Ya Mon - Over fifty volunteers organized by Won by One to Jamaica, a non-profit Christian mission group, will be traveling to the mountain town of Harmons, Jamaica the last week of February. Rusty and Walker will be joining them. This is Rusty’s second trip and he is anxious to share the experience with all of us. Walker just happens to be the first.
For nearly twenty years the dedicated Won by One to Jamaica folks have impacted many lives. Not a minute is wasted, nor a penny squandered, as this well-oiled machine ministers in many ways to the Jamaican community. Building houses, teaching school, and offering medical assistance are a few examples.
Every American taking the trip packs two fifty-pound suitcases full of items needed by the people of Harmons. Every ounce is shared including the baggage; the workers return with only the clothes on their backs.
The list of needed items is extensive. A sewing machine will provide income for a mother and her family, brown and black school shoes will assist a child to attend school, and clean infant clothes will promote healthy babies.
Rusty and Walker are collecting things and it occurred to them to give up some of their stuff, instead of going to the Buy-it-All marts. This concept is reinforced in a book called The New Friars by Scott Bessenecker.
The author points out that third world children working fifteen hour days in clothing factories are making less than two U.S. dollars a day. Conversely, corporate CEOs enjoy eighty thousand dollars a day. Nearly half of the 2.8 billion workers in this world make less than two dollars a day. Buying cheap stuff (made by these workers) even if it is given back to them, perpetuates poverty.
A twenty minute film clip, www.storyofstuff.com, shows that 95% of what Americans buy ends up in the landfill within six months. When we reuse this stuff -- the prepackaging waste, the extraction of natural resources, and the factory pollutants are all reduced.
Ironically, we live in a world that is dying from both being stuffed and starved. We find ourselves overweight with homes filled with duplicate items especially clothing that would last us months, without even wearing the same thing twice in that time frame. In places like Jamaica, these hungry folks would do so much better given the tools, skills and knowledge to generate food and income without the influence of corporate America.
If you would like to simplify your life, consider giving away some stuff. The first century Christian church described in the book of Acts tells of Christ followers selling their possessions and giving to anyone in need.
Check out Quiet Creek Corner on www.quietcreekherbfarm.org for a complete list to lighten your load and help Rusty and Walker’s load up for their trip to Jamaica.
Please consider sending these used items (good quality):
1. Children’s clothing --#1 need
2. Black/brown heavy school shoes
3. Size sheets
4. Sewing machines in good working order
5. Infant clothing
6. Tape measures
7. Composition notebooks
8. Backpacks
Feel free to drop off at 93 Quiet Creek Lane, Brookville, PA 15825
For nearly twenty years the dedicated Won by One to Jamaica folks have impacted many lives. Not a minute is wasted, nor a penny squandered, as this well-oiled machine ministers in many ways to the Jamaican community. Building houses, teaching school, and offering medical assistance are a few examples.
Every American taking the trip packs two fifty-pound suitcases full of items needed by the people of Harmons. Every ounce is shared including the baggage; the workers return with only the clothes on their backs.
The list of needed items is extensive. A sewing machine will provide income for a mother and her family, brown and black school shoes will assist a child to attend school, and clean infant clothes will promote healthy babies.
Rusty and Walker are collecting things and it occurred to them to give up some of their stuff, instead of going to the Buy-it-All marts. This concept is reinforced in a book called The New Friars by Scott Bessenecker.
The author points out that third world children working fifteen hour days in clothing factories are making less than two U.S. dollars a day. Conversely, corporate CEOs enjoy eighty thousand dollars a day. Nearly half of the 2.8 billion workers in this world make less than two dollars a day. Buying cheap stuff (made by these workers) even if it is given back to them, perpetuates poverty.
A twenty minute film clip, www.storyofstuff.com, shows that 95% of what Americans buy ends up in the landfill within six months. When we reuse this stuff -- the prepackaging waste, the extraction of natural resources, and the factory pollutants are all reduced.
Ironically, we live in a world that is dying from both being stuffed and starved. We find ourselves overweight with homes filled with duplicate items especially clothing that would last us months, without even wearing the same thing twice in that time frame. In places like Jamaica, these hungry folks would do so much better given the tools, skills and knowledge to generate food and income without the influence of corporate America.
If you would like to simplify your life, consider giving away some stuff. The first century Christian church described in the book of Acts tells of Christ followers selling their possessions and giving to anyone in need.
Check out Quiet Creek Corner on www.quietcreekherbfarm.org for a complete list to lighten your load and help Rusty and Walker’s load up for their trip to Jamaica.
Please consider sending these used items (good quality):
1. Children’s clothing --#1 need
2. Black/brown heavy school shoes
3. Size sheets
4. Sewing machines in good working order
5. Infant clothing
6. Tape measures
7. Composition notebooks
8. Backpacks
Feel free to drop off at 93 Quiet Creek Lane, Brookville, PA 15825
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