Mission #30 - has begun! Linden, Guyana

After months of planning, our 30th mission trip has begun.  Last evening our initial team of 21 left on an overnight flight to Guyana.  At this time, 21 sleep deprived people should be on their way to Linden to discover what their accommodation will be like after a surprise cancellation by our original Inn (reversing a writtencontract).  I'm sure by this evening, the team members will be happy for somewhere flat to lay down and rest up for an exciting first day at the worksite tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for the teams ability to refine the accommodation to meet their needs for the next three weeks, for the termites to decide that the building we are working on tastes completely awful for the next 30 years, for delivery of materials on time and on budget, an ongoing spirit of joy among the team members amidst long work days, and for everyones health and safety.

Wifi access may not be as available as in past years, so updates may be periodic - but we will take any opportunities to update this site as often as possible.

Some of the before pictures from Joel's fact-finding trip in the fall:

Antigua Planning

Our planning and information meeting had a great turn out including several new faces.

Due to limited accommodation space, we look forward to receiving your completed applications as soon as possible - to those who brought them with you, an extra special thank you! ... And for anyone with questions, feel free to post them here or email me directly!

Below are a few pictures of the buildings we will be working on:

Antigua Planning

Our planning and information meeting had a great turn out including several new faces. 

Due to limited accommodation space, we look forward to receiving your completed applications as soon as possible - to those who brought them with you, an extra special thank you! ... And for anyone with questions, feel free to post them here or email me directly!

Below are a few pictures of the buildings we will be working on:

Mission Information Afternoon - October 14/18

For anyone interested in joining us, or who might just want more information about this years project, please feel free to join us for our Information Afternoon on Saturday October 14th, 2018.

Location:  60 Scarsdale Rd, North York ON

Time: 3:00-4L30ish

If you are not in the GTA and would like to join us via Skype (or another method you may suggest) please contact Laurie directly (laurie_mcarthur@hotmail.com) so we can coordinate this!

Mission 2017 - Antigua!!!

We are at it again... another year, another mission trip! We have had a few proposals this year, but at the present time, it looks like Antigua will be the most likely place we will end up.

In addition to seeking your prayers for God to direct our plans and work, we would really like to know if you may be joining us this year. We are NOT asking for a firm commitment at this time, but we do need to have a general idea so that we can source appropriate accommodation and transportation.

The basic details are as follows:

Location: 

Most likely Antigua (possibly Suriname)

Work: 

There are two projects that we will be evaluating: a) Repairs and refurbishing of the old quarters at the All Saints Corps, with the idea of using it as a multi purpose hall for Youth meetings or Women's Ministries activities; and b) An extension to a structure and fencing of a property at Table Hill where we have a Sunday School, which now meets in the yard of a resident. With the extension this can be used as a Community Centre.

Probable Dates: 

Sat Feb 4 - Sun Feb 19, 2017

Cost: 

Not yet determined. Although we are striving to keep costs to a similar level as previous years, Antigua is a more costly destination and it may be slightly higher than last years trip.

Thank you for your prayerful consideration of this project. As we need to make some firm commitments for accommodation in the next few weeks, could you quickly reply with your thoughts on participating this year now?

:)

PS If you know anyone who may be interested in this trip, but has not participated in previous years trips, please feel free to forward this message and my contact information!

2016 Mission to Windsor Lodge Children's Home (Jamaica)

Windsor Lodge is a home to 51 children in Mandeville Jamaica, operated under the administration of Major Jacqueline Palmer and her caring staff. This year, our small team of nine was challenged to assist with renovations to the building that generally houses the older children, as well as make a few minor repairs to the building where the younger children live.

This year the team was able to accomplish:

• -          Replacement of approximately 2100’ of floor tile ourselves and funds were left for another 1200 to be completed after our departure.
• -          Installation of 14 new doors to the children’s bedrooms and bathrooms.
• -          Repair and replacement of many more doors and locks on the doors
• -          Painting of the kitchen, dining area, 18 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, as well as a feature wall in the entrance
• -          Plumbing repairs to add P traps so sewer gases would no longer enter the living areas through the bathroom fixtures.
• -          Contracting a repairman to address the issues related to stopping leaks in the skylight.
• -          Miscellaneous repairs and replacement of mirrors, towel bars and tissue holders in the bathrooms

Guyana Mission 2015 - A brief summary

So another Mission has come and gone... and not a blog post during the trip! A lot of work and a few less hands than usual made that difficult. Many of the daily picture updates by other team members were shared on our 'Mission to Guyana 2015' Facebook page, but now it is time to summarize our work here!  We were also written about in the Guyana Chronicle (click to activate link)

 

 

 WORTMANVILLE CORPS AND SENIOR LADIES RESIDENCE

 

 

EXTERIOR:

Roof:
To repair roof leaks, sections of the roof, and entire ridge cap were replaced as well as the soffit and where necessary.

Siding:

Due to wood rot and termite damage, siding was replaced as necessary.

Stairs:

Entirely replaced both sets of stairs and landings leading to the 2^nd floor. Additionally, the rear landing was enlarged to also become a sundeck.

 

 

Concrete:

Replaced and supplemented the sidewalk and building foundation retaining wall, using 10 yards of concrete.

 

Windows:

Replaced and repaired as necessary.
 

 

Painting:

All wood inside and outside of this 6000 square foot building was painted using cheerful, vibrant colours.

 

INTERIOR:

Structural:

Jacked and levelled floors and walls and    support as possible to maintain building integrity.

 

Doors:

Replaced all individual unit doors and frames, plus entrance and exit doors on second floor accommodations, with associated hardware.