And just like that JASY 2016 has come to a close. It is hard to believe that we will not be seeing the campers arrive with their enormous smiles anymore. It is also hard to believe that we will not be spending our days starting off with a "Good Morning JASY Campers!!!" and ending our nights with "Today. Tonight. Tomorrow." and reflecting on our experiences. But one thing is for sure; everyone on this trip had a wonderful, life-changing experience.
During tonight's final reflection, there was one quote that stuck with all of us:
Today I will plant a garden for my life. What will I plant?
Plant three rows of peace:
peace of mind
peace of heart
peace of soul
And then plant three rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be present
No garden is without turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another
We must have thyme:
Thyme for each other
Thyme for God
Thyme for prayer
Water freely with patience and cultivate with love. There is much fruit in your garden because you reap what you sow."
After that quote, there were a few moments of silence where we all thought about what was said. Prior to this trip, the majority of us might have known each others' names, but not have interacted with each other on a daily basis, and some of us were total strangers. One of the volunteers, Dale Stoker, always said that it takes a village. Well, let me tell you - we quickly came together and became a close family. Our small village planted a garden with the people of Jamaica that we interacted with.
Pictures from the final day of JASY Camp 2016
To end JASY Camp, there are closing ceremonies were we, along with special dignitaries, recognize all of the campers for their work throughout the week. We also recognize four campers from each team for some awards (Most Disciplined, Most Respectful, Best Team Players, and Outstanding Citizen). Below are some pictures from those ceremonies.
Typically, there is a spotlight from a few volunteers in the blog, however that will not be happening tonight. Instead, all of us contributed to the spotlight and answered the following question: In 1 to 3 words, what will you remember about JASY? Here is what we said:
All the bright smiles
The loving children
The happiness the children were able to experience
The selflessness and joy of the campers
The way their faces lit up at camp
Amazing, beautiful teamwork
Great JASY teamwork
Committed engaged volunteers
Hope, faith, and joy
Bright smiles and love
Hope has the power you give it
The bonds forged through hard work
To be thankful
Joyful, innocent, beautiful children
Love, openness, gratitude
Incredible enthusiasm from campers and volunteers
The knowledge, love and support I've gained
Heart, hope, joy
Impoverished, yet unfathomable happiness
Thousands of smiles
What's important matters
The joy on the kids' faces as their buses left camp on Friday
Kids treasuring life
humbling, thankful for each day
Hope, thankfulness, and love
Life changing experience
Humbling and enlightening
Humbling, joyful, amazing
Eye opening experience
Breaking through barriers
Materialism is overrated
Only need love
As we say our goodbyes to each other tomorrow, we will remember the memories we made, the laughs we shared, and the lives that we changed.
"I am special, I am blessed."