Sunday, June 12, 2011
Flight Update
Plane has arrived in Charlotta - has been emptied and is being cleaned. The team, all 27 (yes - I said 27 - the Ft Lauderdale team got a flight to Charlotte and has joined the rest of the team!) will be boarding soon and the plane should be arriving at around 11:20 p.m. Flight 1047 US Air - make sure you check the website to ensure on time (or early) for pickup!
Flite Status
Flight 1 - w/ college students and Justin E - total of 5 - delayed and stuck in Ft. Lauderdale for the night.
Flight 2 - w/ 22 Gateway participants - in Charlotte but can't get to the gate. All did make it through customs. All flights are delayed in and out of Charlotte. Looks like the plane they are to take home doesn't get to Charlotte until 9:31, and then they are to take off at 10:05 - arriving in KC at approx 11:20. Flight # is 1047 - check the US Air website for updated status information, and to judge time of arrival. Mick will make me (Cindy) know when they are boarding to take off - and I will update the site at that time!
Flight 2 - w/ 22 Gateway participants - in Charlotte but can't get to the gate. All did make it through customs. All flights are delayed in and out of Charlotte. Looks like the plane they are to take home doesn't get to Charlotte until 9:31, and then they are to take off at 10:05 - arriving in KC at approx 11:20. Flight # is 1047 - check the US Air website for updated status information, and to judge time of arrival. Mick will make me (Cindy) know when they are boarding to take off - and I will update the site at that time!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Pearce Lalli- China Man
To be honest, this trip crept up on me. With the stresses of finals, and graduation, the Jamaica trip was put on my mental back burner. With this in mind, I wasn't prepared mentally, or physically. The night before the flight consisted of hectically throwing stuff into my bag, and trying to get my things together. When I finally finished packing (which was about 2:30), I sat down and had a little quiet time with God. I asked Him to just give me the patience and strength to prepare me for everything I was going to encounter in the next week. I was then off to bed, and then in a few hours, off to the airport.
I came into the week in Jamaica with a certain mindset. I planned to approach the week like my hair: the mullet. Though this might seem silly, it made sense to me. Business in the front, party in the back :) There was a time to buckle down and work hard, and then there was a time to let loose, and enjoy everything that Jamaica had to offer.
The very first work day I was assigned to work on House #1, and this is where I received my pet name: China Man (for obvious reasons). We threw up the walls, and the house really began to take shape. In the process of cutting out the hole for the window, I acquired a decent cut on my face for the metal wire. This was exciting for me because combined with my mullet, it was a pretty fierce look. Like any boy, I hoped for it to scar, but to my dismay, it began to heal. Unfortunately for us, but luckily for the Jamaicans, it rained all day. This made the work a little bit harder. But since we had a team made up of a few stallions, we persevered. The walls were up, the doors and windows were in, and the roof was done. A pretty decent day of work, if i might say so myself.
One of the more exciting nights of my trip was men's night. This was my first real interaction with the Jamaican people for an extended period of time. The game was dominoes, and boy did it get intense at my table. It was a Akeem and I vs. another American and Noel ( the real China Man). After the short learning period for us rookies, the game was on. Dominoes were being slammed, things were being shouted, and smoothies were being consumed. I walked away with a smile, it was something that I would do again in a heartbeat.
The next two days consisted of the hardest work I did all week. I was on the foundation team that did both foundations. I had been told of how challenging it would be, and they sure didn't lie. I, along with the many other teammates, carried maul and cement for a full day. I worked with some of the most hard working people I have ever met at these sites (the Jamaicans), and it was amazing to seem them do what they do best. It sure was some tiring work, but in the end it will all be worth it.
Over the last couple years I had heard stories of trips to Jamaica, and this week I was able to finally experience them all. Everything from the ting, to the work sites, to the people, it was all so much better than all I expected. I'm very thankful that God blessed me with this opportunity, and I can't believe it is almost over. I will never forget the people that i came down here to help, who actually ended up changing my life. I miss home, but I know I will miss Jamaica the second i get on the plane. Ahhhhh, what a week. God is great!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Olivia Welch. Obedience
Starting off, my name is Olivia for the ones who don't know me. I am 17 years old and go to Blue Springs High School. For the ones who do know me.. WHAT'S UP! :) I am having a great time here in Jamaica. I would like to tell you the story of my decision to come. For a long while there was a wall in the way of my walk with God. Of course God was waiting on the other side for me calling my name. But I would plug my ears. Once i got that barrier out of the way, i was able to hear what he had been planning and trying to get me ready for. It was Jamaica! I specifically wanted to come here because I heard Laci Thurn talk about the relationships you build with the Jamaicans. I really wanted to experience that. But that mission trip was always in the January, when i was in school (I have never been good with make-up work). When this opportunity opened up I felt God nudge me right into it. He provided ways left and right for me to go. That was the time when I knew I was obeying his desire. With God on my right side, he was with me through the packing, nail biting, luggage hauling, flying and landing to get here. And here I am NOW!
I would like to blog about the infirmary because I had the biggest experience I have had in a long time. Yesterday, I was part of the group that went to the infirmary for half of the day. I thought that the environment was going to be like a nursing home. Yet I knew the conditions would be worse. So with that in mind I was blown away when I saw what it was really like. The moment I stepped out of the bus I was welcomed with a big smooch from a popular lady, known as Patricia. That was a great first welcome. After that I ran to the other bus to search for Debbie Lalli (my buddy). She and I were going to go through this first time together. As we were walking up the houses of people, the smell started lurking. We started at the house up at the top. As we walked through I noticed that this was nothing of what I expected. Humans laying around waiting for the days to pass. I watched Debbie and did exactly what she did. We touched. A simple rub on the shoulder or hand. That first house wasn't just a slap in the face but a kick in the gut as well. In the second house we sat on a bed and talked to some Lady's with some other people. I then realized how many rows of beds there were... and how many people where there to fill those beds. Debbie looked at me and asked me how I was doing and I was speechless. Tears started rushing and we went outside to get my act together. I'm thankful Debbie was there. She talked me through my feelings at the perfect moments and was silent at the perfect times as well. After about 2 minutes i was able to go back. But i stayed behind Debbie and just watched.
There was a man who Debbie said hello to, and i waved, that when she asked how he was, he responded "I'm scared". that was the absolute hardest thing that I heard. He explained that he was scared that he wouldn't be taken care of. And showed us his rash and said he wanted to be changed. It was hard to look that man in the face and try to tell him everything will be okay. Because in his eyes.. nothing was okay. Then we came across a man named Raphael. He wanted us to read so he asked Debbie to read Psalms 91.(GO READ IN NOW) NOW.
That psalm affected me so much! I was actually smiling. Then he MADE me read..... well crap. He wanted me to read Psalms 88. (if you want to be in tears and understand what these people feel. Read this. You will get a first hand look. Read it in different versions too). Now that was a hard verse to read.
There were happy times when i watched Ty and Patricia fool around, then I was able to smile, but I still wasn't able to forget about the others. After an hour and a half the bus showed up. And I quickly leaped on and stared out the window. Luckily the leaders requested we were quiet the rest of the way home to recap the things we experienced. With so many thoughts in my mind I was able to conclude to a feeling. Helpless. I felt helpless to the people in need. And i hated it. When we got back to the harmony house I went to me bed and was able to let it all out. Then my roommates Olivia Gholson and Taylor Batson came in. They then explained to me their first times and told me it was normal. The thing that really stuck out to me that was when Olivia said was that "this shows you that you have a heart for these people" (that will apply more later but at that moment i didn't think anything of it).
Today I woke up and I felt replenished. Yet the thought of there are people that are living right now in that situation was still in the back of my mind. I went downstairs and took a seat next to Veronica Pistone and I told her how much I didn't want to go again. (Earlier we signed up to go a full day... I didn't know what I was getting into). She told me to wait. and if God wanted me there he would put me there. So I waited. I heard the list of people working at house 1.. house 2.. and foundation. My name wasn't on those lists and my head hung low. Then the list of the infirmary was called. My name was the last one said and tears started right away. When we got up to go to the work cites Veronica pulled me over and said God wanted me there for a reason. We prayed, loaded the buses and took off.
When we arrive I have a great feeling. A feeling of want. I wanted to talk to every person there. I wanted to be friends! I took Jordan Higgans along with me to go play dominoes with the guys. This started my morning off great. These men where so awesome! Not only there personalities but there domino skills as well.... i didn't win one game. Then I went outside with Jordan(I told the guys I needed some time to get my game skills back together). We walked around and visited with tons of old friends. I saw Raphael. I was able to tell him how much he helped me. Throughout the day I had a wonderful time! I loved every minute of it. 6 hours filled with pure joy. We had a lunch break and i DOWNED that sandwich and wanted to get back out there with my friends. These wonderful people would have me read the bible, tell them stories and love them forever. No longer did the smell get to me. I didn't smell a thing. The bugs were just part of the package and I enjoyed that too. Overall... LOVE. And I proved to myself that I did have a big heart for these people. There was bible reading, story telling, back rubbing, sassy comments, balloon blowing and funny face contests. And of course dancing and singing. God is good. I didn't look at the people like they were people that wanted to be loved and had mental and physical disabilities. But as people that wanted to give love as well. Some would start to complain but then say "but God is good and he knows what he is doing". God takes care of his people!!! And he sends us out to make sure they know and remember :) GO BE OBEDIENT!
Happy Birthday Mommy! I Love You!!
I would like to blog about the infirmary because I had the biggest experience I have had in a long time. Yesterday, I was part of the group that went to the infirmary for half of the day. I thought that the environment was going to be like a nursing home. Yet I knew the conditions would be worse. So with that in mind I was blown away when I saw what it was really like. The moment I stepped out of the bus I was welcomed with a big smooch from a popular lady, known as Patricia. That was a great first welcome. After that I ran to the other bus to search for Debbie Lalli (my buddy). She and I were going to go through this first time together. As we were walking up the houses of people, the smell started lurking. We started at the house up at the top. As we walked through I noticed that this was nothing of what I expected. Humans laying around waiting for the days to pass. I watched Debbie and did exactly what she did. We touched. A simple rub on the shoulder or hand. That first house wasn't just a slap in the face but a kick in the gut as well. In the second house we sat on a bed and talked to some Lady's with some other people. I then realized how many rows of beds there were... and how many people where there to fill those beds. Debbie looked at me and asked me how I was doing and I was speechless. Tears started rushing and we went outside to get my act together. I'm thankful Debbie was there. She talked me through my feelings at the perfect moments and was silent at the perfect times as well. After about 2 minutes i was able to go back. But i stayed behind Debbie and just watched.
There was a man who Debbie said hello to, and i waved, that when she asked how he was, he responded "I'm scared". that was the absolute hardest thing that I heard. He explained that he was scared that he wouldn't be taken care of. And showed us his rash and said he wanted to be changed. It was hard to look that man in the face and try to tell him everything will be okay. Because in his eyes.. nothing was okay. Then we came across a man named Raphael. He wanted us to read so he asked Debbie to read Psalms 91.(GO READ IN NOW) NOW.
That psalm affected me so much! I was actually smiling. Then he MADE me read..... well crap. He wanted me to read Psalms 88. (if you want to be in tears and understand what these people feel. Read this. You will get a first hand look. Read it in different versions too). Now that was a hard verse to read.
There were happy times when i watched Ty and Patricia fool around, then I was able to smile, but I still wasn't able to forget about the others. After an hour and a half the bus showed up. And I quickly leaped on and stared out the window. Luckily the leaders requested we were quiet the rest of the way home to recap the things we experienced. With so many thoughts in my mind I was able to conclude to a feeling. Helpless. I felt helpless to the people in need. And i hated it. When we got back to the harmony house I went to me bed and was able to let it all out. Then my roommates Olivia Gholson and Taylor Batson came in. They then explained to me their first times and told me it was normal. The thing that really stuck out to me that was when Olivia said was that "this shows you that you have a heart for these people" (that will apply more later but at that moment i didn't think anything of it).
Today I woke up and I felt replenished. Yet the thought of there are people that are living right now in that situation was still in the back of my mind. I went downstairs and took a seat next to Veronica Pistone and I told her how much I didn't want to go again. (Earlier we signed up to go a full day... I didn't know what I was getting into). She told me to wait. and if God wanted me there he would put me there. So I waited. I heard the list of people working at house 1.. house 2.. and foundation. My name wasn't on those lists and my head hung low. Then the list of the infirmary was called. My name was the last one said and tears started right away. When we got up to go to the work cites Veronica pulled me over and said God wanted me there for a reason. We prayed, loaded the buses and took off.
When we arrive I have a great feeling. A feeling of want. I wanted to talk to every person there. I wanted to be friends! I took Jordan Higgans along with me to go play dominoes with the guys. This started my morning off great. These men where so awesome! Not only there personalities but there domino skills as well.... i didn't win one game. Then I went outside with Jordan(I told the guys I needed some time to get my game skills back together). We walked around and visited with tons of old friends. I saw Raphael. I was able to tell him how much he helped me. Throughout the day I had a wonderful time! I loved every minute of it. 6 hours filled with pure joy. We had a lunch break and i DOWNED that sandwich and wanted to get back out there with my friends. These wonderful people would have me read the bible, tell them stories and love them forever. No longer did the smell get to me. I didn't smell a thing. The bugs were just part of the package and I enjoyed that too. Overall... LOVE. And I proved to myself that I did have a big heart for these people. There was bible reading, story telling, back rubbing, sassy comments, balloon blowing and funny face contests. And of course dancing and singing. God is good. I didn't look at the people like they were people that wanted to be loved and had mental and physical disabilities. But as people that wanted to give love as well. Some would start to complain but then say "but God is good and he knows what he is doing". God takes care of his people!!! And he sends us out to make sure they know and remember :) GO BE OBEDIENT!
Happy Birthday Mommy! I Love You!!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Cade and Cory Kratzer
We have been in Harmons for three days now and it has been a blast. Arriving on Sunday, we basically just chilled and got to know the basics. Monday we were able to walk around the whole community and see how things were SO different from Blue Springs. And just to put this out there it has been raining the ENTIRE TIME (except for three hours this morning). After the tour of Harmons we were assigned our work locations for the rest of the afternoon.
(Cade)
I was assigned to do greenhouse work. At first I was a little "ehh" just because on the tour it looked great and I didn't see much work to be done. BUT I was wrong. First, we had to go around and pick up any fallen peppers which were labeled as "rejects". It was pretty easy except the majority of them were rotten. With that finished we had to walk around the greenhouse and pick weeds around the walkways and in the pepper rows. Some weeds, which at first I thought were plants, were taller than the peppers. This took roughly forty five minutes and we then carried those to the compost pile. The whole time we were being rained on even though under the protection of the screens, it still got through. It was quite an experience.
(Cory)
I got to work at House #2. When we got there they already had the frame up. We got to place the windows. I was nervous at the start because this was somebodies house we were building and i didn't want their window to be lopsided. But after a while we got the hang of it and it was really fun. The family we were building the house for sat outside and talked to us so it was nice to get to know them. The Jamaicans helping us then put up the roof. Which was very impressive. Because it was raining and they were standing on two by fours, carrying heavy sheets of zinc over their heads. Then we came home and had dinner, a bible study, and played cards
On Tuesday we were both assigned to House #1. When we got their we had to wait for the maul to be dropped off at our work site. When it arrived we had to carry it to the back where we were building. Each bucket weighed around forty pounds. These were the three hours it wasn't raining, it was quite hot. Then they mixed it all up to make concrete. Here was the hard part we had to place it on the walls. It kept falling off! So, we carried the concrete to the Jamaicans instead. They got the first layer on all eight walls.
After lunch we went to the infirmary. This was a pretty heavy experience. We arrived and we were immediately embraced with a hug by one lady , she was awesome. Next, we went inside and had some time to go around and meet and talk with the residents there. Although the conditions were tough to realize you could just see the happiness in their faces at us visiting with them. I ,Cade, got the chance to play dominoes with three other guys. Next to us was Courtney Buttress who was amazing at it and kind of intimidated me with her skills. It was definitely a new and difficult experience but I was able to see God there the most. Together we have learned a lesson that God is everywhere. No matter what he will be there and will allow joy to fill yours and anybody else's life.
(Cade)
I was assigned to do greenhouse work. At first I was a little "ehh" just because on the tour it looked great and I didn't see much work to be done. BUT I was wrong. First, we had to go around and pick up any fallen peppers which were labeled as "rejects". It was pretty easy except the majority of them were rotten. With that finished we had to walk around the greenhouse and pick weeds around the walkways and in the pepper rows. Some weeds, which at first I thought were plants, were taller than the peppers. This took roughly forty five minutes and we then carried those to the compost pile. The whole time we were being rained on even though under the protection of the screens, it still got through. It was quite an experience.
(Cory)
I got to work at House #2. When we got there they already had the frame up. We got to place the windows. I was nervous at the start because this was somebodies house we were building and i didn't want their window to be lopsided. But after a while we got the hang of it and it was really fun. The family we were building the house for sat outside and talked to us so it was nice to get to know them. The Jamaicans helping us then put up the roof. Which was very impressive. Because it was raining and they were standing on two by fours, carrying heavy sheets of zinc over their heads. Then we came home and had dinner, a bible study, and played cards
On Tuesday we were both assigned to House #1. When we got their we had to wait for the maul to be dropped off at our work site. When it arrived we had to carry it to the back where we were building. Each bucket weighed around forty pounds. These were the three hours it wasn't raining, it was quite hot. Then they mixed it all up to make concrete. Here was the hard part we had to place it on the walls. It kept falling off! So, we carried the concrete to the Jamaicans instead. They got the first layer on all eight walls.
After lunch we went to the infirmary. This was a pretty heavy experience. We arrived and we were immediately embraced with a hug by one lady , she was awesome. Next, we went inside and had some time to go around and meet and talk with the residents there. Although the conditions were tough to realize you could just see the happiness in their faces at us visiting with them. I ,Cade, got the chance to play dominoes with three other guys. Next to us was Courtney Buttress who was amazing at it and kind of intimidated me with her skills. It was definitely a new and difficult experience but I was able to see God there the most. Together we have learned a lesson that God is everywhere. No matter what he will be there and will allow joy to fill yours and anybody else's life.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Evan Fuller
So my day started with the roosters. Literally. I was up with our leader Mick at 6, three hours before the meeeting time. As I sat down to open my Bible I realized I never read the verses that Jeremy told us to. So I decided to get creative and pick a verse based off what I believed I needed to work on. I choose compassion. The verse that went along with it was Colossians 3:12 which reads, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselvrs with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (NIV). That verse hit me because those are all areas I could seriously improve. So based off that verse, I readied myself for the day. We had a group talk telling us the days rundown. First up was the tour. We all changed shoes and prepped for the hike through the rain. As I walked, I took Josh's advice and took note of things that the Jamaicans deemed valuable and what we thought was valuable. The first thing was water. We as Americians look upon the rain as a nusciese at times while here it is essential to life. I saw one house with so many pipes attached all over the roof to catch as much water as possible. Here, this storm we find an issue for working in, is one families blessing.
So after the rainy walk we had a great lunch. We were then split into work groups. I was put with a group and hopped on a bus for a 30 minute ride to Portuis to build a house. When we arrived the rain was still coming down so everything was a muddy nightmare.We met the home owner and started working. We actually got a whole foundation laid in the rain. The thing that I loved about it though was seeing how the Jamaican workers worked with me. Seeing as I am minimally mechanically inclinded, they were kind and patient with me showing how to do what. The comradery that went along with it was also great.
So sitting here typing this it has occured to me that the workers that helped us really modeled my verse from this morning. They were gentle, kind, and patient. After todays walk I plan I looking at life through different eyes. Whose ready to try with me?
Grace Fuller
So I woke up and didn't know where I was. But i figured it out! I had breakfast and we had a meeting then we went on a tour of Harmorns. Pretty much everyone we saw was smiling and in a small house. Then when we got assigned our job spots, I got the Green House. We pulled weeds and picked up the "reject" peppers...the ones that fell off the plant. Than we hauled weeds to the compost pile. The Jamaicam that worked with us was really funny! WOrking at the green house taught me I can work hard and still have fun!
So my day started with the roosters. Literally. I was up with our leader Mick at 6, three hours before the meeeting time. As I sat down to open my Bible I realized I never read the verses that Jeremy told us to. So I decided to get creative and pick a verse based off what I believed I needed to work on. I choose compassion. The verse that went along with it was Colossians 3:12 which reads, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselvrs with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (NIV). That verse hit me because those are all areas I could seriously improve. So based off that verse, I readied myself for the day. We had a group talk telling us the days rundown. First up was the tour. We all changed shoes and prepped for the hike through the rain. As I walked, I took Josh's advice and took note of things that the Jamaicans deemed valuable and what we thought was valuable. The first thing was water. We as Americians look upon the rain as a nusciese at times while here it is essential to life. I saw one house with so many pipes attached all over the roof to catch as much water as possible. Here, this storm we find an issue for working in, is one families blessing.
So after the rainy walk we had a great lunch. We were then split into work groups. I was put with a group and hopped on a bus for a 30 minute ride to Portuis to build a house. When we arrived the rain was still coming down so everything was a muddy nightmare.We met the home owner and started working. We actually got a whole foundation laid in the rain. The thing that I loved about it though was seeing how the Jamaican workers worked with me. Seeing as I am minimally mechanically inclinded, they were kind and patient with me showing how to do what. The comradery that went along with it was also great.
So sitting here typing this it has occured to me that the workers that helped us really modeled my verse from this morning. They were gentle, kind, and patient. After todays walk I plan I looking at life through different eyes. Whose ready to try with me?
Grace Fuller
So I woke up and didn't know where I was. But i figured it out! I had breakfast and we had a meeting then we went on a tour of Harmorns. Pretty much everyone we saw was smiling and in a small house. Then when we got assigned our job spots, I got the Green House. We pulled weeds and picked up the "reject" peppers...the ones that fell off the plant. Than we hauled weeds to the compost pile. The Jamaicam that worked with us was really funny! WOrking at the green house taught me I can work hard and still have fun!
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