Happy for help

Trinity Lutheran Church members travel to
Jamaica to build houses for families
By Alyssa Waters Leader-Telegram staff

Maari Josephson is used to volunteer work. That's why she knew her first trip to Jamaica to help the people there would change her perspective on life.

"They don't ever want you to leave even though they just met you two minutes ago," she said of the people in Kingston, Jamaica. "It just makes you realize what you have, and they're just so happy. You can't help but smile all the time."

Josephson, 18, a senior at Memorial High School, took the mission trip with her mother, Anne Josephson, and 23 other volunteers through Trinity Lutheran Church March 14 to 21.

The goal for the volunteers was to build two homes and do a few miscellaneous jobs to improve the community for the people of Kingston. The volunteers split up into two teams, and each team worked on one home.

"Our teams built two houses, and they're not very big, but to the people there, they're just mansions," Maari Josephson said. "Our house had no shade, and it was 95 degrees and we were painting the outside of the house. I didn't even mind because it just felt so good to be helping."

Josephson also worked with young children for two of the days. The group brought plain T-shirts, and Josephson helped the children stamp butterflies on them with paint. Then the children were given the shirts.

She also helped to paint the school, which resembles a warehouse. The group wanted the school to look nicer for the children, she said. Gary Rambo, 57, of Altoona and his wife Mary also went on the mission trip.

Gary Rambo, a retired South Middle School vocal teacher, has been on missions with Trinity Lutheran before. He has carpentry skills and likes to help out when needed.

"I enjoy building as well as having the opportunity to go and fulfill our church's mission," he said. "Many students go, so I have a chance to share some skills with them and to teach them how to do some basic skills for building."

Rambo also appreciated the families the group helped. He said other families who live in horrible conditions have members addicted to drugs or alcohol. The family Rambo's team helped had members who were willing to lend a hand.

"It is just such a rewarding thing," he said. "As I'm sitting there working and the family that we were working with, the kids ... would grab tools and they would try to help.

"Their spirit is so joyful even though they have nothing by our standards."

Parishioner Ann Johnson, 52, of Eau Claire went on the mission with her son Colin Barr, 22, who is graduating from college this year. Johnson saw firsthand how the local people reacted to the volunteers.

"When we walked off the bus they were hugging us," she said. "I can't believe how happy they are when they have so little. (Colin) came back with this whole perception that you don't need to be happy by having a lot.

"For a 22-year-old who is about ready to spread his wings, this is a wonderful learning experience."

Waters can be reached at alyssa.waters@ecpc.com or 833-9214.

Pastor sets goals

The Rev. Kurt Jacobson of Trinity Lutheran Church remembers his first mission trip to Jamaica 10 years ago.

"We partnered with a church in the Twin Cities in the beginning," he said. "I kind of checked it out and had my own perspective. (Church members) just jumped at the opportunity.

"People were just hungry for something like this."

Over the years, the mission trip to Kingston, Jamaica, has become a tradition for Trinity's congregation, Jacobson said.

"It's become a part of the mission of Trinity - knowing that this is really part of what we do," he said.

People unable to make the trip because of health conditions or other reasons help out in other ways - by donating money or time organizing the trip.

"It really has taken on a life of its own in this whole congregation," he said. "The folks who send us off are anxious for us to come back. They want to see the photos."

Jacobson has three goals when people from his congregation venture to Jamaica.

He wants to see members of his church engage their faith in new ways by serving others. Members also are able to work side by side with a local church in Kingston. And last is to learn from each other.

The trip, which is capped at about 25 people each year, usually has two generations. Jacobson said the youngest students allowed on the mission are in sixth grade. Typically, parents have brought their children on the trip. Sometimes three different generations are present.

In Jacobson's eyes, more generations on the trip means more opportunities for learning.

The trip is not solely open to the Trinity congregation. Jacobson said membership is not required.

"God has put something in front of us that really has (taken on) a life of its own," he said. "I never dreamed that would happen."

Waters can be reached at alyssa.waters@ecpc.com or 833-9214.