Jamaica Update

Time FLIES when you are working!!!!!

"Um... no... I started to do it but I went to sleep. Sorry."

Disappointment abounded! So... I'm sorry about not posting a blog last night.

Part of our devotion last night was the teams to record their thoughts on “Harmony”. How did their work yesterday exhibit harmony?

Here are their reflections:


The Apartment Crew: Dawn H., Terri P., Suna, Alex, Anna, Natalie, Ashley M., Nancy G., and Layne Smith

We began our day with determination. Finding supplies could have been a challenge because they're 45 people waiting on tasks, etc. however our team pulled together and located paint, brushes, and all the things that were needed. Once we made it to the apartment, we owned the tasks that appealed to us and what we felt comfortable with. If someone became tired, we switched roles. Our goal was to finish 3/4 of the wall before lunch -- mission accomplished!

After lunch we had additional help from VBS workers. Alex and Lauren volunteered for oil painting the door. Suna stepped up and helped Jim Graham and Robin tear down Beds. Terri and Nancy traveled to R2 building to pick up extra supplies. Overall the team was multi-talented and helped Jim and Robin's team. Natalie, Ashley, Anna and Layne painted columns and outside walls. Since Dawn was painting the high walls, Jim Graham was seen sneaking around the bottom and trying to steal her peeps!!! Overall the day was filled with teamwork, fellowship, and new friendships!


Plaster Crew: Troy Seiler, Ed Landis, Jeanne Brodigan, Michael Gatlin, Rachel White, Mary Tabor Gray, Tammy Seiler

Everyone worked well together sharing responsibilities and taking turns with each task. Paul and Rockwell (The Jamaican workers) were positive, patient, and encouraging. After lunch the youth from VBS joined the crew bringing their energy. There may have been differences of age but there was an equal level of respect AND patience. Even though folks got tired and found themselves in tedious circumstances, everyone really pulled together as a team.


The Leak Crew: Lance, Brian H., Andrew, Logan S.

(This crew chose to NOT follow directions so I am writing my own report - :) Andrea) According to their notes, they always functioned as a democracy. I'm NOT sure what that means because their task was to find the leak in the pipe and fix it. They thought this was going to be a CUSHY job BUT . .

. . LITTLE did they know that after they found the leak in the couple hundred feet pipe they had to then BURY the pipe. Burying pipe in Jamaica is NOT like burying it in the US. You bury it under ROCKS, or rather BOULDERS, so by the time I saw the team last night they were BEAT! Hour after hour of carrying rock and placing it on top of the pipe and filling in the cracks with dirt . . . like they were making "Sand art" or something.


Shelf Men: Carson Haas and Mike Gennosa

Mike and Caron's job was to build shelves for the sewing factory (note: this is called a factory but it is a room that is probably 12x20)

Their words...

As we waited for instructions from Lawrence I took Carson on a little tour of the woodworking factory and we had the opportunity for some learning and discussion before the work began. Carson really developed a love for woodworking. We worked together all day marking, cutting, and turning the plywood into shelves.

From Andrea...

This was such a HUGE benefit because part of our trip this year is to work with the ladies in the sewing factory to teach them a t-shirt design from Mary Ann Forehand that will be then sold in the souvenir shops in Montego Bay and Negril. We were able to bring them 50-60 t-shirts - both old and new - to use to make the t-shirts but they had NO PLACE to store anything. Because of Mike and Carson's work they now are ready for our next step in our micro-business partnership.
Tomorrow is sewing day for Terri Pruett, Robin, and Debbie P as they teach them this new skill.


Rat Busters: Taylor Jones and Debbie Puckett

They had to have the WORST job of the day... there is a laundry room in the bottom of the residential apartment building and someone donated hundreds of feet of pink insulation. They don't use pink insulation in Jamaican building... so it has been here FOREVER and right before we got here, Chad, the missionary, had someone haul it out. THE PROBLEM came from what was left behind. PICTURE the LARGEST RAT EVER and it's feces. That's what Taylor and Debbie had to deal with but they did so with grace. Brent, who is now an intern here but has travelled with us from a Methodist Church in Winston Salem and Sheldon, one of the Jamaican workers helped out with the rat busting... the funniest thing - there were these huge pieces of wood with barbed wire wrapped around the ends. When asked... "What are these for?" The response was "to kill the rats, you beat them with these."

Luckily amidst the stench of the sewer, the 50 pound doors, and a large fear of critters Taylor and Debbie had fun, laughter, and strength as they pulled together to get the mission done!


Ok... this is all I have time to type now... lunch time is OVER and I GLADLY TOOK MY LUNCH TIME... hid and had some Lance Crackers. I do not eat hot dogs in the United States, let me assure you I am NOT eating them in Jamaica. A nice brown, tan exterior and RED in the middle... really... peanut butter is my friend!

The rest of the reports will come after the work day is finished and tonight will come pictures.