888.PPM.4090
Contact Us
About UsSelect Language

We use Google Translate to automate translation from English to other languages.

This translator may display innacurate information that does not represent PPM's views.

Please proceed only if you consent.

Praying Pelican Missions Logo

Wellspring Church- Youth Cartel Team

Serving In Jamaica
June 20, 2016
Staff: Brent Kirk, Tanya Chambers Eldemire, Fitzroy Fowler

the team as arrive in jamaica

by Dillon Fowler | June 20, 2016 9:38 PM

The team arrived safely in Jamaica. They went straight for a Burger King lunch which was gratefully received. Some ate more than others, it has to be said. From Burger King the team went straight to their accommodation for the week, Nutshell Centre in Trelawny Parish. They are all settled in and are preparing for the first day of ministry tomorrow. Hopefully a good night of sleep awaits. Another update will be hot off the press tomorrow.

Day 1

by Keri Shannon | June 21, 2016 4:19 PM

The first 24 hours in Jamaica have been nothing but authentic Jamaican experiences that our group has enjoyed and learned to appreciate. After arriving last night, applying generous amounts of bug spray, and arduously setting up our complicated bug nets we spent time with the multiple church groups who are also staying at the Nutshell with us. Our time of worship left us all ready for our week. Tired from the long day, our group embraced the cold showers and our bunkbeds. I would say that there was no way anything would wake us up after the day we had yesterday, but then we experienced our first Jamaican rain storm. Thankfully our group enjoyed the roaring thunder, colorful lightning, and buckets of water at 2AM. After the storm calmed down we enjoyed a restful sleep. After a quick breakfast we were off to our first activity for the day: 1st graders at Rollins Primary School. We had the opportunity to take over two 1st grade classrooms at a local public school. We were thankful for the few teammates who brought coloring books, games, and lesson plans. We finished our time with the students playing games in the field. Memorable moment: Wes was tackled by approximately 30 children. The afternoon was spent at Trelawney Infirmary. This is the equivalent of a senior level facility in the US. The resources at the Infirmary make senior living facilities in the US look like 5-star resorts. Our team enjoyed the conversations we had and the people we met. We are now just arriving back to the Nutshell, tired and reflective of our day.
Day 1

Second day of serving

by Olivia Schroeder | June 22, 2016 10:24 PM

Our second day working in Jamaica had some confusion and difficulties, but we persevered and came out stronger, with amazing memories. Today we went to the same school and worked with the same kiddos. After that, we had planned on visiting a home for children, like an orphanage, but learned that the children were all at school and had to change plans and we made our way to West Haven, a home for mentally and physically handicapped kids and young adults. The school was wonderful once again and we were all ready and excited to go in the morning. We played games like hangman and math duels to help the children with what they are learning from their teacher. We also got to teach many fun songs and dances to the kids, to help get all their wiggles out and get to be silly. We finished our time with the kids outside in a chaotic mess of running around, soccer, cheerleading, and piggyback rides. West Haven was an experience that none of us had planned for but was an immense blessing and eye-opening time. We were able to drive through beautiful scenery and jungle way into Jamaica. The people at the home immediately greeted us and lighted up at the fact that we were there. Many members of our team reiterated later on that they were moved by the fact that most of the residents were so very content and happy just to have us be present with them. After this long, fulfilling day all of us are ready to get a good night sleep and prepare for what lies ahead in the next couple days.
Second day of serving

the infirmary yesterdoy

by Dillon Fowler | June 22, 2016 10:28 PM

talking with mr Davis at the infirmary yesterday
the infirmary yesterdoy

Introverted

by Jakub Swihart | June 23, 2016 4:19 PM

Let me just open with this; I am AWFUL with children... I like to stick to my guns, keep away from any form of social interaction, and generally just keep to myself for the most part. That isn't at all what happened today. And I couldn't be happier. The past few days the only static activity we've had, was going to Success Primary School, and hanging out with the first graders for half of the day. When I first heard we were going to work with kids, I was absolutely terrified. That was three days ago. Today I couldn't wait to get up early and head over to our first grade class. The radical change in my attitude was mainly due to a little girl named Kiara, who has a huge crush on me (I know, I know I'm a total stud). She invited me to sit next to her, color with her, and was just overall excited to spend any amount of time she could with me. When we went out to play games I gave her a piggy back ride and ran around with the other kids. Before long I had amassed a small army of first graders who all wanted piggy back rides. Obviously I wasn't able to give all of them piggy back rides at the same time (I have my limits) so they resorted to the next best thing... Hanging off of my legs and chasing me around. I was having so much fun with them. I've developed such a massive amount of love for these kids, even though if you had asked before I went on this trip, I would've said working with kids was near impossible for me. The next activity we had planned for today was a "prayer walk". I mean that should be easy for me right? We'll just walk around and pray for the town and not talk to anyone. That wasn't really the case. Turns out we actually had to walk around and TALK to people. Things like: Terrifying, Awful, Completely out of the question, Instantaneous death (well not really), were the first things to immediately pop into my mind. The first people we talked to didn't have much interest in us at all, but didn't say or do anything that really made me uncomfortable. The next person we talked to was a 21 year old kid at his cousin's car wash. He was the polar opposite of the last people we made an attempt of talking to. He was ready and willing to talk about christianity, theology, or just his everyday life. Although he didn't believe in a heaven or hell, he said he did believe in the trinity. He was really laid back and super interesting to swap ideas with, and in the end, he followed me on instagram. The next people we talked to ended up also being Christians and sat and talked to us about where we were from and what we were doing for twenty minutes or so. It had only felt like one or two minutes, because I was so locked into conversation with these people I had never met before in my entire life. Today I did things I never thought I'd be able to do, talked to people I'd never talk to, spend time being open to these people, which isn't something I'd be open to do before this trip. I'm still an introvert, no question about that... Jamaica has just completely changed my attitude about working with kids, and branching out and talking to people I wouldn't have even thought to in the past.
Introverted

Friday Fun-day

by 63288753.583 | June 24, 2016 7:10 PM

We woke up this morning to a beautiful sunny Jamaican day. Our bus was full of spirit as we headed to our final day at Success Primary School. On the ride over we enjoyed singing traditional Jamaican songs with our Group leader Dillon. Our hearts were a little heavy, knowing this was our last day, but that all changed as soon as we were greeted by the entire student body, all waving happily when they saw us. We were introduced individually to the entire school by the principle, and it was hard not to smile when all 900 kids were cheering and waving for us. This was a special day at school for these kids. it was the legendary "fun day" that came at the end of their school year. There was music, bounce-abouts (bouncy castles), snow cones, water slides and LOTS of excitement. The Wellspring group broke out into spontaneous dancing and were able to draw in all sorts of kids. Joy was shining through everyone's eyes and it was an amazing way to end our time at the school. A lot of meaningful connections were made this week, which made saying goodbye very hard. We will never forget these amazing children and the joy they brought with them to their school. We had the opportunity to walk through Falmouth, a former slavery port town. It was very interesting to see Jamaica in its purest form. Some Buildings dated back to the 18th century. Finally. we made our way back to The Infirmary. It was rewarding to reconnect with some of the kind faces we had come to know earlier in the week. We were able to share music, scripture reading, prayer time and fellowship with the residents of this peaceful home. Once again saying goodbye was difficult, as many relationships had been built at this Infirmary. We felt God's peace as we left the infirmary. It was peaceful closure to a hard working week. We're looking forward to a day of fun and play on the beach tomorrow.
Friday Fun-day

Subscribe To Updates

Comments

Paul Merrill

June 23, 2016 3:55 PM

Great work! Go team!!

Emily Schroeder

June 22, 2016 10:29 PM

We love the updates and are praying for you all! Glad to hear unexpected opportunities have come up and you guys have welcomed them--way to go!

Brian Stouder

June 22, 2016 12:12 PM

Hey Wellspring Team - Thank you for the update! We are praying for you everyday! Look forward to the next post! Peace!!

Julie Mihevc

June 21, 2016 5:57 PM

Hey team! Glad y'all are doing so well, and glad to see your smiling faces! Know you're being prayed for, know you're thought of often, and know we've got to be almost as hot as you are. May blessings of love, health, and favor be with you!

Praying Pelican Missions Logo

Email

[email protected]

Address

8011 34th Ave S, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55425
Pelican Account

LATEST TRIP JOURNALS


Sharing the good news of Salvation!

Iglesia Luterana Emmanuel

Nicaragua | March 28, 2024

Beach Day and Maundy Thursday Service

Cornerstone Prep

Puerto Rico | March 28, 2024

Rec Day

Strong Rock Christian School

Costa Rica | March 28, 2024

Serving with love!

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer

Jamaica | March 29, 2024

That's a Wrap

Lakeview Christian Academy

Pacific Northwest | March 29, 2024

CONTACT US


FOLLOW US


FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube

ADULT MISSION TRIPS

Our customizable mission trips allow each person on your team of adults to find a place to serve, regardless of their interest or skills.

AFRICA MISSION TRIPS

Africa's many countries boast a wide array of beauty, culture and needs. Destinations include South Africa and Ghana.

CARIBBEAN MISSION TRIPS

Serve with Praying Pelican across the Caribbean—locations include Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and Puerto Rico.

CENTRAL AMERICA MISSION TRIPS

Serve with Praying Pelican across the Central America—locations include Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

COLLEGE MISSION TRIPS

College students are looking for a place to make a meaningful impact. Amplify that impact by partnering alongside a local church.

INTERNATIONAL MISSION TRIPS

This is your opportunity to serve alongside a local church and experience God in a different culture—from Belize, to Cuba, to South Africa and beyond.

MISSION TRIPS

Get all the information you need about our mission trips and what your group can expect as they serve on mission with Praying Pelican.

USA MISSION TRIPS

From our hometown of Minneapolis to the island of Puerto Rico, USA mission trips are diverse in service opportunities, cultural experiences, and community needs.

YOUTH GROUP MISSION TRIPS

Deepen your youth mission trip by doing ministry built on genuine partnerships, long term relationships, and sustainable ministry.

Privacy Policy|Terms & Conditions|© 2024Praying Pelican Missions