Frontline Is Going to Mexico!

January 9th, 2012, Frontline will arrive in Mexico.The focus of the trip will be the construction of a three-room home of roughly 440 square feet.  But this trip is about more than just building a house. While we will give the gift of a free home to a family in need, our team will also have the opportunity to be living examples of Christ’s love for His people. There is no greater reward than when you are able to pray with your family and give them the keys to their new home.



Upon arrival in El Paso, our team will meet a Casas por Cristo staff leader who will be with us from border crossing to border crossing and will become an integral part of our team.  From leading us to our work site where all of our project materials and tools await, to guiding us through the building process, our staff leader will be there to guide us every step of the way.



We will arrive in Mexico on January 9th and we will be there for 4 days. On the 13th we will leave for Guadeloupe Christian Service Camp in New Mexico where we will be leading worship for a camp retreat that weekend. After the retreat we will come back to OCC and start another semester.


We probably will not have internet while we are in Mexico but the plan is for everyone to write a summary of the day and when we get back, the summaries will be posted with their corresponding days. 
Please be praying for us as we prepare and raise financial support. Thanks!

Final Thoughts

Today was our last day in Jamaica. I don't know if I can speak for the whole group in saying this, but I think it's safe to say that we are all getting pretty tired at this point—but I think it is a good sort of tired; we have had one heck of a week. There are plenty of stories I could tell about our week at this point, but most of them have already been posted by everyone else's blogs, and are probably better to hear in person anyways. So you'll have to ask us about some of those when we get back. Anyways, here's the rundown of our last day in Jamaica.

We woke up this morning at around 9 or so to have “traditional Jamaican breakfast”, which is ackee (the national fruit) and saltfish. Except without any ackee, I guess we couldn't find any of it. Apparently the national fruit is hard to come by. Then we learned that the saltfish is imported from Norway or something like that, so to be honest I don't really understand how this is considered the “national dish” when the main part of it comes from another nation. So our dish ended up being saltfish and “calaloo” which I am pretty certain is just the Jamaican name for spinach. Our two housekeepers, Gwen and Tunisia (i'm not sure how to spell her name, but it sounded like the country.) prepared it well, but spinach and fish isn't my ideal breakfast so I didn't have any. We had some fried plantains and toast though, which was pretty good.

After this we left for Doctor's Cave Beach which is right on Montego Bay's “Hip Strip”. The water here was so warm and clear, and it was a private beach so it wasn't very crowded. We stayed here and swam/snorkeled for a couple of hours. I dove off a raft thingy and forgot that I am really really good at diving really really fast and really really deep. So I face-planted the ocean floor and tore my nose open. Then I surfaced and swam on my side to the shore looking like a shark attack victim or something. I got all cleaned up and now I have a Harry-Potter shaped cut right between my eyebrows. Pretty lame story, I know, but at least now I look like some kind of tough guy. So we ended up leaving here shortly after my incident and went to walk around the “hip strip”. There's a lot of touristy-type shops here and some of our group took full advantage of this. Well alright, i'll be honest here, I bought a cheesy t-shirt here too.

We left here at like one o'clock or so and headed back to our villa for lunch. We showered, packed, and ate lunch, and it was time to go. So we left here and went to some shopping area that Wayne says he takes all his passengers to. He sent us to the shop of a lady named Bobby who was Indian and thought Lewis was really great. He sure knows how to charm the Jamaican ladies, let me tell ya. After walking around this district, being heckled by shopkeepers and solicited for illicit...substances, we got on the bus and headed to the airport. We got there, unloaded, and said our goodbyes to our driver, Wayne. If you are ever in Montego Bay, give him a call. You can tell him I sent you. Wayne was a great driver all week and i'm sure this week was very trying of his patience. The guy is a real champ though. Wayne, if you read this, thanks a bunch.

Well, we went through and did the usual airport stuff after this. From what we gathered, Montego Bay's airport doesn't have the same grade of scanners and stuff that American airports usually have, so a lot of us got our bags hand searched or were selected for “secondary searching”. This took a little bit of time but wasn't really any big hassle. A little more of the usual airport stuff (sitting around looking for spots where the Wi-fi signal was strong) and it was time to board. We all got boarded fine and whatnot. This flight was pretty empty so we could move around and stuff if we wanted. Well, actually, I'm not sure if we were “allowed” to, but nobody said anything about it when we did, so I guess it was ok. Our flight left about 20 minutes early and took us around three and half hours to get back in the States. Pretty nondescript flight, nothing really noteworthy. Arrived in St. Louis at like eleven or something (I don't really remember) and went through customs, then Dave (Abby's dad) picked us up at the airport.

We drove to some parking lot where we were to part ways. We all said goodbye to Sarah, assuming we were driving separately. Then she got in the same van as us and drove with us to our host home, where we got out and all said goodbye to her, again. All of us guys stayed at the Curran's house and the girls stayed with Abby. We went to bed pretty much as soon as we got there. Well we woke up and headed to the church this morning, and lo and behold, Sarah was there again. So we all said our goodbyes for a third and final time, and Abby drove off to take her to the airport. Now we're on the road heading back to Joplin, we should be there around noon, if we're lucky. So we will probably arrive at 3pm or so. So it goes.

So anyways, that's my long-winded summary of our Monday. Now here's some final important stuff I've got to say to you guys:

Earlier I said I might not be able to speak for the whole group, but I think I can now in saying that we all had a great trip. It certainly has been a long, tiring week, but was so worth it. I think a lot of good ministry was done and for that we praise God. Learning about the tornado that hit Joplin while we were all down in paradise was certainly difficult. I think for many (at least myself) it almost made me feel guilty for being “stuck” in Jamaica while so many of our friends and people we love were in Joplin, subject to such destruction. So I think that while we loved our trip, we are all ready to be back and get to work in Joplin. God has definitely taught us through this, though, and we are thankful for that.

We are on our way home now, so you can pray for safe travels. Actually, we will probably already be home by the time you guys read this...so you better have been praying in advance! But seriously...we thank you all for your prayers and support on this trip. We couldn't have done it without you. God is doing great things in Jamaica, and all of you have been a part of it. Thank you! 

Now for the conclusion of our 2011 Jamaica Trip and Frontline 2009-2011 this is Andrew (Sunshine) signing out. It's been a great week and an awesome two years with Frontline and I am excited to see what God has in store for us next. Until then, later!

The end is near. Today was our last day of “ministry” here in Jamaica and we went out with a bang. We gathered together with Christians from all over the island at the Western Christian Convention. Of course, we did have a few miscommunications which led us to the wrong location. So we hijacked some strangers off the side of the road to direct us to the right location only to arrive just in time to jump on stage and begin worshipping. No set up was necessary. We just grabbed whatever was on stage and prayed that we would sound decent (which of course we did...) What an adventure.

We enjoyed seven and a half hours of Jamaican preaching and worshipping which is truly an experience to be had. (In case you're wondering, Jamaican preaching and worshipping consists of yelling, growling, jumping, dancing, hallelujahs, percussion, hand waving, and all that good stuff.) During the morning session we played two songs for special music. Let me just say, the Jamaican's love Elijah Dally's song “Hallelujah to Our God.” But who doesn't? After the first three hours we ate our lunch which was one of our favorite Jamaican meals... Jerk Chicken. Spicy, yummy, finger lickin' good.

You may be wondering how our day could have possibly gotten any better. Well let me just tell you; we got to enjoy the afternoon session. Trust me, there is no lack of passion here. We had the great privilege of ending the session and the convention with a concert. This was the largest group of people we've worked with the entire trip, and they all responded so well. We didn't have a projector to shine lyrics, but everyone worshipped all the same.

P.S. We found out the hard way that our “Rock On” hand sign has a demonic meaning in Jamaica. Oops. That would've been nice to know earlier this week. Thanks Zack Moody.

After the convention we returned to our villa which was thankfully not a scam, though it seems too good to be true. We're on the top of a hill overlooking the beach. We have a pool, a maid, a cook... throw a couple beds in there and you've got one happy Frontline group.

We have just had such an incredible time here in Jamaica. We dove into the Jamaican culture and feel like we are one with the Jamaicans. We have been so blessed and I pray we have been able to spread blessings across the island glorifying God's wonderful name.

God Bless,

Abby

Tourism

Today we got an early start so we could make it all the way back across the island from Kingston to Montego Bay, with enough time to stop and enjoy ourselves along the way. The plan was to leave at seven thirty. We pulled out at eight (which, for us, is close to a miracle). The winding roads through the Jamaican mountains and the jerky driving that the locals seem to love left a few people feeling sick, but we all made it through. Our first stop was Dunn's River Falls. This is one of the most popular attractions in all of Jamaica and it is no wonder why. The falls are made of a freshwater river tumbling over rocks down a gentle slope that ends in the ocean. And the best part is, you can climb up them! Needless to say, we spent a few hours wading around in the cool, calcium-rich water and climbing on the rocks. Several people also enjoyed the beach at the bottom of the falls. After we were all worn out and pleasantly hungry, our day was made even better when we found a Jamaican pizzeria in the town of Ocho Rios. We had Hawaiian Delight and Jerk Chicken pizza, along with some more 'American' types, and they were delicious. Then we were back on the road. When we got to Montego Bay we had a short stop to get some groceries (because the villa we are staying in has two cooks, just for us), and then we started up the hill to find the place where we would be staying. After an hour of driving around in a convoluted neighborhood, and once we had all begun to worry that the deal the Matt got for us was too good to be true, we finally found it: the High View Villa. It sits atop the hill and provides a wonderful view of Montego Bay and the ocean, has enough beds beds to sleep all of Frontline and the Staffords, a pool, a gardener and two cooks. What more could you ask for?

Thanks for everyone's prayer and support and for taking the time out to read the blog. It is difficult to describe how much all of us have been blessed by this trip, as we seek to bless the Church of Jamaica.

God Bless,

Dillon

mmm...sleep

(This is Elijah for all who are confused by the name)

Today was great. After a long night yesterday we got to sleep in and it was some of the greatest sleep I have had all week. So great that after I woke up at ten, I took another two hour nap at noon after breakfast.

After that we went back to a place we had gone earlier to get some jerk chicken/pork which was excellent. Then we headed to Hillside to drop off half the team (Rosie, Sunshine, Patrick, Brandon, Ethan and Aaron, and then the rest of us, (Matt, Joy, Lewis, Dillon, Judy, Sara, Abby and I) went to Breaghton to play a concert for the local youth as well as the church congregation that attended there. After figuring out how we would pull off our concert without the rest of the group we played two sets which went great. Then hung out with a lot of the kids and headed back to Kingston to get the rest of the guys. We had originally planned on getting ice cream after it all, but Jamaica time is not like American time and so after both of our events went long we decided to call it a night and Judith blessed us with a devo.

All in all it was a great relaxing day and we are looking forward to head back to Montego Bay tomorrow!

M and M's (Mandeville and May Pen)

Finally, after a week in Jamaica we got to sleep in! What a great and relaxing feeling. Rolled out of bed around 10:30, we were to be checked out of the hotel at 11. We were all ready by 10, sitting outside, basking in the beautiful Jamaican sun. Matt takes our keys up to the front desk to officially check out and the woman says to come back in 10 minutes. :) That's Jamaica time for you. When Matt finally checked out of the hotel, she said, make sure your stuff is out of your room but you can stay as long as you want. We had our morning devotions and headed out to see Mandeville.

Lunch. Today's lunch was one of the most remembered lunches. The group split up into two groups. The first group, full of lively people and fun experiences (Rosie, Abby, Lewis, Dillon, Patrick, Sunshine, Elijah and Wayne) went to the Juci Patties. There they found out that the woman, a cook, in the back, cowering behind a door, had a crush on Lewis but was too afraid to come out and say hi. After finishing their food, this lively group decided to wander outside the doors of the Juci Patti to the strange world that awaited them. The second group (Staffords, Sara, Brandon and me) decided to traverse up the wooden stairs to the wonderful aroma that awaited them...Jamaican Chinese food. We were a little apprehensive about the quality of the taste, considering none of the cooks or servers were Asian. However, they were extremely enthusiastic and grateful to see us. I looked over the menu and quickly chose the Chow Mein. After looking over every option carefully, the rest of the group finally landed on sweet and sour chicken. As the cook carried out the last and final plate, steaming and piled high with chicken, noodles and vegetables, I knew I was in for a delicious meal. I was not very hungry and was quite eager to share with whoever wanted some. I offered it to everyone at our table and they gratefully and heartily ate a portion of my lunch.

We hopped on the bus and travelled a great distance of about a mile, as the rain beat against the bus windows, to the Jamaican Bible College. Clyde, the pastor at Mt. Pleasant Church of Christ was in need of our assistance. We arrived and Clyde gracefully walked across the courtyard, holding an umbrella for himself as well as carrying two others. Our mission was to cross the courtyard and make it into the classroom that awaited us. Everyone grabbed a partner and an umbrella and skillfully and quite carefully maneuvered our way to the classroom to be apart of a "couples counseling" session. (Question: Does anyone know the reason for the quotes???? Answer: there are no couples in Frontline) A little background for you, this is finals week for Jamaica Bible College and Clyde was in a counseling course. For his final exam he was to either write a paper or give a presentation to a group of at least ten people. We did not know he had chosen to talk about couples counseling...we were all ready to participate and play along with whatever he threw at us, but alas, no acting was involved and there was not much participation needed of us.

As we said goodbye to Clyde, and proceeded to May Pen. As we slowly descended down a steep mountainside, I looked out the window and to my delight, found a DOUBLE RAINBOW. We were lucky enough to see the bright colors as well as see the end. Continuing on our way, we decided we'd better stop off for some authentic Jamaican coffee...Blue Mountain...factory.

MAY PEN. Pulling up to the church, we are all thoroughly exhausted after a day of filled with heat and stress. I could tell many of us were agitated and had short tempers, what can we do in situations like this? Pray. I pulled out my journal and began to just talk with God about everything going on. Here's what I encountered.
#1 God moment: A wonderful prayer with Rosie.
#2 God moment: the power went out, which happened twice today in Mandeville, and after many attempts, the church staff could still not get the power on. About five minutes into the darkness, I hear a voice start to sing, soon the whole building is filled with beautiful voices and harmonies as the congregation lifts up praises to our Heavenly father. "There's a light in the darkness, there's a love that's true, Jesus is waiting, He's waiting there for you."

The service has begun, opening with the church's worship team, full of exuberance and joy as the congregation shouts and sings praise. The pastor begins to speak and as he is reading Romans 8, "What then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us..." The power comes on. The congregation cheers and the pastor continues on in his sermon. Frontline goes up on stage to do our part in the service. We open with Happy Day, and let me tell you, Jamaicans love Happy Day! Even though the power is on, we are doing mostly acoustic instruments. (There was a drum set on the ground in front of the stage, but the sound system was not very loud.)
#3 God moment: At about the bridge in Happy Day, we are building the song back up to go into the chorus and hear an extra sound, I glance down and at the drums, on the seat, is a small boy, probably two years old, holding two drum sticks about the same size he is, and he is playing the drums. This was no ordinary two year old, he was not just aimlessly beating the drums, he was keeping time and he knew exactly when to play each drum and when to hit the cymbals.

All in all, today was a God-filled day, full of excitement and prayers. I know that God is using us as we minister to those here in Jamaica, but I continue to find that these people are also changing me.

--Judy :)

YS Falls and Banana Ground

The sound of roaring water streamed through the air. Hearts pounded and adrenaline pulsed as the grip on the rope grew stronger. You pull back on the rope and quickly run forward. The rope launches you into the air, only to be dropped in the thunderous medium brown water. Air escapes the lungs the moment the chilled water makes contact with skin. Engulfed in living water, as bubbles danced around your body, you break through the surface of the water only to find a massive tree in your path. Frantically you swim to the right to avoid its grasp. Once successful, your next challenge is to walk on under-water rocks that increasingly become shallow waters. Once you have made it to the stairway, your adventure is complete.

This is what it was like at YS (pronounced Y. S.) falls. We arrived around 9-10am and we quickly made our way to the falls. Once we were up there a handful of us took a rope swing into the falls--it was great. After several rounds of falling into the falls, we made our way back down the hill and into a couple different pools. The first pool was cool with pebbles as the pool floor while the other one was warm with a cement floor. Upon our arrival back to the hotel we found our skin beginning to blush. By the time we were leaving for our next event many of us were lobsters.

Before I get ahead of myself, while we were on our way back to the hotel we stopped at a jerk restaurant and ate on the open second floor. While we were eating, we found ourselves being eaten up by the clouds. We were high enough in the mountain where the clouds would roll right into us. Unfortunately, they weren't extremely thick clouds so visibility was not effected.

After we got cleaned up at the hotel we left for Banana Ground. Banana Ground is a town at the top of a mountain and we led worship, pretty much at an intersection of the town. A good number of Jamaicans showed up and we had a good time.When we first got there we found out the sound tech guys had not arrived and we didn't know if they would so we made due with what we had and let me tell you, it was interesting. Rosie was on bass, Lewis was on the kahone and Elijah and Judy had mics while Sara played her guitar without being plugged into the small sound system that was there.

After two songs the tech crew arrived and pilled out of a white van crammed packed with sound equipment and a drum set. It was a sight to see. After several songs Clyde preached a messaged that echoed through out the small town and the surrounding mountainous areas. We were literally a city on a hill (mountain). We didn't get back till the hotel till 11pm but what a day. To God be the glory, forever and ever. "Shout unto God with a voice of triumph. Shout unto God with a voice of praise. We lift your name up." - Hillsong

-Brandon