2007 Jamaica Mission Trip Journal

Friday, January 19th
After spending the night at Tammy & Steve's in Sabetha, we all met at the church for a delicious brunch of sandwich fixins and fresh fruit provided by some wonderful women at the church. With our tummies full and our bags packed we headed to the airport around 11:30 for our 3:30 flight.
There was a spectacular sunset in flight to Ft Lauderdale, FL. Even got to see a couple of rainbows along the way. I love the window seat. We arrived shortly after 7pm and caught a shuttle to our hotel, which just happened to be on the beach thanks to our brilliant team leader (Tammy) who made all the right connections. After checking into our rooms, (the girls got a beach view), we ate at Nate’s Shack not far from the hotel, then took a walk along the boardwalk and down to the beach. If you’ve never stood barefoot in the ocean, it feels really weird as the water recedes the sand disappears underneath your feet. It was awesome!

Saturday, January 20th
Rising at 4:00am for our early flight out to Jamaica we got to see some of the cruise ships heading out to sea. We flew out of Ft Lauderdale around 7:30 and arrived in Kingston shortly after 9:00. It was already in the eighties. I’m not complaining. I’d lot rather sweat than freeze.
We had to wait almost two hours for our ride to show, had a beautiful view of the mountains while we waited though, and I bought my first diet coke, which cost me $85.00 ($1.50US). When our ride showed we got to meet several members of the Michigan team as they were departing. They warned us that our dorm had mice and ants. We came prepared though having been warned ahead of time.
We are staying at the York Town church dormitory. Both York Town and May Pen are in the Clarendon Parish, which has a population of approx 216,000. May Pen, the capitol, has a population of approx 50,000. The dormitory is very nice. It’s above the Fellowship Hall, and has four bedrooms with bunk beds and a large common area with three more sets of bunk beds, plus a pretty good size kitchen and three bathrooms. Eleven people and three bathrooms…this should be interesting! The eleventh person is Pastor Kendrick Harrison, the pastor of the May Pen church, where we will be working. The Pastor is young, mid or late twenties, and very shy it seems.
After a supper of Sloppy Joes and Mac & Cheese, some of the local boys entertained us with their hockey skills. It really got interesting when Brad and Ryan joined in. They sure gave Brad and Ryan a run for their money.
As we were preparing to turn in for the night we learned we have no hot water and very little water pressure. As I said before it should be an interesting week. We are all taking it in stride though. When Tammy returned from her shower I asked how the water pressure was and she laughed and said that would be the least of my worries. In the end it wasn’t too bad. Sort of like camping really, and as someone quickly pointed out, at least we have a roof over our heads and water some of the time.

Sunday, January 21st
Sunday School began at 9am followed by a two-hour worship service. It was a very moving service. Everyone was very friendly and appreciative of us being here. Pastor Harrison announced this morning that there have been over 100 murders since Jan 1st. I hope he meant the whole country and not just the May Pen area. We were told ahead of time that Kingston, the largest city in Jamaica has a very high murder rate, and is probably one of the most dangerous areas outside of a war zone. Glad we aren’t staying there.
Pastor Harrison, usually very quiet and laid back really surprised us this morning once he was behind the pulpit. Let’s just say you can bet there was no one sleeping during the service. Reminded me of some of the revival services my mom dragged me to as a kid. He was really quite awesome. There were about eight who went forward this morning, most of which were already members, but had gone forward for deliverance from something in their lives. The pastor spoke a lot about unity in Christ. Some of the scripture referenced was Acts 12:6-25 and Daniel 3:19-28.
We spent the rest of the day lounging on the balcony, enjoying the breeze and watching the crazy drivers dodge the pot holes on the highway, (It’s sort of like watching a Lemans race), and playing Phase 10. We are fortunate that there are a lot of trees around the place and very few pesky bugs. Allowing us to leave the doors and window slats open. The downfall to this is the neighbors Reggae music and the semi’s going by at all hours filled with sugar cane. Luckily I brought my Walkman.

Monday, January 22nd
We had a nice rain this morning so we got a late start. Once the guys got started they really went to town though. When we first learned of this trip we thought we would be the last team coming in on a project and would be finishing it up, but as it turns out we are the third or fourth on a long-term project. The structure will be two stories with the sanctuary on one level and several classrooms on the other. The present church will then become a youth center, something that is desperately needed considering the crime rate. Our goal is to complete at least three sections.
Some of the locals came around and visited with us today. People aren’t as friendly as they were in El Salvador, but they are nice. We get the impression from those outside the church that we’re not really welcomed here. When we go to the grocery or hardware store we always go in a group. It’s safer and more interesting this way.
One couple that came by today, the Grants, are a fascinating couple. She is a white British woman and he is Jamaican. She told me she is so thrilled to have our teams coming in because she doesn’t get to see white people that often. They met in England and have been married for forty years.
Speaking of England, they drive on the opposite side of the rode here, which takes some getting used to. Patricia, our driver, is an RN, and would be right at home behind the wheel of a cab in New York City. We’ve lost track of how many times she’s almost taken out a bike rider or pedestrian and we’ve only been here three days. Also, Josh learned that you never get out of a parked vehicle while getting gas. She almost drove off without him. He had to run and jump in the van. It was so funny. Gas, by the way is $47.80 a liter, which figures out to about $4 or $5 a gal US dollars…we think.
We learned today that Goat is their main dish and they use a lot of curry. Curry Goat and Curry Chicken are among the most popular dishes. The Pastor who lives here at the dorm has been joining us when we eat. I don’t think he cares too much for American food though.
We were told there are 26 UB churches in the Jamaican Conference. That seems like a lot considering Jamaica is roughly about the size of Kansas. Anyway, the church in May Pen was first built in 1989 with its opening and dedication taking place Sunday, Oct 8th, 1989. The Rev. Winston Smith was pastor at the time. He is now Bishop of the Jamaican Conference. The UB church has been in Jamaica since 1945.
As I’m about to turn in for the night the neighborhood rooster has started his nightly ritual. He usually starts in crowing around eleven or twelve (he’s a very confused rooster). He mixes in well with the Reggae music and the semi’s hitting the potholes. As soon as he starts in we all start snickering. Sleeping dormitory style isn’t as bad as I thought. We have some pretty good laughs.

Tuesday, January 23rd
We got quite a bit of work done today. Most of our material has arrived and we all have been kept pretty busy. From shoveling sand to building ladders, a little bit of everything.
We’ve got three young kids, ages 15 to 17 that have been helping us. They look a lot younger than what they are. I’m not sure if they are members or not, but have seen Pastor Harrison visiting with them on and off. He seems to have a very good rapport with the kids around here.
I’m afraid I provided the excitement today when I ended up in the emergency room. I’m not exactly sure what happened cause I don’t remember anything. My last memory was helping Steve and Josh nail up a board, part of the platform for the second story, and the next thing I know I’m on the ground in Jim’s arms and everyone is freaking out. As it turns out the board they were nailing up broke and came down striking me on the left side of my head knocking me into the wall.
Luckily our driver is an RN and she had just arrived at the site as the accident happened. Tammy and Larry went to the hospital with me, and helped ease my anxiety with their humor. It’s a little scary going to a hospital in a foreign country. They took good care of me though. I was in and out in less than two hours; my injuries consisting of a slight concussion, a couple of stitches and a sprained back. The prayers back home really made a difference today, as the Lord protected me from being seriously injured.
Returning home and hearing the recap of our adventure I learned Tammy almost had a heart attack when they told her the bill was $1300.00. She was tempted to leave me until she realized they meant Jamaican currency. As it turned out the total cost for the emergency room, x-rays of my back & head, and the stitches was $22.00. Unbelievable!
Braving a look in the mirror, one side of my forehead has a large goose egg and stitches, the other side a smaller goose egg. I also have a scraped and swollen left cheek and one black eye for sure. I look like a boxer that’s had the tar beat out of um. I’m very thankful it isn’t worse though. God was definitely looking out for me today.

Wednesday, January 24th
They continued working on the platform today on the three sections we’ll be pouring. I was the official photographer of the group since I couldn’t really do anything. Worked well most of the morning, then after lunch I started getting real dizzy and nauseated. I spent the afternoon in the church sleeping off and on.
Several of the congregation dropped by the site today, having heard about the accident, to see how I was doing. Sister Grant and her husband graciously went and had my prescriptions filled for me. That only cost $7.00.
Spent most of the evening in bed, still very nauseated. I think now I probably should have stayed home today. I did come out long enough to hear Ryan practicing on the guitar. He’s doing a couple of songs on Sunday I think. Josh gave me a hard time about my black eye. Said he’d never seen one as black as mine. Jim joined in and said it was the wildcat blood in me (He’s a KU fan). He told me if I’d had on a KU hat instead of my K-State one that beam would have bounced off my head. He’s nicknamed me Rocky.
We’ve heard rumors that we may have company Friday as a team from Ohio may be joining us. There are 17 of them. Hope they bring beds.

Thursday, January 25th
The dizziness and nausea isn’t letting up so I stayed home today. Pastor Harrison stayed with me. Slept off and on most of the morning. Then ventured out into the kitchen for some crackers and applesauce so I could take a pain pill.
The Bishop came by this afternoon and he and Pastor Harrison prayed with me. He said he was sorry for what happened and he hoped it didn’t deter me from coming on another trip. I assured him it wouldn’t. His visit meant a lot; he’s a very nice man. They both are.
For supper Josh and Ryan went with the pastor for chicken. From the sounds of the taxi ride they had a very interesting trip. The taxi’s have routes they must stick to or they are given tickets so you’re pretty much at their mercy sometimes. They ended up being dropped off in what Ryan referred to as, ‘the hood’, and had to hail another taxi going back to York Town. The cost is reasonable though, $120 both ways which is around $2US. It’s basically like a bus only a lot smaller. A car that is supposed to fit 5 had 7 people crammed into it, which explains why our chicken and broasted potatoes were smashed.
Pastor Harrison brought in a pudding cake that one of the women at the church baked for us. It wasn’t too bad. It resembled a fruitcake but tasted much better.
I’ve felt much better this evening and am thinking of going to the worksite tomorrow. By the sounds of it we should finish up tomorrow, or I should say, ‘they’. I haven’t really been much help this trip.
I missed out on Brad’s revenge on Ryan today (I got the recap after supper). Night before last Ryan and Josh placed beanie babies all around Brad and put a pink hat on him, then took pictures. So today Brad squirted cheese whiz underneath Ryan’s nose while he was napping at the job site. Having youth along on the trip makes it more interesting; they’re both great kids.
We are making plans to go to the beach either Saturday or Monday for our Fun Day. Ocho Rios has been recommended. It’s a popular resort area with a nearby waterfall. Fine by me. I hope I can find some sunglasses by then, as mine were broken during the accident.
Despite all that has happened I’m so glad I came on this trip. This team is a great bunch of people. They’re like family, and I couldn’t have been in better hands.

Friday, January 26th
Felt well enough to go to worksite today. Still dizzy, but nausea is gone. They poured all three forms today and thankfully everything held (some of the material has been pretty shoddy). Several women from the church fixed lunch for us. We had Curry Chicken, Yams, and some other kind of vegetable that I’m not sure of. The chicken was pretty spicy, but it was all pretty good.
Instead of mixing the cement by hand like we did in El Salvador, we had a backhoe that mixed it on the ground then lifted it to the second story where workers were waiting to spread it. It’s a good thing cause there was a lot of cement to mix. It was hard watching and not being able to help. It did allow me time with the children and some of the ladies of the church. It’s interesting sharing each other’s cultures. There is quite a bit of difference between the women I’ve met here and the ones I met in El Salvador. I sensed a greater need in El Salvador than I do here. No, I take that back. There is a great need here too, only it’s a different kind of need. I think it’s more of a spiritual need. I sense a lot of evil here. One look at a newspaper here confirms that need.
I made my first trip to the grocery store today with Larry and Patricia’s husband. It was interesting trying to figure out the prices of things. What was even more interesting was the looks we got. White people in an all black super market will undoubtedly draw some looks but when one is a white woman with a swollen black and blue face people really look. I’m so thankful I never have to see these people again. I really felt sorry for Larry.
As we were preparing supper this evening the team from Ohio showed up. For the first few hours it was pretty hectic. There are now a total of 28 people living here with three bathrooms and still no hot water. They seem to be a fun group though, and range in ages of fifteen to one woman in her seventies. And they brought air mattresses.
Later in the evening, as many of the Ohio team was turning in, we were playing Phase 10 and the Pastor and a couple of the guys joined us. This is Pastor Dunsen’s sixth trip to Jamaica. They will be working in the Mandeville area not far from May Pen. They finished the church on their last trip and are now breaking ground for a vocational school/boys home. When he found out we hadn’t tried the Jerk Chicken yet he and five others from both teams went on a Jerk Chicken run. About an hour later they returned not with Jerk Chicken (they couldn’t find anything opened that served it) but Beef Patties. They look like an oversized apple pie from McDonalds only it’s filled with beef, or at least I think it was beef. They were delicious.
Most of the Ohio team is spread out on air mattresses in the common area, at least twelve of them anyway. Evie, the elderly woman is bunking with us girls, and the younger girls of the Ohio team took the spare bedroom.
I’m really glad Pastor Dunsen and his team showed up. He was very encouraging tonight, which I for one needed. He reminded us of Romans 8:28 about how all things work out to God’s glory. He said there are many times we just have to take our hats off, lean back and nap awhile. Meaning we just place the circumstance in Jesus’ hands and go on from there.
I think the Lord is in the midst of some great works in this area judging from the way our trip came together and then listening to similar testimonies from the Ohio team. For instance, their air mattresses: Pastor Dunsen said when they heard there was a team already staying at the dorm they weren’t sure what they were going to do and later that night he and his wife were out shopping and found the air mattresses on sale. This area definitely needs the Lord. There is a sense of lawlessness in the area. Just the other night five people were gunned downed and the head of one was left on the steps of the police station.

Saturday, January 27th
We had morning devotions with the Ohio team. It was very uplifting, just what we needed. They are just beginning their job today and invited some of us to join them. Tammy, Cheri and Ryan took them up on their offer.
We are officially hillbillies now as Barb and I did our laundry in the bathtub and hung it out to dry on the balcony. Yee Haw!
I’m not sure if I mentioned it or not but the traffic is similar to El Salvador. Riding in the front seat of a vehicle is a whole new experience. Reminds me of riding the bumper cars at the fair. The roads are in horrible condition, full of huge potholes, so its nothing to have a car dart into your lane to avoid hitting one. I found myself bracing for an accident on more than one occasion.
Tammy came back from their trip with corn rolls today. Said it took almost three hours. While they worked the rest of us goofed off, except for doing the laundry. We played cards, went for a walk in the neighborhood, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.
The Ohio team fixed super for us tonight. We had Mac & Cheese, mixed veggies and fresh fruit salad. The fruit salad was the best I’d ever tasted, with pineapple, Jamaican apples, bananas and mangos. I think I could live on Mac & Cheese and fruit salad.
Afterwards we had devotions. One of the ladies from the Ohio team gave a very moving testimony about her inability to have a child and God’s blessing in the adoption of their two-year old little girl.
I’m so glad we were able to meet the other teams working here in Jamaica. It has been very rewarding hearing the stories of how God has been working in their lives.

Sunday, January 28th
We all helped out in Sunday School this morning, matching the colors with bible verses. Afterwards we made snow for them, which was a big hit. Larry did a great job on his sermon. We didn’t even know he could preach. You would have never known it was his first sermon.
After the Worship service Sister Reid presented us with souvenir plaques, and offered up praise to the Lord for keeping watch over me.
After the service we handed out the bags of toys and candy to the kids and took pictures. This is the part we always look forward too, seeing the beautiful smiles on the faces of the children. I was also able to visit with Sister Grant some more; she is such a neat woman. I’d love to spend a day with her; she has led such an interesting life. We exchanged addresses so hopefully we’ll be able to keep in touch.
Returned to the dormitory and had Beef and Chicken Patties. I like the beef much better.
We took out about two in the afternoon with the Ohio team and headed to Halse Hall for the dedication of a new church. The history behind the construction of this church is very interesting. It took almost twelve years to complete. It is located in an area that has been dubbed, ‘The Gates of Hell’, and from what I saw of it; it is very deserving of its name. It looked similar to the village we worked at in El Salvador as far as living conditions, but the crime rate is alarming. But most of the children we saw seemed content, which in itself is heartbreaking.
It was neat taking part in the service tonight. I know it meant a great deal to the Ohio team to see it completed. It was an awesome ceremony, but lasted almost five hours. Pastor Dunsen teased us, saying when we get home we better not ever gripe if the pastor preaches past an hour. It is a beautiful church, and they had a wonderful choir.
After the service we were led outside where were set up and we were fed Curry Goat, Curry Chicken, Rice & Beans, Coleslaw, and a Macaroni dish. I ate the goat, but wasn’t too impresses with it. You have to be careful when you’re eating the Curry Chicken as they chop up the chicken and cook it bones and all. It was good though; I liked it much better than the Goat.
Much of the neighborhood turned out for the food feast I think, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this wasn’t the best meal they’d had in a long time. The Lord is working powerfully in this area. Beginning tomorrow morning the Ohio team is breaking ground on a new vocational school and boy’s home next door to the church.

Monday, January 29th
Before we left on our Fun Day we took group pictures next door at the York Town Church. Then we headed to Ocho Rios while the Ohio Town headed to work.
Heading up through the mountains the scenery was awesome. Tammy wasn’t able to enjoy it as much as the rest of us as she got car sick a few times along the way. Driving through Fern Gully was like driving through a jungle, the trees were huge, and very beautiful. We were told it used to be a riverbed. Midway we pulled off the highway at a roll of little shacks with grills. As soon as we bailed out of the mini van we were bombarded by the various owners asking us to try their meats. This is where we got our first taste of Jerk Chicken. It was delicious. So was the festival bread.
Outside of Ocho Rios we stopped off at Dunn’s River Falls. It was absolutely gorgeous. The Caribbean is as beautiful as I imagined it would be. I’d never seen white sandy beaches before, and the water was so clear and surprising warm. It was the warmest water we’d been in since we got to Jamaica (cold showers all week, when we did have water that is).
Heading into Ocho Rios we seen one of the Princess Cruise ships docked. Man they are huge. Spending a couple of hours in the Craft Market Place, I loaded up on souvenirs. They didn’t have too many small items, but I was able to get some necklaces and Jamaica beanie babies for my church family. I also got John a hat like he was wanting. I bought myself an African outfit. I hope I can remember how to do the wrap pants.
For Supper we dined at a little restaurant in Ocho Rios. I had chicken soaked in some sweet red sauce, beans & rice, cole slaw and fresh cucumbers & tomatoes. It was all very good. When we were done eating me and the boys slipped across the street to a little convenient store. These people were perhaps the most friendliest we’d met. They eagerly wanted to know where we were from and asked if we were enjoying our stay. We visited until the others started to load up.
We arrived back at York Town around nine and spent the rest of the evening packing and saying our goodbyes to the Ohio team. I pray they have an awesome week. The boy’s home and vocational school they’ve broken ground on is in the middle of one of the poorest areas in the parish.

Tuesday, January 30th
Pastor Dunsen and a couple of the other members of the Ohio team got up with us at 4:30 this morning to see us off. He led us in prayer before we took off to the airport. Pastor Harrison rode with us. Cheri came up with a pair of sunglasses for me, as mine was broken when I got conked in the head. The nickname Rocky is sticking with me. Seems everyone in the conference has heard about the goings on of the Kansas team. I have a feeling it will be a while before I live this one down.
Once again, Jim and I were picked out of the line to be searched before boarding, and after I went through customs one of the guards came up to me and asked what happened to me (the sunglasses didn’t quite cover the black eye and bruised cheek). Everyone got a good laugh out of it. The flight from Jamaica to Ft Lauderdale was beautiful. The Caribbean Sea is a much lighter blue than the Atlantic or gulf area. We flew twenty some miles into Cuba’s air space, but we were so high up you couldn’t see anything.
I’m glad to be heading home. It’s been a long eleven days. But I am going to miss my teammates. They are a great bunch of people. We’ve had some inspiring talks on this trip. Not just with one another but with our friends from Ohio as well. On this trip I was reminded that each of us is important in that God uses us in many different ways, and brings about some good in all circumstances.
One thing that Jamaicans and El Salvadorians have in common is their passion for the Lord. At least four days or nights a week there was something going on at the church. And when I mentioned to Pastor Harrison during one of our talks that most worship services in the U.S. were only an hour long he was shocked. In the end though I don’t think it matters so much how long the service is, it’s how you feel when you walk out of the service that matters. Was your presence there out of habit or did you truly worship the Lord in spirit. I think we are all guilty (at least I know I am) in that sometimes church is just a habit. It’s only when I miss a service or two that I’m reminded of how important the freedom to worship is to me.
The highlight of our journey home was our flight from Ft Lauderdale to Kansas City. Herm Edwards, the couch of the KC Chiefs was on our flight. Jim recognized him and once we were in the air went back and visited with him. When Jim returned to his seat with his autographed hat he announced that Edwards had inquired about his t-shirt (we usually wear matching t-shirts so we can keep track of one another) so Jim told him about our trip and Edwards offered to send him a team autographed football to auction off to raise funds toward our next trip. He also posed for a team photo with us when we landed.
How awesome is that! A perfect ending to a near perfect trip!
I feel very blessed that the Lord allowed me the privilege to go on this trip. In the months leading up to it, we all had our doubts as to whether or not we’d be able to raise the funds for the building materials plus our expenses. But just as He has in the past, God provided all our needs and then some (each of the three churches returned with four hundred dollars). Personally, I was truly humbled by the overwhelming support (both financially and through prayers) from my UB Church family and United Methodist Church family. I could not have gone had it not been for their generosity. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS!And I’m looking forward to our next trip together. Guatemala they’re talking.