Jamaica Team Meeting #1: Recap

What is the reason you joined this team? There are lots of really good reasons for going on missions trips: curiosity, calling, friendship, growth, challenge, opportunity, service, etc... and lots of you gave good reasons why you want to go. We all know our own reasons for joining the team, but what is God's reason for putting you on the team? As one who believes in the sovereignty of God, I trust that God has a purpose for you on this team. One of our tasks on this trip is to simply pay attention. We need to pay attention to what God is doing in and around us. We need to pay attention to the things God is speaking to us, the things to which he is calling us, and the role that he is giving us to play on this trip.

Expectations: If you've been on a mission trip before then you probably already know what I am going to say, and that is, "Expectations are our Enemy, Flexibility is our Friend." Even as we discover the things that God is doing in and through us on this trip we must remain open to God's prerogative to completely alter all of our plans. So, as you prepare for this trip, pray that God would make you aware of the things that you are holding on to, the things that will prevent you from being completely flexible, completely available for His use.

Prayer: As I watched the DR'08 Team video last week I was struck with the idea that this year's trip needs to be centered on the theme of PRAYER. As I day dreamed about that a little I saw students on the team circled in prayer in Jamaica, calling on God. If that dream is going to be a reality I recognize that we are going to have to prepare. That is the reason we have set up the prayer partners system. If we are going to be a team of prayer, we need to start praying today.

Accountability: I believe that we hinder our own spiritual growth when we refuse to allow ourselves to be transparent with others and to give someone permission to challenge us to take things to the next level. It is my goal that each of your prayer partners (along with the encouragement of your leaders) will facilitate your growth through regular accountability.

James 5:16

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results.

Start a Journal: I didn't mention this in the meeting but I think it would be a great exercise for each of you to begin. Journal your thoughts as you look ahead to the trip. Journal your prayers. Journal your questions and struggles. This process will help you get more out of the trip, and can make it easier for you to identify the themes and movements of God in your life as you try to discern what God is up to as he forms your life.

Reminders:
Check your email regularly.
Turn in payments on time (see payment schedule on fact sheet) and with the donation record.
Apply for your passport if you haven't already.
Email me your T-Shirt size.
Print and sign the liability waiver and turn in to me or the business office.
Pray regularly with your prayer partner.

Next Meeting: Sunday, December 14, 3:00-4:30pm

2009 Royal Servants Summer Missions Trip

PROJECT: KINGDOM BUILDERS, JAMAICA

Dates: June 16-24, 2008

Cost: $550. Cost includes in-country ground transportation, lodging, meals, insurance, and a brief excursion to YS falls. This cost is subject to change based on a group size larger than 30. (Current Airfares are estimated at $440/person – estimated total trip cost = $990. This is an estimation based on airfares that are subject to change.)

If an applying team member does not already have a valid passport they will need to apply for one immediately. Passport application can cost up to $130 and can take months to process. See “What documents will I need” section below for more details.

Additional funds will be needed for spending money and souvenirs if desired.

Who are we working with?

In an effort to make this a great experience, JCS has chose partner with Simply Missions and Kingdom Builders Ministry. Simply Missions is a non-profit organization directed by Mr. Neill and focused on organizing and leading short-term mission trips that are simple, effective, and relational. Kingdom Builders Ministry is a nonprofit, nondenominational, para-church organization ministering in Jamaica since 1996. Based in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, on the southwestern coast of the island, KBM ministers both in the local church and through its children’s home and other ministry connections throughout the island. KBM is widely acknowledged across the island of Jamaica for their work with abandoned and neglected children. “My Father’s House Children’s Home” is the nickname for the residential care home that Kingdom Builders operates in Jamaica, and our team will be working and staying at “My Fathers House” which is situated only a few blocks from the ocean.

Transportation:
All transportation in Jamaica will be provided through the Simply Missions partnership with KBM. Airline tickets are not included in the cost but have been estimated above.

Food & Lodging:
Meals provided upon your team’s arrival in Jamaica will depend on your specific flight itinerary. All dinners will be prepared for your team by the staff of KBM. Some teams choose to bring a few items from the U.S. just in case they don’t enjoy Jamaican cuisine.

What will the team do:

1. Build relationships: Above everything else, we want to build relationships with people. This takes priority over all of our other goals because we recognize the eternal nature of relationship. My Father’s House Children’s Home is a home for abandoned and neglected Jamaican children. We will get to know the kids as we live along side them during this trip. We may also have the opportunity to do some VBS style activities with the kids. We also hope to do some construction projects, but we always prioritize the building of relationships over the building of structures.
2. Be Christ: This involves an incarnational view of Christian missions. We expect team members to be extensions of the incarnation to those they encounter – we have God’s Spirit in us and we want to be Christ’s hands and feet for the world. Sharing Christ in this manner requires an active personal relationship with Christ. We can’t share what we don’t have.
3. Work: Teams work and work hard. Much of the construction in Jamaica is done with concrete so the work can be difficult at times. Each participant will be expected to do their share as the team assists KBM with various development projects in and around the community.
4. Have fun: It is unavoidable to have fun on trips like these. Though it may not manifest itself in specific activities on the schedule, fun will be present. If someone doesn’t like to have fun they may be disappointed. Fun takes many forms on these mission adventures, often in spontaneous and unpredictable ways. Be prepared.

How do I pay for the trip?

Each team member is responsible for all trip expenses. Support may be raised through support letters sent out by each participant. All gifts toward this trip will be tax deductible. A sample fund raising letter is available and should be modified to reflect your personality. Support checks or payments should be made out to Jackson Christian School with “Jamaica Mission” in the memo line. You will also want supporters to include a note with your name on it so we know to apply the funds to your account. If supporters wish to send their checks directly to the school be sure to have them write “ATTN: MR. NEILL” on the envelope.

In addition to the $100 deposit, seven payments (or raised funds) of $127 each will be needed by the following dates.

• Monday, November 3, 2008
• Monday, December 8, 2007
• Monday, January 5, 2009
• Monday, February 2, 2009
• Monday, March 2, 2009
• Monday, April 6, 2009
• Monday, May 4, 2009


What documents will team members need?

Passports are required for travel anywhere outside the U.S. Applications for passports are available at the Post Office, or online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

A guide for first time passport applicants is available at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html

Passport application fee: $97

Once your application is filled out you will need two passport photos and a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Photographs for passports are an additional $15 if taken at the post office. They can be purchased elsewhere for around $8 (available at AAA, Walgreen’s, Kinko’s, Office Max, etc.) but you ought to know that the post office is sometimes picky about exactly how the photos look, they may send you back for re-takes before accepting your application.

Birth certificates are available from the county office in the county in which you were born. Fees for certificates vary but should be available for less than $15. The application along with birth certificate and photos can be taken to the post office for processing.

Passports usually take 60 days to process so if you do not have one, you’ll want to apply immediately. Expediting your passport application costs an additional $60.

What vaccinations do I need?

Health Information for Travelers is available on the Center for Disease Control website: www.cdc.gov (click on “travelers health”)

Please, instruct participants to consult their physician before proceeding with any immunizations.

No vaccinations are required to make the trip to Jamaica, however, because of the nature of the trip it is recommended that team members have Tetanus shot.

When is my application due?

JCS Mission Trip Applications (available from Mr. Neill) must be turned in to Mr. Neill by 2:45 pm on Wednesday October 8, 2008. A deposit of $100 is required with each application in order to reserve your spot on the team. There are only 25 spaces available for this trip, so sign up quickly.

What are my responsibilities if I join the team?

When you decide to go on this trip you are joining a team. As on any other team, you have a role to play, and we see that as significant. You will need to agree to the following statement on the application before you are accepted as a team member.

MY COMMITMENT: I commit to be a member of the Royal Servants Jamaica ’09 Team. I will submit necessary documents in a timely manner. I will participate in all team activities, including required meetings and fundraisers. I will pray regularly for the team members. And, I will be flexible. I hereby recognize that by failing to fulfill this commitment I will be subject to removal from the team.

Meeting Dates:

Parent / Student Information Meeting (not required)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008.
7:00 – 8:00 pm @ JCHS in classroom #4.

Required Team Meetings
• Sunday, October 12, 2008 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s (225 N. Grinnell)
• Sunday, December 14, 2008 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.
• Sunday, February 15, 2009 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.
• Sunday, April 19, 2009 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.
• Sunday, May 17, 2009 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.
• Sunday, June 7, 2009 – 3:00 – 4:30 pm @ Mr. Neill’s.

A Post-Trip Reflection

This trip was amazing, and while we were there I couldn’t stop thinking about how for a moment in time our life stories intersected with the life stories of the people in DR. It is amazing to ponder the possibilities of that. Our lives overlapped for maybe a moment, or a while, or even a week…..what will God do with that? After coming in contact with these people, our lives have become forever changed and I believe that their lives are too. I pray that somehow God will use that moment when our lives intersected to leave lasting positive change, and that somehow it made as much of a difference in them as it did in us. We may never know. I do know that I am much more aware now that the way I live my life can greatly affect others when God allows my story to intersect with theirs which happens all the time. It’s exciting to think about how we all get to be part of the greatest story of all; God’s. How will he use us, where will he take us, and who will we meet? What an amazing adventure……….are you ready?

Ken Potter

Day 8 - Monday

So yesterday was an amazing day. We started the day off with driving up the mountains towards the waterfall that we were going to hike down to. The hike was about 800 feet from the top until you reached the waterfall, it was all down hill on the way there, which means we eventually had to hike uphill 800 feet, that wasn’t fun. But anyway, the waterfall was gorgeous. Something that Coach G said when we got to there, and I’ll never forget, “How can people think this comes from evolution?” It was so true, it’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen before. While we were at the waterfall, everyone was climbing all over the rocks and having an amazing time, until the hike back up mountain. It was probably the worst physical thing I’ve ever done. It was worse than basketball conditioning, and that’s hard to beat. It was such a good feeling when I reached the top though, it was almost like I had a huge level of accomplishment. After a couple hours of free time, we all got ready for church. We went to a full out Spanish church, we barely understood anything. It was such a cool experience though. People at the church weren’t scared to show how the spirit was moving them. Singing was my favorite because I could read Spanish. And they had the words put up on the board for us. It was fun to jump around and clap with them! When we got back from church we had dinner and than we had our last meeting. It was an awards meeting. I got the award of encouragement. I don’t really understand why though, I’ve probably complained the most out of everyone on this trip. It was so cool though because people would say why they like each other and why they appreciate each other. It was good for some people to get some encouragement, it is the last couple days of the trip and everyone is getting homesick and irritated with each other. It was an all around amazing day. I’ll never forget this team!!!!!

~ Steph

Day 7 - Sunday

I’m writing my blog on the last full day here in Jarabacoa. Were hiking to a waterfall then going to church at 4 o’clock. Nothing has really happened this morning except breakfast so I will write about my favorite experience here so far. On one of our many excursions out in the community we stopped to play at this red clay field and to give away balloon animals and sombreros. At first Brianna and I were playing jump rope with one little girl and then a mob of about 20 little girls joined us. There is nothing in the world like 20 girls screaming in Spanish to one another. It is udder chaos. I felt a tug on my shorts and I turned to see the cutest little girl standing behind me. She rattled something off in Spanish and I had Sheryl (the director’s wife) translate. She wanted me to chase her. After about 15 minutes of chasing this little girl in front of all these Dominican guys I might add. I told her I was tired. Since I wasn’t chasing anymore and I asked “Como se llama?” For those of you who don’t speak Spanish I asked what is your name. She answered Escalina. She held her arms up to me and I picked her up and she just laid her head on my shoulder. When I held her I was thinking, Wow I might be the only person who will show her love this week. She then rattled off something again. Sheryl translated again and this time I almost cried. She said “Can I keep her?” She wanted to take me home with her. This made me feel so incredibly special. I couldn’t even communicate with her and we formed such a special bond that I will never forget her face or the time we shared. There is the old cliché actions speak louder then words, and we as Christians know this is true. God has taught me so much that I can’t even describe what I am feeling. This has been such an amazing trip.

Dad if you are reading this Happy Father’s Day and I love you so much (you to Mom)!

Were about to leave so I’m signing off. . .Taylor White

P.S. Did anyone know that Mr. Neil can do “The Worm” and Dolphin tricks, well I do now!

Photo Journal

Day 6 - Leaders Perspective

Aside from a few computer setbacks, I´d say things are going great (the base internet is still not working). As you can see from the testimonies of these students, God continues to be at work in their lives. I am trying to get each of the kids to write a paragraph for me to publish here, so hopefully you will hear something from everyone by the end of the week. I have to steal them away from their fun to get them to sit at my computer and reflect about their day.

Today we are winding down our last day of work, and unfortunatley it is raining. The team will come into town this evening for a chicken dinner and maybe ice cream again. Woo Hoo! Tomorrow we will hike to a waterfall (some say it is the waterfall from jurassic park), and we will attend church in the afternoon. It is hard to believe that our work here is begining to wind down. It has been such a great week. As always, I thank you for your prayers and for your part in making this trip a success.

God`s peace,
joe

Day 6 - Saturday

Hey everyone back at home!
So far it’s been an amazing trip. It’s been a lot of fun getting to know the people in the group that I didn’t even really talk to at school, but now I’m hanging out with them all the time. Well, today the group went on a walk to Los Corrales (which was about a 15 min walk). Jake H did his magic tricks again which every time the kids always love and we also did crafts and balloon swords. I helped with the craft for a little but I soon got pulled always by a little kid who was poking me with a sword. As I was playing with the kids there was a little boy sitting by himself and I said hola to him but he didn’t say anything. And all of a sudden a little girl came up to him and gave him her sword. The little boy all of a sudden had the hugest smile on his face. When the little girl did this it reminded me of when Jesus comes into your heart. You’re all sad and lonely, when everyone else is happy around you and you want that special thing that makes them happy. Once you receive that special thing which in this case was that little boy receiving that sword, you are happy and have gone from bad to best in just a second. Well, the little boy ran off and started playing with the other kids b/c he had the same thing as they did.
Also, at the community we were at there was this girl I ended up holding till we left. It’s amazing how that can have so much fun with just a balloon and back home Americans have to have so many things. Well, the little girl (Catlin I believe her name was or something like it) went around attacking people from JCS. I loved holding her and causing trouble with her because she loved causing trouble just like meJ I would say “alli” (which means there) and then her hitting people with balloon swords and she never would hit me while I was holding her. It end up being her birthday and she turned 5 today. So today was an amazing day just all the other days and it’s all going by so fast.
Signing out and member of Team Mango,
Emily Bowman


I don’t know where to start so I guess I’ll start with today. We walked to Los Corrales to spend time with the local kids there. Playing with them is such an amazing experience. Even though we don’t speak the same language we can still communicate with smiles, hugs. There was one little boy that I had so much fun playing with. I don’t know his name but I will never forget his face. I’m so thankful we have this opportunity to show these kids a little bit of God’s love.
On a different note, getting to known all the team members and spending time with them is an aspect of the trip that I have really enjoyed. One day when we were working on the roof, Brent, Em, Mer, Alyssa, me, and Coach Knight decided to form Team Mango. We even have a secret handshake. At school, I might say hi to some of the people on the missions team but here it feels almost like a family. I believe God has given us unity so that we can accomplish His work here.
Adios amigos! Abbey Barney

Day 5 - Friday

It is hard to believe that this is already the 5th day of our trip. In some ways it seems like we were boarding the plane just yesterday; but in other ways, it seems so normal to be here. I’m missing my family very much. Hope you all are doing well.
God is so awesome. I’m just trying to absorb as much as I can while I’m here. Everyone on the team has worked so hard. I feel so blessed to be with each and every team member. We all did various work around the base this morning. My group mixed cement. Some of the guys took on digging ditches, while a different group went back onto the roofs to paint a second coat. Later this afternoon we ministered to children at the base. A group went out and invited people and then we made crafts with the kids and played around. Jake H. also performed his magic tricks again (which are always a big hit with the kids).
I find these children so easy to love. I enjoy them so much. They are so accepting of us. For instance, today I helped a little girl with her craft and then she went on her way and played around on the basketball court. Then all of a sudden she ran back towards me and leapt into my arms and gave me a big kiss on the cheek, which actually made me fall backwards. It was so funny. Then she was off and playing again. Right after she left, the girl I had been talking to gave me a huge hug around my neck and I just held her for several minutes. It was very special. I hate to have to say goodbye to them every day.
Today we also learned a little bit about the history of Dominican Republic from Brian (the director). It was so cool to here him speak about the Dominican and Haiti with such passion. He has such awesome wishes for this island. It was a really cool time to just listen while he explained some of the history and culture. God is using this base in the Dominican to reach people in China, Brazil, Haiti, etc. Anyways it’s been another great day. I can honestly say that I have loved every day that I have been here. I’ve had so many different experiences and learned some very different lessons. God is definitely using this trip to remind me how much I need/want to follow Him the rest of my life and I want to use myself as God’s tool in any way that I can.
Adios por ahora
Meredith

P.S. Wow! We had a crazy ending to our night. Never let Christians loose late at night with bongo drums. It’s a hilarious combination. Ha ha the rest you will have to ask about when we get home.


Many of us have had a moment so far this week where they have had a God-sighting or realized something about themselves. Mine occurred today while some of us were hand-washing some clothes. Kelly made a comment that really struck me. She said, “Thank God for washing machines!” That remark got me to thinking about how there are so many things that I use without thinking about how many people don’t have that luxury. I usually just throw my clothes in the clothes hamper and know that they will be washed by an easy-to-use, very convenient washing machine. It was great to be able to catch a glimpse of life in someone else’s shoes. Adios! –Josie J

Day Five - Leader's Perspective

We continue to have internet difficulties but a theme on this trip seems to be "overcoming obstacles". I made a special trip into town this afternoon in order to post yesterday's (Thursday) recap from a wireless cafe. The connection is not strong enough for me to upload the 40 pictures that I spent most of the day selecting and formatting for the internet. That is an obstacle I have not yet figured out how to overcome. But... give me time.
I really wanted to be able to show you all the smiling faces of these wonderful students that have joined me on this trip. For now you'll have to just trust me that they are smiling and that God is really doing a work in their lives.
I could have had every student share about the impact that last evening had on all of them. I wish you could have sat in the circle with us as we discussed the day. So many of them shared stories of interactions with kids from the community that have the potential for being truly life changing. I only had time to get two of them recorded for you here.
As I type this the team is back at the base doing ministry with kids from the local community. Earlier many of our students went out into the local neighborhoods to invite kids to come to the center where we have crafts and games for the them. I am excited to hear how God will use those interactions in the hearts of these kids (both ours and the DR kids).
Well... time is short. I must get back to the base. Sorry again that there are no pictures.
Keep praying!
Peace,
mr. n

Day Four - Part 2

Hey, it’s Jake Hendrick from the DR! The week has been awesome so far, and we have all been growing closer to God and each other over the trip. This morning I had a very interesting experience at the brickyard. Let me begin by giving you a little background information. In this last year, Mr. Neill had a section of Bible class that focused on international injustice. He showed several video documentaries of injustice in India. Among the different forced slavery and prostitution were two different jobs, making matchsticks and making bricks. The videos showed very clearly the process of making the bricks, a backbreaking job.

After breakfast yesterday morning, Mr. Neill told us that Brian (the director here) was asking for volunteers to run into town to get bricks that we needed for the sidewalk. Since I had already done my devotions and other things, I volunteered to ride in into Jarabacoa. We rode down the mountain for about twenty minutes until we arrived at the brickyard. Up until this point, I had not even thought about the videos that I had watched over the last year. The first things I saw when I hopped out of the truck were piles of bricks. There were thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of bricks just piled on top of each other. Brian told us we could walk around and soon someone would be out to give us a tour. As we walked around, I saw what was obviously an oven of some sort to bake the bricks. I saw hundreds of trees that were sitting to be chopped up to fuel different machinery. I also noticed two men who were only shoveling ashes out of the bottom of an incinerator and carting them away. Then I turned around and chills went up and down my spine. The hair on my arms literally stood up. Two men were putting wet clay into brick molds, scraping off the excess clay, smoothing it out, taking off the molds, and repeating the process. They did this over and over again, their hands constantly moving, and they never stood up. They were working under a tin roof, under which it was at least ninety degrees. They picture was exactly that of the slaves in the injustice documentary. I later found out that those men made about $150 a week, working ten-hour days with a two-hour siesta (rest) each day. They get two weeks vacation for the year. Now these men chose to work in conditions like that. Sure in India, Africa, and even probably places in the DR, there are people stuck in slavery making bricks, but it just gives me chills to think that those men were at the point in their lives that they would work in a brickyard. The slavery of making bricks goes back as far as the Israelites and Egyptians. And yet after all those years, it still happens in the world. What makes me thinks even more than that is that in this country, those men in the brickyard have it better than most. It is going to be difficult to go back to a country where everyone has a chance to succeed. I am learning that God has a will for everything and sometimes I’m not going to ever see it. I just need to trust in Him and try to impact these people’s lives for the better while I am here.

In Christ,

Bones

In the afternoon on Thursday, we all loaded up into the vans and took off to do some ministering to the people in the community around us. Everyone was excited and looking forward to making some new friends; the vans were packed with balloons and basketballs and soccer balls to share with the kids. We arrived at the first village tucked away in the back roads of Jarabacoa. We piled out of the vans and while some of us started a game of soccer on a makeshift soccer field, the others of us brought out the balloons. Soon our group was surrounded by children with fistfuls of balloons crying out in Spanish whether they wanted a “sombrero” or a dog or a fish or any twisted shape we could possibly come up with. As the commotion from the balloons died down, other activities took their place. The bigger boys went off to play a game of soccer, a few girls formed a circle to play volleyball, while others started playing with the jump rope we brought. It was a great evening of fun and games, but telling you about the things we did cannot even begin to explain the entirety of our experience. The members of our group felt things within their hearts that they could not understand as the connections between the children were deepened. An overwhelming love swept over our group, and as the time neared for us to head home, we dreaded the challenge we would face when we had to put the children down and say goodbye. I don’t know about the rest of the group, but I know that I was overcome with a feeling of helplessness as to what I could do to help these children grow up in a loving, safe, and clean environment, and to always remind them that there is hope, and there is Someone who loves them so much that they could never comprehend it. As we were preparing to leave, I was giving hugs and saying my goodbyes to the girls I had played with. Each time I said goodbye, I would add in “Jesus te ama” which means “Jesus loves you.” When I hugged one little girl and told her that Jesus loves her, she looked at me with a sparkle in her eyes and told me that she also was a Christian. I could feel the same spark go off in my eyes as we held each other’s gaze for a silent moment in time. That moment may have been for only a few seconds, but I will never ever forget that little girl and the joy she had within her as she shared with me the love of a Savior. I may never interact with that little girl ever again here on earth, but I look forward to the day when I can look her in the eyes in Heaven and remember the moment I shared with her in a village tucked away in the back roads of Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.

-Rachael

Leader's Perspective - Day 4

(Note: Now that we are back home I have been able to add photos)


Hello Everyone,

I apologize that these updates have been so late. The internet connection on the other side of town (where the base is located) was somehow cut earlier in the week and we were informed that it may be some time before it is restored. But, I am happy to be here in an internet cafe in Jarabacoa typing this message to you all. The students are currently on a ministry outing this evening in a small community about 30 minutes from the base. Ken Potter took the reigns of leadership for the evening so that I could come into town to update the blog. I wish that I could upload pictures for you but I am not able to at this time.


Even though we have been without an internet connection, I have still been able to get some testimonies from the students and leaders. You will find them posted below. These are just a few thoughts from a few of the kids. I hope to give everyone a chance to write something, but if they don't all get a chance, know that they are all doing well and having a great time. Our hosts have had created a great balance between work projects, ministry, and fun. Every day there is something new and something to look forward to. There really is too much to tell you about.

From a leaders perspective, I am extremely pleased with the attitudes and hard work being displayed by these kids. You would all be proud of them. The leaders are doing great also. Mrs. Meade is careful about encouraging hydration and serves as the "trip mom". Mrs. Hartman is our resident nurse tending to all minor cuts and scrapes that happen along the way. Mr. Meade is always hard at work and also serves as our videographer (I think he has alreday used three tapes!). Pastor Knight has been a great encourager of the students, his relational foundation with many of them is a great asset. And then there's Ken... All I can say is that he is ready to lead a trip on his own.

Tomorrow is a full day of work followed by ministry at the Base with kids from the local community. Thank you all for your prayers and comments (and for your patience as I looked for a way to get these posts up). Keep praying for us as we work and minister in this country. And pray also for the work that God is doing in our hearts as we focus on the theme of "Surrender".
- Mr. N

Day Four

Hello, it’s Jake Fox and Brent. Yesterday was the toughest day so far. We went running at 6 am with a couple of the staff members. It was challenging with all the hills and elevation changes. We then had to start working after breakfast. Brent had to use the power washer on the roof and Jake dug some stones and gravel to make way for the cement. It was a hot day too. We also went to a couple of schools, one of which was English speaking, and shared our testimonies. We had a good night sleep last night; it gets cool at night, that’s a plus.
We got up and had French toast for breakfast. We went to work right after that. Brent went to town to get bricks and found out how they make them. Jake started painting the roofs and later went to town and bought a knife from the hardware store, Brent is going to buy one later. Brent was power washing another roof till lunch, which just got over. See ya later it is time to swim.
~ Jacob Fox & Brent Malone

Hi, I’m Glyn - here’s what I’ve been up to and seen since we arrived. The students and leaders are doing an amazing job - working so hard and serving God so faithfully, even though it’s really hot. We’ve had the chance to share in a number of schools through a magic show by Jacob H - he’s does such a good job and several of the students also share testimonies - it was so cool to hear my daughter Bron share. (Beckey she did great job - ps love u and miss u)
So our time is split between work projects and schools / evangelism ministry. But for me the lasting memory will be the people and their lives. They are seeking to find purpose and meaning like the rest of us, they are just further challenged because of the tough financial and living situations. Some of the homes that I’ve seen most of us wouldn’t consider suitable to store our lawn equipment in, yet a family calls that home. But more than financial needs are the obvious spiritual needs that are equally evident, every body doing their own thing trying to fill a void and purpose only God can. I don’t think I will ever be the same again following this trip. In closing if you’re reading this as a parent or a spouse I want to encourage you that your family member is doing an amazing job, God is using them and they are encouraging others.
~ Glyn Knight

Day Three

Wednesday was an awesome day! We went to two different schools. I love spending time with the kids! They’re so much fun. On our way home from the schools we stopped at a river, and it was so beautiful. When we got home we worked really hard. As hard and frustrating as is was we had so much fun doing it, and we accomplished so much! It’s been a great first 3 days, and I can’t wait to see what else we do throughout the week!
~ Kasey


I had an amazing day Wednesday! We went to two schools and Bones did his magic tricks and a few people gave their testimonies. The kids really seemed to enjoy it and hopefully our witness changed their lives. Hanging out with the kids is so much fun. It is so amazing when you talk to them in Spanish and start playing games with them and they understand you. We have made so many new friends. After we returned from the schools, we did some projects. I will admit that I was scared to death of the hard work and working with people I barely knew, but I had a blast!! I have made so many new friends and it was amazing serving the Lord by scrubbing roofs for a few hours. I am having an amazing time and God is teaching me so much. I miss you guys and I am praying for you! God bless!
~ Alyssa


We started off Wednesday by going to 2 schools, a bilingual and a Spanish school. It was quite fun, Hendrick did his magic and a few people gave their testimonies. You can never tell if the kids are getting anything out of it or not, but even if they looked like they weren’t listening, they may have got something out of it. And if one person got something out of it, it’s worth it for me, because they will share what they heard. The work projects were a little bit tougher than Tuesday. I think that was because we were all tired, but we still got a lot done. The view is awesome behind our cabin, I wish you guys could see it, and at night you can see so many stars, it’s amazing what God created. Traffic laws are more suggestions than rules here, which makes things interesting, but fun at the same time. Well to wrap things up, I’m having a wicked sweet week and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
~ Sammy P.

Day Two - Part 2

Hola! Como estas?! Well today started off at a slower pace… with major manual labor! And let me tell you, you think it’s hot in Michigan right now, you should feel the humidity here! You never stop sweating. We did get a lot accomplished today starting with moving a lot of stones, bigger rocks, wood, and stone bricks. By the end of the week we will have built a new sidewalk within the compound. Some of the others, myself included, worked on the flat roof sweeping and clearing away dirt and debris. After the sun burn set in we called it a day. We then went to exchange our American money for pesos. The exchange made me realize just how much we have as Americans especially when a little boy came up and asked us for money. Next, we took a tour of the coffee plant and had amazing frappacinous which were more sugar than coffee, but that’s ok because we all needed a sugar buzz. And Mr. Neill was happy about that oneJ Then on to my favorite part of the day. We went to a elementary school where Jake H. did his magic show and Kasey and Meredith gave their testimonies. The kids were so excited that we were there. Even as soon as we pulled in, we could hear screams of excitement. The kids were so excited to have some one-on-one fun time with us. It was hard at the same time because there were about fifty kids and they all wanted our attention at once. My favorite part of being there was interacting with the kids and seeing them smiling and knowing that we had made them smile. Today really made me realize that I need to be a lot more thankful for what I have. I know we’ve all heard this a million times that we need to be thankful for what we have, but until you actually live it, we will never understand the complete meaning of this. It’s hard to explain to you how much these kids need. It was really touching for me to see that they have so little, yet they’re so happy. It was like they had no care in the world. If you think of it, say a little prayer, thanking the Lord for what He’s given you. Well, that’s my challenge for you! I’m starving. Time for dinnerJ PEACE!!!!!!
~*~*~Stephanie Stanley

Wow, so much to say and so little time to say it all. Upon arrival at the compound I was so exhausted and unable to fathom how I would be able to get up the next morning and function on four hours of sleep. Thankfully, God provided me with a second wind and I am thoroughly enjoying myself :0) Today was an amazing first day. Like Stephanie said we did some manual labor around the base trying to survive the intense heat and humidity. It’s like you’re breathing water here, no joke! I have been one of the lucky ones to not get bit by a no-see-um yet so I’m extremely thankful for that! My favorite part so far was going to the school today and working with the kids. I thrive on that. To those kids we are the world and it is the most amazing feeling ever. I am one of the few in the group who can speak some Spanish and so I spent a lot of my time translating. It was amazing! Once I got over my nervousness the words just flowed off of my tongue and it was so great to be able to communicate with the kids in their own language. These kids are so precious and I love working with them. I wish that everyone had the opportunity to work with kids such as these because it totally changes you. I can’t even explain to you how I feel because it’s something that has to be experienced for oneself. God is so good and I am so thankful and blessed to be here.
~ Kelly Williams

Day Two: Part 1 – Already Hard at Work

We hit the ground running this morning and after a healthy breakfast and a tour of the base we started sweating. Here are a few pictures…

Travel Day Recap

When we create the schedule, we don’t use the term “Travel Day” lightly. We really did travel all day! The Check-in process at school went smoothly, and we really appreciate all of those who came to see us off, especially Doc Bracy. The bus ride, Airport ticketing, flights, layovers, changing planes, and luggage claim were all without incident. Thanks for your prayers. We arrived at the airport here around 9:00 pm and then loaded the vans for a three hour bus ride that somehow took us four hours due to some extremely heavy rain. We arrived here at the YWAM Base, settled into our dorms, and… well… some of us slept.

I really can’t stress how smoothly things went yesterday. Thanks be to God for His “Traveling Mercies”.

This week we are focusing on the concept of surrendering ourselves to God. Keep praying that God would not only work through us, but also work in us during our time here in the DR. Thank you all for sharing with us in this adventure through your love, prayers, and encouragement.

God’s peace,

- joe neill

Made it to DR!

We have landed and now have a three hour bus ride.

Airport

We made it through check in and security smoothly. We are now waiting a couple of hours for our flight.

Tips for Parents

Connecting with Your Kids Before, During and After the Trip

Many of us have experienced highs and lows in our spiritual life. Through those experiences we learn much about ourselves and how we should move forward in our world. However, students have a harder time with this process. For many of them, this mission trip might be the first time they have experienced these emotions. Coming home can be a difficult process for them. As adults, thinking through how to help them deal with this transition before, during and after the trip is important. For you as parents, it can be difficult to find ways to help your student communicate about the experience. Here are a few ideas to think about as your student goes on this mission trip.

Before:

As your student prepares for the upcoming mission trip, there are many ways you can help them in that process. Here are some ideas:

• Pray with your student. By praying with them you will become a spiritual partner for the trip and help them solidify this discipline in their lives.

• Research the trip. Help your student research the trip. One idea is to research the town and culture your student is going to. The more you learn, the more prepared both you and your student will be.

• Challenge your student. You have a good handle on the strengths and weaknesses of your student. Set a challenge for them on this trip. How could he or she grow spiritually? Relationally? In teamwork? In communication? In responsibility? A mission trip isn't just an opportunity to travel and experience a new place or culture; it's an opportunity to grow.

During:

Just as your student is on a journey with God during this trip, God has lessons for you to learn as well. Consider some of these ideas to help you and your student get the most out of this experience during the trip.

• Study the same Scripture passages. Find out what Bible passages your student will be studying during the trip. I've made this easy for you by providing you with our "DR Field Guide" which contains all of the scripture and devotionals for the week. By participating in the same study, you will be able to better understand what God is teaching your student.

• Develop a prayer team. Consider getting together with the parents of the other students on the trip and praying for the team. You may only have time to do this once while they are gone, or you could do it several times. These students will have a unique bond because of their time together. Developing a parents prayer team will create unity that goes beyond the students to include the parents as well.

• Keep a journal of your prayers. Another great idea is to keep a journal of the prayers you prayed for your student while they were away. When they return you can share it with them and see how many of those prayers were answered.

• Allow them space. Be sure to allow your student to experience the trip without having to think about home all the time. Try to keep your contact with them to a minimum during the trip. They will have a more meaningful experience if they feel free from their normal life at home. You can keep up with what we are doing by checking this site. There is a space here for you to comment on the posts, let us know you are praying, or offer a word of encouragement to the team.

After:

The transition after a mission trip can be very difficult for students. They will need help understanding and applying the lessons they have learned. As a parent, you can play a vital role in this process. Here are some ideas to consider.

· Allow your student time to process. Don't expect to get all the answers to your question right away. It takes students time to understand and apply their experience. Be patient with them.

· Plan time to communicate about the trip. Ask your student for an hour or two to spend with you talking about the trip. Do this within the first three days of returning home. This will allow you to focus on your student and allow them uninterrupted time to tell their story.

· Ask questions about what they learned, not what they did. The easy stories to tell are the ones that deal with what your student saw, ate, or did. The hard - but more meaningful - interaction encourages your student to tell you what they learned and how they changed. Ask how they saw God at work.

Some sample questions:

§ What did you learn about yourself?

§ What did you see God do in and through you?

§ What Bible study method did you like the best?

§ What applications did you make from the Bible studies?

§ How did teamwork play a part in accomplishing your mission?

§ How did you see God at work? How did He intervene? Answer prayer? Show His faithfulness?

§ What is your plan for staying connected to God?

§ How has this experience changed your mission at home, at school, at youth group?

· Ask the deeper question. When your student tells you about the work project or the ministry project, ask a deeper follow up question. This will help your student come to a deeper understanding of their experience. A good place to start is by asking questions such as: How did that make you feel? What did you learn from that? What did that motivate you to do?

· Realize the difficulty of re-entry. Understand that your student will not only be struggling from culture shock as he or she returns, they will also be mourning the loss of their team. Being alone for the first time in nine days can be difficult after living on a mission with a team of great people. Don't be surprised if they want to continue to spend time with their teammates. Be sure to allow them time to readjust to family life as they come off the trip.

· Plan to process the experience with them more than once. It is important to realize that the learning for a student can happen weeks after the experience is over. Be sure to ask your student what they are still learning from their trip one to three months after the trip is over. This will force the student to reconsider what they have learned and how the trip has had a lasting impact on his or her life.

Adapted from Mission Life by LeaderTrecks

Team Meeting June 6th!

Just made the final arrangements for our long awaited team meeting. It will be Friday, June 6th from 5:45 - 7:30 @ the Meade's (4266 Springbrook). I want to start right away with the meeting stuff so please be sharp!

I also want to include parents (one or both) at this meeting so that everyone gets a chance to meet each other and get all the info. Parents sometimes enjoy meeting other parents (I know... it's weird).

I'll have a whole packet of info for parents with flight times and all that jazz. If you are a parent and you can not make it to the meeting just let me know and I will get you the packet.

For the meeting, we will be eating dinner at the Meade's. They are providing the burgers, dogs, and beverages. We all need to bring a passing dish.

Seniors & Freshmen: bring desserts
Juniors & Sophomores: bring sides

This is an important meeting so please make plans to be there with the team!

In the mean time... email me with all of your questions and I will be sure to have answers for you at the meeting.

10 days till we leave!!!

Thanks,

Mr. n

Updates & What to Bring to DR

Hey DR Team!

Here are a couple of updates…

1. Thanks for checking the blog for updates and new info. Tell your friends and family that they can check this site while we are in DR for updates and photos of the team.

2. At one point I had discussed with some of you the possibility of not having a resort night before we leave DR. After reviewing our flight schedule, our hosts in DR have decided it is in everyone’s best interest to stay at a resort in Santo Domingo on the 16^th. So we are back to our original plan.

3. In a previous post I mentioned mosquito nets. If you are thinking about purchasing a mosquito net I wanted to offer some suggestions. First, get something simple, not a big complex setup that won’t fit in your suitcase. Second, look for permethrin treated products or some do-it-yourself permethrin. That is the chemical that is most effective in warding off the “bugs”. Third, consider ordering with a friend to save shipping costs if you are buying online. Lastly, I have provided a few links below to help you get started shopping around if you are looking for a net.

Permethrin Products: REI, Campmor,

Mosquito Nets: REI, Campmor,

Pretreated Net: Travel Health Help

4. Here is a tid-bit of knowledge to store in a handy place in your carry on (along with a pen). The address for your visa forms (that you fill out on the airplane) is:

Juventude con Una Mision
KM 4, Entrada del Salto Jimenoa
Piedra Blanca, Jarabacoa

5. Many of you have asked for a “What To Bring” list… so here you go: (this is also available on our blog site)

CLOTHING

Dress on the base and in Jarabacoa is fairly casual. Most people wear jeans, shorts and t-shirts on the base. You should also bring a light jacket and an umbrella.

Bring a mixture of clothing that will allow you enough variety, but won't weigh your bags down too much. We suggest bringing at least 2 pairs of jeans, along with light cotton trousers or sweatpants, shorts if you wear them, and several t-shirts. You should also bring one set of old clothes that can be used for construction work and one set of nicer clothes to wear to church or to a restaurant. You will also need at least one pair of walking shoes/sneakers, and a pair of sandals to wear inside the house.

GENERAL HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

The base will provide pillows and blankets, but you should bring you own sheets, pillow cases, and towels. A mosquito net is optional, if you want to be extra cautious, feel free to bring one.

Other household items you may want to bring include a hair-dryer, an alarm clock, and a flashlight. Consider sharing a hairdryer among friends, to cut down on space needed in your luggage. Voltage is the same as in the US (no adaptors needed).

Don’t forget to bring a camera if you have one and a generous amount of film (or memory for your digital camera) since film is expensive here.

DAY TRIPS

It will be helpful if you bring a small backpack. The backpack may also be useful for day trips or for other projects in the city or nearby towns.

STUDY ITEMS

Bring a pen, a notebook and don’t forget your Bible!

COSMETICS/TOILETRIES

Come prepared with your own bug spray, anti-itch medicine (for bug bites), shampoo, toothpaste, soap etc ... sunscreen is recommended. Our team will have a small first-aid kit with things like aspirin, band-aids, Imodium (just in case), antiseptic cream to cover most situations. Remember to pack all these liquids in your checked baggage and not in your carry on!

HEALTH

Most people ask about Malaria risk in DR but Typhoid is actually more common than Malaria in the area we will be traveling to. No specific immunizations are required before traveling to DR, but we advise you to check with your doctor on any suggestions he has for any kind of vaccinations for your time in DR. If you are taking any specific medication we advise you to get enough of it to last you during your time there, as it may be impossible to get your medication there. The pharmacies do sell a variety of medications, but might not sell the one you need.

MISCELLANEOUS

Please be aware that you'll be sharing a dormitory-style room with several others, and there won't be too much room for personal belongings. Consider the fact that Mother Teresa and her sisters “traveled only with such personal luggage as could be contained in a bucket or a cardboard box”.

Here are a few miscellaneous things to have in your bucket…

· refillable water bottle. (this should be empty and packed in your checked luggage)

· personal bottle of hand sanitizer. (sometimes it's good to have this when adequate hand washing facilities are not readily available.)

· work gloves

· batteries for your camera

· charger for your camera (or rechargeable batteries)

· a basketball or other sporting equipment (consider donating it at the end of the week)

· insect repellant (don’t let me emphasize this too much!)

6. Finally, I am still working on a date for one more team meeting before we leave. You wouldn’t believe how crazy the school calendar is these days (or maybe you would as most of you are involved in all those sports!). I will keep you posted. But for now… maybe all this info will keep you happy for a few days.

Email me with any specific questions you have! And keep praying!