Well, it is close to midnight on our last night here in Harmons, and the students are all frantically trying to cram their backpacks with their new treasures and find their shoes and waterbottles as we pack up to leave Harmony House. We are really stressing that the kids be ready to leave the moment that they get up in the morning, because what they don't know is that we will be waking them up in a special way in the morning earlier than they are expecting. Surprise!
Today feels very much like several days packed into one. We started out to work early in an effort to finish all the work before we left. I am so excited to report that both houses were finished today and dedicated to the families around lunch time. We presented them with the keys and several gifts to start off in their new home. We also completed our maul haul line, moving the ENTIRE pile to the new home site. That in itself is a full day's work right there!! We also were able to finish the last retaining wall at the greenhouse and had several girls working in the store today.
After lunch, we had our last opportunity to walk around Harmons and wrap up the soccer camp. Several of the boys in the town came out to play against the Americans, and we all walked back to have a delicious dinner of jerked chicken and cinnamon muffins.
Tonight the entire town showed up to send us off with one last dance. It was so wonderful to see that our students had made friends with so many of the young people in the town, and were dancing and laughing and taking pictures. Our guys even got Coach Bird to get out on the dance floor and attempt the Funky Dance. I really wish that I could post some of the pictures and videos that I have just of the dance...words cannot explain!!
Just when we thought the evening was over, the staff here at Harmony House blessed us in a very creative and touching way. Throughout the house they had set up stations with candles and pictures with scriptures for reflection on different parts of the week. They had set aside this time for us to just spend with the Lord and process through all the aspects of this week and how it touched us. This time was followed by some praise and worship and a time of foot washing, to symbolize how we, as the body of Christ, are called to be servants to those around us. I know that is was a very powerful experience for several of us there.
So tomorrow we start our journey home. On our first night, Lloyd told us that we would blink and it would be Saturday, and we all definitely agree that time has flown by so much faster than we expected. We will arrive in Ocho Rios around mid-morning, and will be climbing Dunn Falls at some point during the day. We will get a chance to snorkel a bit, and do some sight-seeing around town. Tomorrow evening will be our last team meeting with Harmony staff, and then Sunday morning we will be dropped at the airport to await our flight home. Our flight number is 1233, and was scheduled to arrive around 7:20 pm last time we checked. Just refer to the post right before we left for a link to check on gate and time information.
We love you all and can't wait to see you! We are looking forward to sharing our stories and adventures with you in person! Good night, and see you Sunday!!!!!
Our last full work day!
Yah Mon! This is Coach Bird, I am filling in for Jessica tonight while she participates in “Ladies Night” out in the courtyard. She along with all of our girls are playing games and having smoothies with the ladies from the community. It is a really big deal and so many of the women have really dressed up for the evening. It is nice to see the women being treated special, since that is truly a rarity in this culture.
Today was our last full day of work and for much of the group is was probably the hardest day. Each day we are divided into work crews and we are either bused to our job sites or we are escorted by one of the locals on a hike to the site. Today’s groups went to the two home sites, a new foundation building site, the greenhouse site, and the store.
The two home sites were able to finish the last coat of cement today, so tomorrow morning we will install the doors, window, and the tin roof. One house had Colton, along with 5 of the University of Missouri folks. They got a little overheated since they ran out of water and since water is so scarce they had no place to refill. Since they worked so hard and were in desperate need of water, they were pulled off of the site early to make sure all were well. Colton had a smile through the whole thing and I am sure out worked most of them! The other house had Ryan on it today along with 6 others, and they actually had more time to spend with so many of the locals who kept stopping by to visit. Tomorrow we will have a chance to turn over the keys in a dedication ceremony to the families, so that should be great!
Sarah Turner was our lone worker at the store today. She along with 3 of the girls from the University of Missouri spent the morning helping families come through and “shop” in the store. The store consists of all the items the teams bring down. Each person who shops pays the equivalent of $1.25 U.S. They then get to fill two Wal-Mart bags with all they can stuff in the bags. They also get a suitcase, and a pair of shoes of their choice. After lunch the girls restocked and reorganized the store.
I, along with Skylar and Chase, went to build a new foundation for a future house today. The first three hours were a bucket line hauling “mall” (basically large chunks of crushed limestone) up the hill. The kids will tell you the “Mall Hauls” are a staple of almost all of our sites, and the hauls are ALWAYS uphill! After getting the mall to the site, we helped set the forms for the foundation. After the lunch break we moved a huge pile of rocks into the forms and then ran bucket lines of small rocks to fill in, before finishing with our cement bucket lines to finish it out. It is a pretty cool feeling to finish a day knowing that a house will sit on that site in just a few weeks!
The award for the hardest job today goes to our green house crew. The teams are working on two massive greenhouses . Once completed these greenhouses will provided jobs for more than 20 people, the majority of whom will be women!
This group had Nathan, Jayne, Jessica, Camille, Hannah, Jayden, Shelby, and Jordan. They were hauling the topsoil into the greenhouse to create the rows, they also hauled rocks to build a retaining wall, and finally but most exciting of all got to haul wheel barrows and buckets of Chicken manure to fertilize the rows. When they returned to the Harmony House, let’s just say none of them have ever been this dirty. They were covered head to toe in the deep red dirt. Even after showering their skin is still stained! They assure us that after a day at the beach and a real shower at the hotel it will all go back to normal! Although some of them do like the fact that it looks like a really good tan! The best part about it for me was that I did not hear any of our crew whining about how hard the work was, rather a lot of excitement over how much they accomplished!
To round out the work day I had a chance along with Skylar and Sarah and a few of the U of M folks to go run our second soccer camp. Today was nice and sunny so we had over 30 kids there along with the local coach. It was a little challenging since the boys were ages 5 to 19 so as you can imagine the levels varied! We spent two hours going through drills and playing and then ran like crazy to get back for a great evening!
Tonight was our “meals on heals” night. Our SCS crew was split into 3 groups and we walked to some local homes to have dinner in the homes. It was great fun! All of us had the same meals; Fried chicken, rice and beans, green beans, and a gravy sauce. We brought the drinks and a plate of brownies for our hosts and had a great time. My group of Nathan, Jaden, Jayne, and Sarah ate in a very nice house with a lady named Angela. I got to work with her husband Herman on the foundation today. We ate on the front porch with her two daughters ages 21 and 9. Her 21 year old daughter had her 6 year old son and 4 month old son too. It was a great night and the kids handled themselves perfectly, just like they always do. They even managed to continue the conversation and act natural when Angela’s daughter decided to start breast feeding at the table!
After our walk back we met as a large group to process the day and now I hear music and laughing from the girls downstairs at ladies night. We miss you all and can’t wait to get home and share our pictures and hearts. God has been moving in a great way and it is so amazing to be a part of the project. Tomorrow is a half work day, then dedication of the houses and then free time in the community. Tomorrow will also be our last chance to post an update since we won’t have computer access when we go to Ocho Rios.
Hope you are all well. See you soon! If you haven’t checked out pictures yet please do so at www.wonbyonetojamaica.com
-Coby
Today was our last full day of work and for much of the group is was probably the hardest day. Each day we are divided into work crews and we are either bused to our job sites or we are escorted by one of the locals on a hike to the site. Today’s groups went to the two home sites, a new foundation building site, the greenhouse site, and the store.
The two home sites were able to finish the last coat of cement today, so tomorrow morning we will install the doors, window, and the tin roof. One house had Colton, along with 5 of the University of Missouri folks. They got a little overheated since they ran out of water and since water is so scarce they had no place to refill. Since they worked so hard and were in desperate need of water, they were pulled off of the site early to make sure all were well. Colton had a smile through the whole thing and I am sure out worked most of them! The other house had Ryan on it today along with 6 others, and they actually had more time to spend with so many of the locals who kept stopping by to visit. Tomorrow we will have a chance to turn over the keys in a dedication ceremony to the families, so that should be great!
Sarah Turner was our lone worker at the store today. She along with 3 of the girls from the University of Missouri spent the morning helping families come through and “shop” in the store. The store consists of all the items the teams bring down. Each person who shops pays the equivalent of $1.25 U.S. They then get to fill two Wal-Mart bags with all they can stuff in the bags. They also get a suitcase, and a pair of shoes of their choice. After lunch the girls restocked and reorganized the store.
I, along with Skylar and Chase, went to build a new foundation for a future house today. The first three hours were a bucket line hauling “mall” (basically large chunks of crushed limestone) up the hill. The kids will tell you the “Mall Hauls” are a staple of almost all of our sites, and the hauls are ALWAYS uphill! After getting the mall to the site, we helped set the forms for the foundation. After the lunch break we moved a huge pile of rocks into the forms and then ran bucket lines of small rocks to fill in, before finishing with our cement bucket lines to finish it out. It is a pretty cool feeling to finish a day knowing that a house will sit on that site in just a few weeks!
The award for the hardest job today goes to our green house crew. The teams are working on two massive greenhouses . Once completed these greenhouses will provided jobs for more than 20 people, the majority of whom will be women!
This group had Nathan, Jayne, Jessica, Camille, Hannah, Jayden, Shelby, and Jordan. They were hauling the topsoil into the greenhouse to create the rows, they also hauled rocks to build a retaining wall, and finally but most exciting of all got to haul wheel barrows and buckets of Chicken manure to fertilize the rows. When they returned to the Harmony House, let’s just say none of them have ever been this dirty. They were covered head to toe in the deep red dirt. Even after showering their skin is still stained! They assure us that after a day at the beach and a real shower at the hotel it will all go back to normal! Although some of them do like the fact that it looks like a really good tan! The best part about it for me was that I did not hear any of our crew whining about how hard the work was, rather a lot of excitement over how much they accomplished!
To round out the work day I had a chance along with Skylar and Sarah and a few of the U of M folks to go run our second soccer camp. Today was nice and sunny so we had over 30 kids there along with the local coach. It was a little challenging since the boys were ages 5 to 19 so as you can imagine the levels varied! We spent two hours going through drills and playing and then ran like crazy to get back for a great evening!
Tonight was our “meals on heals” night. Our SCS crew was split into 3 groups and we walked to some local homes to have dinner in the homes. It was great fun! All of us had the same meals; Fried chicken, rice and beans, green beans, and a gravy sauce. We brought the drinks and a plate of brownies for our hosts and had a great time. My group of Nathan, Jaden, Jayne, and Sarah ate in a very nice house with a lady named Angela. I got to work with her husband Herman on the foundation today. We ate on the front porch with her two daughters ages 21 and 9. Her 21 year old daughter had her 6 year old son and 4 month old son too. It was a great night and the kids handled themselves perfectly, just like they always do. They even managed to continue the conversation and act natural when Angela’s daughter decided to start breast feeding at the table!
After our walk back we met as a large group to process the day and now I hear music and laughing from the girls downstairs at ladies night. We miss you all and can’t wait to get home and share our pictures and hearts. God has been moving in a great way and it is so amazing to be a part of the project. Tomorrow is a half work day, then dedication of the houses and then free time in the community. Tomorrow will also be our last chance to post an update since we won’t have computer access when we go to Ocho Rios.
Hope you are all well. See you soon! If you haven’t checked out pictures yet please do so at www.wonbyonetojamaica.com
-Coby
The day our eyes opened a bit more.
Today was by far my favorite day. In addition to the continuation of work on both house sites and the greenhouse location, we also had an opportunity to work in the schools during the morning sessions. This time definitely made us appreciate the blessings we have at home, since there were about 130 students all taught by 5 teachers. Today, two of the teachers were out, so our courageous Mr. Bird stepped in to teach a class. Much to his surprise, they were covering math, so it was a crash course in remembering things like improper fractions.
After our lunch time today, we all climbed on the bus for a drive over to the parish’s infirmary. This is a long term facility for those that have no where else to go, so there was a mixture of people who had been abandoned by their family there because they had become too much of a burden, and people that were homeless or were in need of a place because of physical impairments. I have to say that this was by far the hardest part of the trip, because it was so difficult to see the living conditions and hear the stories of the people who lived there. I told our students tonight that I have never been more proud of them than I was today. They reached out to be the tangible hands of Christ by sitting with these people and hearing their stories, or singing praise songs to them, or reading scripture out loud to a few that were blind. When we returned to the house, we spent time just with our students talking about the experience. I would really encourage you to ask your kids about this because they all shared incredible stories and insights into the experience that I know I will not be able to do justice on this blog. I will say, however, that we all walked away with a new perspective that we will carry with us for a lifetime.
Tonight is movie night in the courtyard, and the smell of popcorn is drifting up to this little room where I am furiously typing. I know that some of you are wondering why the kids are not writing any of the blogs, and why you have to hear everything from my perspective. Normally teams are not allowed any access to the internet because they want us to fully engage in our time here. Our group leader is allowing me 15 minutes every night to blog, but students are not allowed into the office. However, the kids are all keeping a journal, so I would encourage you to ask them to share that with you when we get home.
Know that we love you guys and miss you, and are sooooo grateful for your continued prayers and encouragement. The kids love getting the comments and knowing that you following along with our adventure.
After our lunch time today, we all climbed on the bus for a drive over to the parish’s infirmary. This is a long term facility for those that have no where else to go, so there was a mixture of people who had been abandoned by their family there because they had become too much of a burden, and people that were homeless or were in need of a place because of physical impairments. I have to say that this was by far the hardest part of the trip, because it was so difficult to see the living conditions and hear the stories of the people who lived there. I told our students tonight that I have never been more proud of them than I was today. They reached out to be the tangible hands of Christ by sitting with these people and hearing their stories, or singing praise songs to them, or reading scripture out loud to a few that were blind. When we returned to the house, we spent time just with our students talking about the experience. I would really encourage you to ask your kids about this because they all shared incredible stories and insights into the experience that I know I will not be able to do justice on this blog. I will say, however, that we all walked away with a new perspective that we will carry with us for a lifetime.
Tonight is movie night in the courtyard, and the smell of popcorn is drifting up to this little room where I am furiously typing. I know that some of you are wondering why the kids are not writing any of the blogs, and why you have to hear everything from my perspective. Normally teams are not allowed any access to the internet because they want us to fully engage in our time here. Our group leader is allowing me 15 minutes every night to blog, but students are not allowed into the office. However, the kids are all keeping a journal, so I would encourage you to ask them to share that with you when we get home.
Know that we love you guys and miss you, and are sooooo grateful for your continued prayers and encouragement. The kids love getting the comments and knowing that you following along with our adventure.
The day we danced in the rain
I must say that as time goes on we are slowly becoming more and more brain-numb by the time we can sneak away to the computer. I have tried throughout the day to make mental notes to pass on to you, but I am a bit slow in finding those notes now.
This morning we had our first group devo time. One of the leaders from the other team talked through Matthew 5, and asked some stem questions about what it means to be blessed, especially in light of what we are seeing throughout our work day. The kids all had an opportunity to share with one another and really spark some interesting thoughts to carry into their work day today.
We set out for our work sites right after we finished breakfast, with several of us working at the house sites and the rest of us hauling marl for future foundations. A few of the girls stayed at Harmony House to help out in the store by folding clothes and organizing school supplies. The houses had reached the skeleton phase yesterday, so today was spent applying the first coat of concrete. Our boys completely outdid themselves as they sifted the marl to remove big rocks, and then hauled the marl up the hill to the house site. There, the marl was mixed with a bit of cement and water to create concrete, and then slathered all over the wire mesh walls to create a stucco-style look. This is done all over the inside and outside of the house, and is definitely harder to do than what it looks. The Jamaicans that are working alongside us make the technique seem really simple as they slather it all over the walls, but apparently we haven't mastered the swivel-wrist technique yet, because our mixture has a tendency to fall off the walls before it dries. We have successfully finished the first coat of concrete inside and out on both houses. Tomorrow we will do coats two and three and finish off the roofs. We are right on schedule to complete both houses before we come home!
We also spent a huge chunk of today hauling marl up the side of the mountain to a new home site. This particular site will be completed by the next group that comes through Jamaica, so we are just doing the prep work for future teams. Good old American ingenuity kicked in and we formed an assembly line up the side of the mountain and passed the marl up in huge flour sacks. One of us would break up the marl with a pick axe while two would shovel the pieces of it into the sacks and start the chain. There were several little Jamaican children who helped us by running down the mountain to return the sacks when they were empty. This was a great time to get to know each other since you were standing in line for a while. After each break, we would rotate sections so everyone would get the chance to work at the bottom filling the sacks.
Coby was also able to work with the young boys of the community during a soccer camp this afternoon. Coby says it was soccer minus the goals and the grass, but with a wondrous view. Skylar schooled them all with her killer kicks, and all the kids seemed to really enjoy their time on the "field".
So you are wondering about the comment of rain. Apparently Jamaicans do not like to get wet even though rain is a HUGE blessing here. They quickly sprint for cover under the closest shanty roof or lean-to and watch the skies for a clearing. We, on the other hand, experienced a new level of gratefulness when it began to rain today. All the work that we were doing was conducive to rain, so we just kept trucking. But the gloriousness of it was that the rain was so refreshing and cooling, especially after spending several hours in the sun developing gigantic sweat stains on our clothes. As it rained, some of the girls that were working with me just started belting out the chorus to "Singin' In The Rain" and spinning around. It definitely made me stop to wonder when the last time was that I celebrated in such a joyous way over the rain.
We returned home for a TERRIFIC dinner of pepper steak and mashed potatoes. We all rotated for our 2 minutes in the shower, which has surprisingly turned into a fun game for all the kids to see how fast they can accomplish their mission. The boys right now are record holders since they are completing their showers in under a minute according to Ryan and Chase. But don't worry! We have enforced a strict "everyone must shower" rule!!
Tonight is group time, where we will spend time discussing the role of poverty in the Christian world and how do we think God feels about poverty. This time has proven to be really enlightening for all of us because of getting to see from our teammates' perspectives and have them speak into our lives throughout the day.
Well, as I finish this, there is a wicked game of dominoes going on in the courtyard, Americans versus Jamaicans. Apparently it is a full contact sport down here, but our guys seem to be catching on just fine! Check on the website for pictures of today's adventures!!
Keep us in your prayers. Two of the girls from Missouri are dehydrated and feeling the effects of it. We are chugging our water as much as possible, but still pray for health and safety throughout the week.
This morning we had our first group devo time. One of the leaders from the other team talked through Matthew 5, and asked some stem questions about what it means to be blessed, especially in light of what we are seeing throughout our work day. The kids all had an opportunity to share with one another and really spark some interesting thoughts to carry into their work day today.
We set out for our work sites right after we finished breakfast, with several of us working at the house sites and the rest of us hauling marl for future foundations. A few of the girls stayed at Harmony House to help out in the store by folding clothes and organizing school supplies. The houses had reached the skeleton phase yesterday, so today was spent applying the first coat of concrete. Our boys completely outdid themselves as they sifted the marl to remove big rocks, and then hauled the marl up the hill to the house site. There, the marl was mixed with a bit of cement and water to create concrete, and then slathered all over the wire mesh walls to create a stucco-style look. This is done all over the inside and outside of the house, and is definitely harder to do than what it looks. The Jamaicans that are working alongside us make the technique seem really simple as they slather it all over the walls, but apparently we haven't mastered the swivel-wrist technique yet, because our mixture has a tendency to fall off the walls before it dries. We have successfully finished the first coat of concrete inside and out on both houses. Tomorrow we will do coats two and three and finish off the roofs. We are right on schedule to complete both houses before we come home!
We also spent a huge chunk of today hauling marl up the side of the mountain to a new home site. This particular site will be completed by the next group that comes through Jamaica, so we are just doing the prep work for future teams. Good old American ingenuity kicked in and we formed an assembly line up the side of the mountain and passed the marl up in huge flour sacks. One of us would break up the marl with a pick axe while two would shovel the pieces of it into the sacks and start the chain. There were several little Jamaican children who helped us by running down the mountain to return the sacks when they were empty. This was a great time to get to know each other since you were standing in line for a while. After each break, we would rotate sections so everyone would get the chance to work at the bottom filling the sacks.
Coby was also able to work with the young boys of the community during a soccer camp this afternoon. Coby says it was soccer minus the goals and the grass, but with a wondrous view. Skylar schooled them all with her killer kicks, and all the kids seemed to really enjoy their time on the "field".
So you are wondering about the comment of rain. Apparently Jamaicans do not like to get wet even though rain is a HUGE blessing here. They quickly sprint for cover under the closest shanty roof or lean-to and watch the skies for a clearing. We, on the other hand, experienced a new level of gratefulness when it began to rain today. All the work that we were doing was conducive to rain, so we just kept trucking. But the gloriousness of it was that the rain was so refreshing and cooling, especially after spending several hours in the sun developing gigantic sweat stains on our clothes. As it rained, some of the girls that were working with me just started belting out the chorus to "Singin' In The Rain" and spinning around. It definitely made me stop to wonder when the last time was that I celebrated in such a joyous way over the rain.
We returned home for a TERRIFIC dinner of pepper steak and mashed potatoes. We all rotated for our 2 minutes in the shower, which has surprisingly turned into a fun game for all the kids to see how fast they can accomplish their mission. The boys right now are record holders since they are completing their showers in under a minute according to Ryan and Chase. But don't worry! We have enforced a strict "everyone must shower" rule!!
Tonight is group time, where we will spend time discussing the role of poverty in the Christian world and how do we think God feels about poverty. This time has proven to be really enlightening for all of us because of getting to see from our teammates' perspectives and have them speak into our lives throughout the day.
Well, as I finish this, there is a wicked game of dominoes going on in the courtyard, Americans versus Jamaicans. Apparently it is a full contact sport down here, but our guys seem to be catching on just fine! Check on the website for pictures of today's adventures!!
Keep us in your prayers. Two of the girls from Missouri are dehydrated and feeling the effects of it. We are chugging our water as much as possible, but still pray for health and safety throughout the week.
Our first full day
So today has been filled with lots of adventure, sweat and laughter. Here is a quick update before we shut down for tonight.
Last night, we were all assigned to bunk rooms, girls in one room and boys in a different room. Each room has one bathroom with 2 stalls, 2 sinks, and 2 showers. So far, very familar if you have ever been to summer camp. The new addition to this experience is the fact that we are on a water ration. Because of the location of the town, there is no running water in Harmons. All the water is collected off the roof whenever it rains or it is deep well water that has been brought into the town. To make it through the week, we have to make sure that we use water sparingly when washing dishes and brushing teeth, and we are each limited to a maximum of 2 minutes for our daily shower. You will be happy to know that our SCS students are now officially pros in the art of Speed Showering.
We started our morning off with breakfast and some quiet time for devos. After having our morning briefing over job assignments, we spent some time talking about the concept of ministry through relationship, and discussing what makes Won by One successful in this community. It is definitely obvious that the people here love to display the love of Christ through building relationships, which is why it is so important for us to be living in the community that we are attempting to reach. This was seen as we walked through the town and met some of the people who have been touched by this ministry.
After our tour and a quick lunch, we spent the rest of the day at various work sites. Two of the houses that we are focusing on this week were nothing but a foundation slab this morning and now have frames up and are prepped for us to finish the walls and add a roof by the end of the week. The goal is to finish both of these houses before we leave so we can dedicate them while we are still here. We also worked with maul, which is a limestone composite full of little rocks. This is mixed with cement to make concrete for the walls of the house. So we spent time sifting through the maul to remove the rocks and hauled it up to the site.
Tonight, after our 2 minute showers and a hot meal, we were able to spend time in the courtyard with people from the community just listening to music and dancing with the kids. Even after all the work that the kids did, they found the energy to demonstrate their skills at line dancing and several robot moves.
Coby and I have been ready for bed since about 6 this evening, so this will be it for now. Hopefully the internet will cooperate with me again tomorrow so I can post a brief synopsis of the day. Don't forget to check out Won by One's website for pictures of today's adventures.
We miss you and love you guys! Keep us in your prayers as we go about our work tomorrow.
Last night, we were all assigned to bunk rooms, girls in one room and boys in a different room. Each room has one bathroom with 2 stalls, 2 sinks, and 2 showers. So far, very familar if you have ever been to summer camp. The new addition to this experience is the fact that we are on a water ration. Because of the location of the town, there is no running water in Harmons. All the water is collected off the roof whenever it rains or it is deep well water that has been brought into the town. To make it through the week, we have to make sure that we use water sparingly when washing dishes and brushing teeth, and we are each limited to a maximum of 2 minutes for our daily shower. You will be happy to know that our SCS students are now officially pros in the art of Speed Showering.
We started our morning off with breakfast and some quiet time for devos. After having our morning briefing over job assignments, we spent some time talking about the concept of ministry through relationship, and discussing what makes Won by One successful in this community. It is definitely obvious that the people here love to display the love of Christ through building relationships, which is why it is so important for us to be living in the community that we are attempting to reach. This was seen as we walked through the town and met some of the people who have been touched by this ministry.
After our tour and a quick lunch, we spent the rest of the day at various work sites. Two of the houses that we are focusing on this week were nothing but a foundation slab this morning and now have frames up and are prepped for us to finish the walls and add a roof by the end of the week. The goal is to finish both of these houses before we leave so we can dedicate them while we are still here. We also worked with maul, which is a limestone composite full of little rocks. This is mixed with cement to make concrete for the walls of the house. So we spent time sifting through the maul to remove the rocks and hauled it up to the site.
Tonight, after our 2 minute showers and a hot meal, we were able to spend time in the courtyard with people from the community just listening to music and dancing with the kids. Even after all the work that the kids did, they found the energy to demonstrate their skills at line dancing and several robot moves.
Coby and I have been ready for bed since about 6 this evening, so this will be it for now. Hopefully the internet will cooperate with me again tomorrow so I can post a brief synopsis of the day. Don't forget to check out Won by One's website for pictures of today's adventures.
We miss you and love you guys! Keep us in your prayers as we go about our work tomorrow.
We made it!!!
Well, we have successfully made it to our destination and have already put in an honest day’s work. It is obvious to me that our kids didn’t sleep enough last night because of their frequent naps throughout the trip.
Our flight went without a hitch…mostly due to the fact that the boys slept a good chunk of the time. We watched miles and miles of water go by before we caught our first sight of land. Customs was a breeze…thanks for all the prayers. We successfully gathered all our bags and breezed through without any suspicions about our multiple suitcases.
We then met up with the other part of Spring Break team. They are a fun group from the Missouri University and have been a great group to blend with, which is good since we are spending the next 7 days with them. All of us piled on the two buses and bounced along for the three hour trek up into the mountains. And we aren’t talking Texas “mountains”, but real mountains with steep slopes and hairpin turns on a road built for one vehicle even though multiple cars would speed past us as we drove. We all would brace ourselves for the turns, and got to know our neighbors in the next seat each time our shoulders would collide. Surprisingly, some of the kids went back to sleep until we arrived at Harmony House.
Tonight we have enjoyed a wonderful dinner together and unpacked all the bags that we brought. We are settling in for the evening and crashing early. Keep an eye on the blog throughout the week, but also watch the mission’s website. They will be posting pictures as well. Our internet access is limited and sometimes non-existent, so don’t be alarmed if the posts from me are sporadic.
We love you all! The kids all say hi and thanks for the help with the packing! See ya later!!!
Our flight went without a hitch…mostly due to the fact that the boys slept a good chunk of the time. We watched miles and miles of water go by before we caught our first sight of land. Customs was a breeze…thanks for all the prayers. We successfully gathered all our bags and breezed through without any suspicions about our multiple suitcases.
We then met up with the other part of Spring Break team. They are a fun group from the Missouri University and have been a great group to blend with, which is good since we are spending the next 7 days with them. All of us piled on the two buses and bounced along for the three hour trek up into the mountains. And we aren’t talking Texas “mountains”, but real mountains with steep slopes and hairpin turns on a road built for one vehicle even though multiple cars would speed past us as we drove. We all would brace ourselves for the turns, and got to know our neighbors in the next seat each time our shoulders would collide. Surprisingly, some of the kids went back to sleep until we arrived at Harmony House.
Tonight we have enjoyed a wonderful dinner together and unpacked all the bags that we brought. We are settling in for the evening and crashing early. Keep an eye on the blog throughout the week, but also watch the mission’s website. They will be posting pictures as well. Our internet access is limited and sometimes non-existent, so don’t be alarmed if the posts from me are sporadic.
We love you all! The kids all say hi and thanks for the help with the packing! See ya later!!!
Packing Party and Flight Information
Well, we have just concluded our packing party and I must say that it was an extreme success! Thank you so much for all your help in getting our materials together!!
Here is some last minute information:
Please make sure that you are at the airport no later than 7:30 on Sunday morning. We cannot start going through the check-in process until the entire team is there. As of right now, the departure is set for Gate D17, but please check on Sunday morning for any changes. You can look up the gate info here. The flight information you will need is below:
Mar 22 - AA# 1232 Depart DFW 1020AM - Arrive MBJ 200PM
If something comes up between now and Sunday and you need to get through to Coby or I, you can reach us on our cell phones. I have emailed you our cell numbers already through Renweb. If you didn't get that email, please check your junk file just in case. Coby will NOT have a phone on him on Sunday morning, so if you to get through to us on Sunday, just call me.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement throughout this next week. We know that it makes a huge difference!!!
~ Jessica & the Crew
Please make sure that you are at the airport no later than 7:30 on Sunday morning. We cannot start going through the check-in process until the entire team is there. As of right now, the departure is set for Gate D17, but please check on Sunday morning for any changes. You can look up the gate info here. The flight information you will need is below:
Mar 22 - AA# 1232 Depart DFW 1020AM - Arrive MBJ 200PM
Mar 29 - AA# 1233 Depart MBJ 305PM - Arrive DFW 720PM
If something comes up between now and Sunday and you need to get through to Coby or I, you can reach us on our cell phones. I have emailed you our cell numbers already through Renweb. If you didn't get that email, please check your junk file just in case. Coby will NOT have a phone on him on Sunday morning, so if you to get through to us on Sunday, just call me.
Thank you so much for all your prayers and encouragement throughout this next week. We know that it makes a huge difference!!!
~ Jessica & the Crew
Emergency Contact Information
I know that some of you are concerned about getting in touch with us if something happens on the homefront while we are away. These numbers are for extreme emergencies, so it is important that you and your student understand that personal phone calls will not be allowed while on the trip. You can also check out Won by One's website by clicking here throughout our trip to see additional pictures that they will be posting of our week with them.
Phone numbers in Jamaica for Extreme Emergencies
Josh Shaffer’s cell phone 1-876-820-9004
Loyd Jackson’s cell phone 1-876-806-0538
Henry Shaffer’s cell phone 1-876-490-6482
Josh Shaffer’s cell phone 1-876-820-9004
Loyd Jackson’s cell phone 1-876-806-0538
Henry Shaffer’s cell phone 1-876-490-6482
Don Wright (Jamaican) 1-876-496-8998
Silver Seas Hotel 1-876-974-5005 (our last night in Jamaica)
Silver Seas Hotel 1-876-974-5005 (our last night in Jamaica)
Home office in DuBois Pennsylvania
Henry & Linda Shaffer 814-371-9394
Henry & Linda Shaffer 814-371-9394
Packing Party and Food Assignments
Greetings Team!
I am so excited about our upcoming trip and have been spending most of Spring Break finishing up the final details. One of the things that we decided on was to have a Packing Party to make sure that we had everything before we leave on Sunday. Here is a head's up about our Packing Party:
I am so excited about our upcoming trip and have been spending most of Spring Break finishing up the final details. One of the things that we decided on was to have a Packing Party to make sure that we had everything before we leave on Sunday. Here is a head's up about our Packing Party:
- Everyone meet at Mr. Bird's classroom on Thursday, March 19th, at 4pm.
- Bring all your donations, supplies and work clothing.
- Bring as many plastic grocery sacks as you can scrounge up.
- Bring your assigned food items
- Be prepared to leave all the packed bags in Coach Bird's classroom.
Coach Bird has made arrangements to get all the suitcases to the airport on Sunday morning so all we will have to worry about is our carry-ons and backpacks. Thank you!!! As we talked about, each of us will need some spending money for things like cokes and ice cream snacks and any treasures we discover that we can't live without. We will NOT have to convert our money, so make sure you bring small bills to make transactions easier.
See you guys on Thursday!! Hope you are getting excited about our upcoming adventure!!!!!
The Packing List
The goal is to pack as much stuff to give away as possible and pack as little as possible stuff that you want to bring home.
Pack the following personal items in your carry-on (back pack):
one normal outfit for the North Coast
swim suit (modest one-piece or tankini)
sleep wear
socks and u-nderclothes for 7 days
Bible & pen (journal if you keep one)
flashlight
work gloves
sunscreen (only every 3rd or 4th person needs to bring this)
snacks for yourself (granola bars, fruit snacks)
shower sandals or flip flops
any personal medicine you might need (Dramamine, etc)
Pack the following personal items in one check-in suitcase:
Important: These items should be rolled and the bundled together very tightly in one or two Wal-Mart size bags and labeled with duct tape such as “Sally K’s work clothes”. This is so anyone can unpack any checked suitcase and one’s work clothes are easily marked.
- 5 days worth of work clothes (t-shirts and shorts to be worn at the work-site)
- work shoes
- one towel for showering
These items should also be packed in the one check-in suitcase:
- ½ gallon water bottle with your name on it (or, attach it to the outside of your back pack)
- your assigned food items
- box of your favorite cereal or other personal breakfast food (ie. pop tarts, granola bars)
- 1 can of green beans & 1 can of corn
- 1 roll of toilet paper
Teams of 4 can share personal items such as shampoo, toothpaste, shower soap, snacks, etc that will be used in Jamaica. Remember not to pack liquids in your carry-on. Also the food items that team members are assigned/picked are VITAL. These food items are used to help feed the team while you are in Harmons so it is important that each member bring and pack their assigned items.
What NOT to Bring:
Please do not pack short shorts or tank tops. After a long, sweaty day of work, even the sturdiest tank tops end up pretty risqué. Please do not cut sleeves off your T-shirts, this will ruin a shirt that can be given away at the end of the week. T-shirt sleeves can be rolled up to help with that oh so important tan. Also there is no need to waste valuable space with hairdryers. Your hair will be dry within minutes anyway. Also, do NOT bring any cell phones, iPods, or colds.
Last few important packing tips:
Put anything with a lid in a Zip-Lock bags or Duct tape the top. The last thing you want is to open a nicely packed suitcase in Jamaica only to find that your large plastic jar of mayonnaise exploded inside. To prevent this catastrophe from happening, duct tape the lid and put any item that could get squeezed and explode in a gallon size zip-lock bag. Do not pack items that could puncture or explode near the edge of the suitcase. Protect these types of items with clothes. Be carefully packing sharp items or tools near breakables. Do not duct tape cans of vegetable. As well as food items, toiletries items like shampoo should be protected with duct tape and zip-lock bags.
It is a good idea to weigh your suitcases with an accurate scale. There are expensive airport penalties if a suitcase weighs more that 50 lbs. Try to put heavier items (i.e. cans of spaghetti sauce) in smaller suitcases to help them reach 50 lbs. Make sure all suitcases have name and addresses on them. Don’t put the same color yarn or some other “group marker” on the suitcases. This will only draw attention to the large number of bags your group is bringing into the country.
Last few important packing tips:
Put anything with a lid in a Zip-Lock bags or Duct tape the top. The last thing you want is to open a nicely packed suitcase in Jamaica only to find that your large plastic jar of mayonnaise exploded inside. To prevent this catastrophe from happening, duct tape the lid and put any item that could get squeezed and explode in a gallon size zip-lock bag. Do not pack items that could puncture or explode near the edge of the suitcase. Protect these types of items with clothes. Be carefully packing sharp items or tools near breakables. Do not duct tape cans of vegetable. As well as food items, toiletries items like shampoo should be protected with duct tape and zip-lock bags.
It is a good idea to weigh your suitcases with an accurate scale. There are expensive airport penalties if a suitcase weighs more that 50 lbs. Try to put heavier items (i.e. cans of spaghetti sauce) in smaller suitcases to help them reach 50 lbs. Make sure all suitcases have name and addresses on them. Don’t put the same color yarn or some other “group marker” on the suitcases. This will only draw attention to the large number of bags your group is bringing into the country.
Other items to fill your check-in suitcases:
The #1 requested and needed item are children’s clothes.
Underlined items are also greatly needed.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Backpacks, composition books, pencils, notebooks, pens, markers, construction paper, school glue, rulers, scissors, tape.
The #1 requested and needed item are children’s clothes.
Underlined items are also greatly needed.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Backpacks, composition books, pencils, notebooks, pens, markers, construction paper, school glue, rulers, scissors, tape.
MEDICINES
Anti-fungus cream, adult and children's cold medicine, Tylenol or any brand, pin worm medicine, vitamins, antibiotics, gauze, Band-Aids, antibiotic creams, bandages, ointments, cough syrup, first aid kits.
Anti-fungus cream, adult and children's cold medicine, Tylenol or any brand, pin worm medicine, vitamins, antibiotics, gauze, Band-Aids, antibiotic creams, bandages, ointments, cough syrup, first aid kits.
SHOES
Any shoes, work boots, adult soccer shoes, black/brown heavy school shoes, children’s shoes.
Any shoes, work boots, adult soccer shoes, black/brown heavy school shoes, children’s shoes.
TOILETRIES
Baby powder, shampoo, lotions, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap.
Baby powder, shampoo, lotions, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap.
TOOLS
Any masonry tools, paint brushes, paint rollers, hammers, handsaws, tape measures, heavy electrical cords, power tools, drill bits, screw bits.
Any masonry tools, paint brushes, paint rollers, hammers, handsaws, tape measures, heavy electrical cords, power tools, drill bits, screw bits.
HOUSEWARES
Any size sheets, pillowcases, towels and small washcloths, sewing machines in good working order, material, hard plastic plates & bowls, silverware, pots & pans, sharp knives, dish towels.
Any size sheets, pillowcases, towels and small washcloths, sewing machines in good working order, material, hard plastic plates & bowls, silverware, pots & pans, sharp knives, dish towels.
CLOTHES
Any clean mended clothes, children clothes, new underwear & socks, infant clothes, adult clothes (Jamaica is a tropical climate, so do not pack winter clothes).
Any clean mended clothes, children clothes, new underwear & socks, infant clothes, adult clothes (Jamaica is a tropical climate, so do not pack winter clothes).
MISCELLANEOUS
AA, C & D size batteries, watches, radios of any kind, toys, padlocks, hats, jewelry (necklaces, earrings, etc.), soccer balls, ball pumps & needles, extra flashlights & batteries.
AA, C & D size batteries, watches, radios of any kind, toys, padlocks, hats, jewelry (necklaces, earrings, etc.), soccer balls, ball pumps & needles, extra flashlights & batteries.
Note: All this information can be found in more detail on Won by One's website.
What we need from YOU!!
Greetings my fellow travelers! It is super important that we make sure all our paperwork is in order before we embark on our journey!
The first thing that you MUST have is a PASSPORT!! We need a photocopy of the page with your picture to be able to order your tickets for the trip. If you already have a passport, please check to make sure that it is still active and didn't secretly expire without you realizing it. If you discover that your passport has expired, or you do not have a passport, please complete this form and take it to your nearest passport agency. All the form fields can be completed online, and then you will just need to print it off and find a location to submit your application. Click here to find the closest office to you and if they can do passport photos on site. At this point, it is probably going to be necessary to expedite your passport to make sure it gets here on time, because you can't get on the plane if you don't have a passport!
The second form that you must complete before the trip is the Student Participation Form. You received a copy of this in your Minimester packet, but if you have misplaced it, click here to download a copy or stop by the office to pick up another copy. The form must be notarized, which we can do for you at school. Check in with Mrs. Pritchett and she can hook you up!
Please come by to see either one of us if you have any questions or concerns about either of these forms. We are getting even more excited about the upcoming trip!!
The first thing that you MUST have is a PASSPORT!! We need a photocopy of the page with your picture to be able to order your tickets for the trip. If you already have a passport, please check to make sure that it is still active and didn't secretly expire without you realizing it. If you discover that your passport has expired, or you do not have a passport, please complete this form and take it to your nearest passport agency. All the form fields can be completed online, and then you will just need to print it off and find a location to submit your application. Click here to find the closest office to you and if they can do passport photos on site. At this point, it is probably going to be necessary to expedite your passport to make sure it gets here on time, because you can't get on the plane if you don't have a passport!
The second form that you must complete before the trip is the Student Participation Form. You received a copy of this in your Minimester packet, but if you have misplaced it, click here to download a copy or stop by the office to pick up another copy. The form must be notarized, which we can do for you at school. Check in with Mrs. Pritchett and she can hook you up!
Please come by to see either one of us if you have any questions or concerns about either of these forms. We are getting even more excited about the upcoming trip!!
First Round of Questions
Important:
If you have not provided us with your student's name as it appears on their passport, please do this as soon as possible! We cannot make flight arrangements until we have this information. This trip will require students to engage physically, spiritually, and emotionally into the process. Students are encouraged to do cardiovascular activity prior to the trip to prepare for the physical demands of the projects assigned to our team. Students are also encouraged to begin to pray for the people that that will come in contact with, and for opportunities to minister to those in need. Most Jamaicans know of God, but very few understand Him or His heart for them.
If you have not provided us with your student's name as it appears on their passport, please do this as soon as possible! We cannot make flight arrangements until we have this information. This trip will require students to engage physically, spiritually, and emotionally into the process. Students are encouraged to do cardiovascular activity prior to the trip to prepare for the physical demands of the projects assigned to our team. Students are also encouraged to begin to pray for the people that that will come in contact with, and for opportunities to minister to those in need. Most Jamaicans know of God, but very few understand Him or His heart for them.
Kind of clothing to wear and packing:
- Work clothes should be ones that you do not mind giving away at the end of the week. Shorts are permissible, but short shorts and tank tops need to be left at home. T-shirts need to have appropriate designs without profanity or questionable writing on them, and need to have the sleeves in tact (no cutoff t-shirts). You will need to pack enough work clothes for 5 days.
- one towel and washcloth
- work shoes and gloves
- underclothing and socks for seven days
- swim suit (modest one-piece or tankini, no speedos)
- one normal outfit for the North Coast
- modest sleep wear
- Bible & pen and a separate journal or spiral notebook.
- flashlight
- sunscreen (only every 3rd or 4th person needs to bring this)
- snacks for yourself (granola bars, fruit snacks)
- shower sandals or flip flops
- any personal medicine you might need (Dramamine, etc)
- please leave your cell phones and ipods at home!
Additional Packing:
One of the ways that we are able to be a blessing to Won by One Ministries is to bring much needed supplies when we come. Each student will be assigned items to pack specifically for this purpose. Each of us will bring 2 suitcases that we will donate at the end of the trip. These suitcases need to be soft-sided, but not military/duffel bags. These suitcases can be found at thrift stores and Goodwill for next to nothing. Our work clothes and the additional supplies will be left in Jamaica, so when we return each of us will only have our carry on. As we get closer to the trip, each student will be provided with an itemized list of what to pack according to the items that our team is assigned.
Medical facilities or care:
Quality medical facilities are with in reach for basic needs. We will also be able to work with the U.S. embassy in the case of an emergency to medi-vac someone out. This has never been in an issue in all of their years of ministry. But should an emergency arise, Coby or Jessica will contact you immediately by phone to give you details and make decisions. Your child will never be left alone if they are sick or need of any kind of medical care.
Additional Insurance:
Additional insurance options are not offered through Won by One ministries. If you are interested in purchasing additional insurance for your student, you are free to do so on your own. Please let us know if you are interested in this or if you would like information on how to obtain this.
# of service hours the kids will receive:
The students will receive service hours equivalent to the hours spent working on the trip. We are estimating that each student will receive 50 hours to count towards the required service hours.
What shots do they need?
Each student must be up to date on their Tetanus shots before March 1st. We recommend that students be vaccinated for Hepatitis A, but this is not a requirement to be allowed to participate.
What about water is it safe?
Yes the water comes from a private well that the mission team dug and they have never had problems.
Money… do I need it?
The exchange rate is around 70 Jamaican dollars (known simply as Js) to the US dollar; however the exchange rate can change every day. We recommend team members bring $100-$200 spending money, depending on how much money they plan to spend on souvenirs and snacks. Money should be brought in small denominations. In most places dollars are accepted.
Is the trip a tax deduction?
No the trip is not tax deductable, since it is paying for personal air, travel, food, lodging etc. It is not a direct donation to the mission group. If you want to make a direct donation let Coby know and he can get you the paperwork for tax purposes.
Do we need visas?
No, each student will just need to have their passport
Sample Itinerary:
Day One:
Team departs home airport and arrives in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Transport team and luggage to Harmons
Dinner upon arrival Welcome, Unpack, Leaders meeting
Day Two:
Breakfast, Orientation, Harmons walking tour
Lunch, Work assignments, Work sites
Dinner, Courtyard event, Team meeting
DayThree (Option 1):
Breakfast, Morning meeting, Work assignments, Work sites
Lunch, Work sites
Dinner, Team meeting, Mens Night in the Courtyard,
DayThree (Option 2):
Breakfast, Morning meeting, Work assignments, Store, Work sites
Lunch, Transport team to May Pen Clarendon Infirmary
Dinner, Team meeting, Movie in the Courtyard
Day Four:
Breakfast, Morning meeting, Work assignments, Store, Work sites
Lunch, Work sites
Dinner in local homes, Team meeting, Ladies Night in the Courtyard
Day Five:
Breakfast, Morning meeting, Work assignments, Complete Work sites
Lunch, Free time activity with the community, Dedicate houses
Dinner, Harmons Craft Market, Farewell in courtyard, Team Experience
Day Six:
Breakfast, Transport team to Ocho Rios, Check-in to the Silvers Seas hotel, Climb
Dunns River Falls
Lunch, Free time
Team Dinner, Final Team meeting on Pier
Day Seven:
Transport team to Montego Bay
Team departs Montego Bay (MBJ) and arrives home
Background story
At the end of March, our entire school is going to approach the educational experience from a different perspective. All of our students had an opportunity to choose from a variety of classes on campus or from several international trips for the week following Spring Break, otherwise known as our Minimester. Our group chose to participate in a missions trip to Harmons, Jamaica, to work with Won By One Ministries. Their focus is demonstrating God's unconditional love and grace in tangible ways to the people of Harmons. While there, our team will help in any capacity that is needed, and hopefully be able to be a blessing to all that we come in contact with throughout the week. Below is some information about Harmons taken directly from the ministry's website:
Harmons, Jamaica is a small, remote village situated in a mountain valley in the south central interior of the island. With approximately 2,500 people, Harmons can be described as a mostly forgotten village. Except for the teams that travel with Won By One To Jamaica, Harmons is rarely visited by outsiders. Harmons has a very high unemployment, and the valley lacks running water. Many families lack the money to constantly send their children to school past the 7th grade. Many home owners struggle to keep their homes dry and safe.
Harmons also has some of the most content, thankful and giving people in the world. Most non-Christians there are more thankful to God for their limited possessions than most Christians are in America. Rain is not seen as a nuisance like it is in the U.S., but rather "blessings from heaven." Rain is what makes the fruit trees grow and fills water tanks so they can drink, cook and wash. Ministry in Harmons is two-fold. First, the teams show the love of Christ by meeting the physical needs of the community. This is done by building 12' x 15' concrete houses, digging pits for water collection, repairing homes, and delivering medicine and clothes that the team brings down. Second, the team practices friendship evangelism throughout the week. This evangelism approach can be effective because of the amount of close contact team members have with Jamaicans. The conversations are natural and authentic because they evolve out of the friendships that quickly develop. Only by living, working, eating and worshipping with Jamaicans is this type of ministry possible.
While staying in Harmons, we will actually be living at Harmony House, the central ministry base in the community. It is a home that has been equipped to house and care for the hundreds of volunteers that come through Harmons throughout the year. The ministry is able to have an impact on the community largely due to the missions teams that visit all throughout the year. If you would like to see pictures of other missions trips to Harmons, click here.
Harmons, Jamaica is a small, remote village situated in a mountain valley in the south central interior of the island. With approximately 2,500 people, Harmons can be described as a mostly forgotten village. Except for the teams that travel with Won By One To Jamaica, Harmons is rarely visited by outsiders. Harmons has a very high unemployment, and the valley lacks running water. Many families lack the money to constantly send their children to school past the 7th grade. Many home owners struggle to keep their homes dry and safe.
Harmons also has some of the most content, thankful and giving people in the world. Most non-Christians there are more thankful to God for their limited possessions than most Christians are in America. Rain is not seen as a nuisance like it is in the U.S., but rather "blessings from heaven." Rain is what makes the fruit trees grow and fills water tanks so they can drink, cook and wash. Ministry in Harmons is two-fold. First, the teams show the love of Christ by meeting the physical needs of the community. This is done by building 12' x 15' concrete houses, digging pits for water collection, repairing homes, and delivering medicine and clothes that the team brings down. Second, the team practices friendship evangelism throughout the week. This evangelism approach can be effective because of the amount of close contact team members have with Jamaicans. The conversations are natural and authentic because they evolve out of the friendships that quickly develop. Only by living, working, eating and worshipping with Jamaicans is this type of ministry possible.
While staying in Harmons, we will actually be living at Harmony House, the central ministry base in the community. It is a home that has been equipped to house and care for the hundreds of volunteers that come through Harmons throughout the year. The ministry is able to have an impact on the community largely due to the missions teams that visit all throughout the year. If you would like to see pictures of other missions trips to Harmons, click here.
Welcome!!!
Greetings all brave travelers!!!! We are so excited that you have chosen to be a part of this wonderful adventure!!! This blog has specifically been designed to provide you with information about our trip as it fast approaches, and to allow our friends and family a chance to live vicariously and see the trip through our eyes. Leave a comment if you have any questions or brilliant ideas about how to make our trip even better!
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