Learn about Tayler!

Name – Tayler Sonshine Longo

Age - 19

Hometown – Pittsburgh, PA

High School – Greater Works Academy
College – Geneva College
Major – Human Services

Hobbies – Writing, Coming to Jamaica, Laughing, Having fun

Favorite Color – Yellow or Orange

Favorite Sports Team – Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite Books – The Irresistible Revolution, Praise Habit, Tale of Two Cities

Favorite TV Show – Seinfeld

Favorite Food – Chinese and Leftover cold pizza (not at the same time though!)

Favorite Jamaican Food – Callaloo, Any and All Fruit (mmm especially mangos and pineapples!), Rice and Peas, Stew Chicken, Peanut Punch

Favorite Music – Little bit of everything, but some favorites include: DMB, Jack Johnson, Jack’s Mannequin, Something Corporate…basically anything acoustic.

Favorite day of the week and why – Thursday because we get to visit our friends at the infirmary
Favorite Board Game – Trouble!!
Favorite Number - 11
Biggest Dream – Learning how to truly love everyone around me and inspiring others to do the same.

My job in Jamaica – Working in the store with my friend Klarissa
Biggest thing I have learned lately – The true meaning of 1 John 4:11-12: "Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

A Note From Josh

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Josh Shaffer. I work full time with Won By One To Jamaica. I am married, have three children and although I live in Pennsylvania, I reside in Harmons about 1/3 of the year. I have been coming to Harmons since 1989, shortly after Hurricane Gilbert. I love the Harmons Valley; so much so that my family and I have dedicated our lives to working with the people of this Community.
Many people in Harmons call me "Bossy." Although the nickname is partially accurate in that I do payroll for the large number of people we have the privilege of being able to employ, I sometimes wish that I could still be in the role I was many years ago when I was younger and played with the area boys (all of whom are now young men and some are even fathers themselves.)
I would like to say some things about the eight students who have given up jobs in their hometowns to come to Harmons for the summer as Summer Staff. They do not get paid for what they do this summer, AND they all had to pay for their own expenses. I have had the chance to get to know each one of them and I want to say that I am very proud of every single one. I believe it says a lot about the character of someone who is willing to give to others whom they don't know very well and are not related to them.
Now the staff is admittedly not perfect. They make little and sometimes big mistakes like we all do. They are learning to act and speak without offending, which can be a challenge when you are living in a culture that is different than what they have always known.
It has come to my attention that many have read this summer's blog where the students have been writing about what they have been experiencing. Unfortunately, some have been offended at how transparent and brutally honest they have been. A few readers were disappointed that the staff carelessly chose words or phrases that may have been callous or naïve.
Without trying to defend some of the mistakes that were made, I would like to add that I know, without a doubt, that not one of the Summer Staff intentionally said or wrote anything that they intended to be demeaning or show disrespect. In fact, if you read all the posts in their entirety you will see that the Staff is sharing all that they are learning from the Jamaicans and their culture.
It would have been much easier for them not to have done the Blog this summer. They are willingly putting their personal thoughts and feelings on the internet for all to see, and even print off and read to others. It takes a lot of courage to write what you are feeling to total strangers. Some might even decide to believe the worst about them instead of giving an ounce of grace and understanding.
In this Blog, the students are practicing what we as a ministry, which is committed for the long term to Harmons, want to be about. Transparency; Authenticity; Vulnerability; Desire to learn from others; Willingness to help others: Availability to whatever God has in store for our lives. Yes we will make mistakes. Have in the past. Will in the future. But we will continue to ask for forgiveness from those we might have offended, as Christ urges us to do.
We hope to continue to see lives changed as our own lives are changed for many more years to come.
I hope you continue to read and enjoy the Blog this summer.

Josh Shaffer
Won By One To Jamaica
Changing Lives By Changing Lives

Weekend In Harmons

Hey Everybody! This is Tim coming to you from Harmons, Jamaica and I’m going to tell you about my amazing awesome weekend. Ready? Let’s go!

So, the weekend began like any other, getting up and getting the team ready to leave for Ocho Rios. The only difference was this time, I wasn’t going with them. This weekend I stayed behind in Harmons to support the Harmons U-15 soccer club, which I help out (with the help of the gear the groups of Americans bring down.) I help get them gear such as boots, shin guards etc…so they can play not only well, but safe, and look well doing it. So anyway, one of the stipulations was that I couldn’t stay in the Harmony House that night, I would have to find a Jamaican to stay with. I first I asked Little John, who works for Won By One to Jamaica, who at first said “No” but, he said he could help me find a place to stay. He ended up finding a place for me at a very nice lady named Gloria’s house, who also works for Won By One to Jamaica as a cook. After the team left, I made my way up to Gloria’s place with Little John and I was welcomed with open arms. Gloria was so accommodating to me that it made me a little misty eyed to be honest. She made a breakfast which I did not really expect, but I’m glad I got to get it because it was DELICIOUS! It was a meal consisting of mackerel, fried plantains, and bananas. After breakfast we sat around and talked for a while about numerous subjects. We got caught up talking about hurricanes for a while and Gloria told me about preparations they make to their houses and what happens after hurricanes…it was all very interesting. So, after that, Little John and I made our way to Porus, where the event for the soccer teams was being held. Porus is about ten miles from Harmons so we got a ride there in a Taxi. When we arrived (which was about 11:30, and the event didn’t start until around 2:30) Little John showed me around Porus. He was very familiar with the area because he went to high school there so, of course, he gave me a tour of his old high school. I was surprised to find that it was very similar to an American classroom, I don’t know why that surprised me…a classroom is a classroom I guess, but nevertheless, I was surprised. It was really cool to see Little John give me the tour, he got really excited about showing me it and he had a sense of pride about showing me around telling me what classes he had in this room and what teacher taught in that room. He even gave me a brief lesson in Jamaican history when I saw a mural on a wall with past Prime Ministers on it. Again, it was very interesting. We then went to a small restaurant where I had my first experience with curried goat. It was very good food! I found goat meat to be really sweet and tender…I wouldn’t mind having more right now…I better stop, I’m making myself hungry.

So, after all of that, the soccer event finally started. The league that Harmons plays in starts their season with a dress parade where every team is present and they get judged by which team looks the best. I’m very proud to report that the Harmons team won, and they did so with tons of dignity too. In the hall where in was held, all the teams were lined up and waiting to be judged. A lot of the other teams there were very lackadaisical in their lines. The kids were talking to one another and being very unorganized. Our Harmons boys were quite the opposite. They stood there like professionals; hand’s behind their backs and eyes forward. More importantly there was no talking. After they were judged they relaxed and sat down of course. After that I was asked to give a speech to the team. I was very taken off guard and stumbled over my words for a few sentences but after I going, I started saying how this (winning the dress parade) was just the beginning to a great season. I just want to add that their first game is Tuesday July 15th, so say a special prayer for them when you get the chance. After all the festivities that go along with the dress parade, Little John and I came back to Harmons where we stayed up for a while watching the Jamaican news channel and a little bit of the Miss Universe Pageant.

So, that was the gist of my weekend living in Harmons. I just want to add that soccer to me is the universal language. Any language barrier, any culture differences can be absolutely demolished by a soccer ball and 4 willing feet to kick it around, and I find that absolutely amazing.

Timothy : )