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.