Here Comes the Bride!

Fridgie (Neil, the Jamaican who does dishes) and his girlfriend Kamisha are going to be getting married soon! Linda (the founder) had brought his girlfriend down a wedding dress a few weeks ago when she was here. Well anyways Kamisha is deaf and can sign some. That week that Linda was here we just happen to have a high school teacher, Dawn, who teaches sign languages as one of her courses. She was signing to Kamisha like crazy because no one down here knows how. Anyways Linda had given her a trash bag that held her wedding dress in it one evening. Kamisha didn’t even open the bag at first to look at it.  I had heard that she was getting a dress so I went out into the courtyard to go find out if she had gotten it and looked at it. Well Dawn asked her if she wanted to take it out of the bag and look at it and she did. She opens the bag and her eyes got SO BIG! I mean for a girl that was deaf and can’t talk you could tell how happy and excited she was. She held the dress up to her and looked at it and just smile and tears started to roll down my face for her happiness. She was so genuinely thrill to have her own dress. The dress isn’t anything that we Americans would consider stylish or contemporary. It was yellowing in certain places and it looked like my mom’s wedding dress covered in lace. It just made me think while Erin Shaffer is taking pictures of her how in America we are so consumed with getting the right dress. We get to try on as many dresses as we want and we get to be able to make this whole experience of going dress shopping.  She did not even have the opportunity to get to pick her dress let alone try any on. We are so fortunate to have the financial resources and many different brands and stores to go buy a dress at. It was so cool to see how happy and content she was with what was given to her. She was so genuinely thankful for receiving that dress. I was so glad to be able to be a part of that experience with her. 

Ashlee Bilton

Goodbye Mangos...HELLO Gineps!

A little over a week ago, my mento (Jadia) went out of town for holiday.  While I am extremely sad that I will no longer get to spend my time with her, I am constantly seeing how God has plans that are SO much bigger than I know.  Since she hasn't been around, I have gotten to build my relationship with Apple-J and Plummy.  Spending time with them has shown me how necessary God's love is EVERYWHERE.  Every afternoon when I am done with my work, I am greeted as I walk outside by these two girls.  I love spending time with them, regardless of what we are doing.  I am blessed to have built a relationship with both of their mothers as well and stop by their houses occasionally just to say "hi." 

My continuous prayer is that the girls know that the only reason I even have the ability to show love to them is because of Christ's work inside of me.  "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." --1 John 3:16 

In the Game of Life, Everyone is a Winner

Now let's just say that I have amassed a LOT of sports memories in my days.  While there have been many awesome victories and team bonding moments, I can honestly say that this past Friday was one of my favorite sports memories yet.  The American team we had down here last week from the Kansas City area was great, plus they had many athletes.  Thus, the incredibly active group wanted to do something sports-related during their free time on Friday afternoon.  When the local kids asked if we would like to play football (what we call soccer) with them at the Harmons playfields, the Americans were delighted.  Twenty minutes later, I found myself playing striker in a large, rather intense game.  It started off being the team, myself, and a few of my Jamaican friends against the other locals, but the teams continuously morphed until we were all blended together.  The competition was great, the light rainfall was refreshing, and I overheard quite a few laughs and conversations between the Americans and Jamaicans.  It was really touching to see everyone bond over that soccer match.  After seeing the joy in every player that day, I completely understand what Tim wrote about in his latest blog about soccer uniting cultures.  We are so fortunate to have a God that gives us these awesome opportunities to compete and unite with one another. 
Sleep with the Angels! Kelsey

The Joyous Journey

Me and some boys starting our journey up the mountain to Stickman's house!

After a 30min climb we were blessed with this view of the Harmons Valley!

The reason Stickman got his name: some beautiful sticks with scripture carved into them!

Kelsey and Stickman

Me and Stickman

Hanging out in an Ackee tree!

The Beautiful Game

     Greetings everybody!  Thanks for reading!  This is Tim and my blog today will focus on "The Beautiful Game" known to the USA as "soccer" but to everywhere else in the world, including Jamaica, it's "football."  I've had a passion for the game of football for many years now and it's not just the game itself which insist this passion from me, it's the way that football can bring people together.  There is no language or cultural barrier that cannot be broken down by a ball and two willing pairs of feet.  The doors that can be opened just by the simple act of kicking a ball never cease to amaze me.  This is why I think it's called the "beautiful game."  No matter what country you come from, what language you speak, what religion you are, or even how much money you have, none of it matters when you step onto the pitch (field).  It's beautiful because it brings different people together.  It's beautiful because helps promote equality.  It’s beautiful because it promotes unity.

Ahhhhh.....football!

     When I woke up this morning, I looked out of my window to see an endless sea of gray clouds floating over Harmons.  This disappointed me because today was a special day.  Today was the opening day of the Under-15 soccer season here in Jamaica and the team from Harmons, the community in which Won By Won To Jamaica is based, played their first game.  After a morning filled with trying to understand breakers, circuits, and electricity (all the while praying for the rain to lighten up), time came for me to head out the neighboring community of Porus.  Porus was where the game was to be held and with the help of my friend Romaine and a taxi driver who could barely see over the steering wheel, I was finally there. As soon as I stepped out of the taxi and began the walk towards the field, the clouds finally lifted and the sun began to shine.  After arriving at the complex where the games were to be held, I sat for a while with Romaine and we watched numerous teams come and warm up.  Eventually the Harmons team arrived decked out in their spiffy looking blue and white stripped jerseys and sat down at some benches that were on the opposite side of the field of me.  Craig, the coach of the Harmons team, soon beckoned me over to speak with me.  He said that he would like for me to give the team a motivational speech before they went on the field.  I said that I would be honored to but I would like to take a few team pictures before speaking and one of those very team pictures is posted above.  So the speech, which I came up with quickly while taking the photos, was about team and community unity.  After the speech was over I mentioned I would like to pray for the team before they took the field.  Surprisingly, one of the coaches told all the kids to stand up and for us to all hold hands in a circle.  This touched me deeply and really encouraged the unity that was just discussed.  More importantly, it encouraged unity with each other for one common goal: Christ.  As soon as “amen” was said it was time for the team to take the field and sadly it was time for me to leave.  As I left I saw the Harmons team passing the ball to one another flawlessly making the opposing defenders appear to be stuck…they were working in unity.  I smiled to myself as I thought about that on another death-defying taxi ride back into Harmons.

Again, this game never ceases to amaze me,

Tim 

By the way, Harmons won the game 4 – 0 : ) 

Liquid Sunshine

    As far as the weather goes, today has been nothing spectacular. In fact, it has been raining since about ten o’clock last night. Because of our rural location, it has even been difficult to find a time in which the electricity has stayed on long enough to complete this blog. So, you might be wondering, what do we do when it rains during the work day? Well, we work. This week’s team includes two groups, Valley Fellowship from Overland Park, Kansas and Deerbrook Covenant from Lee’s Summit, Missouri. And let me just say, they are awesome! Their attitudes and work ethic are not hindered by this weather that our culture so often frowns upon. What they, along with most people, don’t realize is that rain is considered a precious gift to the Jamaican people. This summer has actually been surprisingly rainy, but typical summers in Jamaica are extremely dry. Since water is the necessary ingredient in practically all areas of life, we must ration the water we have. After being here about a month and a half now, I would definitely agree with the Jamaicans when they call rain “blessings from Heaven.”  To be honest, I think working in these “blessings” makes the day all the more fun. I had such a blast today working in the rain, and I’m confident the team did as well. Their attitude reflects their joyful, humble spirit of Christ. At one point, the sky opened up in a torrential downpour. Less than three minutes later, I found myself in a very small shop with about fifteen other people, laughing and joking around. As I was thinking about this tonight, I was reminded that this is the attitude we should have in everything. Acts 14:17 says “Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; He provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”  Wow, is that not awesome? God provides the “inconvenience” of rain so that we will have crops to harvest and food to eat. Our hearts should be filled with joy at this, not grumbling. Plus, at least for now we don’t need to waste our sunscreen.  That is all for now. One Love!

Sarah Means

A Adventure to Opal’s House

Hello again!  I just want to share a little story about something we did here over the retreat week that was a lot of fun.

There is a lady named Opal that works for WonbyOne in the greenhouse and lives pretty close to the Harmony House. I met her the very first day I was in Harmons at the greenhouse. After talking with her for a while and getting to know her over the weeks she invited us to come over to dinner one night. She would be willing to cook for all seven of us if we helped provide some of the food. After a couple of failed attempts we finally got to do it over the retreat. She cooked saltwater fish, dumplings and breadfruit. The food was pretty much amazing! We were all a little skeptical of what it would taste by the looks of it but it ended up tasting wonderful. She has seven other kids that live with her that she feeds too. We had so much food that she was able to feed all of us and her kids plus save some of the uncooked saltwater fish to cook for another time. It was such a great experience in so many different ways. I know that she did not have that much food, serving utensils and room for all of us but she totally made due. She is a great lady that loves the lord dearly. We felt honored that she cooked for us and invited us into her home. It was a great time that we will never forget.

Ashlee Bilton

Chicken Soup for the Jamaican Soul

Hi there! (Side note: If you were wondering where the title came from it was inspired by a random book that is on the desk...)  The retreat last week was needed and wonderful. It has been the first week back since the retreat.When we got back we were so glad to be back in the Harmons with all our friends! It just feels right being back here.

Featured in the picture above is my mento Chelsie and I. Monday was her birthday and it's a Jamaican tradition to be floured on your birthday. Although she may look happy here in this photo... I soon found out that she had never experienced being floured before... Sadly I made her cry, but she was soon back to her cheerful self. Chels is such a sweetheart! Her family is uh-mazing. She has such a great love for others and just a sheer joy for life! As I'm sure you know everyone goes to the infirmary on Wednesday for an hour and a half. Many of the summer staff were accompanied by their mentos. It was so precious seeing them interact with all the residents. Chelsie was one of the mentos that came. It was such a blessing to watch her truly love others. The most beautiful moment ever was when all the mento girls, summer staff, and the residents started singing Jesus Loves Me together. God is so good! He moves in such incredible ways.

I do believe that is all for now. I hope that everyone is doing great back home. I cant wait to meet the next team and see how God continues to move. Oh and also I received the most precious note ever by one of the Jamaican kids that totally trumps  the last note! Probably the highlight of my week! It was so great! I just love being here! God is so good.

Blog Titles are Always Awkward

Ashley Winkler here.  Louden Valley is currently in Harmons with us and it has been fun to get to see them experiencing Jamaica for the first time. (only two of the team members are returning members).

Pictured above: Kimberly, Jadia, Tatiana, Apple-J, and Jardene. (...and I'm the white girl in the middle)

Yesterday, Kimberly, Jadia, Apple-J, as well as some others, walked with me around town to visit their various family members.  As we walked, we talked about everything.  We talked about our families, our classes, our friends, and our faith. We played games, did dances [[when no one was around]], and took walking breaks to pick "plums" from the trees (The plums were not ripe, but we still ate them. They were green and tart, but delicious all the same.)  We were exhausted by the time we returned to the Harmony House.

Today was a much different day.  I got to take Jadia, Kimberly, and Apple-J to the infirmary with me for almost two hours.  For the first 15 minutes, they were very wary of getting too close.  They crowded behind me and watched as I introduced them to some of my friends who live there.  I was impressed as the girls became opened to the residents. They were reading Bible verses, singing songs, and hugging the men and women we met.  Through their humility and willingness to get up-close and personal with the residents, I was able to see God at work in them. We talked about how encouraging it was to see people who are disabled singing songs of praise to their Creator. The conversations that occurred because of our trip together have been awesome. Glory to God!

"May the LORD make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  May HE strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all His holy ones." --1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Delectable Dining

Meet Shanique (the 13 year old that I mentor this summer)

Hello friends! Now as you may know, one of my main passions is food: I love to cook, am addicted to the Food Channel, read cookbooks for leisure (weird, I know), and of course, I find great fun in trying new foods whenever possible. You will understand my sheer excitement then when I can say that I was able to eat at the homes of two of my Jamaican friends this past Saturday. God has blessed me with so many friends here that are willing to open up their homes to me and the other summer staffers for a delicious meal now and again.
Sunday afternoon, our friend Opal had the entire summer staff over for an authentic Jamaican meal. She made the national dish of saltfish and ackee, which consists of cured cod and a local fruit cooked just right... in fact, unless it is prepared correctly, ackee is poisonous. We also enjoyed yams and dumplings. The menu was amazing, yet the best part about the afternoon was hanging out with Opal and her children. We played dominoes, played with various animals, and were able to enjoy each others company. Opal was so loving to open her kitchen to us, and I praise God for the glorious woman that she is.
As if I wasn't lucky enough already, Shanique (the girl in the picture) and her mother invited my friend John and I to dinner that night. Not only was the chicken, rice, and vegetable gravy insanely good, but we didn't stop laughing for the entire meal. Whether Shanique was singing, her mother was pulling us into some dinner table games ("smash the finger, don't cry" anyone?), or we were doing handclaps, the evening was festive. I am truly fortunate to have these friends down here. I hope that you keep the locals in your prayers whenever you think of us down here in Harmons.
~Stay classy.

Party in the USA... no wait, Jamaica!

Hey everyone! This is my first blog of the summer so I'll tell you a little bit about myself. But first, I would like to share a short story. Tonight the seven of us summer staff were invited to go to a birthday party for one of the Jamaican women we know fairly well. So we went, assuming the evening would be extremely awkward considering we didn't know half the guests and couldn't help but stand out as the only "whiteys" there. As the eating and dancing went on, we were quickly surprised at how much we enjoyed ourselves. Not only did we feel welcomed, we soon came to realize that we were seen as a part of their family. God has blessed me with an amazing family not only at home, but also here on this beautiful island.

Name – Sarah Means 

Age -  18

Hometown – Punxsutawney, PA

High School – Punxsutawney Area High School

College – Lock Haven University

Major –Health Science/ Pre-Physician’s Assistant

Aspiration –To make as many people happy as possible

Hobbies –telling vegetable jokes, listening to music, hanging out with friends, doing back “flicks” (flips) as the Jamaicans like to say, and playing any sort of physical game

Favorite Color – Blue

Favorite Sports Team –ehh, don’t really have any favorites

Favorite Book – I like a lot of books and can’t really pick an all time favorite.

Favorite TV Show –So You Think You Can Dance

Favorite Foods – hmmm, where to start… I love just about any kind of food. I’m beginning to really love me some good ol’ Jamaican curried chicken.

Favorite Music – The clog song, the “in my cup” song, or the Jamaican song we love but don’t know the words to. But overall, anything except country

Favorite Bible Verse –tough one... I really like everything in Ephesians.

My Job in Jamaica – Assistant to the Director

Anything Else? – God is blessing me in so many ways this summer. First of all, I am EXTREMELY blessed to be given the opportunity to come spend my summer serving the Jamaican people. Secondly, the friendships God has given me this summer are some of the best I’ve ever had. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be in Harmons helping the people I love most. So, thank you to all my supporters! God bless!

Howdy Everyone!

Hello to everyone that reads our blog, this is my very first time to blog ever and its kind of fun! I have put a little information about myself below for you to read and to be able to get to know me. I have to do a shout out to my new dear friend Krista, thanks for all your support and encouragement and to Mallory from SBU! Miss you girl! Enjoy.

Name – Ashlee B.

Age -  22

Hometown – Blue Springs, MO

High School – Blue Springs High School

College – Southwest Baptist University

Major – Early Childhood and Elementary Education .

Aspiration – To teach our youth to make better decisions.

Hobbies – scrapbooking, scrapbooking, scrapbooking, reading books,

Favorite Color – Purple

Favorite Sports Team –Chiefs and Royals!!

Favorite Book – Lady in Waiting, Boundaries, Bible

Favorite TV Show –Golden Girls.

Favorite Foods – Granny's  Macaroni and Cheese.

Favorite Music – Country, Christian, Pop.

Favorite Bible Verse – Ephesians 2:10.

My Job in Jamaica - I work in the store with the other Ashley.

Anything Else? – I am very excited to be here in Jamaica serving the American teams and the Jamaicans.