Provision comes in all shapes and sizes...that's what we've been realizing lately as we find different ways to fundraise for our trip to Jamaica and to find or purchase supplies we want to leave for the infirmary. Some of our efforts have been somewhat comical (craigslist & yard sale) and some of the upcoming opportunities should be a lot of fun.

We have all been pleasantly surprised by those who have taken interest in our upcoming project. As we work to cover our basic costs, we also hope to raise additional money to purchase a Whirlpool washing machine for the infirmary. The cost of the machine in Jamaica converts roughly to $620.00 in USD ... and we have a long way to go in order to purchase the machine.

So how HAVE we been fundraising and seeking donations?

We have a variety of things lined up to support our fundraising efforts. October 19th and November 2nd (in Boston) we will hit Lucky Strike Lanes for an evening of bowling with friends & colleagues. Rumor has it that the opportunity to "shop in your friends' closet" will soon happen in California (courtesy of Becky Blevins), and who knows, it may happen here in Boston as well!


We've had yard sales....

And we've gotten very familiar with Craigslist, a way to sell goods & services through an online bulletin board. We have many neighbors who have left furniture behind which we have then sold on Craigslist...pure profits heading right for Jamaica!

Perhaps our most effective method of fundraising has been that sneaky little button at the bottom of the page! Many thanks to those who have taken a moment to donate funds to individual team members or toward the purchase of the washing machine.

We've also been the recipients of donations from Dial Corporation and have recently been connected with a source for hospital gowns for infirmary residents. Thank you to all of you who have kept this work/project/us in your thoughts and for helping us to achieve our goals.

We are half-way toward raising money to cover our basic costs, but have the confidence that we'll reach our end goal little by little. Thank you and don't forget about that little button below....you're not too late!

Liz, Ryan, Nate, Becky, Silvia & Mary Frances
JamaicaNow 2006 Team
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PLEASE NOTE: All payments through our website are managed by Ryan Lincoln. You will see his name appear throughout the transaction. Please indicate (during your transaction) if your payment should be assigned to a specific team member. You may also contact Ryan at ryanlincoln@post.harvard.edu if you have any questions about your payment.

This coming Thanksgiving week will mark my 4th trip to Jamaica, and a turn in my ministry on the island that I never thought I’d take! The first two times I went to Jamaica I was part of housebuilding teams. I loved being able to work with my hands each day, and present a finished home to a family in need at the end of the week. Though it was hot and hard work, in many ways those two weeks were easy ones for me.

Each day there was a job to be done, and the evenings brought a chance to hang out and relax with some of the Jamaican men I was becoming friends with. During each of those weeks, however, there was one day I dreaded – the visit to the May Pen Infirmary. We’ll be telling you more about the infirmary in upcoming posts, but for now I’ll simply say that it is a place of deep suffering.

I had a very hard time coming into contact with so many people who had been cast from society and were receiving care below their dignity. Also, I just didn’t know what could be done for them in the few hours that we would visit the infirmary during the week of the trip. The first two times I went to the infirmary I spent most of the time wandering around, trying to look busy, but avoiding interaction with the residents. I’d settle into it enough to finally read scripture or pray with a few people, but I was always checking my watch and was very ready to leave when our time was up.

My third trip to Jamaica was as part of a medical team. I helped the team set up clinics in various villages throughout the week, enjoying this new and different way of helping Jamaicans. Again, though, I was anxiously aware that we would be hosting a clinic at the Infirmary, and we would be there for almost a full day! I began the day as I had on other visits – wandering aimlessly, hoping that the time was passing faster than it seemed. I even got a brief respite and joined a couple of my teammates to help take some donated wheelchairs to the local hospital. Upon returning, however, my friend Amber had a task and a challenge for me.

The orderlies at the infirmary were hoping that we would help bathe some of the residents, and Amber asked me to help. Reluctant, but trying not to show it, I agreed to help. Covered in garbage bags to stay dry and armed with a bar of soap and a bucket of water, I began to bathe a man who could not do this for himself. Connected as we both shivered – me from anxiety, he from the chill of the water – I experienced an intimate moment of caring for another human being.


Later in the day I was able to join a small group of teammates as they walked around the infirmary and sang for some of the residents. Our wandering band of musicians soon drew a following, and many of the residents accompanied us from ward to ward. At the sound of the music, the residents came alive - many of them singing, some dancing, and others closing their eyes to enjoy this rare experience. One of the Won by One staffers had given a few harmonicas to our team with the instructions to give them as gifts to some of the residents.

Though it was late in the day, I still had one of the instruments, and I gave it to a younger man who seemed keenly interested in the music. He accepted it happily and joyously joined in to accompany our guitarists. A few songs later it was time to leave, and as I was waving good-byes and making my way to the bus I noticed the young man coming towards me, extending the harmonica.

At first I couldn’t understand what he was saying, but then I realized he was trying to give the harmonica back, thinking I had only loaned it to him. I did my best to explain that it was a gift, and as he began to understand, a broad smile blossomed on his face. “All mine?” he said. “Yes. All yours,” I said.

That day represents my vision for our work at the Infirmary. I want to be able to equip the staff to care for residents in the way they, as human beings, deserve. I want to bring those good gifts – be it music or the joy of laughter – to those residents whose days are otherwise quite dark.

Ryan with some of the residents at the May Pen Infirmary

As we plan for our next trip to Jamaica over the week of Thanksgiving I am looking forward to focusing my work at the May Pen Infirmary - quite a shift from previous years. The prospect of working toward lasting change is exciting and brings a new hope for those I've met in the past and now look forward to serving in years to come.

Ryan


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PLEASE NOTE: All payments through our website are managed by Ryan Lincoln. You will see his name appear throughout the transaction. Please indicate (during your transaction) if your payment should be assigned to a specific team member. You may also contact Ryan at ryanlincoln@post.harvard.edu if you have any questions about your payment.

Welcome! This November a group of us will be traveling to Jamaica through an ecumenical (and 501c3 non-profit) organization
called "Won by One" (http://www.wonbyonetojamaica.com)
to work at the May Pen Infirmary, as well as support the Won by One organization in their work of building homes and establishing medical clinics. The "JamaicaNow" blog will help keep our friends and family updated on our fundraising efforts ($1200/person) and ways to participate in our upcoming projects.

We hope you'll keep reading to learn more about our progress and the ways you can help!

About our trip!

During the week of Thanksgiving a group of roughly 30 people will head to the rural village of Harmons, located in the mountains of Jamaica. Our week-long project will have 3 goals:


1) House building (10-12 people)
















2) Medical clinics (10-12 people)





















3) Working at the May Pen Infirmary (Becky, Mary Frances, Nate, Silvia, Liz & Ryan)














We're excited about this opportunity to serve in Jamaica and thrilled that we can include you in our experience through words and images. We'll send you an update soon either from our personal email addresses or our team email address which is:

jamaicanow@gmail.com

Let us know if you have any questions or want more info!

Thanks!
Mary Frances, Becky, Nate, Silvia, Ryan, & Liz
JamaicaNow Team
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PLEASE NOTE: All payments through our website are managed by Ryan Lincoln. You will see his name appear throughout the transaction. Please indicate (during your transaction) if your payment should be assigned to a specific team member. You may also contact Ryan at ryanlincoln@post.harvard.edu if you have any questions about your payment.