Tour Leader’s Blog

Leaving Kingston, we drove up Beverly Hills to get a view of the harbor of the capital city of Jamaica. We drove through the city observing many government buildings. As we drove along the harbor, we learned about the Free Zone. Goods are brought here and manufactured, providing employment for Jamaicans, before being shipped back to the country of origin. Many Habitat for Humanity homeowners in Majesty Gardens worked in the Free Zone.

In Mandeville we visited the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf. We learned that deafness in Jamaica is diminishing. The cause historically was inter-marrying, meningitis and other diseases. This school, started by a Canadian, is interdenominational and serves all of Jamaica and some other Caribbean countries. It also is a trade school, assisting students to find employment.

At Mud Lake we learned about the bauxite industry. This industry historically was one of the largest employers in Manchester and the huge homes in Mandeville are witnesses to this. The plants are now dormant due to the low price of aluminum worldwide. There is speculation that one plant may be in the process of reopening.

Yesterday as we left Mandeville, we entered the parish of St. Elizabeth. Our first stop was Maranatha School for the Deaf, a program of the Jamaica Mennonite Church. Betsy Waldo has a 99-year-old friend in Pa. who many years ago volunteered to help construct the deaf church here. Precious, the principal, remembered Eber Burkholder. Betsy will take back her greetings. Marilyn Ferguson left some school supplies on behalf of the group. Precious reminded the group that the children need sponsors to cover the costs since many parents cannot afford to pay. Many sponsors come from the Virginia Mennonite Conference.

Our next stop was Malvern Chase in St. Elizabeth. This is the area were Ruth Burkholder’s grandfather was born as a son of a Plymouth Brethren missionary. Along the way we continued to ask the locals for directions.

We were directed to talk to Miss Beverly, the widow of a Plymouth Brethren pastor. Miss Beverly came on the bus and went with us to the current site of the congregation. She showed us the site where she is confidant Ruth’s great-grandfather would have preached, perhaps under a tree, “just around the corner.” We stopped and took photos. We were impressed that the gospel had been preached and an active faith community continues after more than 150 years.

We arrived at the Negril Tree House Resort in time to enjoy the beautiful beach and warm Caribbean Sea. The sunset was magnificent.

Today is a slower day with opportunity to unwind and relax and to sit quietly and reflect on all that we have experienced. We took a tour of Negril. At the lighthouse we had a tour and several climbed to the top. We saw the most westerly point of Jamaica.

Glenn, a 35-year-old Jamaican, showed us his sports skills by jumping 29 feet from the top of the cliff into the water. He said he has been doing this for 22 years. He collected many $1.00 tips after two jumps into the water.

Betsy was pleased to meet a friend from Pennsylvania, a Peace Corps worker who is taking a course in Negril.

Tomorrow we have to say goodbye to this wonderful country and our friend and driver-guide, Audley. We will go home with many wonderful memories. We will want to come again.

~ Wilmer Martin

On Sunday we worshipped with the Calvary Mennonite Church in Retreat. Following the service Pastor Smith thanked our group for coming. He said our presence was a blessing to their congregation. He offered a prayer asking God’s blessing and protection for our group. Anna Blanche and Betsy said,”What a joy it is to see how young people provide leadership.” It seemed as though the congregation purposefully and spontaneously looked to the youth for leadership in the service. We especially enjoyed Pastor Smith’s son singing a solo,“There will be Mountains to Climb.” It seemed as though the request came as a surprise to him which he responded to so meaningfully.
We visited Shirley’s Habitat for Humanity home at Three Hills. We were impressed with the beauty of this home built in 1995. Shirley was at work but her daughter Heather and granddaughter Tanya welcomed us. Shirley later stopped at the hotel to thank Wilmer and Janet for the visit and for the gifts. She also brought some of her delicious homemade coconut candy which was enjoyed by the group. At Lloyd’s pottery studio we admired the great selection of his craft. It looked as though everyone bought some of his pottery to take back home.
This year we visited Dunn’s River Falls by going on the glass-bottom boat. We first viewed the coral and then continued on to where the falls flow into the Caribbean Sea. Shirley Lancaster said that she and Jean Cameron had planned to climb the falls but thanked me that we could view the falls from the boat. “When I saw the falls, you made the right choice,” she said.
We enjoyed swimming at the beach and in the hotel hot tub and pool.
Ruth Howling was surprised when her friend Eunice came to visit her at the hotel. We invited her to join us for dinner. Jean Cameron and others sent her home with gifts. Ruth H. has been a friend and supporter for many years.

Yesterday we enjoyed fantastic scenery as we drove to the Blue Mountains to visit the James Dennis Coffee Plantation. Marilyn Ferguson was impressed how useful Audley’s PHD degree (Pot Hole Dodger) was. As he drove he sure put it to use as he dodged pot holes and made our ride as smooth as possible. Ruth Burkholder and Elfrieda Driedger enjoy talking with the locals along the way. Richard, the retired guide at the Castleton Gardens loved to respond to questions. He is so informed and enjoyed talking to our tour members.

We have great photos of the roasting and grinding of coffee. The coffee was delicious and many bags of Blue Mountain coffee are already in our suitcases.

Today, after visiting the capital city of Jamaica, we will depart Kingston for Mandeville. There is so much to see, smell, and taste. Jamaicans are so friendly and helpful. Audley, our driver-guide is so knowledgeable. He already has hundreds of friends across the US and Canada. There are now 15 more from this group to add to his list.

~ Wilmer Martin

Our Jamaica – Its People, Natural Beauty and Fruits tour arrived in beautiful Jamaica yesterday. We all agreed that the sunny 28C/89F was not very hard to accept.

Audley Nugent, our friend and regular driver/guide, was in top form and warmly welcomed us on our arrival in Montego Bay.

We were somewhat surprised when Tourism Jamaica told us that 58 planes and 2,000 tourists arrived in Montego Bay yesterday.
On our drive along the Caribbean Sea Audley gave us a lot of information about this beautiful Island. Its citizens originate from many countries. Audley says this is the reason for the beauty of the skin tones of the people as well as their motto, “Out of many, one people.”

For Ruth Howling this is like coming home since she has been here many times. It is Ruth Burkholder’s first visit and she looks forward to visiting the community in St. Elizabeth where her Grandfather was born in the 1860′s as a child of Plymouth Brethren missionaries.

We enjoyed our first delicious Jamaican dinner including pumpkin soup and red snapper fish at the Almond Tree Restaurant. In spite of a long day, the conversations around the tables were energetic as tour members became acquainted with each other.

Today we enjoyed walking through the farmers’ market which was very interesting. Janet was amazed how it has grown. We were told vendors also come from Kingston. Iona Shantz was pleased that she had purchased a cane in the straw market which helped in the walk.

We had traditional Jamaica meat patties for lunch at Mothers. Anne Reimer thought Wilmer oversold their value and Ruth B. thought he undersold their spicy taste. Many enjoyed the Island ice cream for dessert.

Following our drive through Fern Gully we were entertained by street actors on our drive from Shaw Park. Many photos and tips were given. Afterwards, Bob Kauffman gave the Fire Blower man with the donkey call $7.00 collected from the group. Audley said he will think he is in heaven. We all agreed their street performances were their way of making a living to feed their families. We commend them for their energy.

The free time to swim and relax with a book was enjoyed by all.

~ Wilmer Martin