A Closer Look at Our Team

Thursday's Vacation Bible Schools has come and gone. It was especially hot today, but that didn't keep the students from sharing the plan of salvation with each member of their color group. It was encouraging to see and hear as they shared the tract called "The Bridge." Seeds were planted and many children prayed to received Christ as Lord of their life. We will let your students tell you in person about how their particular group went. Tonight they are at the orphange and Jessica and Dena stayed behind to update the blog (and rest a little). So we want to leave you with a few facts about the Jamaica 2010 Team.

20 students - 10 girls and 10 guys
5 returned for 2nd time and 15 are new
3 graduates, 12 seniors and 5 juniors
2 sets of first cousins (Leslie & Gordon) (Caleb & Elliott)
1 set of brothers (Daniel & David)
8 of the teens have had at least one older sibling attend a previous Jamaica missions trip (Courtney, Paul, Mitch, Ryan, Kelly, Rachel, Arianna & Haley)

THE GUYS OF TEAM JAMAICA 2010 – A few comments about the guys in general: This is probably the POLITEST group of guys we’ve ever had in one place at one time. They are very respectful, pleasant and easy to be around. They can carry on conversations with adults and children. They have ALL been EXTREMELY hard working and there has been no complaining. So KUDOS to you, parents!! Your hard work is paying off. Even if you don’t see it all the time, it comes through when it really counts. J

Now, a few words about each one specifically….

CALEB MUNGER – Coming for the first time as a graduate, Caleb has been just what we expected…solid and faithful. Give him a task and he does it. Hard work is in his blood and it shows. We’ve seen the “funnier” side of Caleb, as well, as he likes to make faces when he sees the camera coming in his direction. We are soo glad he was able to be a part of team Jamaica this year.

DAVID KOLIS is another first time graduate, since his knee surgery kept him from coming last year. David is calm and steady and we really appreciate his “deeper” comments during our sharing time. We’ve also learned that David has quite the “rhythm” when singing along with the VBS songs.

GORDON RUSSELL is a second year returnee to Jamaica and this year we are depending on him as our guitar player. He brings it on the bus, to our share times, to the churches, infirmary and orphanage. Basically everywhere we go! I don’t know how he can read the music and play it on that bumpy bus going up the mountain, but he does. This year he is a natural with the children and has been a great example to all the new guys.

PAUL WOODSON has been a blessing on his first trip here, as he is our main “tech” guy. He took his assignment very seriously and gets right on the set-up and tear-down at each VBS. He also looks for ways to interact with the children whenever he can. We enjoy his friendly spirit and all his many questions!

RYAN HATFIELD – Also, Ryan’s first year here, he has taken over the “RAY SMITH” seat on the bus…the very front seat next to Chris the driver! Although he chose it in order to avoid getting car sick, I think he enjoys the view and observing all the crazy driving habits of the Jamaicans. It seems as though Ryan has been here before because he just knows what to do. He is always where he should be doing what he should and he never had to be told. We enjoy his easy going personality and are glad he’s a part of the team.

MITCHEL ESSIAN is our only other returnee guy and he has been a positive leader. He definitely knows how to relate to the many different ages of the children at VBS. His family experiences show his expertise in dealing with kids and relating to them on their level. He goes and goes and goes with tons of energy and then makes good use of his lunch time by eating fast and running up to take a 20 minute “power nap.” Smart guy!

PETER RELPH has been nothing but a huge blessing this week. His job of opening each VBS with a skit required that he wear jeans, long-sleeve shirt and a cowboy hat, but he just keeps drinking his jug of water and not complaining. He is compassionate and kind to the children and is another one who is just “natural” with the Jamaicans. We appreciate his friendly smile and his happy demeanor!

ELLIOTT ACKERMAN is a natural leader, there’s no question to it! You’d never know he is a first-timer and one of the youngest in the group. If there is a “lull” to anything, Elliott has a game or idea or just takes charge of it. It really has been exciting to see. He never just “sits” around – that boy is always moving. He did an awesome job sharing the plan of salvation during Thursday’s group time and is really good with the children. If we wanted something said to the kids, we told Elliott and he’d yell or take the mike and say it. We loved it!!

DANIEL KOLIS wins the award for SMILING the most. I mean, that guy couldn’t wipe the grin off his face for the first 48 hours! He’s very quick to participate and share what he’s learned when we’re together. And he always wants to sing on the bus. He is good at choosing the songs and remembering the first words to it and then starting us off. He definitely displays the joy of the Lord and has great leadership potential.

JACK LIGHTBODY is also one of the younger guys who showed a ton of leadership. We especially could count on him for some “lighter” moments with his quick wit and singing of Christmas songs on the bus! (that was definitely a “first”) His blonde hair and blue eyes caused more than one Jamaican girl to fall “in love” with him. You’ll notice in every picture, there is some girl hanging on him!! J He has been a real asset and blessing to us this year and we will most likely really depend on him for future trips!


THE GIRLS OF TEAM JAMAICA 2010 – A few words about the girls in general: This group of girls acted more like sisters and a family than any other group ever. They all “gelled” with each other and watched each other’s backs. They all love and care about each other. And I personally felt like they were all my daughters! It has been a real blessing to be here with each of them and I love them all dearly!


REBECCA LANGER is our only graduate girl and we will definitely miss her next year. She is just a joy and a blessing to all who meet her! She leads naturally and positively. Her jobs this year include the opening skit with Peter and leading us vocally with all our singing. She is caring to the children and to her fellow teammates. Her passion for ministry overflows in all she does.

KELLY BROWN has been amazing this week. We discovered she has quite a loud, joyful laugh, which is music to our ears since we were worried about her getting homesick. But quite the opposite, she told us today she wants all her stuff shipped here because she doesn’t want to leave!! She has been great with the children and is quite a trooper with our busy schedule!

ARIANNA JOHNSON adds a smile to our faces because she’s quite funny! With her bright perception and quick wit, she brings humor and joy to all. This carries over into a very positive attitude and a servant’s heart in all she does. She is always willing to share and answer questions in group time. She was especially “touched” by one of the ladies in the infirmary and had tears in her eyes when we left.

ABBY REED now has new nickname - “MOM” lovingly given to her from her teammates here.
We so appreciate her attention to detail and her keen memory of what needs to be done, since this is her second year here. She was the first one to get her braids done in order to help control her natural curls. Abby is giving it her all this week, including giving piggy-back rides to kids who weigh almost as much as her. When I suggested she didn’t need to do that, she smiled and said, “it’s only my back!”

COURTNEY KONOP handles children naturally! She has worn a smile this entire week and has really connected well with everyone. For her team’s skit, she was the narrator and had a lot of lines, which she performed flawlessly. She demonstrated quite a gift of handling herself well in front of crowds. She’s kept her long hair up this week and never complained about the heat! We are glad to have her here this week!

RACHEL DEMAN is bundle of fun! She has a way to make everything a little more exciting. Even when she had to wear a lion’s mane and “ROAR” 8 times in her skit, she gave it her all every time! Her strength carried over into working with the children, as one time she even had 6 kids hanging onto her! We are so happy to have her with us this year and we appreciate her honest enthusiasm.

PAIGE MCGOLDRICK is a natural leader. She has shown her leadership abilities in many areas of our VBS!! From organizing crafts, directing games, or getting all the children quiet for a skit her voice is heard and obeyed! When going to the infirmary Paige suggested that we pray for courage as we minister in an uncomfortable environment. Although she was nervous to go into the infirmary the Lord gave her the courage to enter. It was a joy to see how God used her to sing, pray, and read the word of God to several ladies. Upon returning to the bus tears filled her eyes. Paige has shown to be a strong leader with a tender and compassionate spirit! (written by Jessica Nothdurft J)

HALEY GASPAROTTO is the fourth Gasparotto we have brought to Jamaica with us, but as the only female, she stands alone. Her inner strength and her desire to always do right has shown through this week. She makes sure she understands what is expected and then carries it out well. She really enjoys all that is put before her and her Christ-like character shines through. She is already “dreading” the good-byes of tomorrow’s VBS because she doesn’t want to cry in front of the children. She has been a real blessing to us and no one would ever know she’s one of the youngest on the team.

LESLIE JIMINSON. - Although she has 500 mosquito bug bites on her legs that were already scraped and bruised from last week’s “messy game night,” she has not complained about it. She just now sleeps in her sweat pants! J She’s calm, cool and collected in every situation. She is independent and very capable to handle whatever job is given her. Jessica & I especially looked forward to seeing her cute home-sewn skirts every morning! She loved the Border Jerk food and is very excited to go back one more time on Friday.

LINDSAY LUZOD is our “go-to” girl. Whenever we need an opinion from a teen’s perspective, we go to her because we know she will know the answer, but also think about it from the adult view too. She is mature and solid and we really need her here. Since it’s her second year here, she’s one of the five veterans and is a great example of what to do! She is thoroughly enjoying her time here and had a hard time saying good-bye to some of her group today who won’t be back tomorrow.