By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
Spring break in Jamaica commonly conjures up images of long sandy beaches, warm blue waters and lots of down time. But for a group of Shepherds College students, spring break in Jamaica will be lots of work – and they couldn’t be more excited.
Shepherds College, in Union Grove, is the country’s leading three-year post-secondary educational program for students with intellectual disabilities. On March 31, eight students and four instructors will travel to Jamaica for a weeklong mission trip, to teach Vacation Bible School to about 60 kids.
“They have a desire to serve,” Instructor Laura Pollard said of her students. “They will be applying things they are learning in class to real life,” she added.
Pollard, along with Elyse Cyr, are both instructors in the Bible department at Shepherds College. The trip came about as the two were discussing how to introduce their students to things on a global level – to get them to step “outside themselves.”
Cyr, who had been on a Jamaican mission trip in the past, thought a repeat trip to Jamaica might be the answer.
“We had the mindset, ‘go big or go home,’” Cyr said.
The students each went through an application and interview process to be sure the trip is a good fit, according to Cyr. Currently, they meet for an hour per week to learn about Jamaican culture, customs and food, and also to plan and practice the VBS program.
There will be four different teaching groups including drama, crafts, games and music.
“Our main goal is for the students to develop a passion for telling others about Jesus,” Cyr said.
That passion is easy to see. During a recent mission trip meeting, students eagerly listened to all the interesting facts about the island and its culture. They also got to enjoy traditional Jamaican chicken curry patties and pau-pau juice while listening to traditional reggae music.
Student Olya Porth said she is excited about the mission trip. She’s looking forward to “hanging out with the kids with Vacation Bible School, and to see how God works through us as a group.”
Cyr said she learned an important life lesson from her youth pastor when she was young. “He said everyone needs to get outside the U.S. by the time they are 18,” she said. She went on a Jamaican mission trip during her senior year of high school, a trip she said was life changing for her. Now, some 10 years later, she is passing that lesson on to her students.
Lori Konopasek is Dean of Students, and an instructor at Shepherds College. She and her husband Dan, a teacher in Racine, will also be taking the trip to Jamaica. She’s really excited for her students to have the opportunity to serve others.
“They will learn to work together – to see them come together and show their leadership skills will be exciting,” Konopasek said.
Fundraising efforts
Fundraising for the trip has been a group effort between students and staff. Each of the students has written support letters to friends and family, which has been a successful effort, according to Pollard. In addition, Shepherds College will host a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Racine Bible Church on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Though they have quite a way to go before reaching their fundraising goal, Pollard said she is working to instill faith in her students.
“They have faith that God will provide, because they have faith that God has called them to do this work,” Pollard said.
If You Go:
What: Spaghetti dinner fundraiser
Where: Racine Bible Church, 12505 Spring St., Sturtevant
When: Saturday, Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Tickets: In advance: $8, adults; $4, children. At the door: $10, adults; $5, children. Gluten-free option available for an extra $2.
To pre-order tickets: Call Elyse Cyr at (262) 878-6356
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