ocho

Well the day started off LOUD! For those you that have been to Harmons you know what I mean! It was so hard to leave our Jamaican family. We are now in Ocho Rios, some are at Dunns River, some are eating lunch and we are all looking forward to our last team time on the pier tonight. See you soon!

Thursday blog

Ephesians 3:18-19  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  May you experience the love of Christ though it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Whoa!!!  Turning 40 is not so bad after all!!  In fact it was quite fantastic!!  (Minus getting floured 4 times!! One by my son…I might add!)

Returning to Jamaica this year was not really what I had planned to be doing in January 2011.  But, God had a different plan and this week has proven to me, once again, that His plans are better than mine.  I have had the most amazing week, being completely showered with love from my team and many, many from home.  God has allowed me to re-connect with many of my friends here in Harmons.  I am sad to be leaving them.  I have watched my son love on Jamaicans of all ages and work extremely hard.  I have been reminded of the things that God puts such high value on like, unconditional love, team work, simplicity, submission, celebration, & being intentional with people and finding out the details of their lives. 

The events of this week give me the POWER to understand just HOW WIDE, HOW LONG, HOW HIGH, AND DEEP HIS LOVE IS!  It’s about surrendering, again, to his perfect plan.

Wednesday blog

Wednesday in Harmons……

Today we worked a half a day on our service project and then spent the second half of the day at the infirmary in Clarendon. Today has been a difficult day because it is Kierstyn’s birthday and I miss her very much. All day long I have been reminded of Kierstyn and her love. Honey, I hope you are having a wonderful day. Connie Hill says Happy Birthday also. If any one reads this please call Kierstyn and tell her I miss her and love her and I wish her a happy birthday. 816-228-6352.

This week I have been working on a wonderful project for the community of Harmons. It is a fishery that will allow the Won by One community to raise fish to create one more source of income and jobs for the community. Everything that Won by One is trying to do down here involves equipping the Jamaican people in some way. The work has been very hard and labor intensive. As I am sure that others have written we are digging out the ground where the fish tanks will be place on the next trip in February hopefully. The red clay is very hard and does not want to play along very well. It is a good lesson for me because God is using it for me to realize that I am very much the same way. God is working hard on me this week and growing my faith every day.  I want to thank everyone for all your prayers and support for us this week. The letters of encouragement have been wonderful and timely.

On a lighter note, I did over hear someone say that it is snowing in Kansas City heavily and that the kids may be out of school. I hope everyone is safe and doing ok with the bad weather. I can’t say that I miss the cold. It has been sunny/ partly sunny and in the mid 80’s all week. 

Jason Dillon

Eph 2:1-10

Wednesday January 19, 2011

I cannot believe we are now on the downside of our trip … This week goes by way to fast.  Driving into Harmons this year was not quite the same as last year.  I knew what to expect, but I could not wait to get there to see the ones that I left behind last year.  I could not wait to find out what our Service opportunities were going to be each day.  I could not wait to love on the people of Harmons, the people in the infirmary.  We have worked very hard this week.  Building a house for Gregg – hauling maul, slinging mud – tiring, dirty and yet so very rewarding.  We also have done work up at the Greenhouse, another exhausting day of work, but super rewarding (I can’t wait to come back next year and see the progress on the Greenhouse).  Today being Wednesday is a day I look forward to … On Wednesday we go to the infirmary.  Last year, I blogged about Mr. Bailey, who touched my heart in such a way that I could never put into words.  This year when I returned Mr. Bailey was still there, I was so excited to see him.  I went and sat with him and again read to him his favorite scripture, Mark 15 and then we visited.  I shared with Mr. Bailey that the braclet I was wearing was a reminder for me to pray for him everyday and I now wanted him to have it and I placed it on his wrist.  I prayed with Mr. Bailey and visited with several other men, Leonard, Banna, Anson, Garvey each time keeping my eye on Mr. Bailey.  When it was almost time to leave – he sat and sang a song for us with tears in his eyes, mine and those around me it was time to say good bye one more time for one more year.  My time in Harmons is my most favorite time of the year, my most rewarding, my most challenging.  God has broken me this week, he is emptying me of the things that are hindering me from moving forward and He is slowly filling me back up.  I am trying to stay in His presence.  I am trying to see value and give value, to get out of me what God has put in me, to spread His love to those around me, to see as He sees, to be His hands and His feet, to be present in His sight.  Before coming out and writing this tonight – Olivia ran across a scripture written on the bottom of the bunk beds that fits perfectly … We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up (Romans 15:1-2).  That scripture fits perfect not only for the time we have in Jamaica and not only for we who are in Jamaica, but for all of us.  Less of me Jesus, more of you … None of me Jesus, all of you.

Broken, Emptied and Being Filled,

Love from Jamaica,

Joanna (Ps. 16:8)

Tuesday messages

I was so fearful and anxious about coming, that I wanted to back out. I knew that it was just Satan trying to stop me from coming and doing God’s work. Then again at the airport in Jamaica, they wouldn’t let Robbie and I through immigration (we were that last ones through). They almost put us back on the plane and sent us home but the plane had already left. Once again Satan was trying to stop us. But God won and we made it through! Since then it’s been awesome. 

It’s Tuesday night and this has been the most rewarding trip we’ve ever experienced. So far we’ve dug trenches for the greenhouse, worked in the store sorting clothes, and today we learned how to sling mud (cement) on a house we’re helping to build. I know now for sure, this mission trip has been planned for us by God. Everyone has worked so hard, side by side with the Jamaicans on these projects. But it’s not about building houses, it’s about building relationships. Last night we had a dance with music and ice cream with the locals. Everyone including the children were dancing with us and eating ice cream. It was a blast. Every night we do something special with the people from Harmons.

It’s not hard to put others before yourself when they are such loving and giving people. We thought that we were going to touch other people’s lives when in reality we’re the ones being touched. It’s so much more rewarding then we ever expected. We can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us the rest of the week!

Oh, by the way, it’s 90 degrees here! Hope everyone’s safe at home. We’ll be home Sunday night, weather permitting.

Paula and Robbie Cairns

I don’t even know where to begin…so Amy and I are going to write this together…what we experienced today was more than just serving here in Jamaica…we experienced true worship and fellowship, there were many times we felt like we were having a little piece of heaven on earth.

Let me tell you about our friend Patrick, aka “Gonga”…not to be confused with “gonja” J He is a man that is surrounded by gentleness and boldness combined. He is a light that brightly shines the presence of God and you cant help but be drawn to him.

We started the day sifting marl with Gonga…we would sift a couple buckets, stop completely what we were doing, listen to Gonga sing, sift some more, stop, listen to a message that I believe was straight from God…sift some more, stop for a much needed water break…sift, sing, sift listen…you get the picture!

IT WAS AWESOME! There really are no words to describe, you just had to be there.

Gonga taught us a song…here are the words:

It’s a wonderful thing, a very wonderful thing

To be free from sin, and apply within

Just to be a volunteer

With Jesus, my Lord

What a wonderful WONDERFUL thing.

We can’t tell you how much this simple song means to us.  The words “Just to be a volunteer” stick out to us…one thing that stands out about Gonga is that he is completely satisfied “just to be a volunteer”…he is content that he GETS to serve God and he counts it a privilege. If that’s not a message, I’m not sure what is.

Another thing about Gonga is that he is intentional about our well-being. His care for us was overwhelming. He constantly made sure we were staying hydrated and not doing the sifting improper so we wouldn’t get hurt. He truly cares like Jesus. He was so patient with us, he could of sifted that whole pile by himself in half the time it took 4 of us to sift ¼ of it…but yet he knew that we were not there to just work, we were there to fellowship and build relationships. He truly gets it. And he teaches us to get it…what we’re here for. Both of us have been deeply touched by his example today. (Amy’s words- this truly has been the BEST day I have ever had here in Harmons)

Today’s devotion was on “Is it in you” John 4-is the living water in you…and Gonga was living proof that it is IN HIM…meaning he is filled to overflowing with the living water and he sloshes it on everyone he comes in contact with.

To Alan, Chris & Katie, Lexie, Amanda & Aaron-I love you so much and I miss you all…I’m only blogging because Amy made me.

We’re having a blast and loving every minute!

Connie Hill & Amy Hayward

               We are the Super Six Students (James Rusk, James Riegel, Dayton Thurn, Olivia Gholson, Christian Wallace, Alex Wallace) and we are here to tell you about our day. James Rusk, Olivia, and Alex all went to the pre-school today. It was pretty crazy. Olivia took a recorder to the face and James got mauled by a group of pre-schoolers, and all the girls were sitting on Alex’s lap during class but we made it through. James Riegel and Christian were at the green house digging dirt and clay and sifting marl. Dayton was at the house today mixing marl and cement to make concrete for the walls of the house.  Then at noon we came back to the Harmony House for lunch and had killer PB&J. Then we went back to our “Service Opportunities” but the kids that were at the school were now at the green house. Olive was kicking butt with a shovel while being the only girl there. When she was done, she was covered in red dirt from head to toe. Christian got a new name, “Flipper” because of his sweet marl flipping skills. Alex rocked it on the sifting marl. After work, James Rusk and Olivia played soccer with Gonga, Shane, and other Jamaicans. Shane kept giving Olivia bad passes so Olivia took the ball and kicked it hard at Shane right in the face! Everyone thought it was hilarious. The Jamaicans won as usual. After we all showered in ice water, the guys played some Spoons and Presidents while the girls had Ladies Night with the Jamaican women. We are all excited to serve the community of Harmons and we cant wait to get back home and share our great stories and experiences with you.

James Rusk (Batman), James Riegel (J1), Dayton (Baby), Christian (Flipper), Olivia (Oliver), Alex (nickname pending)

Monday messages

Woke up pretty early today after a long travel day yesterday, oh by the way did I mention Dayton sleeps on the top bunk of my bed? Went out on the back deck this morning before our individual devotion work and the view is just AMAZING, it is so quiet and feels like a sanctuary. We ate our breakfast and went on a walking tour of Harmons. The tour lasted about an hour and was so eye opening for me. I’m vowing to never be color blind again towards people or material things. It was cool to see Amy and Laci connect with 2 hairstylist women out on our walk.

After our walk tour we came back and had a lunch and off to our first Job sites. Today we worked from about 12:30 to 4:00. Our job was to help dig out holes for a fish hatchery they are building. The first things you notice about the Jamaicans is that they are very skilled and hard working workers; it is very cool to get to know these guys and see how they do things. There is no rush in their work. The Jamaicans are also very willing to share their fruit they grow and they are very encouraging even though I am sure we slow them down. The bus arrived at 4 to pick us up and bring us back to shower and eat. The food here is amazing.

Tonight we had music night with the locals. I met a kid out in the court yard and even put my Mizzou hat, I know Joey will be proud I am showing him the right school to like. The locals came in to the courtyard tonight to listen to music, dance and eat ice cream. What a treat to buy these kids ice cream. The look on their face is priceless. I can honestly say I have been impacted like no other time in my life and it is only Monday, Cannot wait to see what God has in store for me the rest of the week, but I am looking forward to it………

                                                                                                                                            Bobby

We arrived safely and have been busy ever since. This morning we met as a group and discussed the concept of Jars of Clay found in 2 Corinthians 4. We prayed for change through brokenness and smashed the jar. As a team, we each wrote our names on a piece of the jar and glued it back together, realizing that in our brokenness we will become an effective team.

               We then began our day with a tour of the community—the green houses are amazing. The green peppers are huge and only to be rivaled by my grandpa’s garden. We came back to Harmony House for lunch and split into groups for the afternoon: store, house, and greenhouses. Those in the store spent their time getting all our donations ready for sale. Another group of team members went to the house construction site and spent time hauling and sifting maul. The rest headed to the greenhouse to level the ground for their new fishing enterprise.

               I was sent to the greenhouse and it just happened that I was the only girl in the group. Let’s just say I’m a wimp—we spent the day digging, shoveling, and hauling soil out of the future site. (I’m using the term “we” loosely.) I quickly had to realize I was not great with my shovel and my group had to be patient with me—reminding me of my verses from this morning. I Cor. 13:7 “It [love] always  protects, always trusts, always hopes, always hopes, always perseveres.”  Yet, it was the beginning verses 4-7 that came to my head—love is patient…My group reminded me of this and made a difficult challenge so much easier.

               We returned for dinner and a very exciting dance party. It was quite a day. We’ll see what tomorrow has in store for us!

               To our family at home—we love you! 

Audrey

Praying for you mom.  Justin

We made it!

Just a quick note to tell you we ALL made it safely to Harmony House tonight...all 22 of us..we've added 3 more guys to our group...2 from Iowa and 1 from Kansas City...I think its a first that we have more guys then girls!

All bellies are full, bags are unpacked, and beds are getting filled with sleepy team members...all excited to explore and serve the community we are in!

Thank you for all the prayers! We are all glad to be here!

More to come...
Amy

January 16...Departure Day!

...on January 16, 19 followers of Christ will board the plane to Harmons, Jamaica...some going for the 1st time...others, seasoned veterans going back to serve the people they have grown to love...all seeking the journey God has for them...to walk a little bit closer with Christ.

Pray for them...pray for them by name:

Mike Stiles

Amy Hayward

Joey Butler

Randy Wallace

Christian Wallace

Alexandra Wallace

Connie Hill

Dayton Thurn

Laci Thurn

Jason Dillon

Olivia Gholson

Justin Ebbrecht

Audrey Ebbrecht

Joanna Grote

James Riegel

Robbie Cairns

Paula Cairns

James Rusk

Bobbie Gilliland

Ask God to do something incredible in each one of their lives.

Follow their stories on this blog.

Pray some more.

Check out daily pics on http://www.wonbyonetojamaica.com/

Be ready to listen when they arrive home....they will need to get the stories out...maybe, just maybe, your heart will be stirred to support or even join them next time!

Thanks for supporting

 the journey of

Team Jamaica 2011

~we appreciate you!