Today marks a huge milestone for Michelle and I (and the rest of our volunteer group), our 2 year anniversary of living and serving in Jamaica. It’s hard to believe.
We often say “the days go by slowly, but the months go by fast.” It’s been a roller coaster ride of highs and lows. Challenges and joys. Laughter and tears. Yes tears, but lots of laughter. Some days we’ve had to really question why we are here and other days we couldn’t be more thankful. We’ve come across an amazing group of characters. Strangers that have become friends. Friends that have become family. A strange new country that has felt at times, home.
When we get back to the states next month, people will ask us to try and sum up these 2 years. What do we say? All I know is that whatever happened….happened. Our lives have forever been changed from this experience and in the end, we are still thankful for it all.
Some of my favorite memories, thoughts, and photos from these past 2 years (in chronological order):
– After 2 years I still can’t eat/handle spicy food (I was hoping I would be able to by now).
– I’ll miss the sights and sounds of Jamaica (video)
– Had time to practice cooking (ie. Cucumber juice, Calaloo Pasta, and Mackeral Rundown) and helped to start a volunteer cooking blog to document our cooking adventures in Jamaica.
– Put on a couple of youth summer camps (video) and was amazed by their dancing skills.
– Lived through a hurricane that didn’t directly hit our area and felt my first major earthquake (a massive 3.2).
– After one year I questioned what the heck I was doing here.
– Met some amazing fellow volunteers doing some awesome work around the island. They are also really fun to be around as well. (video)
– Got to go to Washington D.C. for the first time and visit the PC Headquarters! Didn’t get to meet the President though.
– Celebrated many family events with our AMAZING host family (like our host sister’s wedding)
– Made amazing friends through an awesome organization called American Caribbean Exchange (ACE)
– “Small up’d myself” in buses and taxis in ways I didn’t my body could manage and yet, I still love Jamaican public transit.
– Tried to showcase my limited ability in speaking Jamaican Patwa. (video)
– Learned a lot about our host country from our friends. (video)
Simply Intentional 
Jeddy,
Proud of you for hanging in there and finishing up strong. Bloom where you are planted, my friend! And you did just that. I hope to see you in CO!!!!
Xoxo,
Melissa
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks Melissa. It’s crazy you said that quote because that’s one of our favs and was given to us when we first got here by one of our PC staff members. Can’t wait to catch up in CO in person. Till then, all the best. 🙂
Jedd,
While I’ve not been great about reading all of your posts over the last two years, I so fully respect what you’ve done and, perhaps more importantly, that you take the time to reflect on what you’ve done and share your personal life lessons with the world. You and Michelle have made the world a little bit better.
Hope we get to reconnect. If time and attention allow, look me up when you get to Portland – I’d love to have you guys over for dinner.
Bill
Thanks Bill! Would love to get together when we get back. I’ll contact you and let you know. All the best to you and the fam.
Wow! What an amazing adventure for you both. I am at awe at the choice you’ve made to be of service to others and get outside your comfort zone. What an education! What an adventure. Of course the adventure will continue wherever you go but everything you’ve learned and become will stay with you no matter what. I think once any of us goes through what you’ve experienced it sets us up to an entire lifetime of ongoing adventures. After all, how could you ever go back to just a normal existence? I can’t wait to hear where you go from here! ~Kathy
Thanks Kathy. 🙂