| Service Tour to Sunny Jamaica (with Habitat for Humanity) |
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January 13 - 20, 2007
with tour leader David Worth
This mid-winter service vacation to the warm, sunny, friendly island of Jamaica includes an opportunity to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. There is a lot to see, do and learn. We won't have time for everything so we'll have to choose. The history and culture of Jamaica is fascinating. We'll hear about the Rastafarians, the Maroons in Cockpit country, the slave days, the battle at Rio Neuvo and much more. The country's motto is "Out of Many, One People." Understanding more about the people helps one to appreciate and love them. Each evening we will look forward to a delicious Jamaican meal. The twilight hours will pass all too quickly as we relax together by talking, singing, telling stories, swimming or playing games. There will be time to soak up some of that warm sun and swim in the Caribbean or the hotel pool. The warm weather, the beautiful foliage, flowers and birds will make this a winter break to be remembered. Saturday, January 13: TourMagination will help you arrange your flight to Montego Bay, obtaining the most economical flight available. Audley Nugent, our driver-guide for the week, will meet us at the Montego Bay Airport with his bus. We will enjoy the three-hour drive along the North Coast to the Galina area to the Galina Breeze Resort, idyllically situated overlooking the azure Caribbean waters, which will be our home for the week and the hub of our activities. We will enjoy our first evening dinner of authentic Jamaican food. Sunday, January 14: This morning we want to worship with our Jamaican brothers and sisters at the Calvary Mennonite Church in Retreat. The Mennonite churches in Jamaica are about 40 years old. The service will be celebrative and the fellowship will be warm. Climbing Dunn's River Falls with a Jamaican guide is an unforgettable and exciting experience. Traveling through Fern Gully on a road built on a dry river bed is a beautiful drive. Over 80 species of ferns grow here. Monday, January 15: Today will be a work day at a Habitat for Humanity project with one of the affiliates on the north coast. You will enjoy meeting and working alongside the homeowners and other Jamaicans as our group helps to build a home with a family in need. Tuesday, January 16: We will take a day to do some sightseeing. This may be the day to visit the Ocho Rios craft market to haggle for a straw hat, dress, Jamaican musical instrument or whatever crafted item strikes your fancy. If the weather is good, we may want to have some time at the beach soaking up the sun and enjoying the warm water of the Caribbean Sea. Our schedule will be determined daily from a whole range of options available to us depending on the weather forecast. The temperature can be expected to remain within three degrees of 28°C or 83°F during the day and cooler at night. Wednesday January 17: We will put in another work day at the Habitat site. Closer to tour time, we will have more details and inform you what tools you need to bring for the project. Spouses who do not feel they can work on the project can have a relaxing day at Galina Breeze Resort (other options may also be available). Thursday & Friday, January 18 & 19: We will take time for the things we haven't done yet. Perhaps we will visit a Jamaican primary school, take another trip to the beach, visit a local potter or take Audley's plantation tour. There will be many options for these two days. Friday, January 20: All too soon we will need to pack our bags and return to Montego Bay for our flights north. But before we go and if our flight schedules permit, Audley will tour us around Montego Bay and show us some of that city. You will return with an appreciation for the Jamaican people-their friendliness, their struggles and hopes. Your Tour Leader David Worth is presently the director of Constituency Ministries for Mennonite Central Committee in Akron, Pennsylvania. He has served many years with MCC and spent a year coordinating Habitat for Humanity projects in Jamaica. His love for the Jamaican people and their country will be evident as he leads this tour. For further information regarding the complete tour fare, please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . We would be happy to be of assistance. |
