One day left

Hey Everyone, Adam here!

I can't believe that the summer journey is finally coming to an end. It has been a challenging, rewarding, and growing experience. I know that God called me to Harmons although there many times that I wondered whether it was so. It was nothing like what I expected-- I can't really put in to words how it was different but I know I could never have imagined it being like this.

This week has been a combination of saying goodbyes, cleaning up around the house, and debriefing with the staff to prepare mentally, emotionally and spiritually for going home. Tonight we served dinner to the 40-some Jamaican staff that we employ throughout the summer. From the house crews to the cleaning ladies to the cooks, they all piled in for a delicious meal and some great fellowship. It was really cool to see them all together but tonight was the first time I really realized that goodbyes were in order-- some of them I will not see again before I leave.

I know now that Harmons will never be an experience that I had that I learned from and moved on. Harmons is a part of me. The people here have had such in impact on my life that I can't imagine just continuing on with life. Harmons will, God willing, be a place that I keep returning to as often as possible. To serve those in need, yes; to spread Christ's love, yes; but also because I have friends here that I will never forget about.

We fly home Friday but it's not goodbye, it's see ya later.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and support. I'd love to talk with anyone about my experiences, but have patience because words can explain only so much.

In Him,

Adam "Chapel Hill" Salloum

Coming to an end...

Hello Everyone! This is the last blog that I will write for the summer. It is hard to believe that in one week we will be making our journeys back home. We say goodbye to our last group on Sunday, and then have a few days by ourselves to say goodbye to all of the friends that we have made. Over the past two weeks I have been hearing the question of how am I feeling now that the time is coming to say goodbye. The only way to truly answer that question is by saying that I have mixed emotions. I am excited about seeing my family and friends, but I do not want to leave this community. I have been blessed to make friends here in Harmons that I know would be willing to do anything for me. Friends who I am extremely close with. Saying goodbye to them is difficult because I do not know when I will be back again. Unlike when I said to goodbye to everyone in the States, there was a set date for me to return. Here I have to tell everyone that I am leaving and that I am not sure of when I will be able to make it back. I know for sure I will come back, because Harmons is Home and such a big part of my life, but it is hard to leave not knowing when that time will be.

Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has supported Won by One to Jamaica and our staff over the summer. Everything that we have been able to do this summer would not have been done without you. I am thankful to each of the groups who have come down and am so thankful to have had the opportunity to meet you all. Finally I am thankful to have had this wonderful opportunity to be in Harmons for the summer, and to become part of this community. To all of my friends here in Harmons I am not saying ‘Goodbye’, but rather ‘Later’.

Love,
Michael

So long sweet summer...I stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays

Hello again everyone!!

This is probably the last blog I will ever write again in my life. Exciting eh? My time here in Harmons is running short. We have about a week and a half left until we fly home and its back to the real world. (I already know that I will be crying a few times a day). But as time is winding down I find myself preparing myself for the switch. I have learned recently something big about myself: I begin to separate myself from people and places when I know I have to leave soon. Although I have noticed this, it is something I plan to work on. I refuse to leave this place with relationships closing down and refuse to let myself become unassembled with this community. Even if that means leaving with half my heart here, I know that the last week of my time spent here will not be half, but whole-hearted.
Thank you all for your continued prayer, support, and love. I am very excited to tell you all about my summer and everything I learned and experienced. But, I am also excited to open another chapter of my life and learn and grow from those experiences. No matter what happens or what comes my way, Harmons will always be home and hold a large part of my heart.

Lovelovelove,

Krista

Hooray Jamaica!

Hey guys and gals,
Wow…pretty crazy that the summer’s already coming to a close. Our last group from Mecklenburg Community Church is here right now and then we have four days as a staff to say goodbye to all our friends from the summer. The team is a mixture of 18 students and adults, so it’s really intimate and personal. One really exciting thing about this week is that my parents are here!!! They’ve watched me and my sister come down for five years now, and finally get to experience everything themselves and meet all my Jamaican friends. So far everything’s been sweet; I’ve gotten to work with my dad twice at a house and a foundation and my mom got to go to the store and infirmary for a full day. I’m really excited for the rest of the week and think it’ll be a growing week for all of us personally and together.
Another really exciting thing that happened recently was that Michael and I got to stay in Harmons this past weekend. We got up early to say goodbye to Carmel on Saturday then slept in a lot more. Then we found Pops, Tarraine, Kashka, and Little John and headed up to visit Mr. Reed in John Robinson. He lived a while in England and we talked about everything from his farm, car, house, technology, jobs, smoking, God, and everything in between. After that, we walked back and played regular and French dominoes with Barry, Pops, Bull, and Kashka. Then, we made a glorious dinner for 8 awesome Jamaicans (most of them previously mentioned) of macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, bread, and kool-aid. It was great to serve them and we had some great conversation. Afterwards we played drug dealer and mafia, and then we watched Batman Begins. Tarraine and Barry fell asleep. Later that night Michael and I cleaned upstairs in our boxers because no one else was at the house and we felt like it. The next morning, we went to the Open Bible Church in Green Pond with Pops which was very enjoyable. Then we watched the Harmons cricket team play the all stars of every other team from their league because they won the tournament. Hung out with Danika, Rashan, and Lamar. After that the team got here and I went with Suma to pick up my parents in Kingston.
Anyways, it’s going to be a bitter sweet week and a half or so. Definitely not ready to leave, but I’m starting to get ready for a tough transition and the next stage of my life. Please pray for my week with my parents here. Pray that my last days with Jamaicans would be meaningful and that we’d finish strong. Thanks again all you students who are reading this who have come this summer! I loved getting to know you and serve with you. You guys ministered to us just as much as we were able to do for you. Hope everyone has a great end to their summers. Adios!
John