Summing It Up - The YAM 2015 Team Reflects on Antigua

New Families, New Games, New Memories

Anna Jensen writes:

This morning began with my family (Jill’s Family) doing devotion. We decided to perform a skit about materialism. We then set out on an educational tour of the island, including a stop at a fort and a quick history lesson. We got lunch at “The Big Banana” which was great but Tyler and I didn’t get our food. Then we dispersed into family groups for shopping for our family and church. Currently we are playing "Kenyan mouse nail” a game derived from Egyptian Rat Screw, but with more rules. Every 10 minutes or so we remind each other that we leave tomorrow and all agree that refusing to leave and staying an extra week is the best choice. Karla requires me to include her name before I finish writing, so here.

Changing Me for the Better

Shamar Green writes:

First in my blog I’m going to talk about how last night I made a new friend in Antigua from who I think is a really cool guy. I am really enjoying my time in Antigua. I feel good about what we are doing in Antigua from building our relationship with each other, from helping building the church at Baster and at Gilbert. I’m happy that this trip is changing me for the better. I have made lifelong friends on this trip that I can look for when I’m down or in trouble. These guys and girls are like my brothers and sisters. OLEANDER

About Those Donkeys...

Randy Pringle writes:

This trip so far is fun, I met many new friends. We have to wake up early in the morning, eat breakfast and go to our work site. I’m used to waking up early in the morning because I got to get up at 5:45am for school. Coming to Antigua is a good experience because it was the birthplace of John Wesley’s Methodist teaching in the Americas. The first work site my group began to work at was Gilbert memorial. I didn’t like it at all. It had donkey droppings on the floor grounds. Every stop I took there was donkey dropping. I felt uncomfortable walking around the field. The second work site was Baster Methodist Church. It was good because it was no doodoo and it was mostly in the shade.

The Best Birthday Ever!

Michael Sibley-Prusak writes:

Coming on this was the most amazing experience of my life so far. I’ve made lots of new friend’s and made soooooo many new and awesome memories. I don’t want to leave, I don’t think anyone does. The memories I’ve made there will stay with me forever. It makes me sad when I realize that I won’t see any of these people again. Or at least not for a long time. I think I laugh the most and the hardest I ever have with these new friends. My squad/crew of me, Cameron and Jerami had the most fun EVER! after we found that we all share the same personality and all bonded so well. My bros, Presley, Joe, Jerami, John, Justin, Eriq and Matt. Then my girls, Cameron, Kyleigh, Tyler, Jess, Hanna, Sydey, Imama. I’ll miss the times we had together and hope I’ll be able to hang out with all of them again. ANYWAY, this trip was AMAZING!! The views were absolutely breath taking. I took as many pictures as possible. Swimming with the sting rays was a once in a life time experience that I am so happy I got to be part of. My birthday cake that totally shocked me when I saw it. My birthday here was the best one I have ever had. I love being here and I didn’t want to leave. If only pictures were like portals, I’d jump right into each and everyone everyday. Working with Bobby was the Best. Working up on the roof was so fun. Bobby gave me loss of life lessons, like how the last one could kill you. We get to pick coconuts from the trees and drink the water inside. I’ve learned so much and I enjoyed every second of the work we did. I wish I could come back. This past week was a dream that I lived in reality. I loved this trip. I don’t want to leave yet. Just one more week PLEASE. I love it here. The work was so accomplishing and I think I’ve left my mark.

Getting of the Dust

Jon Lohutko writes:

I feel as if I peak for everyone. When I say this trip has undoubtedly reached the “transforming” stage. Our chaperones, Youth, and religious leaders have all united in the boiling point in this stage of our faith journey. With Antigua acting as our figurative teapot. I feel as if my character has drastically developed with this trip acting as a catalyst. The friendships I’ve made on this excursion will last longer than I can ever imagine. As far as the members of 2015’s YAM group go, I’m sure as the dust settles from the quake that his trip was, a new refined more perfect group of future youth leaders will rise.