Name". It was great. In the afternoon we went snorkeling and hung out at the beach. Many found various sea creatures including the large conch shell pictured above. Unfortunately those items smell horrendous a day later when they are sitting out by the pool. Let me just say, be careful when you open those suitcases!

Leader Perspective: Cheryl

2009-06-21T22:07:00.001-05:00

Our time in Jamaica so far, this is the subject that Joe asked me to write about and as I think about this over all experience I am amazed at what God has shown me from the smallest detail to the great things he has been doing here. To come to a Tropical Island in the Atlantic and experience the same God we experience in our own city is really special, the people here live lives completely out of our understanding, very simple lifestyles, yet they are content with all they have. We have had an opportunity to build a home for a couple that lost theirs in a fire along with all of their belongings they come up the hill to the Jungle area that we are building on and watch and smile at their new home, it is a great blessing to serve this couple by building them a new home, they are extremely grateful for the workers here. Its also really great to work alongside Jackson Christian kids doing hard work in hot humid conditions and not hear complaints but praise songs as they work and laughter. Everyone by now knows where we are needed on the project and we seem to work together like clockwork. Today was a really special time for me, we had an opportunity to visit a Jamaican Church service we arrived at noon the service had already been underway for a while it was a tiny building with wooden pews and no air conditioning we went in and found seating we actually doubled the size of the congregation! A local lady was reading scripture she had struggled with a few words and as a few members of the church corrected her she continued on with out any embarrassment worshiping God. The service was simple and we felt Gods presence in the service and saw the love of Christ in these church members. Going on a mission trip I often thought in the back of my head the idea was to go share Christ with these people, Christ is already here we are here to share Christ’s love by serving. Being part of this group is a huge blessing devotional time in the evening brings so many different thoughts from each person sharing their experience from the day. God is using each one of us to be an encouragement to the other in so many ways for that I am really thankful. Please continue to pray for us as our time here winds down this is bitter sweet as it will be good to come home to our homes and comforts yet it is hard to leave these people we have been with for the last 6 days and break the group up. Happy Fathers Day to all
Cheryl

Student Perspective: Alex

2009-06-21T22:06:00.000-05:00

First off, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE DAD’S!!! Anywho, today was an amazing day. 10 of us got up at 6:30 to go snorkeling at the reef. While the rest of them got to sleep in until breakfast which was at 9:00! When regularly we have breakfast at 6:30! So the one day we get to sleep in we get the chance to go snorkeling…oh well it was simply amazing! The reef was gorgeous, we went out for 1 ½ hours. The salt was a little hard to get used too, but we managed. Of course the showers were crowded, especially since we had to go to church today. When we say church you usually mean the nice clothes, programmed service, organization, and ROOM to sit…but here it is totally different, pretty much the opposite. We walked in and the things that we took for granted were very difficult for them. We enter the room to scripture reading, what we would think as easy and just an everyday thing-easy to read. But everyone was helping the individual read the words that they couldn’t pronounce-since the regular language is patois (Pot-wa) and they have the English translation of the Bible. It was great to see how diligent they were to read that verse, they didn’t just give up or let someone else do it for them. The worship was a little bit different-actually A LOT different. Most of the songs were just thrown together and very out of tune, but that didn’t matter to them because they were worshiping the same God that we do-who cares if we are 8,000 miles away-WE HAVE THE SAME GOD. And that is what God really showed me today that it doesn’t matter if I don’t think that it is “normal” or what I see as the “right” way. God is everywhere, anywhere, at all times. Well, the rest of the day was pretty lazy-we just went to the beach ate lunch, ate dinner, and swam. (I think that swimming is kind of pointless here because the pool water is literally warmer than the air-but that’s just me) Well I am verrrrry tired, hope to see you all soon! Only 3 more days! Can’t actually believe I’ve been in Jamaica for this long already! Be home soon!
-Alex

Student Perspective: Brianna & Jadie

2009-06-21T22:04:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone! It’s Brianna and Jadie!!
We just got back from church and it was an amazing experience! It was cool to see that no matter where you are in the world, we all are worshipping the same God. So many people from the church gave testimonies of how Christ’s sacrifice changed their lives and how much they loved Him. We were both in awe of the presence of the Holy Spirit in this church.
On a less spiritual note, at the house there are four dogs – Hercules, Joy, Honey and Biscuit. Hercules, aka the Devil Dog, is a giant German Shepherd. He attacks people when they are having too much fun, but if things are boring, he just takes a nap. Joy, Hercules’ wife, is also a German Shepherd. She is much nicer and more pleasant to be around. Honey (rat or dog??? Still up for debate) is a small creature with stringy golden locks. And now last but certainly LEAST, Biscuit. Biscuit struggles with his appearance, and has low self-esteem (no thanks to us). Everyone hates Biscuit, except for Paige and Felix (the cutest kid at the house). Paige says he really is ugly but still cute. Felix says that even though he drinks dirty water you shouldn’t call him nasty. Biscuit desperately is in need of some major orthodontic work. His obvious underbite is extremely unattractive. When we get home, you all must see our impression of him, we are pretty good. When we pulled out for church this morning, we thought we hit him with the van, but to our disappointment it was only a rock.
We miss you all and can’t wait to come home, even though we are having tons of fun! Please keep praying for us as we survive the ugliness of Biscuit and the bite of Hercules. Thanks so much for everything! See you soon!
Love, Bri and Jadie
P.S. And Happy Father’s Day to all you awesome dads out there!!!! Love ya Bruce and Rajah!! 

Leader Perspective: Sandy

2009-06-21T22:02:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone back home!!

We have been so busy and working so hard!! We have had very few injuries, a few cuts, scratches and bruises, so I guess Jacob Hendrick still holds the record for injuries! Some of the kids have been a bit homesick but have been able to talk it out and get hugs, all the kids are wonderful at building each other up. I am SO proud of each one of them for working so hard with joyful hearts and so willing to serve. In spite of the heat they continue to keep focused on the task at hand and find ways to make it fun! I can’t think of anything more beautiful then hearing them break out in song to God with all their hearts!! Their lives are a great testimony of all your work in raising them and the influence of JCS and their churches. It has been heart breaking to see some of the conditions that people live in and at the same time heartwarming to spend time talking with the people we have met. At the church service we went to today the people were so joyful and alive in their worship, it was cool to be a part of it!! We will see you soon! Thank you for allowing me to spend this time with your kids!

Sandy H

Day 5 Recap (in pictures with captions)

2009-06-20T22:20:00.008-05:00

Above: Solomon teaches the girls how to make "table mats" (we would call them hot pads). They are cool.
Below: Rachael reads her devotional at the poolside.

Above: Chris ponders the cards on the table.
Below: Kasey finds a few minutes to read after a long day of work.

Above: The guys chill at the table before dinner.
Below: Jadie, Brianna, & Bron hang out on the roof for fun.

Student Perspective: Alanna

2009-06-20T22:17:00.002-05:00

Matthew 28: 19

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus was with his disciples for a long period of time, even in the last moments with Jesus there was worship and yet doubt. Jesus defeated hell and the grave; yet Jesus is not finished, he is still working every day. He is transforming the world… but how? Jesus is transforming this world through his followers/children. He is instructing his children to go and make disciples. Disciple: a student, Follower, and a learner who journeys with their instructor. Jesus wants us to make disciples, to make followers who are learning with us to love as Jesus loved by laying down our lives for him; a disciple never stops learning. The best way to make disciples is collectively (church) we are called collectively to show grace and hospitality no matter where you are and how you view the world they are all our brothers in Christ. For those who seek shall find so show grace, hospitality and tolerance.

(Just something that I was thinking about tonight)

Jamaica is a lot different than I thought it would be…. In some aspects. I knew that it would be hot and muggy and that every thing I would touch would totally stick to me. The cultural difference at least to me is intense. I love the people here and I love the work that I am doing. I have been able to help out in many ways; I can really feel Christ working through me. One thing I haven’t really enjoyed about being here is the food… I think every thing that I have been fed has chicken in it. Chicken neck stew, chicken foot stew, chicken hot dogs, oh and fish… L if any of you know me when it comes to chicken and fish I am a vegetarian. So I have been surviving on suckers and mints and if I am lucky I will get a corner piece of a pop tart that someone has smuggled in their bag. But other than that things are pretty neat I like learning new things about the culture here. I have had a lot of fun and made a lot of new friends… ha-ha I have also been spanked by Mrs. Hartman if you want to know why you will have to ask me when I get home! Ha ha. I have a lot of good stories that I want to share with everyone when I get home. Anyways please keep praying for everyone here that we will get the field work done and that everyone stays safe. Please pray that Jesus will work through us so that we may make disciples among these people. I miss and love you all. And believe it or not I am VERY homesick. I am very much looking forward to Wednesday. Mom, Dad when you pick me up I am expecting fast food and ice-cream when I get off the plane oh and NO chicken for a month please!!!!!!! Again I love ya!

-Alanna

Student Perspective: Krystle

2009-06-20T22:13:00.002-05:00

It was really hard to believe that we were actually in Jamaica until we actually stepped out of the airport into the hot and humid air (it was raining-go figure). We were so excited and just kept repeating “we’re in Jamaica! We’re in Jamaica!” As you probably know, we didn’t even get to see the house we were going to be staying in before we were put to work. I really enjoy the physical work and construction we have been doing on the house. Even though it is incredibly hot and you only have to be out there two seconds before you are sweating all over the place, I would do it all over again given the opportunity. I love the fact that I am able to be a part of the process that helps a needy family out and makes them light up with sunny smiles on their faces. I thank God so much for this amazing opportunity to serve here in Jamaica. I am one of the lucky kids who get to spend their time equally between construction on the house and playing with the kids. Yesterday was probably my favorite day. A small group of us got up early and headed out to the work sight before the rest of the group. There were a bunch of guys, Becky, and me. We were a little bit out numbered. Well, it was the hottest part of the day and Becky and I had to paint a wall with the sun directly on us. We had to wear sunglasses because the wall was so bright! I worked up on the house for the majority of the time. Then Brittnie Jarrett and I went down the mountain/hill to join some others who were playing with the kids. They were coloring and playing games. There were some face paint markers and the kids were having a blast. Then they decided to have a blast on me. I became one big art project. It started out with a little artwork on my arms and spread rapidly to my legs, face, neck, and even my shorts! The kids just attacked me. I honestly don’t believe I’ve had more fun in my life! The kids were laughing and having the best time. They also thought my camera was the coolest thing. My heart aches for them and how little they have and how they can be entertained for hours with the littlest things. And of course, it makes me appreciate what I have all the more. Why did God place me in America? Why wasn’t I born in a third world country? If I was born here, would I honestly be able to enjoy life the way these kids do? I thought going without my makeup for a few days was hard! One of the kids came up to me at My Fathers House and asked me why I wore ‘stuff on my face’. It was the first time I had worn makeup there. I stumbled over an answer they would understand. But I thought about that for the rest of the day. What is the real reason I wear makeup? I haven’t seen anyone here wear makeup besides the girls on our team. I wear it to make me look better. But I ask myself, why can’t I be happy with the natural way God make me? I don’t want to come across as someone who wants to hide behind a mask. I want people to see me as who I really am- a person who God made to spread who word to other people. Anyway, the house is looking amazing and we are just about finished. One more day to work on it! Tomorrow is church and I’m so excited to see what message God has stored for me in a foreign church where we all worship God in the same way. Love you all and many thanks for all the prayers for me. Love, Krystle

Student Perspective: Becky

2009-06-20T19:27:00.000-05:00

This trip has been unlike anything that I have ever done. I really didn’t like the plane ride it was stressful for me so when I got here in Jamaica I was all shook up then we all piled in a van and started our journey to the house. It was so exciting with jamacians beeping their squeaky horns, driving on the wrongs side of the road and car, the hot weather, and most of all the beaty of the land, so I soon forgot all of the anxiety that I had been feeling the last few days. My thoughts about what the trip would be like were very different to how they are now. Everybody is like my family and I have become closer with my friends and everyone. I learned something in these past few days that has helped me through what I have been struggling with for so long. I learned how to be at PEACE with situations and hardships. In the past six months my life has taken a turn that I thought would never happen that I thought at the beginning I couldn’t survive through. But God has been so gracious to me and He has shone me that even though I am hurting and still trying to work though this I can have peace because I know that He is right here beside me feeling what I am feeling and going though my trial by my side. Also FORGIVENESS I knew that I had forgiven this person but in reality what I really needed was to forgive myself and change my attitude that things happen in life that I have no control over and I love to be in control but I have learned that just because I cant fix something doesn’t make it happening my fault some time things come along that nobody sees happening and people get hurt lives change. I have also learned that some people take longer to heal than others and that I am on the longer side of that measure. On a lighter note I am having a blast and I love building this house it is so much work but watching the families face light up that we are building it for is worth every nasty ounce of energy that I have and it is worth getting up at six thirty for. The children all adore us and the attention that we have for them they are all so precious I don’t know how I am going to leave them. Tonight the weather is nice and we get stay up late! J pray for me as I am still working through this and also for the peoples hearts to just open up to us so that we can share with them about our God. Good Night to America! - Becky

Day 4 Recap (In Pictures)

2009-06-19T21:29:00.012-05:00

Student Perspective: Brittany

2009-06-19T21:14:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone. First of all I want to say thanks to all of you who are praying for me and the team. God is working in amazing ways and He has shown me many things during the last 4 days.
The main thing Mr. Neill kept emphasizing to us during our team meetings was to not have any expectations for the trip. I thought that I didn’t really have any specific expectations other than what the house was going to be like and what the weather would be like. Someone asked me what my expectations were for the trip last night and I couldn’t really remember any specific ones. But today while I was painting with Rachael and thinking about the expectations thing and I realized that I really did have expectations. I thought that I would be able to make new friends to hang with right away. Whoever I sat on the plane with on the way to Jamaica would become the person I hang out with the most…but I ended up sitting with Sam who is already my good friend...so I didn’t really make any new friends. Then I figured that by the end of day two I would have a lot of friends and I’d be having a blast. In all honesty I didn’t make any new friends. I felt so lonely and I didn’t know why. Another one of my expectations was that I wouldn’t be homesick at all. I figured that I’d be so busy there was no chance I could get homesick. By the morning of day 2 I could barely keep from crying because I was so homesick. That night at the meeting I shared that I was homesick and found out that two other people were dealing with the same stuff as I am. Throughout that day God showed me that ‘I need Him every hour’ as the song says. So now I’m not lonely because I know that God is always with me. And I’ve made so many friends it’s crazy. I love you all so much and thanks again for the prayers!
Britt Johnson

Student Perspective: Patrick

2009-06-19T21:11:00.000-05:00

Hey y’all. Well, it’s been four days and I’ll tell ya, it’s been amazing. I’ve been sweating buckets and drinking gallons, but I’ve made great friends and have worked so hard. Today we got the roof of the house started. Well mom, sorry to tell ya, but I was up on the roof by myself for awhile loading up on zinc roofing and holding it so it can be attached. It was hot, exhausting work, but I never thought on that. I spent my time focusing on the view from the top. It was beautiful. I felt so close to God, I felt His hand holding me and helping me balance. I think I was up there for two hours in the sun.

The second day I received some news from home……it really threw me. My great-grandma had had a stroke. I just read though that she is doing fine and will be okay. The past few days I pushed myself and all I could think about was how much God has blessed me with having my grandma in my life. Every situation on the work site reminded me of the good memories I have had with my grandma and it really helped me push.

God’s hand is at work in Jamaica and it is amazing to watch people in the group see God and draw His infinite love around them. Please pray for this trip and for the people here. More to come. - Pat Meade

Student Perspective: Bron

2009-06-19T07:11:00.001-05:00

The first day we got here everyone was overtired and super cranky. We unloaded a truck full of wood and tin for the house we are building and I thought this is not going to be fun. I don’t want to be here I want to be at home in my bed and sleep for days. Then the second day came and we carried all the wood we unloaded up a huge hill and I still really wanted to just go home. It wasn’t until the third day that I worked with the kids and they totally changed my attitude about being here. I realized this is why were here this not about me this about the awesome people living in this country. One lady brought us all salt fish fritters and juice even though she has nothing, and I realized I have everything so why can’t I just help these people and now I’m excited to help. I love the kids and the people here they are awesome. Last night a bunch of us girls went up on the roof and later on the pool deck for some devos. We talked about what we have learned and what we are struggling with. I love the girls here. I know they care for me I care for them. ~Bron~

Student Perspective: Alex

2009-06-18T20:26:00.000-05:00

So for this trip I didn’t really know what to expect. Especially after staying up a complete 33 hours from home to here, I didn’t know what was going to happen! It wasn’t going so well with being overtired! I thought, yeah a missions trip that will be amazing, fun memories, working hard, and helping out a family. But no, it’s been a lot more than that. The people here are amazing, simply amazing. They are completely content with what they have, whether it is food for the day or a pair of clean clothes. It makes me feel so grateful for what I have. What I really wanted to learn over this trip was how to grow stronger with the Lord and trust in Him completely. A lot of things have happened to me, and I hope to go to God more than anyone else. On the first day Mr. Jim and Mr. Neill said okay, one more push and we are done for the day. Now bringing up these materials was like taking stones up a mountain (seeming impossible), but to get it done we all worked together and it was done before we knew it. Even those little words that were said made me think, okay Alex you can push through all these things, you have a team, God is your team mate. I may not do my devotions all the time or read my Bible, but these little devotionals that we have here are like light in a tunnel, they make you think. Doesn’t it seem so ironic that whatever you are going through somehow God shows you signs on how you can get through it? That is what is happening to me this week. I love helping these people; no words can describe it… Yes, I’m building a house for a family whose house burned down, but I’m also building great relationships with my friends, great relationships with my leaders, but most importantly my Christian walk and a stronger relationship with the Lord. Being here makes you realize how important some of your actions and words mean to people. Some of the things we joke about at home could mean a totally different thing here. You have to make sure you think before you speak, to be patient, another thing that God is challenging me with. All these things can not be put into words! But on the hard labor part, so far we’ve brought all the materials (EVERY kind of wood imaginable, ply-wood, metal sheeting, screws/nails, cement mix, paint/primer, equipment, gravel/sand) up a HUGE hill, built the walls, painted the walls, finished the front concrete patio, and started the roof structure. HARD WORK!!! But the best part is just talking to the people, seeing how they live, what they think about things. The kids are just…so fun, so adorable, and so HYPER! They love to play, color, and blow bubbles we know so far from today! That has to be one of the most unforgettable things I will remember about this trip. I can’t wait to see what else this trip has in store for me! Hopefully I’ll be writing more soon! –Alex

Student Perspective: Lexi

2009-06-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

So far, this trip has really opened my eyes. My goal for this trip was to really learn how to be still and know he is God, just by being a tool for him to use. I learned right away that it wasn’t going to be easy at all. We got right off the plane and started unloading some really heavy wood and tools for this house. Now if you know me well, you know I’m not one for real physical work. I really wanted to quit right there, be grumpy, and go to sleep. Through the devotions that we got in our field guide, (our first day was themed ‘BE STRONG’) I found that God made sure that most of the verses that I had read that day kept running through my mind. That for me, really kept me pushing on, but also made me realize that if I couldn’t do just the unloading by myself, I was going to have to have this whole trip relying solely on God. The next day, our devotions were all about ‘TRUTH’. (We’ve been going through Ephesians 6:10-20, so this would technically be the belt of truth). Some of the things I was writing down in my journal after a very hard yet accomplishing day of work really began to start clicking. All I really wanted was to be a tool for God to use so I could make a difference. Even if there were people that I struggled with, hard things that I didn’t want to do, and a lack of sleep, I wanted to do it because God would be the one supporting me and using me to be a living testimony for him. Just because I was building (really just painting for meJ) a house doesn’t mean I wasn’t making a difference. That changed my attitude about everything completely. The next day, God even rewarded me by letting ten of us go to a school to sing and share testimonies, which was such a remarkable experience. I got to play with the kids after school, and began to connect with some of the kids here where we are staying. Building and making relationships is my favorite thing to do, so this was so much fun for me. Even after all of that- our team got all four of the walls up, with all of them painted. We will be finishing that house tomorrow! All in all, just these three days has been so incredible. I can’t wait to write about the rest of my trip!

Day 3 Recap

2009-06-18T17:05:00.008-05:00

Today started at 6:30 again. This time, the group struggled to get to breakfast on time. After breakfast all the choir kids went to a local public school and sang some of their choir songs and gave a few testimonies. The rest of the team headed back up the hill to get to work on the house. We took a mid morning break for some saltfish cakes and juice.

Today we finished all the exterior siding, painted the exterior siding, primed and painted trim boards, prepped the front porch for cement, played with the school kids, and much more.

When ladders weren't available, people got creative in order to get the work done.
We did stop for lunch. On today's menu: Chicken Foot Soup! (And yes, that really is a chicken foot.)

It was another busy day and we worked as hard as we could until the rain hit, and it really hit. We all got soaked cleaning up the tools. It passed within an hour or two but we were pretty much done for the day. Once the storm quit, kids were quick to find time to relax in the pool. Tomorrow we hope to put on the roof. Keep praying for good weather.

Day 2 Recap

2009-06-17T21:31:00.010-05:00

Today started early with breakfast at 6:30. Surprisingly, everyone made it there on time. Following breakfast and a short devotional, we loaded up the vans and headed to the work site.

We had already staged the building materials at the bottom of the hill, so our first task of the day was to carry the pile of lumber and building supplies up the side of the mountain. This took most of the morning. We took a break for lunch and then started making progress on the house.

By the day's end we had four outside walls up and a few sheets of plywood. It was a long, tough day of work, but the kids were great, worked hard, and stayed hydrated. Before dinner, many were able to cool off in the pool. Dinner was traditional Jamaican fish, yummy.
After dinner, students had down time until our 8:00 debrief meeting. Many shared testimonies of the things that God is already doing in their lives. I'll try to have some of them post here also.

Tomorrow the choir students on the team will head to a local school to perform some songs and share testimonies while the rest of the team stays focused on finishing the house project. Continue to pray for the team and for good weather (it did not rain today until we were nearly finished with our work, and then it just sprinkled... Praise God!).

Getting Here, Getting Settled

2009-06-16T21:00:00.008-05:00

It was great to see the whole team today at the airport in Montego Bay. They all arrived just in time for a heavy afternoon rain. We grabbed lunch at Burger King overlooking the bay, then we took the long trek over the mountains to the south shore. There was work to do even before we unloaded the luggage. We drove straight to the work site in order to unload a shipping container filled with materials to build two houses! Once we all got it unloaded we headed to "My Father's House", unpacked, and grabbed dinner. Later kids went swimming, and now the house is quiet. I think they are all pretty tired. Breakfast is at 6:30, then we have lot's of work to do. I'll try to keep you posted as we go.

Arrived Safely in Jamaica

2009-06-16T16:16:00.001-05:00

The team arrived safely with no hiccups!

Final Team Meeting Re-Scheduled

2009-05-26T15:54:00.002-05:00

Our final team meeting that was originally scheduled for June 7th conflicts with another event to which some of our team and adult leaders are already committed.

Therefore our final team meeting will be Thursday, June 11th from 6:30pm - 8:00pm @ JCS Elementary. The school works well as a meeting place since we have 22 students plus all their parents.

This meeting is for parents and students. We will cover our final pieces of info, answer questions, and pray together for this trip. Oh yeah, and we'll eat! If everyone would bring a dish to share we should have plenty of food for everyone. Please email me to let me know what you will be bringing so we don't end up with 22 bags of chips.

Also, please email me with any questions you may have and I will make sure they are part of the meeting agenda.

Thanks,
joe

What to bring to Jamaica

2009-04-28T15:54:00.001-05:00

JAMAICA 2009

WHAT TO BRING

Consider the fact that Mother Teresa and her sisters “traveled only with such personal luggage as could be contained in a bucket or a cardboard box”.

CLOTHING

Dress should be casual and conservative.

Packing Tips: Bring a mixture of clothing that will allow you enough variety, but won't weigh your bags down too much. Don’t over pack. Expect to wear pants and shorts more than once.

· Casual shoes – I wear my shoes and pack the flip flops so as to save space in my bag.

· Work shoes – You don’t necessarily have to have work shoes other than your casual shoes but I have seen many people completely destroy their shoes on a work site. Keep that in mind when choosing what you will work in.

· Sandals or flip-flops

· Water shoes (these are really nice for the beach and the falls. If your sandals have straps and are waterproof, that works too.)

· Socks

· Underwear (that’s fun to wear!)

· Swimsuit (modest one piece for ladies)

· Comfortable Pants/Shorts - No short shorts. (Hint: I typically wear pants on travel days and pack shorts so as to save space in my bag. Cargos are my preferred choice b/c I always have a safe place for my passport.)

· Comfortable T-Shirts – T-shirts and modest tanks are ok. No short or skimpy shirts, No spaghetti strap or strapless tops. Any writing/advertisment on shirts should be appropriate. (Hint: It is best if your t-shirts are not 100% cotton as those kind tend to retain moisture and do not dry quickly, I actually prefer %100 polyester b/c it dries so quickly. Wash it at night and it will be dry by morning!)

· One Church outfit – Girls: dresses (with sleeves) or skirts with sleeved shirts. Guys: Kaki pants & a short sleeved dress shirt or polo shirt. (Hint: Jamaicans dress to the nines for church. If you are going to err here it should be on the nice side).

· Hat, Bandanna, Sunglasses

GENERAL ITEMS

· PASSPORT

· Toiletries: Soap, razor, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, paste, contact solution, Hair dryer etc. (Hint: Same sex team members may consider sharing shampoo in order to save space and weight in bags. Liquids should be packed in ziplock bags in order to prevent spills in your suitcase.) Contact wearers: Don't chance missing the view! Bring extra contacts – just in case. Also bring your glasses.

· Towel & washcloth

· Beach towel

· Sun screen & Aloe

· Bug repellant – the good stuff (30% Deet)

· Benadryl – for bug bites

· Medications & Vitamins / Allergy & prescription meds

· Small Hand Sanitizer or Wipes (sometimes it's good to have this when adequate hand washing facilities are not readily available.)

· Bible, Notebook, Journal

· Ear plugs (in case your roommates snore)

· Alarm clock

· Camera & batteries or charger, memory cards, etc.. (They have standard outlets and electric items work fine in Jamaica)

· Flashlight

· Stationary – you may want to leave a note for a child when you leave, etc.

· Refillable Water Bottle – You may also consider bringing some of those individual Gatorade/PowerAde Packs to flavor your water. Note: Purified water will be available for us during our stay.

· Small daypack

· Personal snacks (Sealed packaged snacks if desired. Granola bars, power bars, etc. Don’t take anything that will melt. Don’t eat in your room. Be prepared to share.)

· Spending money –for souvenirs.

I will carry a small first-aid kit with things like aspirin, band-aids, Imodium (just in case), and antiseptic cream to cover most situations.

Team Meeting Recap

2009-02-17T14:33:00.000-05:00

What is the difference between Compassion, Care & Cure. Parker Palmer says, “Compassion means literally, the capacity to be with the suffering of another.” This means that compassion is often uncomfortable. It is rarely easy to enter into someone’s pain without doing something about it, but compassion doesn’t necessarily bring a cure to the ailment one faces. Compassion’s present (gift) is being present to the other. This is the one sense where, I suppose, it is realistic to view ourselves as “G*D’s gift” to someone.

To truly care for the other we must abandon our “Whatever” attitudes. Whatever is the care-free lifestyle, and we must be care-full. Doing so means to listen, be present, hear, and receive. Henri Nouwen says, “The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not-curing, not-healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares.”

A second comparison is that of Fixing & Relationship. Our task is not to fix people. We may desire to pour out blessings and fixings on those who are suffering and broken but pouring is an act that can be done only from above. The posture of “above” is an arm’s-length posture, and “there is no arm’s-length ‘solution’ for suffering. People who offer such only add to the pain… We cannot do good by standing back and pulling levers that drop bounty on people who need it. Right action can be only and immersion of ourselves in reality, an immersion that involves us in RELATIONSHIP, that takes us to our place in the organic nature of things.”

(Palmer, The Active Life, 84).

A third comparison is that of Do & Be. Being there, not as cure but as companion to the person who suffers on his or her slow journey, is one of the best things we can “do”. Compassion & companionship is more about being that doing. Such being requires us to risk. We risk not curing, we risk rejection, and we risk inadequacy. But Love takes risking.

The Scriptures…

Jesus models a life of compassion and care. Mark 6 serves as a good example.

Mark 6:32-44 (NLT)

They left by boat for a quieter spot. [33] But many people saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and met them as they landed. [34] A vast crowd was there as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.

[35] Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and it is getting late. [36] Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy themselves some food."

[37] But Jesus said, "You feed them."

"With what?" they asked. "It would take a small fortune to buy food for all this crowd!"

[38] "How much food do you have?" he asked. "Go and find out."

They came back and reported, "We have five loaves of bread and two fish." [39] Then Jesus told the crowd to sit down in groups on the green grass. [40] So they sat in groups of fifty or a hundred.

[41] Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God's blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples to give to the people. [42] They all ate as much as they wanted, [43] and they picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. [44] Five thousand men had eaten from those five loaves!

When Jesus had compassion on the crowds he offered them what he had; excellent teaching. Jesus was the “master teacher” and didn’t hesitate to give what he had when he saw people in need. The disciple’s saw the crowd too, but they saw the problem not the people, saying, “Send the crowds away so they can… buy themselves some food.” Here we see what Palmer calls, “The temptation to solve some problem on a level that does not solve it at all, and may even make things worse.” Can you imagine 5,000 people raiding the nearby farms and villages for bread and fish? I’m not sure Wal-Mart could handle that all at once.

Jesus response with the curious, “You feed them.”

“With what?" is the appropriate response. Here the disciple’s faith is being tested and it is in this same “With what?” attitude that we often respond to G*D’s calling in our own lives. How am I going to do this thing that G*D is asking me to do? “It would take a small fortune.” But in the story, Jesus simply responds with "How much food do you have?" He is less concerned with what it takes and more concerned with what is available. G*D is always more interested in availability than in ability. Making ourselves available to G*D is where we find ourselves risking. Opening our hands to God means releasing the death grip we have on all the stuff we are holding on to. But when we open our hands we find Jesus blessing our gift and G*D multiplying it.

Jesus’ solution to this need was not one of pulling levers, it was not an arms-length solution. It was a nitty-gritty, shoulder-to-shoulder, self-sacrificing, self-risking, solution that gave birth to a compassionate response… and a miracle of provision.

February Update

2009-02-06T11:41:00.000-05:00

Hey Team,

Well, we are about 4 months away from getting on a plane and flying to Jamaica and with temperatures like we are having lately it won’t come soon enough. But you will be surprised at how fast it actually does come. So, here are a few things to remember…

Payment Info:

At this point everyone should have paid their deposit ($100) plus four payments of $127 for a total of $608. Some of you are current on your payments and some of you are a little behind. Please make every effort to stay on schedule as we have bills coming in for various trip expenses. The next payment is due on March 2^nd. If you want a current summary of where you are with funds, send me an email and I will let you know.

Next Meeting: Sunday, February 15, 3:00-4:30pm

We have been holding these meetings at my house and I know it is a little cramped. Is anyone else that lives in a central location interested in hosting this meeting? Let me know soon. We have some important things to discuss at the upcoming meeting so please mark your calendars.

Metal Recycling:

There is a dumpster at Chet Malone’s shop located at 1183 S. Dettman. To get there you want to go south of Page Ave. The road looks like it dead ends. The entrance is on the left. The dumpster is right inside of the back gate. This dumpster will be removed by February 12^th so if you have been saving up your cans or other metal stuff, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to get the cash for it. Drop off your stuff before February 12!

Prayer:

Keep praying regularly for both this trip and all of your team members!

Peace,

mr. n

Jamaica Team Meeting #1: Recap

2008-10-26T15:54:00.004-05:00

What is the reason you joined this team? There are lots of really good reasons for going on missions trips: curiosity, calling, friendship, growth, challenge, opportunity, service, etc... and lots of you gave good reasons why you want to go. We all know our own reasons for joining the team, but what is God's reason for putting you on the team? As one who believes in the sovereignty of God, I trust that God has a purpose for you on this team. One of our tasks on this trip is to simply pay attention. We need to pay attention to what God is doing in and around us. We need to pay attention to the things God is speaking to us, the things to which he is calling us, and the role that he is giving us to play on this trip.

Expectations: If you've been on a mission trip before then you probably already know what I am going to say, and that is, "Expectations are our Enemy, Flexibility is our Friend." Even as we discover the things that God is doing in and through us on this trip we must remain open to God's prerogative to completely alter all of our plans. So, as you prepare for this trip, pray that God would make you aware of the things that you are holding on to, the things that will prevent you from being completely flexible, completely available for His use.

Prayer: As I watched the DR'08 Team video last week I was struck with the idea that this year's trip needs to be centered on the theme of PRAYER. As I day dreamed about that a little I saw students on the team circled in prayer in Jamaica, calling on God. If that dream is going to be a reality I recognize that we are going to have to prepare. That is the reason we have set up the prayer partners system. If we are going to be a team of prayer, we need to start praying today.

Accountability: I believe that we hinder our own spiritual growth when we refuse to allow ourselves to be transparent with others and to give someone permission to challenge us to take things to the next level. It is my goal that each of your prayer partners (along with the encouragement of your leaders) will facilitate your growth through regular accountability.

James 5:16

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.

Start a Journal: I didn't mention this in the meeting but I think it would be a great exercise for each of you to begin. Journal your thoughts as you look ahead to the trip. Journal your prayers. Journal your questions and struggles. This process will help you get more out of the trip, and can make it easier for you to identify the themes and movements of God in your life as you try to discern what God is up to as he forms your life.

Reminders:
Check your email regularly.
Turn in payments on time (see payment schedule on fact sheet) and with the donation record.
Apply for your passport if you haven't already.
Email me your T-Shirt size.
Print and sign the liability waiver and turn in to me or the business office.
Pray regularly with your prayer partner.

Next Meeting: Sunday, December 14, 3:00-4:30pm

2009 Royal Servants Summer Missions Trip

2008-09-04T19:11:00.003-05:00

PROJECT: KINGDOM BUILDERS, JAMAICA

Dates: June 16-24, 2008

Cost: $550. Cost includes in-country ground transportation, lodging, meals, insurance, and a brief excursion to YS falls. This cost is subject to change based on a group size larger than 30. (Current Airfares are estimated at $440/person – estimated total trip cost = $990. This is an estimation based on airfares that are subject to change.)

If an applying team member does not already have a valid passport they will need to apply for one immediately. Passport application can cost up to $130 and can take months to process. See “What documents will I need” section below for more details.

Additional funds will be needed for spending money and souvenirs if desired.

Who are we working with?

In an effort to make this a great experience, JCS has chose partner with Simply Missions and Kingdom Builders Ministry. Simply Missions is a non-profit organization directed by Mr. Neill and focused on organizing and leading short-term mission trips that are simple, effective, and relational. Kingdom Builders Ministry is a nonprofit, nondenominational, para-church organization ministering in Jamaica since 1996. Based in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, on the southwestern coast of the island, KBM ministers both in the local church and through its children’s home and other ministry connections throughout the island. KBM is widely acknowledged across the island of Jamaica for their work with abandoned and neglected children. “My Father’s House Children’s Home” is the nickname for the residential care home that Kingdom Builders operates in Jamaica, and our team will be working and staying at “My Fathers House” which is situated only a few blocks from the ocean.

Transportation:
All transportation in Jamaica will be provided through the Simply Missions partnership with KBM. Airline tickets are not included in the cost but have been estimated above.

Food & Lodging:
Meals provided upon your team’s arrival in Jamaica will depend on your specific flight itinerary. All dinners will be prepared for your team by the staff of KBM. Some teams choose to bring a few items from the U.S. just in case they don’t enjoy Jamaican cuisine.

What will the team do:

1. Build relationships: Above everything else, we want to build relationships with people. This takes priority over all of our other goals because we recognize the eternal nature of relationship. My Father’s House Children’s Home is a home for abandoned and neglected Jamaican children. We will get to know the kids as we live along side them during this trip. We may also have the opportunity to do some VBS style activities with the kids. We also hope to do some construction projects, but we always prioritize the building of relationships over the building of structures.
2. Be Christ: This involves an incarnational view of Christian missions. We expect team members to be extensions of the incarnation to those they encounter – we have God’s Spirit in us and we want to be Christ’s hands and feet for the world. Sharing Christ in this manner requires an active personal relationship with Christ. We can’t share what we don’t have.
3. Work: Teams work and work hard. Much of the construction in Jamaica is done with concrete so the work can be difficult at times. Each participant will be expected to do their share as the team assists KBM with various development projects in and around the community.
4. Have fun: It is unavoidable to have fun on trips like these. Though it may not manifest itself in specific activities on the schedule, fun will be present. If someone doesn’t like to have fun they may be disappointed. Fun takes many forms on these mission adventures, often in spontaneous and unpredictable ways. Be prepared.

How do I pay for the trip?

Each team member is responsible for all trip expenses. Support may be raised through support letters sent out by each participant. All gifts toward this trip will be tax deductible. A sample fund raising letter is available and should be modified to reflect your personality. Support checks or payments should be made out to Jackson Christian School with “Jamaica Mission” in the memo line. You will also want supporters to include a note with your name on it so we know to apply the funds to your account. If supporters wish to send their checks directly to the school be sure to have them write “ATTN: MR. NEILL” on the envelope.

In addition to the $100 deposit, seven payments (or raised funds) of $127 each will be needed by the following dates.

• Monday, November 3, 2008
• Monday, December 8, 2007
• Monday, January 5, 2009
• Monday, February 2, 2009
• Monday, March 2, 2009
• Monday, April 6, 2009
• Monday, May 4, 2009

What documents will team members need?

Passports are required for travel anywhere outside the U.S. Applications for passports are available at the Post Office, or online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

A guide for first time passport applicants is available at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html

Passport application fee: $97

Once your application is filled out you will need two passport photos and a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Photographs for passports are an additional $15 if taken at the post office. They can be purchased elsewhere for around $8 (available at AAA, Walgreen’s, Kinko’s, Office Max, etc.) but you ought to know that the post office is sometimes picky about exactly how the photos look, they may send you back for re-takes before accepting your application.

Birth certificates are available from the county office in the county in which you were born. Fees for certificates vary but should be available for less than $15. The application along with birth certificate and photos can be taken to the post office for processing.

Passports usually take 60 days to process so if you do not have one, you’ll want to apply immediately. Expediting your passport application costs an additional $60.

What vaccinations do I need?

Health Information for Travelers is available on the Center for Disease Control website: www.cdc.gov (click on “travelers health”)

Please, instruct participants to consult their physician before proceeding with any immunizations.

No vaccinations are required to make the trip to Jamaica, however, because of the nature of the trip it is recommended that team members have Tetanus shot.

When is my application due?

JCS Mission Trip Applications (available from Mr. Neill) must be turned in to Mr. Neill by 2:45 pm on Wednesday October 8, 2008. A deposit of $100 is required with each application in order to reserve your spot on the team. There are only 25 spaces available for this trip, so sign up quickly.

What are my responsibilities if I join the team?

When you decide to go on this trip you are joining a team. As on any other team, you have a role to play, and we see that as significant. You will need to agree to the following statement on the application before you are accepted as a team member.

MY COMMITMENT: I commit to be a member of the Royal Servants Jamaica ’09 Team. I will submit necessary documents in a timely manner. I will participate in all team activities, including required meetings and fundraisers. I will pray regularly for the team members. And, I will be flexible. I hereby recognize that by failing to fulfill this commitment I will be subject to removal from the team.

Meeting Dates:

Parent / Student Information Meeting (not required)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008.
7:00 – 8:00 pm @ JCHS in classroom #4.

Required Team Meetings
• Sunday, October 12, 2008 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s (225 N. Grinnell)
• Sunday, December 14, 2008 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.
• Sunday, February 15, 2009 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.
• Sunday, April 19, 2009 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.
• Sunday, May 17, 2009 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.
• Sunday, June 7, 2009 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.

A Post-Trip Reflection

2008-06-20T08:08:00.001-05:00

This trip was amazing, and while we were there I couldn’t stop thinking about how for a moment in time our life stories intersected with the life stories of the people in DR. It is amazing to ponder the possibilities of that. Our lives overlapped for maybe a moment, or a while, or even a week…..what will God do with that? After coming in contact with these people, our lives have become forever changed and I believe that their lives are too. I pray that somehow God will use that moment when our lives intersected to leave lasting positive change, and that somehow it made as much of a difference in them as it did in us. We may never know. I do know that I am much more aware now that the way I live my life can greatly affect others when God allows my story to intersect with theirs which happens all the time. It’s exciting to think about how we all get to be part of the greatest story of all; God’s. How will he use us, where will he take us, and who will we meet? What an amazing adventure……….are you ready?

Ken Potter

Day 8 - Monday

2008-06-19T07:50:00.002-05:00

So yesterday was an amazing day. We started the day off with driving up the mountains towards the waterfall that we were going to hike down to. The hike was about 800 feet from the top until you reached the waterfall, it was all down hill on the way there, which means we eventually had to hike uphill 800 feet, that wasn’t fun. But anyway, the waterfall was gorgeous. Something that Coach G said when we got to there, and I’ll never forget, “How can people think this comes from evolution?” It was so true, it’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen before. While we were at the waterfall, everyone was climbing all over the rocks and having an amazing time, until the hike back up mountain. It was probably the worst physical thing I’ve ever done. It was worse than basketball conditioning, and that’s hard to beat. It was such a good feeling when I reached the top though, it was almost like I had a huge level of accomplishment. After a couple hours of free time, we all got ready for church. We went to a full out Spanish church, we barely understood anything. It was such a cool experience though. People at the church weren’t scared to show how the spirit was moving them. Singing was my favorite because I could read Spanish. And they had the words put up on the board for us. It was fun to jump around and clap with them! When we got back from church we had dinner and than we had our last meeting. It was an awards meeting. I got the award of encouragement. I don’t really understand why though, I’ve probably complained the most out of everyone on this trip. It was so cool though because people would say why they like each other and why they appreciate each other. It was good for some people to get some encouragement, it is the last couple days of the trip and everyone is getting homesick and irritated with each other. It was an all around amazing day. I’ll never forget this team!!!!!

~ Steph

Day 7 - Sunday

2008-06-19T07:49:00.001-05:00

I’m writing my blog on the last full day here in Jarabacoa. Were hiking to a waterfall then going to church at 4 o’clock. Nothing has really happened this morning except breakfast so I will write about my favorite experience here so far. On one of our many excursions out in the community we stopped to play at this red clay field and to give away balloon animals and sombreros. At first Brianna and I were playing jump rope with one little girl and then a mob of about 20 little girls joined us. There is nothing in the world like 20 girls screaming in Spanish to one another. It is udder chaos. I felt a tug on my shorts and I turned to see the cutest little girl standing behind me. She rattled something off in Spanish and I had Sheryl (the director’s wife) translate. She wanted me to chase her. After about 15 minutes of chasing this little girl in front of all these Dominican guys I might add. I told her I was tired. Since I wasn’t chasing anymore and I asked “Como se llama?” For those of you who don’t speak Spanish I asked what is your name. She answered Escalina. She held her arms up to me and I picked her up and she just laid her head on my shoulder. When I held her I was thinking, Wow I might be the only person who will show her love this week. She then rattled off something again. Sheryl translated again and this time I almost cried. She said “Can I keep her?” She wanted to take me home with her. This made me feel so incredibly special. I couldn’t even communicate with her and we formed such a special bond that I will never forget her face or the time we shared. There is the old cliché actions speak louder then words, and we as Christians know this is true. God has taught me so much that I can’t even describe what I am feeling. This has been such an amazing trip.

Dad if you are reading this Happy Father’s Day and I love you so much (you to Mom)!

Were about to leave so I’m signing off. . .Taylor White

P.S. Did anyone know that Mr. Neil can do “The Worm” and Dolphin tricks, well I do now!

Photo Journal

2008-06-18T18:20:00.012-05:00

Day 6 - Leaders Perspective

2008-06-14T14:27:00.003-05:00

Aside from a few computer setbacks, I´d say things are going great (the base internet is still not working). As you can see from the testimonies of these students, God continues to be at work in their lives. I am trying to get each of the kids to write a paragraph for me to publish here, so hopefully you will hear something from everyone by the end of the week. I have to steal them away from their fun to get them to sit at my computer and reflect about their day.

Today we are winding down our last day of work, and unfortunatley it is raining. The team will come into town this evening for a chicken dinner and maybe ice cream again. Woo Hoo! Tomorrow we will hike to a waterfall (some say it is the waterfall from jurassic park), and we will attend church in the afternoon. It is hard to believe that our work here is begining to wind down. It has been such a great week. As always, I thank you for your prayers and for your part in making this trip a success.

God`s peace,
joe

Day 6 - Saturday

2008-06-14T14:17:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone back at home!
So far it’s been an amazing trip. It’s been a lot of fun getting to know the people in the group that I didn’t even really talk to at school, but now I’m hanging out with them all the time. Well, today the group went on a walk to Los Corrales (which was about a 15 min walk). Jake H did his magic tricks again which every time the kids always love and we also did crafts and balloon swords. I helped with the craft for a little but I soon got pulled always by a little kid who was poking me with a sword. As I was playing with the kids there was a little boy sitting by himself and I said hola to him but he didn’t say anything. And all of a sudden a little girl came up to him and gave him her sword. The little boy all of a sudden had the hugest smile on his face. When the little girl did this it reminded me of when Jesus comes into your heart. You’re all sad and lonely, when everyone else is happy around you and you want that special thing that makes them happy. Once you receive that special thing which in this case was that little boy receiving that sword, you are happy and have gone from bad to best in just a second. Well, the little boy ran off and started playing with the other kids b/c he had the same thing as they did.
Also, at the community we were at there was this girl I ended up holding till we left. It’s amazing how that can have so much fun with just a balloon and back home Americans have to have so many things. Well, the little girl (Catlin I believe her name was or something like it) went around attacking people from JCS. I loved holding her and causing trouble with her because she loved causing trouble just like meJ I would say “alli” (which means there) and then her hitting people with balloon swords and she never would hit me while I was holding her. It end up being her birthday and she turned 5 today. So today was an amazing day just all the other days and it’s all going by so fast.
Signing out and member of Team Mango,
Emily Bowman

I don’t know where to start so I guess I’ll start with today. We walked to Los Corrales to spend time with the local kids there. Playing with them is such an amazing experience. Even though we don’t speak the same language we can still communicate with smiles, hugs. There was one little boy that I had so much fun playing with. I don’t know his name but I will never forget his face. I’m so thankful we have this opportunity to show these kids a little bit of God’s love.
On a different note, getting to known all the team members and spending time with them is an aspect of the trip that I have really enjoyed. One day when we were working on the roof, Brent, Em, Mer, Alyssa, me, and Coach Knight decided to form Team Mango. We even have a secret handshake. At school, I might say hi to some of the people on the missions team but here it feels almost like a family. I believe God has given us unity so that we can accomplish His work here.
Adios amigos! Abbey Barney

Day 5 - Friday

2008-06-14T14:15:00.003-05:00

It is hard to believe that this is already the 5th day of our trip. In some ways it seems like we were boarding the plane just yesterday; but in other ways, it seems so normal to be here. I’m missing my family very much. Hope you all are doing well.
God is so awesome. I’m just trying to absorb as much as I can while I’m here. Everyone on the team has worked so hard. I feel so blessed to be with each and every team member. We all did various work around the base this morning. My group mixed cement. Some of the guys took on digging ditches, while a different group went back onto the roofs to paint a second coat. Later this afternoon we ministered to children at the base. A group went out and invited people and then we made crafts with the kids and played around. Jake H. also performed his magic tricks again (which are always a big hit with the kids).
I find these children so easy to love. I enjoy them so much. They are so accepting of us. For instance, today I helped a little girl with her craft and then she went on her way and played around on the basketball court. Then all of a sudden she ran back towards me and leapt into my arms and gave me a big kiss on the cheek, which actually made me fall backwards. It was so funny. Then she was off and playing again. Right after she left, the girl I had been talking to gave me a huge hug around my neck and I just held her for several minutes. It was very special. I hate to have to say goodbye to them every day.
Today we also learned a little bit about the history of Dominican Republic from Brian (the director). It was so cool to here him speak about the Dominican and Haiti with such passion. He has such awesome wishes for this island. It was a really cool time to just listen while he explained some of the history and culture. God is using this base in the Dominican to reach people in China, Brazil, Haiti, etc. Anyways it’s been another great day. I can honestly say that I have loved every day that I have been here. I’ve had so many different experiences and learned some very different lessons. God is definitely using this trip to remind me how much I need/want to follow Him the rest of my life and I want to use myself as God’s tool in any way that I can.
Adios por ahora
Meredith

P.S. Wow! We had a crazy ending to our night. Never let Christians loose late at night with bongo drums. It’s a hilarious combination. Ha ha the rest you will have to ask about when we get home.

Many of us have had a moment so far this week where they have had a God-sighting or realized something about themselves. Mine occurred today while some of us were hand-washing some clothes. Kelly made a comment that really struck me. She said, “Thank God for washing machines!” That remark got me to thinking about how there are so many things that I use without thinking about how many people don’t have that luxury. I usually just throw my clothes in the clothes hamper and know that they will be washed by an easy-to-use, very convenient washing machine. It was great to be able to catch a glimpse of life in someone else’s shoes. Adios! –Josie J

Day Five - Leader's Perspective

2008-06-13T15:44:00.004-05:00

We continue to have internet difficulties but a theme on this trip seems to be "overcoming obstacles". I made a special trip into town this afternoon in order to post yesterday's (Thursday) recap from a wireless cafe. The connection is not strong enough for me to upload the 40 pictures that I spent most of the day selecting and formatting for the internet. That is an obstacle I have not yet figured out how to overcome. But... give me time.
I really wanted to be able to show you all the smiling faces of these wonderful students that have joined me on this trip. For now you'll have to just trust me that they are smiling and that God is really doing a work in their lives.
I could have had every student share about the impact that last evening had on all of them. I wish you could have sat in the circle with us as we discussed the day. So many of them shared stories of interactions with kids from the community that have the potential for being truly life changing. I only had time to get two of them recorded for you here.
As I type this the team is back at the base doing ministry with kids from the local community. Earlier many of our students went out into the local neighborhoods to invite kids to come to the center where we have crafts and games for the them. I am excited to hear how God will use those interactions in the hearts of these kids (both ours and the DR kids).
Well... time is short. I must get back to the base. Sorry again that there are no pictures.
Keep praying!
Peace,
mr. n

Day Four - Part 2

2008-06-13T15:09:00.003-05:00

Hey, it’s Jake Hendrick from the DR! The week has been awesome so far, and we have all been growing closer to God and each other over the trip. This morning I had a very interesting experience at the brickyard. Let me begin by giving you a little background information. In this last year, Mr. Neill had a section of Bible class that focused on international injustice. He showed several video documentaries of injustice in India. Among the different forced slavery and prostitution were two different jobs, making matchsticks and making bricks. The videos showed very clearly the process of making the bricks, a backbreaking job.

After breakfast yesterday morning, Mr. Neill told us that Brian (the director here) was asking for volunteers to run into town to get bricks that we needed for the sidewalk. Since I had already done my devotions and other things, I volunteered to ride in into Jarabacoa. We rode down the mountain for about twenty minutes until we arrived at the brickyard. Up until this point, I had not even thought about the videos that I had watched over the last year. The first things I saw when I hopped out of the truck were piles of bricks. There were thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of bricks just piled on top of each other. Brian told us we could walk around and soon someone would be out to give us a tour. As we walked around, I saw what was obviously an oven of some sort to bake the bricks. I saw hundreds of trees that were sitting to be chopped up to fuel different machinery. I also noticed two men who were only shoveling ashes out of the bottom of an incinerator and carting them away. Then I turned around and chills went up and down my spine. The hair on my arms literally stood up. Two men were putting wet clay into brick molds, scraping off the excess clay, smoothing it out, taking off the molds, and repeating the process. They did this over and over again, their hands constantly moving, and they never stood up. They were working under a tin roof, under which it was at least ninety degrees. They picture was exactly that of the slaves in the injustice documentary. I later found out that those men made about $150 a week, working ten-hour days with a two-hour siesta (rest) each day. They get two weeks vacation for the year. Now these men chose to work in conditions like that. Sure in India, Africa, and even probably places in the DR, there are people stuck in slavery making bricks, but it just gives me chills to think that those men were at the point in their lives that they would work in a brickyard. The slavery of making bricks goes back as far as the Israelites and Egyptians. And yet after all those years, it still happens in the world. What makes me thinks even more than that is that in this country, those men in the brickyard have it better than most. It is going to be difficult to go back to a country where everyone has a chance to succeed. I am learning that God has a will for everything and sometimes I’m not going to ever see it. I just need to trust in Him and try to impact these people’s lives for the better while I am here.

In Christ,

Bones

In the afternoon on Thursday, we all loaded up into the vans and took off to do some ministering to the people in the community around us. Everyone was excited and looking forward to making some new friends; the vans were packed with balloons and basketballs and soccer balls to share with the kids. We arrived at the first village tucked away in the back roads of Jarabacoa. We piled out of the vans and while some of us started a game of soccer on a makeshift soccer field, the others of us brought out the balloons. Soon our group was surrounded by children with fistfuls of balloons crying out in Spanish whether they wanted a “sombrero” or a dog or a fish or any twisted shape we could possibly come up with. As the commotion from the balloons died down, other activities took their place. The bigger boys went off to play a game of soccer, a few girls formed a circle to play volleyball, while others started playing with the jump rope we brought. It was a great evening of fun and games, but telling you about the things we did cannot even begin to explain the entirety of our experience. The members of our group felt things within their hearts that they could not understand as the connections between the children were deepened. An overwhelming love swept over our group, and as the time neared for us to head home, we dreaded the challenge we would face when we had to put the children down and say goodbye. I don’t know about the rest of the group, but I know that I was overcome with a feeling of helplessness as to what I could do to help these children grow up in a loving, safe, and clean environment, and to always remind them that there is hope, and there is Someone who loves them so much that they could never comprehend it. As we were preparing to leave, I was giving hugs and saying my goodbyes to the girls I had played with. Each time I said goodbye, I would add in “Jesus te ama” which means “Jesus loves you.” When I hugged one little girl and told her that Jesus loves her, she looked at me with a sparkle in her eyes and told me that she also was a Christian. I could feel the same spark go off in my eyes as we held each other’s gaze for a silent moment in time. That moment may have been for only a few seconds, but I will never ever forget that little girl and the joy she had within her as she shared with me the love of a Savior. I may never interact with that little girl ever again here on earth, but I look forward to the day when I can look her in the eyes in Heaven and remember the moment I shared with her in a village tucked away in the back roads of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.

-Rachael

Leader's Perspective - Day 4

2008-06-12T16:13:00.005-05:00

(Note: Now that we are back home I have been able to add photos)

Hello Everyone,

I apologize that these updates have been so late. The internet connection on the other side of town (where the base is located) was somehow cut earlier in the week and we were informed that it may be some time before it is restored. But, I am happy to be here in an internet cafe in Jarabacoa typing this message to you all. The students are currently on a ministry outing this evening in a small community about 30 minutes from the base. Ken Potter took the reigns of leadership for the evening so that I could come into town to update the blog. I wish that I could upload pictures for you but I am not able to at this time.

Even though we have been without an internet connection, I have still been able to get some testimonies from the students and leaders. You will find them posted below. These are just a few thoughts from a few of the kids. I hope to give everyone a chance to write something, but if they don't all get a chance, know that they are all doing well and having a great time. Our hosts have had created a great balance between work projects, ministry, and fun. Every day there is something new and something to look forward to. There really is too much to tell you about.

From a leaders perspective, I am extremely pleased with the attitudes and hard work being displayed by these kids. You would all be proud of them. The leaders are doing great also. Mrs. Meade is careful about encouraging hydration and serves as the "trip mom". Mrs. Hartman is our resident nurse tending to all minor cuts and scrapes that happen along the way. Mr. Meade is always hard at work and also serves as our videographer (I think he has alreday used three tapes!). Pastor Knight has been a great encourager of the students, his relational foundation with many of them is a great asset. And then there's Ken... All I can say is that he is ready to lead a trip on his own.

Tomorrow is a full day of work followed by ministry at the Base with kids from the local community. Thank you all for your prayers and comments (and for your patience as I looked for a way to get these posts up). Keep praying for us as we work and minister in this country. And pray also for the work that God is doing in our hearts as we focus on the theme of "Surrender".
- Mr. N

Day Four

2008-06-12T16:12:00.002-05:00

Hello, it’s Jake Fox and Brent. Yesterday was the toughest day so far. We went running at 6 am with a couple of the staff members. It was challenging with all the hills and elevation changes. We then had to start working after breakfast. Brent had to use the power washer on the roof and Jake dug some stones and gravel to make way for the cement. It was a hot day too. We also went to a couple of schools, one of which was English speaking, and shared our testimonies. We had a good night sleep last night; it gets cool at night, that’s a plus.
We got up and had French toast for breakfast. We went to work right after that. Brent went to town to get bricks and found out how they make them. Jake started painting the roofs and later went to town and bought a knife from the hardware store, Brent is going to buy one later. Brent was power washing another roof till lunch, which just got over. See ya later it is time to swim.
~ Jacob Fox & Brent Malone

Hi, I’m Glyn - here’s what I’ve been up to and seen since we arrived. The students and leaders are doing an amazing job - working so hard and serving God so faithfully, even though it’s really hot. We’ve had the chance to share in a number of schools through a magic show by Jacob H - he’s does such a good job and several of the students also share testimonies - it was so cool to hear my daughter Bron share. (Beckey she did great job - ps love u and miss u)
So our time is split between work projects and schools / evangelism ministry. But for me the lasting memory will be the people and their lives. They are seeking to find purpose and meaning like the rest of us, they are just further challenged because of the tough financial and living situations. Some of the homes that I’ve seen most of us wouldn’t consider suitable to store our lawn equipment in, yet a family calls that home. But more than financial needs are the obvious spiritual needs that are equally evident, every body doing their own thing trying to fill a void and purpose only God can. I don’t think I will ever be the same again following this trip. In closing if you’re reading this as a parent or a spouse I want to encourage you that your family member is doing an amazing job, God is using them and they are encouraging others.
~ Glyn Knight

Day Three

2008-06-12T16:11:00.003-05:00

Wednesday was an awesome day! We went to two different schools. I love spending time with the kids! They’re so much fun. On our way home from the schools we stopped at a river, and it was so beautiful. When we got home we worked really hard. As hard and frustrating as is was we had so much fun doing it, and we accomplished so much! It’s been a great first 3 days, and I can’t wait to see what else we do throughout the week!
~ Kasey

I had an amazing day Wednesday! We went to two schools and Bones did his magic tricks and a few people gave their testimonies. The kids really seemed to enjoy it and hopefully our witness changed their lives. Hanging out with the kids is so much fun. It is so amazing when you talk to them in Spanish and start playing games with them and they understand you. We have made so many new friends. After we returned from the schools, we did some projects. I will admit that I was scared to death of the hard work and working with people I barely knew, but I had a blast!! I have made so many new friends and it was amazing serving the Lord by scrubbing roofs for a few hours. I am having an amazing time and God is teaching me so much. I miss you guys and I am praying for you! God bless!
~ Alyssa

We started off Wednesday by going to 2 schools, a bilingual and a Spanish school. It was quite fun, Hendrick did his magic and a few people gave their testimonies. You can never tell if the kids are getting anything out of it or not, but even if they looked like they weren’t listening, they may have got something out of it. And if one person got something out of it, it’s worth it for me, because they will share what they heard. The work projects were a little bit tougher than Tuesday. I think that was because we were all tired, but we still got a lot done. The view is awesome behind our cabin, I wish you guys could see it, and at night you can see so many stars, it’s amazing what God created. Traffic laws are more suggestions than rules here, which makes things interesting, but fun at the same time. Well to wrap things up, I’m having a wicked sweet week and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
~ Sammy P.

Day Two - Part 2

2008-06-12T16:05:00.005-05:00

Hola! Como estas?! Well today started off at a slower pace… with major manual labor! And let me tell you, you think it’s hot in Michigan right now, you should feel the humidity here! You never stop sweating. We did get a lot accomplished today starting with moving a lot of stones, bigger rocks, wood, and stone bricks. By the end of the week we will have built a new sidewalk within the compound. Some of the others, myself included, worked on the flat roof sweeping and clearing away dirt and debris. After the sun burn set in we called it a day. We then went to exchange our American money for pesos. The exchange made me realize just how much we have as Americans especially when a little boy came up and asked us for money. Next, we took a tour of the coffee plant and had amazing frappacinous which were more sugar than coffee, but that’s ok because we all needed a sugar buzz. And Mr. Neill was happy about that oneJ Then on to my favorite part of the day. We went to a elementary school where Jake H. did his magic show and Kasey and Meredith gave their testimonies. The kids were so excited that we were there. Even as soon as we pulled in, we could hear screams of excitement. The kids were so excited to have some one-on-one fun time with us. It was hard at the same time because there were about fifty kids and they all wanted our attention at once. My favorite part of being there was interacting with the kids and seeing them smiling and knowing that we had made them smile. Today really made me realize that I need to be a lot more thankful for what I have. I know we’ve all heard this a million times that we need to be thankful for what we have, but until you actually live it, we will never understand the complete meaning of this. It’s hard to explain to you how much these kids need. It was really touching for me to see that they have so little, yet they’re so happy. It was like they had no care in the world. If you think of it, say a little prayer, thanking the Lord for what He’s given you. Well, that’s my challenge for you! I’m starving. Time for dinnerJ PEACE!!!!!!
~*~*~Stephanie Stanley

Wow, so much to say and so little time to say it all. Upon arrival at the compound I was so exhausted and unable to fathom how I would be able to get up the next morning and function on four hours of sleep. Thankfully, God provided me with a second wind and I am thoroughly enjoying myself :0) Today was an amazing first day. Like Stephanie said we did some manual labor around the base trying to survive the intense heat and humidity. It’s like you’re breathing water here, no joke! I have been one of the lucky ones to not get bit by a no-see-um yet so I’m extremely thankful for that! My favorite part so far was going to the school today and working with the kids. I thrive on that. To those kids we are the world and it is the most amazing feeling ever. I am one of the few in the group who can speak some Spanish and so I spent a lot of my time translating. It was amazing! Once I got over my nervousness the words just flowed off of my tongue and it was so great to be able to communicate with the kids in their own language. These kids are so precious and I love working with them. I wish that everyone had the opportunity to work with kids such as these because it totally changes you. I can’t even explain to you how I feel because it’s something that has to be experienced for oneself. God is so good and I am so thankful and blessed to be here.
~ Kelly Williams

Day Two: Part 1 – Already Hard at Work

2008-06-10T12:32:00.006-05:00

We hit the ground running this morning and after a healthy breakfast and a tour of the base we started sweating. Here are a few pictures…

Travel Day Recap

2008-06-10T10:08:00.002-05:00

When we create the schedule, we don’t use the term “Travel Day” lightly. We really did travel all day! The Check-in process at school went smoothly, and we really appreciate all of those who came to see us off, especially Doc Bracy. The bus ride, Airport ticketing, flights, layovers, changing planes, and luggage claim were all without incident. Thanks for your prayers. We arrived at the airport here around 9:00 pm and then loaded the vans for a three hour bus ride that somehow took us four hours due to some extremely heavy rain. We arrived here at the YWAM Base, settled into our dorms, and… well… some of us slept.

I really can’t stress how smoothly things went yesterday. Thanks be to God for His “Traveling Mercies”.

This week we are focusing on the concept of surrendering ourselves to God. Keep praying that God would not only work through us, but also work in us during our time here in the DR. Thank you all for sharing with us in this adventure through your love, prayers, and encouragement.

God’s peace,

- joe neill

Made it to DR!

2008-06-09T19:21:00.001-05:00

We have landed and now have a three hour bus ride.

Airport

2008-06-09T09:41:00.002-05:00

We made it through check in and security smoothly. We are now waiting a couple of hours for our flight.

Tips for Parents

2008-06-05T07:06:00.002-05:00

Connecting with Your Kids Before, During and After the Trip

Many of us have experienced highs and lows in our spiritual life. Through those experiences we learn much about ourselves and how we should move forward in our world. However, students have a harder time with this process. For many of them, this mission trip might be the first time they have experienced these emotions. Coming home can be a difficult process for them. As adults, thinking through how to help them deal with this transition before, during and after the trip is important. For you as parents, it can be difficult to find ways to help your student communicate about the experience. Here are a few ideas to think about as your student goes on this mission trip.

Before:

As your student prepares for the upcoming mission trip, there are many ways you can help them in that process. Here are some ideas:

Pray with your student. By praying with them you will become a spiritual partner for the trip and help them solidify this discipline in their lives.

Research the trip. Help your student research the trip. One idea is to research the town and culture your student is going to. The more you learn, the more prepared both you and your student will be.

Challenge your student. You have a good handle on the strengths and weaknesses of your student. Set a challenge for them on this trip. How could he or she grow spiritually? Relationally? In teamwork? In communication? In responsibility? A mission trip isn't just an opportunity to travel and experience a new place or culture; it's an opportunity to grow.

During:

Just as your student is on a journey with God during this trip, God has lessons for you to learn as well. Consider some of these ideas to help you and your student get the most out of this experience during the trip.

Study the same Scripture passages. Find out what Bible passages your student will be studying during the trip. I've made this easy for you by providing you with our "DR Field Guide" which contains all of the scripture and devotionals for the week. By participating in the same study, you will be able to better understand what God is teaching your student.

Develop a prayer team. Consider getting together with the parents of the other students on the trip and praying for the team. You may only have time to do this once while they are gone, or you could do it several times. These students will have a unique bond because of their time together. Developing a parents prayer team will create unity that goes beyond the students to include the parents as well.

Keep a journal of your prayers. Another great idea is to keep a journal of the prayers you prayed for your student while they were away. When they return you can share it with them and see how many of those prayers were answered.

Allow them space. Be sure to allow your student to experience the trip without having to think about home all the time. Try to keep your contact with them to a minimum during the trip. They will have a more meaningful experience if they feel free from their normal life at home. You can keep up with what we are doing by checking this site. There is a space here for you to comment on the posts, let us know you are praying, or offer a word of encouragement to the team.

After:

The transition after a mission trip can be very difficult for students. They will need help understanding and applying the lessons they have learned. As a parent, you can play a vital role in this process. Here are some ideas to consider.

· Allow your student time to process. Don't expect to get all the answers to your question right away. It takes students time to understand and apply their experience. Be patient with them.

· Plan time to communicate about the trip. Ask your student for an hour or two to spend with you talking about the trip. Do this within the first three days of returning home. This will allow you to focus on your student and allow them uninterrupted time to tell their story.

· Ask questions about what they learned, not what they did. The easy stories to tell are the ones that deal with what your student saw, ate, or did. The hard - but more meaningful - interaction encourages your student to tell you what they learned and how they changed. Ask how they saw God at work.

Some sample questions:

§ What did you learn about yourself?

§ What did you see God do in and through you?

§ What Bible study method did you like the best?

§ What applications did you make from the Bible studies?

§ How did teamwork play a part in accomplishing your mission?

§ How did you see God at work? How did He intervene? Answer prayer? Show His faithfulness?

§ What is your plan for staying connected to God?

§ How has this experience changed your mission at home, at school, at youth group?

· Ask the deeper question. When your student tells you about the work project or the ministry project, ask a deeper follow up question. This will help your student come to a deeper understanding of their experience. A good place to start is by asking questions such as: How did that make you feel? What did you learn from that? What did that motivate you to do?

· Realize the difficulty of re-entry. Understand that your student will not only be struggling from culture shock as he or she returns, they will also be mourning the loss of their team. Being alone for the first time in nine days can be difficult after living on a mission with a team of great people. Don't be surprised if they want to continue to spend time with their teammates. Be sure to allow them time to readjust to family life as they come off the trip.

· Plan to process the experience with them more than once. It is important to realize that the learning for a student can happen weeks after the experience is over. Be sure to ask your student what they are still learning from their trip one to three months after the trip is over. This will force the student to reconsider what they have learned and how the trip has had a lasting impact on his or her life.

Adapted from Mission Life by LeaderTrecks

Team Meeting June 6th!

2008-05-30T16:00:00.000-05:00

Just made the final arrangements for our long awaited team meeting. It will be Friday, June 6th from 5:45 - 7:30 @ the Meade's (4266 Springbrook). I want to start right away with the meeting stuff so please be sharp!

I also want to include parents (one or both) at this meeting so that everyone gets a chance to meet each other and get all the info. Parents sometimes enjoy meeting other parents (I know... it's weird).

I'll have a whole packet of info for parents with flight times and all that jazz. If you are a parent and you can not make it to the meeting just let me know and I will get you the packet.

For the meeting, we will be eating dinner at the Meade's. They are providing the burgers, dogs, and beverages. We all need to bring a passing dish.

Seniors & Freshmen: bring desserts
Juniors & Sophomores: bring sides

This is an important meeting so please make plans to be there with the team!

In the mean time... email me with all of your questions and I will be sure to have answers for you at the meeting.

10 days till we leave!!!

Thanks,

Mr. n

Updates & What to Bring to DR

2008-05-21T21:00:00.002-05:00

Hey DR Team!

Here are a couple of updates…

1. Thanks for checking the blog for updates and new info. Tell your friends and family that they can check this site while we are in DR for updates and photos of the team.

2. At one point I had discussed with some of you the possibility of not having a resort night before we leave DR. After reviewing our flight schedule, our hosts in DR have decided it is in everyone’s best interest to stay at a resort in Santo Domingo on the 16^th. So we are back to our original plan.

3. In a previous post I mentioned mosquito nets. If you are thinking about purchasing a mosquito net I wanted to offer some suggestions. First, get something simple, not a big complex setup that won’t fit in your suitcase. Second, look for permethrin treated products or some do-it-yourself permethrin. That is the chemical that is most effective in warding off the “bugs”. Third, consider ordering with a friend to save shipping costs if you are buying online. Lastly, I have provided a few links below to help you get started shopping around if you are looking for a net.

Permethrin Products: REI, Campmor,

Mosquito Nets: REI, Campmor,

Pretreated Net: Travel Health Help

4. Here is a tid-bit of knowledge to store in a handy place in your carry on (along with a pen). The address for your visa forms (that you fill out on the airplane) is:

Juventude con Una Mision
KM 4, Entrada del Salto Jimenoa
Piedra Blanca, Jarabacoa

5. Many of you have asked for a “What To Bring” list… so here you go: (this is also available on our blog site)

CLOTHING

Dress on the base and in Jarabacoa is fairly casual. Most people wear jeans, shorts and t-shirts on the base. You should also bring a light jacket and an umbrella.

Bring a mixture of clothing that will allow you enough variety, but won't weigh your bags down too much. We suggest bringing at least 2 pairs of jeans, along with light cotton trousers or sweatpants, shorts if you wear them, and several t-shirts. You should also bring one set of old clothes that can be used for construction work and one set of nicer clothes to wear to church or to a restaurant. You will also need at least one pair of walking shoes/sneakers, and a pair of sandals to wear inside the house.

GENERAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

The base will provide pillows and blankets, but you should bring you own sheets, pillow cases, and towels. A mosquito net is optional, if you want to be extra cautious, feel free to bring one.

Other household items you may want to bring include a hair-dryer, an alarm clock, and a flashlight. Consider sharing a hairdryer among friends, to cut down on space needed in your luggage. Voltage is the same as in the US (no adaptors needed).

Don’t forget to bring a camera if you have one and a generous amount of film (or memory for your digital camera) since film is expensive here.

DAY TRIPS

It will be helpful if you bring a small backpack. The backpack may also be useful for day trips or for other projects in the city or nearby towns.

STUDY ITEMS

Bring a pen, a notebook and don’t forget your Bible!

COSMETICS/TOILETRIES

Come prepared with your own bug spray, anti-itch medicine (for bug bites), shampoo, toothpaste, soap etc ... sunscreen is recommended. Our team will have a small first-aid kit with things like aspirin, band-aids, Imodium (just in case), antiseptic cream to cover most situations. Remember to pack all these liquids in your checked baggage and not in your carry on!

HEALTH

Most people ask about Malaria risk in DR but Typhoid is actually more common than Malaria in the area we will be traveling to. No specific immunizations are required before traveling to DR, but we advise you to check with your doctor on any suggestions he has for any kind of vaccinations for your time in DR. If you are taking any specific medication we advise you to get enough of it to last you during your time there, as it may be impossible to get your medication there. The pharmacies do sell a variety of medications, but might not sell the one you need.

MISCELLANEOUS

Please be aware that you'll be sharing a dormitory-style room with several others, and there won't be too much room for personal belongings. Consider the fact that Mother Teresa and her sisters “traveled only with such personal luggage as could be contained in a bucket or a cardboard box”.

Here are a few miscellaneous things to have in your bucket…

· refillable water bottle. (this should be empty and packed in your checked luggage)

· personal bottle of hand sanitizer. (sometimes it's good to have this when adequate hand washing facilities are not readily available.)

· work gloves

· batteries for your camera

· charger for your camera (or rechargeable batteries)

· a basketball or other sporting equipment (consider donating it at the end of the week)

· insect repellant (don’t let me emphasize this too much!)

6. Finally, I am still working on a date for one more team meeting before we leave. You wouldn’t believe how crazy the school calendar is these days (or maybe you would as most of you are involved in all those sports!). I will keep you posted. But for now… maybe all this info will keep you happy for a few days.

Email me with any specific questions you have! And keep praying!

Frequently asked questions and their answers

2008-05-21T19:45:00.002-05:00

Below is a list of Questions and Answers sent to me by our hosts in Jarabacoa. Please take a minute to read them over so that you are informed about some of these expectations.

thanks,

mr. n

Q. Is there cell service? Do you sell phone cards to use on the base?

A. We do not sell phone cards, but there is a store just up the road that has some and we can pick them up in town. We have Claro, Viva, Tricom, and Orange. You will have to check with your provider to see if your phone will work here.

Q. What rules do you have about the use of the phone?

A. Staff would have limited access to our phones for business purposes only. The reason being we have no way to charge for the calls. Calling home to let someone know your group arrived safely would count as business. It does not cost us for incoming calls.

Q. Do you have an emergency contact phone number @ the base that I could give to the staff & parents?

A. Our number here at the Center is 1-809-307-5925. During week days there will probably be someone who will answer that phone. We also have a pay phone with the #1-809-248-7557. Otherwise you can give them my number: 1-809-309-5927. I usually have my phone with me all the time.

Q. Do we need to exchange money @ the bank?

A. We can do that once you get here. You can do it at the airport when you arrive, but we can get a better exchange rate here in Jarabacoa.

Q. Do you know the exchange rate?

A. Current exchange rate is around 34 pesos/1USdollar

Q. How do you usually handle the type of thing?

A. We usually take you guys into town (or someone from your team) the first day.

It is usually better for one or two individuals to handle all the exchange. Usually that is one of us and one of your leaders.

Q. What about drinking water?

A. Bring a water bottle, but we do have filtered water available. We also give everyone a bottle of water when they arrive, just in case they forgot (and because you are usually thirsty when you get off the plane!) We do sell water bottles in our store and they are widely available in this country. They usually sell for 10 pesos which is about 30 cents US.

Q. Do we need to bring food with us? Is there a place to keep food?

A. We do not usually give teams access to the refrigerator unless it is a medical necessity. We do have a small store here on the base that sells drinks, chips, snacks, t-shirts, books, etc. That can be accessible when you guys need/want it. As far as keeping food in the dorms, it will be OK as long as it is kept in sealed bags or containers. What you need to worry about are ants, roaches, and mice if you have open food in your rooms.

We really feed you guys well and provide snacks, so there shouldn't be a need to bring a lot of food with you. I would encourage everyone to try something different and eat what we provide. It kind of takes away from the cross-cultural experience if you bring a lot of food from home with you.

Q. Are there meeting rooms available?

A. We have a large classroom, a gazebo, and the dining room that all can be used for meetings. We also have sound equipment available.

Q. Is there a cloths line where they could hang towels after they use the pool?

A. Yes, we have lines on the roof of the main building and behind the dorms. There is also a railing on the balcony off the upstairs dorm that gets used for that as well.

Q. Are there laundry facilities?

A. Our washers are for staff and Center use only. We do have outside sinks for doing laundry by hand located behind the main dorm building.

Q. Are there certain times of the day when showers can be taken, and does it depend on the water supply?

A. The time of day for showers will depend on your schedule. We should have water all the time.

Q. Is the voltage the same voltage as the US?

A. Yes, it is the same.

Q. What kind of housing do you have?

A. We have dorms with bunks. Guys will be in one dorm and girls in another. We provide blankets and pillows, but we ask that you bring your own sheets and towels. We have two couple rooms available. The dorms are pretty rustic, but there is running water, hot showers, and regular toilets.

Q. Is there Internet access?

A. We have wireless Internet access here at the base. You may bring your own laptops to connect.

Q. Does the pool have any rules that we should know about? Are there times or days that we are allowed to use the pool? The pool can be used anytime during the day up until quiet time at night. Quiet time is usually around 10:30 or so. If you do swim there should be someone else at least at the poolside in case anything happens. We ask that girls wear one piece suits or wear a t-shirt over a two-piece. We also ask that girls and guys do not wear their suits around the base without being covered up with a shirt and shorts.

Q. What is the food like?

A. All you meals are included in the cost of your stay. We will go into town twice to eat, once to a chicken place that is great and once to pizza. The other meals will be at the base. Breakfast is traditional American food, cereal, pancakes, eggs, etc. Lunch is our main meal and that usually consists of rice in some form, beans and meat, chicken, beef, or pork. Dinner can vary. It is usually a little lighter than lunch, but if you guys are working hard on projects, we make sure you have a substantial meal for dinner, too. That will be something like spaghetti, tacos, salami and mongu (typical Dominican dinner meal, mongu is boiled and mashed plantains). We also serve salad with lunch and fruit at each meal. We will go into town for ice cream one night after dinner.

If you go online to www.ywamdr.org and click on Jarabacoa you can view some pictures of the base.