🇯🇲 Spring Break in Jamaica

For years, the BASIC community has traveled to Jamaica to visit the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD) in Kingston and Knockpatrick. This year, I was lucky enough to be one of the members to go to the CCCD campus in Kingston. Our team spent the week making connections with students, teachers, staff members, and more.

Our trip started with a flight delay, a layover in Miami, 17 people staying in an 8 person hotel room, and COVID tests in a U-Haul box. All of this was so powerful because during this time, we became close friends with one another. We shared stories and jokes. We took pictures and videos of our adventures. And, we created memories that none of us would ever forget. I wouldn’t change the beginning of our trip for the world.

In Jamaica, our days started with journaling, morning devos, and the smell of roasting coffee. Then, we would start whatever activity we had planned for that day. Once 4:00 PM struck, the kids were out of school, and we were able to play with our friends until they had to leave to go to supper. We made bracelets, played card games, shot hoops, threw frisbees, and signed in Jamaica Sign Language to one another. It was beautiful to see these connections and friendships flourish. After the kids went to bed, we listened to people from the BASIC team tell their stories about their relationships with God, self, others, and creation. Then, we would finish the night with small groups and showers.

During our trip, we were all able to slow down and enjoy the little things in life. We all worked towards building closer relationships with God, others, self, and creation. We became a close family in a matter of a few days.

I want to end this post with a few words from one of the team members:

“God, I thank you for bringing me this wonderful, beautiful, crazy, and once in a lifetime group together to go through such a journey with you. You know a home isn’t about just being surrounded by 4 walls and a roof… A home is about the people you are surrounded by that make you feel loved and comfortable, and God, I am so happy you’ve allowed me to be a part of this relation-trip because to me, this feels like home. Where I’m surrounded by love, community, growth, and hope.”

— Aiden Dolan

I believe Aiden’s words describe what this trip means to us. I hope you all have the opportunity to experience these moments. It may not be a mission trip. It may not be volunteering or serving. It may look like a safe environment where you can be yourself. It may be a caring loved one that feels like home. Overall, my prayer is that you find people or a place where you feel at home.

Allison Walz
Senior at UNI

📹 Watch a video recap of the trip HERE.
🇯🇲 Interested in joining us for Jamaica 2023? Click HERE.