Another quick update from the end of the world... really!

 

Captain Lynn Jones forwarded us links to pictures taken of Hanbury home so that we could get an idea of the scope of the work. Personally I think pictures don´t do roofing issues justice, but you can see water stains on the ceilings indicating somethings going on. Overall it looks like there will be plenty to keep us moving for two weeks.

 

http://bit.ly/WlIlOJ

 

http://bit.ly/Sgfyer

 

http://bit.ly/WlIyRU

 

http://bit.ly/R1Jcay

 

 

If the shortened links don´t work, please ask my Mom to forward the emails sent by Capt Jones directly -then you´ll have now problems.

 

  

Also... Once you have decided if you can participate in this mission, please email my Mom at shirley_n_bob@hotmail.com and cc me (laurie_mcarthur@hotmail.com) so that when it comes time to book airline seats we can ecure one for you.

  

Information we require to book airline seats includes:

• Name as it appears in passport
• DOB (for insurance purposes)
• Your time period (preferably both weeks - if you require a shorter time period we can consider this, but additonal transportation has to be worked out)
• The amount you have sent in by mail to my home address (on the application form) and if not the full donation, when the balance may be expected.

 .. and anything else I may have said in my previous email. I´m working on sleep deprivation and my brain is a little mushy...

  

That´s all for now... I stink at typing on foreign keyboards...

 

 

 

Laurie

Hi Everyone... to make it simple (maybe?) I have uploaded application forms to my online space with google... If you click on these links, you should have no difficulty accessing them. If you do, please let me know!



https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BUZfZ7K1vODouWFNR-z4Rw9ybCjkuAVhS_Iy1ugFE6I/edit

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B905HdExcDh2bVBHUXdjTFBXUEU
 

For all those who could not join us on Saturday, below is a brief summary of the status of this years' project. Please feel free to contact us with any additonal questions that you may have! If you are interested in this years trip - we cannot stress enough how important it is to let us know ASAP!

Opening Devotions:

Dave Reid kindly took on challenging the group with the challenge presented to each of us - “Help me, help you” and how knowingly or unknowingly, God has repeatedly challenged us to Help Him, help others and in turn help ourselves through participation in mission trips.

Project details:

Two projects were proposed for the teams consideration this year. The first project of building a quarters in Antigua was investigated by Joel and Ethan Turley in October. This is a major project that would have required a significant amount of work to be completed by local contacts in Antigua in a relatively short period of time so that the team would be able complete the project in our usual travel period. The existing building owned by the Army has been condemned and is currently being used as a thrift shop. The three officer couples stationed in Antigua all live in properties not owned by the Army so the residence is highly needed.

Unfortunately shortly after returning, Joel fell ill was hospitalized for a period of time. As he does not yet have medical clearance to travel and travel insurance requires a significant period of stability before he would be covered during a trip, we have had to accept the second proposed project for the team. The second proposal is focussed on addressing basic structural needs at the Hanbury Children’s Home in Mandeville Jamaica.

The Hanbury Home project needs are to replace the roof of the Babyland building and repair the roof on the Girls dorm. There are additional maintenance projects needed on the property and no doubt lots of painting projects that can be undertaken.

We have previously worked at Hanbury Home on previous trips, the most recent approximately 15 years ago.  The need is great, and the Army has an incredible challenge in meeting the needs of the children that call Hanbury “Home”. Although additional details on establishing our building contacts etc must be finalized, we believe that this is the project that we are being led to support this year.

Although the need in Antigua is great, we believe additional planning time will be beneficial and it will be considered again for another years project if THQ is in agreement.

 

Proposed Accommodation (not yet finalized):

 It is proposed that the team can stay at Windsor Lodge as it has enough space for the team and has cooking and dining facilities. Additional information will be forthcoming once this is confirmed.

Needs:

• Applications and donations towards mission expenses be sent ASAP
• Volunteers to be part of a social committee
• Skilled individuals willing to assist with driving
• Ongoing prayers to facilitate quick resolution to remaining questions to facilitate this new project

Application Forms and Mission Expenses:

If you have not yet received the application form by email, please contact Laurie McArthur at laurie_mcarthur@hotmail.com to request this. Team members are again being asked to commit to contributing a minimum of $1600.00 towards the project. It is requested that fees be sent with their application if possible. A minimum of $800 is required before flights may be booked.

Please submit your applications ASAP!!! If received before November 14^th, it will support the team leaders ability to secure flights in a timely and cost effective manner. If submitted after this time, your applications and funds will be held securely at Canada Post as my mail will be on hold until my (Laurie’s) return to Canada in December.

Because of this challenge in planning, please also email Shirley at Shirley_n_bob@hotmail.com letting her know that your COMPLETED application has been mailed, and how much of a deposit accompanies it. Monies will be remitted to THQ mid December and a tax receipt will be issued for 2012. Additionally to secure flights, she will need the following information from your application:

• Name as it appears on your passport
• Passport number
• Date of Birth
• Insurance policy number and/or permission to purchase insurance on your behalf (at additional personal expense)

 

Mission 2013

A quick announcement to let anyone interested know of the upcoming team information meeting to be held on November 3, 2012.

Date: Saturday November 3, 2012
Time: 2:00 - 5:00 pm
Meeting Location: The Salvation Army, North York Temple, 25 Centre Ave, North York
What to Bring: Lots of questions, calendar to discuss mission dates

Additional details will be posted on the Blog and Facebook pages following the meeting.

Looking forward to seeing everyone!
 

It is finished....

... well almost.

Everyone has returned home... safe and sound. Sadly not all of our luggage made it due to heavy winds. Liat omitted telling our group returning on Monday that their bags were left in St. Vincent - at least not until they landed in Barbados. Thankfully Air Canada has been helpful at it now appears most of the bags have either been returned to their owners, or are still sitting in the Toronto Airport.

It truly is amazing and beyond human explanations how everything was accomplished in a four week period. With the exception of a few details will be completed by local contractors in the next few weeks, a solid home for the children has been built and even furnished with bunk beds, mattresses, sofas, tables and chairs, appliances and linens - all provided through the generous donations of our extended mission team at home who were so helpful when we were gathering things for the container last November and December.

The days lost by the delayed container clearance and the weather were largely overcome by tremendous effort from all the team members and a number of late nights during the last week.

Major Antoine estimates the grand opening to occur later this month, and the children to begin to move in commencing April. We solicit your continued prayers that:
- the right staff are found to care for the children with sufficient compassion and understanding of the difficult circumstances they will come while attempting to build a new blended family.
- that the community who seemed quite excited about the project and receptive to the children's home, will also adopt the children as part of their community, and
- that the government officials who have promised operating funds for the facility follow through on their pledges.

Sadly the need for the home is great and this was made evident to even our youger team members when chatting with the local school children. They were full of questions about what we were building and why. One young girl asked many questions about who would live there, and how old they could be. Apparently she was living in an abusive situation, and was hoping that this might be a place for her. Our prayers go out to her and all of the other children who need a safe and loving home.

We must thank everyone again for their support - physically, financially, emotionally and prayerfully.... but most of all we must be thankful for Phillipians 1:6  (the Message) "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish."

We know the building is only the beginning. Each of the lives that pass through the doors will be another new beginning. May they know the love of hundreds of Canadians who invested in their future in many different ways, and may the know that the love of God is even greater!

Last Day... work day at least!

Today... just a quick note and apology for not updating over the last few days.

We saw our first group leave today. 14 are on their way 'home' although a piece of their hearts will likely always remain with the group and the land of St. Vincent.

For the rest of us.. it's one more official work day. Time to touch up all those last spots (pouring rain please stop soon!), install the toilets and finish the kitchen and tiling. No pressure :-)

The last few days have seen some late nights (10 pm or so). Iwas going to post a 'typical' day... but they certainly haven't been that recently.

Don passed on his pictures to me yesterday, so I'll try and compile a slide show and post it on the blog during the next week so you can see the progress - especially if you couldn't access the Facebook pictures. Although I've only been here 2 weeks, the change has been amazing. For those who have been here the entire 4 weeks, it must truly be an awesome experience to see what has been achieved.

Anyways.. van will be back soon... gotta go! Maybe a final pic can be posted tonight... before our 4am departure... ugh!

4 days more...

On a hot day, with only a few sun showers, several more tasks were accomplished:

• The roof is ON!
• The installation of the ceilings and wiring continues. Once we have power, we can work even later to finish up the tasks... until then, when darkness falls, most of us must stop.
• The outside walls have been painted
• The windows are in, and many of the window sills have been completed.
• The base of the septic system was poured so tomorrow they can build the rest of it.
• Doors are beginning to be hung
• and more and more painting...if it doesn't move, it will be painted by weeks end!

One final note,

One of our team members was speaking with one of our very quiet masons today. She asked if he enjoyed working with our team. He said he enjoyed it very much. He liked the feeling of being proud in what he was building and working with the group. It is rewarding to know that they  have understood our efforts to make them a part of the overall group, and that they understand and share the passion for our work.

Good night everyone!

PS The link to Don's Facebook pictures is:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150614966641738.406033.508111737&type=3&l=3ce100a97e

5 days and counting...

5 days to go!

Things are moving along... with lots still to accomplish, today saw some noteable accomplishments.
- The first half of the roof is on!
- All walls, inside AND out, have been parged (top coated with a smooth finish). The cement mixers have earned an evening of rest after trying to keep up with 7 masons!
- Painting has commenced in earnest on the walls. As soon as they are dry enough from being parged, they find themselves covered in paint. Waterfall is the colour for the boys rooms and Eggplant (a lavender colour) has been chosen for the girls.
- 2/3rds of the electrical conduit is laid and wires pulled through the walls
- 4 windows are now installed!
- Some of the guys are still working installing some of the ceilings so the incredible amount of tile work can commence first thing tomorrow.
- the interior doors arrived and have been primed to be ready for installation.

As always, Don Halsey has been snapping away. The following are links to his pictures over the lat few days. They are marked to be available to the public, but should they not work, I will attempt to include a few of the images below as well.

Monday Feb. 20, 2012 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150612303056738.405685.508111737&type=3&l=87ee3d1a8d

Sunday Feb. 19, 2012   https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150609725891738.405307.508111737&type=3&l=d43d463aa7
 & https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150609801646738.405318.508111737&type=3&l=deab90b24a

Saturday Feb 18, 2012 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150607236236738.404923.508111737&type=3&l=5f4ef7b14f

An update in images.

A few more pictures to show the progress. Things are moving along! 7 work days to go!

Finishing the `belt`

Rafters in, roof next.. then onto the ceilings! No roof does not stop the painters tho`...

Making cement never ends! 

 `

The girls on cement duty during the rain.

For Don Halsey's daily image update, click on this link;

http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10150604749966738.404664.508111737&type=1

Thanks for the sunshine :-)

It was a beautiful (and hot) day!

Alot was accomplished, and of course there is still more to do, but, a few major things were finished today:
- the top 'belt' line was completed and some of the wood has been started on the roof
- two rooms have the rafters installed... ceilings are next!
- almost all of the inside walls are parged... another day or so and they'll be done
- another 50 bags of cement arrived, making us worry how much more there is to do, but having bags on hand is so much better than running out and having work grind to a halt!
- our painting leader Terry has arrived! Although he missed another day of work, he has come for the most necessary part of the trip for our paint team.
- more wood was painted and primed, and moved, and moved, and moved again... ugh! This really should have been in the fine print :-)

Don's latest photos have been uploaded to:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150599624246738&set=a.10150599623331738.404177.508111737&type=1#!/media/set/?set=a.10150602142181738.404397.508111737&type=1

If you are having any problems seeing these pictures, please let us know via the comment button and I'll try and upload a few selected images directly to the blog. When we have better bandwidth, I'll try and upload a slideshow as well so that you can see the project from start to finish...

Finish... what a happy word... although this project is not yet finished, we will continue to work to when we can finally say... It is finished! Welcome home little ones :-)

Rain Rain Go Away.... AGAIN!

Another day of rain :-(

So much for painting outside... why not go inside? 'Cause there is no inside yet! But soon.. very soon.. we will start on the roof. Good thing too, T minus 9 work days or so...

Everyone is definitely feeling the pressure of the amount of work left yet to do, but also are grateful for how much has been accomplished. As much of the wood has been primed and painted as is humanly possible so that when it is installed high up in the ceiling, only simple touchups will be required... we will just be running around those installing the wood with wet wipes to keep their hands clean... if that were only possible!

All of the bricks in the walls are laid, the tops of the windows have been poured and we are now working on the 'belt' around the top. It is close to half way done.. then we can start building the roof! The inside walls are being parged (?sp?) and it is looking really great (with only a bit of imagination!)

Once the masons are done with the parging, the painters can attack the walls and begin sealing and painting them. Can't wait to start!!!

For a link to Don Halsey's pictures from today, click on the following:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10150599623331738.404177.508111737&type=1

More pictures...

One of our team members has been uploading pictures to Facebook as well. Don Halsey has sent me links to these images which I am copying below. Please try these links. As our internet connection is up and down, I will try to upload a few pics directly to the blog over the next few days... In the meantime, try looking at Don's photos at:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150591639636738.403363.508111737&type=3&l=1a29abfe81

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150591655771738.403364.508111737&type=3&l=0adf3efcde

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150594338966738.403648.508111737&type=3&l=9329d323a7

St. Vincent - First Two Weeks

Click on the picture below to see an online photo album of the first two weeks progress! This will launch a Picassa Web photo album. There is a slideshow feature on the top left navigation bar for the pictures... Enjoy!

The tour....

What looks simple on paper apparently may not end up that way...

Much like Gilligan and his crew, the teams flights yesterday met a few challenges along the way that resulted in an extra detour (via St. Lucia) for a few.... but in the end all arrived safe and sound .. in body and mind (for the most part!).

The island, in the dark, was impressive. The trip from the aiport in the A.C.3 experienced the joys of the hills and switchback roads ... lots of oohing and aahing.. and the occasional "oh my" as we made a quick turn in an overloaded vehicle with a Canadian driving on the wrong side of the road.

Again.. we all survived!

The trip from the airport also included a drive by of the worksite. Amazing progress has been made. The walls ARE going up! Although we have been delayed by rain and customs officials and lost probably 3-4 work days... they have been able to catch up somewhat...but there is lots more to go!

Will try to add more pictures of the progress shortly!

week 3 reinforcements are on the way!

week 2 - the walls are getting higher

Despite several days of rain holding up pouring the floor, the walls are finally going up! The goal is to have the outside walls up so we can start on the doors and windows next week.  Here is the latest picture forwarded by Al...

Rain, rain, go away!!!

Enough rain already!

On Monday half of the floor was poured. Unfortunately the weather ever since has been uncooperative and has delayed the pouring of the second half. We REALLY need the rain to stop! The plumbing and electrical supply have been roughed in, and are ready to go....We need to pour the floor so we can start building walls!

Todays forecast is decent, followed by a few more days of rain. So much for the "dry" season!

We will hope everyone has a surge of energy today to make the most of todays dry times!

Week 1 Summary in Pictures

The week 1 crew has made significant strides to laying the foundation. The floor is ready to be poured on Monday and Tuesday using a cement pumper truck. The availability of this truck is truly a gift which will be essential in successfully pouring all the concrete we will need in this project.

The second week reinforcements have safely arrived, and the four returning team members had one final ride in the truck which apparently is earning the nickname the A.C.3 (ask past mission members what this may stand for :-)  ).  The roads are a little scary - so please continue to pray for safety for all travelling!

Thanks again for your continued prayerful support... hopefully we may have a story or two and/or some pictures to pass along from the returning team members soon.

Laying the Footings

Can you 'dig' it

The most advanced concrete delivery system in 20+ years... truly Awesome!!!

Smoothing it out

The ground breaking ceremony and the local news coverage.

We`ll take this as a promise!

Laying the first blocks

Sitting down on the job

Ready to pour the floor.... on Monday!

Day five... Blocks Blocks and more Blocks

Progress IS being made!

The footings are in, and the blocks are being laid to prepare for the pouring of the floor....The floor will hopefully be poured on Monday or Tuesday next week.. then.. the walls! Below is a picture sent of one of this years 'newbies'... great look Al (or this John?)!!! .... Tell me.. are the showers really cold?

If you are viewing the blog and would like to add a comment to encourage the team, please feel free to do so! They too are checking the blog... and would be thrilled to hear from you... our extended team!

The end of Day 4 ...

Another update from St. Vincent... prayers are being answered... and the work has finally found it's "footings" (building related pun sadly intended)....

From Shirley:

"Yesterday, the Lumber and plywood...all 27,000 pounds of it was moved from the shipping container to the storage container....back breaking work, lots of tired men with sore backs and muscles


·         Footings were poured  (hooray!)


At the Camp, I unpacked the food boxes, and bedding boxes and started the huge job of putting everything in order and trying to find a sensible place to stash it. The problem of not much food (before Container clearance) has now become...where to store a 4 week supplies of basic staples for 44 hungry people. Fortunately the kitchen, dining, chapel area (all connected)is pretty spacious.


Nellie and Juanita went grocery shopping yesterday, and it took 4 hours... We enjoyed a delicious supper of potato wedges, tossed salad and 'mission pie'....the usual mix of instant mashed potatoes, onion, mashed corned beef and canned corn. It really was tasty!


The kitchen is very well lit, clean and bright. The frig is pretty small, and very old...not much storage space there, but there is a large, efficient chest freezer, where we store our sandwiches so they can eat safely at the work site.. (No complaints YET of sandwich popsicles. It is warm enough for them to thaw by lunch time...)
I haven't heard about how it is working but the Seniors centre next to the work site is giving us the use of their toilet facilities (hooray again!)...since the building site is a vacant lot.


We have a washing machine installed now at the Camp (one that was donated to the Salvation Army) and the wash loads of dirty work clothes have begun. It is a lot better than doing it by hand in a tiny sink. And I am glad that this is something that I can do.


This afternoon at 4:00 PM there will be the official 'Ground Breaking Ceremony'...and I think that we ladies will attend. Should be interesting as I am sure some government officials will be there, since they donated the land. The newspapers carried news about 17 Canadians coming to build the Children's Home."

Back to Laurie...

Apparently there is a hilarious video of the men trying to cut lumber with a locally purchased hand saw... that only cut backwards ?!? We will HAVE to figure out how to add it to the blog at a future date! Bandwidth limitations may sadly limit this until we are all home.

That's all for tonights update. Hope to share more news and stories soon...

Settling in... and reminders to PRAY !!!

But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.  Acts 12:5 (NLT)

The GOOD news.. the team is coming together and no one is in jail! New friendships are being formed, and old ones renewed.

The BAD news... There were challenges in planning the mission, and most were resolved with lots of prayerful support... That..and a bit of tenacity from our fearless leaders... But in these early days of the mission, a few urgent issues needing prayerful support to make sure we can keep the project on a timeline that will enable completion are:

• THE CONTAINER - Despite all the plans, clearances provided in advance, the container has still not been released as they are insisting on even MORE paperwork. This has resulted in NOT having access to our building materials, tools, food and other supplies desperately needed to keeping on our greatly restricted timeline. Pray for a quick resolution so our time lines slip no further!
• THE BANK - Oddly the bank has been less than supportive with exchanging our money!?! Perhaps they have never met crazy Canadians with dreams of accomplishing projects that would normally take a year. Whatever the reason... their partnership is essential with enabling us to access the currency to purchase local materials and supplies. Pray for a change of attitude and willingness to work together!
• THE WATER SUPPLY - not the greatest of our worries, but due to the challenges above, our water supply didn't make it to camp. Boiling water is an alternative, but is a considerable inconvenience. Pray for the teams health until this is resolved!

A short excerpt from  "Outlive your life" by Max Lucado:

The church still faces her Goliaths. World hunger. Clergy scandal. Stingy Christians. Corrupt officials. Pea-brained and hard hearted dictators. Peter in prison is just the first of a long list of challenges too big for the church.

So our Jerusalem ancestors left us a strategy. When the problem is bigger than we are - we pray! "But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him" (Acts 12:5 NLT).

They didn't picket the prison, petition the government, protest the arrest or prepare for Peter's funeral. They prayed. They prayed as if prayer was their only hope, for indeed it was. They prayed "very earnestly for him." (pg 156-157)

Knowing this, WE WILL have better news and more pictures to post soon! ... just pray :-)

We're Here...Week one begins!

The team of 14 men and 3 (brave) women have arrived safely and problem free! Sorry I forgot to take a picture at the airport, but hopefully they will be able to send a few photos by email and we will using this blog to keep our friends and family updated from the projects start to completion. Beyond the work, we hope there will be a few stories to share along the way... of joys and accomplishments, as well as some of the trials and tirbulations.

On this day of rest, the team had a rare opportunity for a swim within walking distance of our camp 'home'. Of course we know that this opportunity will be one of few the team will see for the next month... so it was appreciated all that more! Surprisingly (?) an ice cream truck also found the team... let's hope they see the potential profit in visiting us regularly :-)

The weather has been varied... so far it looks like there is no snow in the forecast, however they have experienced rain, and with that a bountiful harvest of mosquitos! Let's pray that the rain is cooperative with all the cement work involved with this project.

Tomorrow the work begins! Pray for safety, strength, and patience as we undertake:

• receiving delivery of our container shipped in December and praying that the government may reconsider a surprise tax imposed on its`contents - even after a waiver was received well in advance!
• unpacking and storing the contents of the container
• setting up the kitchen to keep everyone healthy and full of energy
• re-establishing the business contacts set up last fall that we are dependent upon for timely delivery of our materials.
• confirming safe transportation for our daily needs
• finishing clearing of the land and building the footings leading to the laying of the foundation

Finally, thanks to all who support us and our families at home.... you too are remembered daily as equal members of the team.  We know that without your support, this project would not be possible. We hope you follow these updates and share in our accomplishments and challenges.

St.. Vincent Mission - February 2012

This coming February 2012, at the request of the Caribbean Salvation Army Headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, the St. Vincent government and the Salvation Army in St. Vincent, a group of approximately 40 volunteers from The Salvation Army in Canada will travel there to construct a 2400 square foot home for children in Buccament. A local architect, is preparing the plans for the St. Vincent government approval, and we will be purchasing building materials and food for our team in St. Vincent, renting accommodation and transportation as well as hiring some local construction workers to assist us in the building.

This project is entirely funded by the team members, who pay all expenses of the mission. Needless to say, this is a sacrificial offering, and one that involves a lot of hard work, but brings much satisfaction to know that vulnerable children will be given a good home.

19 Days and Counting

Time is flying by and in 19 days our first group of volunteers will be leaving to literally lay the foundations for our project this year.

Check back here as we will attempt to update the site regularly with updates on the project.