John's staff profile?

Full Name: John Murray
Age: 19
Siblings: 2: Katie (18) and Annie (15)
Job: Worksite Supervisor
Hometown: Lee's Summit, MO
College: Mizzou!
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Nicknames this summer: Jesus, John the baptist, Judas?, Shaggy, whitey
Favorite Meal in Jamaica: Tie between juicy patties and jerk chicken.
Favorite Fruit in Jamaica: Pineapple
Favorite Beverage: Mountain Dew, of course (currently wearing a mtdew shirt)
Favorite Downtime Activity: Hangin out with whoever in the community...playin bball, soccer, talking to people, playing with kids, reading. Pretty much anything
Favorite Color: Blue...no yellow!!!! (actually green)
Dominant Hand: Right
Favorite Sports Team: The Ohio State Buckeyes
Favorite TV Show: House, The Office, and Arrested Development
Favorite Music: David Crowder, lots of other alternative or christian or anything BESIDES country
What I'm currently learning: Lots of things...patience and humility being some important ones

Welp, now you now a little more about me I guess. Very important information: like the fact that I'm write handed. Anyway...been enjoying the new groups from Wesley Church and Louden Valley High. Had their first half day today. Even though I love havin groups here, I also really enjoyed a couple days off last week to spend some longer time with God, refocus, hang out with some Jamaicans, and spend more time with the staff. Pretty exciting news: I already knew my dad was coming down to see me in August with the last group, but I just found out my mom is as well! I'm really excited to have them both. They've seen me and my sister go on several trips, and finally get a chance to see what it's all about. Also, the picture above I thought was pretty hilarious. I think it's a good representation of Barry and my relationship: me looking goofy or doing something weird, and him shaking his head at me like he doesn't know me. Anyway, I should probably get to bed somewhat soon so I'm awake tomorrow at the sites. Hope everyone is well. God bless.

John

Tayler's Staff Profile!!!

Full name: Tayler Sonshine Longo
Age: 20
Siblings: Zero. I am affectionately referred to as a S.L.O.C occasionally by Josh ( Slow, Left-handed, Only Child)
Job: Infirmary Service Coordinator
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa
College: Geneva College
Major: Human Services with a minor in Missions
Nicknames this summer: Tay-Tay, S.L.O.C (unfortunately)
Favorite meal in Jamaica: Stew Chicken with rice and peas
Favorite fruit in Jamaica: Pineapple, Mango, Grapefruit…pretty much all of them
Favorite beverage: Ting!!!
Favorite downtime activity: Taking a walk around Harmons
Favorite color: Yellow and Orange are tied
Dominant hand: Left
Favorite sports teams: Pittsburgh Steelers!!!!!
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Music: A wide variety ranging from acoustic soul to Lil Wayne and everything in between :)
What I’m currently learning: The role of pain and suffering in our lives and how to trust God in the midst of it.

That's all for now folks! Tomorrow the staff welcomes two groups from Loudoun Valley High School, and Wesley Church. We are very excited for the Harmony House to once again be filled with the sounds of students serving! Check back for updates about their experience here this week!

One Love,

Tay :)

Sunburn, Salutations and the first STAFF PROFILE!

Full name: Adam Elias Salloum
Age: 20
Siblings: Alex (22)
Job: Spiritual formation coordinator
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
College: University of North Carolina (at Chapel Hill)
Major: Journalism and Religious Studies
Nicknames this summer: Chapel Hill
Question you hear the most in Jamaica: “Where’s Eve?”
Favorite meal in Jamaica: Fried Chicken with rice and peas (kidney beans)
Favorite fruit in Jamaica: Pineapple
Favorite beverage: Jamaican Kola Champagne (similar to cream soda)
Favorite downtime activity: Taking a nap or playing cards
Favorite color: Green
Dominant hand: Right
Favorite sports teams: UNC (NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!), Yankees, Panthers
Favorite TV Show: House
Favorite movie/mini -series: Band of Brothers
Hobbies: Basketball, frisbee, reading, playing piano
Favorite Music: Pretty much anything except country


Hey everyone! The summer is flying—I can’t believe we’ve been in Harmons almost 4 weeks now. As McKenzie mentioned on Tuesday, our second group has come and gone. I had a great time getting to know the kids and leaders from The Crossing (from Columbia, Missouri). I’m beginning to realize that one of the toughest parts of this summer will be saying ‘goodbye.’ I figured that because I’m down here for the whole summer I wouldn’t have to experience the emotions I remember so well of leaving Harmons after a week-long trip. However, it has been extremely difficult to say ‘goodbye’ to the groups. I feel like seven days is barely enough time to get to know the teams and start investing in deeper relationships. Until we drop the teams off at the airport it seems like each team is going to be with us for the whole summer. Then, all of a sudden, they are gone and I’m left wondering if I will ever see any of them again. I guess I just have to trust God that he has a special plan in each of their lives even if I don’t get to be a part of it anymore. One thing about heaven that I’m looking forward to is seeing the intricate plan of God; to see how he was at work in different peoples’ lives and how he weaved our stories together to make His grand story.

This week has been a really good time for the summer staff to grow closer because we don’t have a group until Sunday. We’ve been helping with the addition on the Harmony House among some other various odd jobs around the house. This morning we had a special treat. We each invited our ‘mentos’ (the kids we are mentoring) to meet at the Harmony House at 9am to go to the South coast for a day. It was an awesome day at the beach getting to know our mentos better. The only downside is that I, as well as a few other staffers, got some major sunburn. At least we will have a few days to heal up.

That’s all for now. Thanks to everyone for your continued prayer and support!

Adam “Chapel Hill” Salloum

MY FIRST BLOG EVER!!!1

Hey guys! It’s me, McKenzie! I am kind of anxious about my first blogging experience. Somehow I managed to get out of it last summer! But I am ready to face my fear and do it today.

Today we said bye to a group from The Crossing of Columbia, MO. As I was spending time with the group this week, I realized what an outstanding group of kids the leaders had brought down. They had such great attitudes about working in the hot sun all day, and even better attitudes toward each other. Many of them are following Jesus so closely that I felt as though they were teaching me about trusting the plans God has for my life. If I was a parent of one of these kids I’d be sure to get my child a really awesome treat, or maybe just tell them how great they are. They were truly an impressive group of kids.

The summer staff was back at the Harmony House before noon. We arrived to see the roof torn off of the store and construction beginning on the new addition. Because I am in charge of the store this summer, I was pretty excited to see this construction taking place. I found out that a window is being taken out so that there will be more shelf space, and the new cement roof is going to make it so much cooler! AHH!!

The six of us then took off to help the community put a new layer of paint on the Harmons Medical Clinic. Unfortunately, many members of the community weren’t able to be there but we had a great time giving the clinic a new look. I still have a lot of paint in my hair and in my eyes, but it was definitely worth it. After painting all afternoon, we returned home to relax and hang out with each other.

Earlier this week I was looking at some Bible verses that were listed on this paper I received at the end of the school year from my college ministry that I am involved with. I’m not sure if many people even kept the list of Bible verses, but I thought I would bring it to Harmons – in case I got bored or something. I have started looking at them every day because I kind of liked the first one a lot, and I have not been able to stop thinking about one. It’s James 1:2-3. It says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” It is kind of crazy how God knows what we are going through, and somehow it just happens that we come across verses like this when we really need it in our lives. I mean, it isn’t like I have a ton of trials in my life right now (I am in one of the greatest places on earth), but it was kind of like a firecracker exploding in my head. You know, like, sometimes God allows bad things in our lives to happen in order to force us to persevere and grow closer to Him. It sounds so simple, but I am still wrapping my head around it. So after I had been struck with this verse, I was reading this old book that the staff is reading together. It’s called A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller. The title is kind of self-explanatory. A man who used to be a shepherd describes the parallels between a shepherd and his sheep and God and his followers. At one point, Keller says, “We are often quick to forget our blessings, slow to forget our misfortunes. But if one really believes his affairs are in God’s hands, every event, no matter whether joyous or tragic, will be taken as part of God’s plan.” I am striving to trust that no event in my past was an accident, whether it was a great time or an awful time. I am learning to recognize in both situations that God is allowing me to draw closer to Him. It takes hard times to build character. I never want to ask God for a tough time in my life, but they are bound to happen to all of us. So, I am challenging myself to look to God with an attitude of gratefulness when tough times occur, and in turn I know that I will develop perseverance, as well as a closer relationship with Jesus.

That’s all I have for now. Thanks for reading our blog and for your continued support.
Peace my friends!

Answered Prayers

Hey guys, Michael checking in this time. Yesterday I did laundry for the first time and I found that I am very thankful for washing machines. Hand washing all of your clothes is quite the task. Well, we are halfway through with our second group here in Harmons. Thankfully, we have had two great groups so far. Week 1 we had 2 churches, one from Pennsylvania and one from Kansas. The groups from these two churches were an answer to prayer. I believe that the rest of the Summer Staff will agree with me that they made it easy for us each to go about doing our jobs and easing into our positions with having an actual group here. This was no easy task as Loyd was battling an illness all week, but God provided everything that we needed. This week our group is from Missouri. After having such a good group in week one, I was a little concerned with how this week would go. But once again God answered our prayers. We have been blessed with another great group to serve with this week.

Through the short time that we have been here in Harmons, we have seen God working in amazing ways. As I have already mentioned, God has already answered so many of our prayers and provided what we need. Through my own personal devotions I have been reading through the book of Romans. In chapter 4:23-31, we read over the Believers’ Prayer for courage and boldness in speaking in wisdom and in truth. In the following chapters we can read numerous accounts of how God answered that prayer of the Apostles. What an encouragement it is to know that God will answer our prayers, and we thank each one of you who are praying for Harmons daily.

The past two nights have been the first clear nights we have had to lay out on the deck and gaze at the stars. What a humbling experience it is to look out into the night and realize the amazing power of God in all of creation. We are just one small piece of creation, yet God loves us more than what we could ever imagine. What an amazing thing to think about.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone for their continuous prayers for Harmons and our staff here. It is such a comfort to know that people are praying and that God is answering each of those prayers.

In Christ,
Michael

It feels like home to me...

Hi all, Krista here! Week one has come and gone and on Sunday we sadly said goodbye to Olathe Bible Church and Zion Baptist Church. Thanks to these two groups, our week held so many positive aspects that included a lot of hard work, the beginning of new friends, a lot of laughs and many good conversations. Upon our return from the airport we had one day to prepare ourselves and the house for our second week and group from The Crossing, which we are all so eagerly anticipating!

I believe that all of the staffers can agree that God was definitely at work in Harmon’s this past week. For me, God was working hard on my heart to teach me a lot about strength and faith. Matthew 11:28-29 was presented to me which helped me open my eyes to Gods strength and gentleness. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” This past week contained some illnesses, a hurt knee, and even possibly (if I can admit) some homesickness. But God gave me strength to persevere, strength to love, strength to give in to the times of needed rest, and plenty of strength to find a lot of joy and laughs.

Not only did I realize how much we should rely on God’s strength when we are weak, I was reminded of how much faith really plays a role in my relationship with Christ. Faith helps us believe what we cannot see, and trust what we cannot feel holding us. Even when it’s hard to feel him, keep reaching out. Even when it’s hard to hear him, keep praying. As a band called Blindside would say “So I think I will stay caught up in a silent prayer 'cause I believe in silence our hearts speak the same word”. God will walk with us in our pain, joy, and silence. Even if we are too tired to reach out, He will always be reaching toward us, we just need to keep having faith.

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements. We are falling in love all over again with this place and it is becoming more and more like home. :)

In His grip,

Krista

Childlike Faith

Hey everyone, Tayler here! ( Or “Tay-la” as many of my Jamaican friends would say it ) The past two weeks have been a wonderful whirlwind as the summer staff has gotten to know each other, and Harmons has hosted the first team of the summer. Both teams from Olathe Bible Church in Missouri and Zion Baptist Church in Clarion Pennsylvania have brought an incredible energy to the community and have set a great pace for the rest of the summer. Sadly tomorrow is their last day here in Harmons, and we as a staff will send them home with heavy hearts, as it has been great to have them here this week.

Aside from hanging out with the teams that come to Harmons to serve, one of my favorite things about being back in Jamaica for the summer is having the opportunity to spend time with the children here. I have played countless games of tag, distributed candy to many sticky hands, and given out more piggy back rides in the past week than I ever imagined possible. As a result I have come to realize what an adventure racing down the driveway to the Harmony House can be, or how exciting it is to throw rocks at someone (This may sound odd to anyone who has never been here, but seriously, it’s SUCH a fun game! :] ). As if living life in this beautiful community wasn’t simplified enough, seeing life from the perspective of a child here helps me to realize even more how big the world is and how small I am in comparison. Even more so, how enormous God is, and how tiny we all are.

In Matthew 18, Jesus welcomes little children into his arms saying, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as a little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me (Verses 3-5).”

I have been thinking a lot about childlike faith lately, and have been drawing much inspiration from my time spent with the children here. It’s amazing to me how deeply they love, how quickly they forgive, and how easily they are made happy. It’s the kind of thing that I think we all need reminded of every once and a while. Things like the goodness of God, His sufficient joy when we experience pain, and His deep love for us, His children, are all life lessons that I am learning from the youngsters that run the streets of Harmons. Each time I am holding one of them I laugh to myself and think about how I am holding a little piece of God in my arms…and how sticky his hands are…
Until next time :]

One Love,
Tayler

ya mon

Hey, John here. So...blogging. Something I haven't really ever done. Not exactly sure what one does do with things like this. Well...I'll guess I'll run through how the week's been.

We had an awesome retreat at a lake house in Raintree, MO. There was awesome food, we got to know our sweet team, and prepared a lot spiritually with Joey Butler, a pastor from Blue Springs. He definitely helped us all unite, and just have a good time together. We kayaked, ping-ponged, ate good food, watched Slumdog Millionare...good movie. We watched the movie UP on a staff trip two days ago in Jamaica. Also a splendid movie...squirrel! Besides that, had a long day of travel Sunday, then just been settling in here. Ironically, I've been reading James...and Joshua and Revelation. Had some really solid times with God in the morning getting our "top button right." I'm also reading Bravehearted Gospel...sweet book.

Ohhh yea, and I found out I'm the worksite supervisor. I would've been cool with whatever they/God chose, but was definitely hoping yet not trying to get my hopes up for that job. I'll mainly be helping figure out where kids go each day, and working with the Jamaicans in getting all the materials, tools, and jobs figured out each day. Still trying to figure out a Jamaican to mentor as well. Mainly just been organizing stuff in our work building, and doing other random jobs around the house to clean and prepare. I've gotten to know and catch up with some Jamaicans....but definitely looking forward to meeting more and growing deeper relationships with them. Pray for me to have the guts to share truth with them.

Anyway, I think God definitely has great things in store for the summer. First group got down today...seem like some awesome people. Played some spades tonight...Yep...this is probably really boring to read. I'll try to make it more interesting next time...maybe throw in a joke or riddle. I hope everyone's doing well and thanks for all your support!

John Murray

Prep Week-- by Adam Salloum (UNC)

Hey Everyone!

Michael, John, Tayler, Mckenzie, Krista and I are all really excited about spending the summer together in Harmons, Jamaica. The 6 of us arrived in Harmons on Sunday, and since then we have had many meetings and prepared the Harmony House for the groups. Our first group will be coming this Sunday and we still have a decent amount of work to be done in order to be ready.

The most significant part of the week for me was finding out our job assignments. I am in charge of spiritual formation, which means I will be leading devotionals for the youth groups in the mornings and evenings. I have been spending a lot of time adding to a cirriculum outline prepared by a few pastors that were in Harmons recently. Our theme for the week will be the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke, which I'm really excited about.

Besides the cirriculum, I think God is already teaching me some critical lessons. Something I realized during my quiet time this morning is that I'm already struggling to trust God with the summer. I've spent much time in prayer since arriving in Harmons, but a lot of that prayer has been prayer "without faith." In James 1:5-7 it says:

"5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord."

I have been praying that our summer staff would a Christ-centered community, that I would find the right boy to mentor, and that I would connect with the youth groups that come down. This morning it really hit me that my prayers haven't had much expectation in them. I've been asking for these things without the assurance to know that God is good, and he will provide what I need for the summer. Such a simple thing to remember, yet how often I forget it!

I hope everyone is doing well-- enjoy the blog!

Adam