Timothy Education Bahamas

For those of you who follow this blog, you would have heard my excitement about Timothy Education Project (if not, check out here and here and even here!). I travelled to Guyana in August 2012 for the launch of the first cohort. Because of Miss Daelyn Grace and her arrival this summer, I couldn't travel with the team to Guyana this year. :( However, I've promised myself, the team, and the Guyanese kids that I will be back so I'm looking forward to when that will be a reality.

Aside from my involvement with team Guyana, I've also talked about starting a Timothy Bahamas. I knew it felt right from the very beginning but couldn't see at all how it fit in with my big dream of Homes of Hope and refused to commit or over-commit myself. I just can't be that careless when the crux of both projects revolves around people...children and their future.

A couple weeks ago, I had a friend revive the dream of Timothy Bahamas and as I prayed about it, I got the revelation about how they are connected and can work together, rather than what I initially thought was 2 completely different projects.

With this in mind, I'm now recruiting for volunteers for Timothy Education Project Bahamas. In the next month, I'll be seeking counsel on identifying the target group, most likely using geographical location (eg target children will be from one are, eg Yellow Elder). Then in January, we'll begin monthly planning meetings. I'll need a multitude of individuals with expertise in many areas: administration, marketing, social media, project management/development, mentoring, tutoring, fundraising, and the list goes on.

First task after identifying the area, would be for us to begin process of finding 25 kids who meet criteria and interviewing them and their families. Then or simultaneously, we can jump in full force with finding companies and organizations to partner with for fundraising of all that we will need for these kids (backpacks, books, school supplies, school uniforms, toiletries, etc).

Its a huge project, the weight of which is ever before me. BUT it is a worthwhile project and so needed to building and restoring hope to the next generation of Bahamians.

Will you join us? 

If you are interested in volunteering, please email me at giavana.jones@gmail.com. Note that you do not need to be physically in New Providence to assist. Nor do you need to be Bahamian. There are tons of ways people with a heart for youth and community can be integral in the success of the project. If you aren't sure, but want more information, definitely check out the links above. You can also go directly to the source www.wonbyoneworld.org or use the online application here. 

This is yet one other opportunity for you to be the change you want to see in the world!

Grace peace and love,

Gia

Gee whiz...

Christmas is over. unbelievable how that happens every year. I love the spirit of Christmas but the older I get, I can't help but think how over-commercialized it has also gotten.

Anyhoo, all that aside, it is still my most favoritest time of year and I trust that everyone had a very merry, festive, peaceful and joy-filled day, whether the day(s) were filled with family, friends, or just you and your fur-baby.

I had a great time celebrating with my family. The tangible gifts this year (in particular) wasn't as big of a deal as some of the more precious moments with hubby and my larger family.

On Saturday past, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the kids from the Timothy project. It was bittersweet that I only spoke with one since the majority of the kids were there but awesome because this particular young lady asked for me specifically. You should remember her...I talked a bit about her here.

In that post, I mentioned her rough exterior and how a bit of care and time, helped to melt walls and tough facades.  At that time, I said that my prayer for her was:

"My prayer is that this young lady now feels less burdened, less neglected, a smidgen more hopeful and definitely loved."

Well, based on the conversation with her on Saturday-this prayer has been answered. The young lady I spoke with was not the same girl I met in August. She was free-er. Happy-er. More peaceful. She sounded like she was enjoying life.

ahhhhh I could have seriously walked on water after that convo. Definitely in top 3 list for Best. Christmas present. Ever.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

It's Christmas!

Well...so it's about a month and some days away from the actual day we celebrate Christmas but in our apartment this past weekend, it surely seemed like Christmas sans the Christmas tree I guess.

I'm a firm believer in putting my time and my money where my heart is. As you've read...my heart is with the kids of Timothy Project.  A couple weeks ago, I pitched the idea of shoebox Christmas (or did I just develop it).  The point is, I felt very strongly that each child should have something to open on Christmas (since they celebrate Christmas) AND to push the limit, this shouldn't be something that the community supports. It should come from the members of the Timothy Project team.

The catch is, there are currently 26 children apart of Timothy Guyana and maybe about 10 non-Guyanese members...this inevitably meant...some of us were going to have to take more than just one kid. Because the majority of the members are in fact unemployed full-time students, we set a very reasonable cap for this initiative and made the announcement. It was well received and we had some members who took as many as 6 kids!?! 

Awesomeness!

Star giftwrapper, your truly, ended up having to wrap about 70%  of the gifts which was interesting in and of itself because the boxes couldn't be sealed. This occured Friday night after we drove around collecting the gifts (reverse-Santa). Then, the next day, we drove 8 hours (4 hours each leg) to Toronto to drop off the gifts and send them off...

Fun times indeed. Here are some pics from the two days...

boxes all stuffed and wrapped and ready to be loaded in the car

Schantal's back trunk...looking a lot like Christmas!

last minute finishing touches

 we had to get creative with some of the boxes that didn't have a top that came off, so we wrapped the bottom and then tied it all together with a lovely bow.  Those are what you see on the top of the box as we began to pack it...

This process was also interesting. We had planned to purchase a barrell but with all these boxes that was not going to work. However, there was another option...a large cardboard box which worked out to be about the same cost and maybe get there a couple days earlier. The box was the largest they had and we had maybe about 1-2 inches of space left. 

Definitely a God-thing since we just let everyone find their own shoeboxes.

 The ride back was nice. It was a beautiful Fall day. I felt this truck was smiling at us.

And as we got closer home, the sunset was our guide

...just look at the beauty of what our God made!

Grace peace and love,

Gia

lil ole me?

21 Saul answered, “But I’m only a Benjaminite, from the smallest of Israel’s tribes, and from the most insignificant clan in the tribe at that. Why are you talking to me like this?” -1 Samuel 9:21

Have you ever thought that? So maybe you aren't Jewish so you aren't of the tribe of Benjamin...but I'm sure there is something in your family history or even personal experiences that seemingly disqualifies you. You don't have a high school diploma. no college degree. you were abused as a child. you don't speak very well. you are fat. ugly. poor. old....(you get the picture).

Based on the flawed standards of this world, there are soooooo many things that disqualify us each day from pursuing the great call that God has placed on our lives. But we must not respond like Saul did in the above Bible story. We must recognize the flaws but recognize that God specializes in things that seem like they "shouldn't be". It makes me laugh each time.

If you are a church goer, you know the stories: the liar (Jacob), the murderer (Moses), the prostitute (Rahab), the adulterer + murderer (David)....yes the list goes on and on but in each instance, something great came from each of these individuals.

Greatness, indeed, doesn't require that the entire world is changed...

greatness is doing what you were made to  do...and in the timing when you should be doing it.

I love how Saul's story continues...

22-23 Samuel took Saul and his servant and led them into the dining hall at the shrine and seated them at the head of the table. There were about thirty guests. Then Samuel directed the chef, “Bring the choice cut I pointed out to you, the one I told you to reserve.”

24 The chef brought it and placed it before Saul with a flourish, saying, “This meal was kept aside just for you. Eat! It was especially prepared for this time and occasion with these guests.”

Saul ate with Samuel—a memorable day!"

It's a beautiful thing, the favour we experience when we are aligned with God's will for our lives...lil ole Saul had a very fancy dinner with Samuel, who was really the most important person among the Israelites (after God of course).  After this Saul gets the word that he has been chosen to be the first King of Israel. A big deal for a little Benjaminite.

What are you "called" to do? Does it seem like too big of a deal for little ole you? I know for me, Mercy House is a huge deal. I always hear people say if your dream isn't big enough to scare you, then go back to sleep (or some derivative of that)- meaning that everyone has a purpose and taken at face-value, that call will seem too big a fit for you (like the kid wearing her parents clothing). BUT its only in this situation, where we are stretched, challenged and changed to become our best selves.

I'm struggling with taking on Timothy Bahamas. It seems too big for me...especially right now. I've got many disqualifiers:  too shy, not very connected, no money, full-time student...BUT fully aware of everything that indicates why I should NOT take on this project, I realize there are so many reasons why I should.

This is for me, right now in this season..and for that, I press onward.

Will you join me? Not necessarily with Timothy project...or Mercy House..but join me in the press toward living in the purpose that God has designed  for you!

Grace peace and love,
Gia

SHAPE

About 10 years ago (or more), I read The Purpose-Driven Life. It spoke to me..and although I can't remember quotes or even the chapters, the one thing I often think about is the acronym SHAPE. I wouldn't lie to to you to say that I remembered exactly what each of those letters meant but I always remembered the general idea...I was made, divinely designed to fulfill a particular purpose and if I paid enough attention, this would be really obvious in the topics and things that I am interested in, my talents and even to some extent through my experiences.

From purposedriven.com, here is what the SHAPE acronym stands for:

• Spiritual Gifts: A set of special abilities that God has given you to share his love and serve others.
• Heart: The special passions God has given you so that you can glorify him on earth.
• Abilities: The set of talents that God gave you when you were born, which he also wants you to use to make an impact for him.
• Personality: The special way God wired you to navigate life and fulfill your unique Kingdom purpose.
• Experiences: Those parts of your past, both positive and painful, that God intends to use in great ways.

Yesterday my Pastor's message was pretty much about this, without using this language. (Once the video is available, I'll upload it for those who are interested. I don't want to go into too much detail about it.)  The thing is, I feel like I've been hit over the head over and over with this theme for this entire year...

from The Purpose Driven Life Shaped to Serve series (Robert Johnson)

I know what my SHAPE is....have you figured out what yours is?

Grace peace and love,
Gia

What do you have to give?

This is the 4th installment in the post-Guyana series...my reflections.

I was commenting to Schantal that the project itself didn't become "real" until I saw those kids. Until I got a glimpse into their lives...until each name had a face.

One particular face was not very pleasant.  I'm not referring to the features that make her "beautiful" or "ugly", I'm talking about the seemingly angry way in which she interacted with everyone. Someone actually commented that she seemed ungrateful or rude. For a second (and I literally mean one second), I entertained thoughts about "not liking her" because of this rough exterior but I quickly shook it off and forced an even bigger smile than usual as I met with her and her mom.

It was then that I got the inside scoop.  Without going into the details, lets just say that this 14 year old, has more on her plate than the average kid. It was no wonder why she seemed so rough...hardened...mean. Additionally, because I showed myself friendly, I got a smile. It was somewhere during our interview, I can't remember what I told her but from the scowl, a real life genuine smile emerged and it rocked my world. The smile was fleeting but it was genuine and it was enough to keep the memory of this young lady ever before me as I continue to pray for her, her healing, her strength and the healing of their family.

For this teenager, it wasn't the school clothes, the school bags and supplies, not even the shoes or the food, that made her smile again (I told you, she had a perpetual angry face) but the other smile I witnessed was when I gave her a $2 headband (like the one pictured).


So essentially, my time, unconditional attention and care and the small gift seemingly made someone's day. Makes me wonder what else I can give to impact someone's life.

The next time I saw this young lady, she looked excited to see us. I think we all were shocked. Maybe it was our conversation, maybe the workshop, maybe the school supplies, maybe the headband...who knows what it was- but the end result is a softened heart. My prayer is that this young lady now feels less burdened, less neglected, a smidgen more hopeful and definitely loved.

Have you ever had one of those experiences? Where something you thought to be insignificant seemingly changed someone's demeanor or even their day or better yet..their life? please share in the comments section below!

Grace peace and love,

Gia

Sights (and sounds) of Guyana

Unforgettable. The experience was fulfilling, draining, hope-inspiring all at once. I have no regrets about anything, other than I probably could have saved a bit harder so that I had more money to help out more. My goal going there was not to buy souvenirs or even see the country, it was to serve. I was blessed to serve and even see a teensy bit of the city. Next time, we'll carve out some time to enjoy the beauty of the country. Experience now tells us that we probably should have worked in a day of rest.

Here are a couple of the sights (and sounds) from my trip.

Enjoy! you  may have to turn it up at the end because the sound gets really low on the "thank you".

By the way, feel free to share this post or the link. We are looking for more volunteers, particularly as we expand into The Bahamas for 2013. 

To get the project ready, we need:

Administrative volunteers (help with planning, recruiting, fundraising, organizing, budgeting)

Once the project is launched, we will need

Academic mentors

"buddies" (someone to be a friend)

Specialty services volunteers

Administrative volunteers

Spiritual mentors

Be the change you want to see in the world!

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Reflections...from Guyana Pt.1

I'm going to begin a mini-series with my reflections and experiences from Guyana. I'm not sure how long it will go for but I'll keep it to Wednesday posts.

Well you know how it all started, if you don't check here. The trip in was smooth but long...more about that here.  But in any event, I spent about 6 days in a small city inside Georgetown, Guyana. I personally met with maybe 15 kids and parents, while the rest of the team interviewed the others. However, by the end of the trip, I had an opportunity to have meaningful conversation with 23 (out of 26 kids). I'm kicking myself that I missed an entire 3 boys but I guess I am only one person. ;)

The reflection for today is on giving. There were a lot of images and conversations that are etched into my brain; one of which is with a young boy-Antonio. He is by definition, an orphan.  He lives with family but his parents are dead and he takes care of himself. He is a good kid but no one wants to (or have money to) take care of him so he's been passed around. He has basically nothing.

He comes to church with us, as we invited all families to join us. Our conversation goes as follows:
Me: What you get there Antonio?
A: Mi dinner and food fa tomoro at school.
Me: What is that? (pointing to the container in his hands)
A: Roti (opens small container) that Aunty M gave me.
 he picks off a piece and begins chewing. He also has a small bag of "Famous Amos" cookies.
Me: That doesn't seem like a lot for dinner
A: shrugs and smiles. Its okay

(picture of a roti)

A couple minutes later I feel a tap on my back

A: Miss?
Me: Yes
A: here (He hands one of his cookies with me)
I stumble to find words to decline..but in barely a whisper, I reply with a soft "thanks" and a smile.
Inside my heart just melts and my eyes begin to sting.

I walk away and enjoy my cookie just shaken at the very core. This kid has nothing. He has maybe two rotis and a bag of cookies and apparently this is his meal for today and tomorrow for school. Why...why would he offer to share his bag of cookies with me?

Didn't I come here to share with him [them]?

I learned about 10 minutes later that he offered a cookie to each of the team members (3 in total). If I recall those bags of cookies probably only have 8 cookies in them...

What do you have to give today? Even in little, I'm sure we can find something to offer someone in the spirit of our Father.  It's just not enough for me [anymore] to offer out of my abundance. If I'm going to live life the way God wants me to, and for His glory...then sometimes my gifts will have to be a sacrifice. I can't help but think of David response in 2 Samuel 24:24

"No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the LORD my God that have cost me nothing."


Grace peace and love,
Gia

more from Guyana

Today is the day...in another 2 hours, we'll kick off the party that essentially culminates the year (or so) of planning, fund-raising, praying..that have been done for these 26 kids (and their families).

I can't wait to come back and report on the mighty work today...even as great work has already taken place as we met individually with kids and their parents and got to know them in the past two days. My heart is seriously full. Like seriously. I think of the kids, now that I can put faces with names (and personalities) and I grin...there is no pity here. These kids and families are resilient. They are hopeful. They are fighters. We have come to remind them, that their fight is not in vain. That there are people out there who care..above all that, they have a heavenly Father who cares even more! woooooooooo

Okay...here are some pics from last night as I lost a couple pounds sweating to put these backpacks together. ;)

some empty backpacks

supplies

Schantal stuffing pencil cases

shoes

stuffed bags

We were packing the stuffed backpacks (sans uniforms) into suitcases for transport to the school house and I will say...those are some heavy bags. Schantal commented that it felt like the miracle feeding in the Bible because we had sooooooo much (of everything)...it seriously wasn't running out!!! Praise Jesus! 

Oh! About the Timothy Project, click here. More from this trip here...

grace peace and love from Guyana!!!

Gia

..from Guyana!

Hello everyone,

In case you were wondering about us, we got in yesterday safe and sound. All went well. The trip was smooth with tons of examples of how God has favoured us (waived luggage fees, waived transportation fees, bump up into equivalent to business class, etc etc). 





We have met with kids and parents yesterday and it was a lovely time. Most seem to be excited. We completed inventory yesterday evening before crashing....Five extra large suitcases filled with school supplies, shoes and clothing.





Yesterday, we literally just came off the plane (me @ 7, them @ 8), after all of us were travelling for more than 18 hrs from the day before and then went to do "business" here. wooooooo talk about appreciating a shower and a bed! Praise Jesus for the wisdom to whoever made both. :-)

We are getting ready for prayer time before leaving at 8am for a full day. I should be meeting with about 7 parents + kids today to complete intake. We have two kids who do not have all the supplies, and we'll be double checking to ensure that all the shoes we bought fit everyone as they come in for the interviews.

Here we are chilling on the step of the school house waiting on our taxi to take us for food (we were hungry) but still smiling!! :)

Pray with and for us. This is me "doing something". Being the change I want to see in the world. ;) More about the Timothy project here. 

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Guest post: Timothy Project

So this began last Thursday (see more here) when I realized that I had failed to share with you about a very special project...I then decided that I would put aside the next couple Thursdays to report more about the vision and successes of this "maiden voyage". ;)

Here is a little more about TEP from the visionary herself:

Many of you should recall what it felt like going to school on your first day of the school year. Everyone in the classroom is comparing their school supplies. Checking out each other’s shoes and bags… Well… how would you feel if you showed up on your first day in a soiled tshirt that you stole from someone else, some flip flops, a plastic bag with an exercise book and a ‘half’ of a pencil? That’s what these kids feel like.

My heart for the Timothy Education Program is based on the fact that I think every child deserves a fair chance at a successful life. But they can’t do that without support. In the Timothy Education Program, not all the children have parents. Some have single parents or guardians who are unemployed. Some have lost their parents to diseases such as HIV/AIDS. They have no one. In one household, the eldest daughter left school to take care of her other siblings, because the mom was mentally ill and has not been able to get treatment. In another, the mother is a street worker, gone for several times at once. Many of the kids don’t know what it’s like to have everything they need for school. They sometimes don't even have food and proper housing either.They are disadvantaged. Underprivileged.

That’s why I wanted to do this project. I don’t think it’s good enough to give kids backpacks and then send them on their way. I don’t think that we should pass out a whole wad of money to governments to help those at the bottom, because God knows, the people that need it don’t even get it.
I want these 25 kids in Guyana to know that they are loved; that they are not forgotten. I know that the United Nations and all these other organizations are doing their ‘thing’. But what about God’s people? Aren’t we the ones called to touch the lives of others? Aren’t we the ones called to show God’s love? I want the next generation to know that they are loved. Loved by God. Loved by others. We need not get deep about showing God’s love. It’s His mandate. When Jesus was here on earth, He visited the sick. He went. And that same commandment He has given to us: Go…And when He went, He empowered people to change.

If we are going to change this world we are going to have to sacrifice something. Each of us will have to do our parts. I am sacrificing my finances, my time, my energy so that these kids can be helped. More than just sending them to school, I want these kids to surpass their previous generations. I want them to break the cycle of poverty that has gone on before. There is a spiritual part to that. But there is also a natural part. And it starts with getting rid of ignorance. It starts with a sound education.

So this summer, four of my colleagues will ‘go’ to Guyana and minister to the needs of 25 children. We will give them supplies including backpacks and stationary supplies. But we will also give them their uniforms, their shoes, their undergarments, their socks. We will sit with them and their families and talk to them to understand their needs. Yes we will pray. But we will also create and implement strategies to ensure that the kids are successful in school. Some of the kids live in swamp zones and can’t even get out to a bus route. Others can’t afford to take buses. We’ll arrange for a bus to pick up everyone each morning so that they can get to school and back. We will recruit an academic mentor and a career mentor to work with the children. We will have spiritual mentors in place to pray over them and encourage the kids. And we will do this on a continuous basis, until they all graduate.

I think one of the best ways to succeed, is by knowing that you having a support system to fulfill your dreams. I want that for these kids. And my ministry is to help them dream and realize a bright and successful future. So at the end of this month, I will be going along with a pastor, a counselor (your very own, Gia Jones) and an academic mentor to start something new. Showing more than anything else, that God has not forgotten, and that each of us is the apple of His eye. ~Schantal

In the words of some wise person, "Be the change you want to see in the world"!

Grace peace and love,
Gia

Timothy Project

I've failed you. I'm about 2 weeks from departure date and this is the first post about my uber exciting upcoming trip. I am going to Guyana with a team of individuals for the launching of the first cohort of the Timothy Education Project Guyana. This initiative is the baby of Schantal, my roommate. You can find out more about her here.

From the website:

"The Timothy Education Program provides a group of 25 students in a developing country with the resources and support needed to excel their studies. Each year, Timothiers in North America work diligently to gather supplies and funds to provide backpacks and supplies, uniforms and shoes, and contingency fees needed for them to attend school. Additionally, the students receive a support system featuring academic, career and emotional mentorship, and financial support to steer them along a successful path.

Why all of this? We believe that a successful student is made by a community- a group of individuals that work together to ensure that s/he excels day after day, week after week, month after month, until graduation day."

When I heard about it, it called to me. Like seriously, I felt it had my name written all over it. Partly because the larger vision is so in sync with my goals for Mercy House but also because I love traveling, have always wanted to do some type of short-term missions work and this is a an opportunity to support a friend. Essentially, I get to put my money, time and energy where my heart and prayers are at. How super cool right?

I finally purchased both legs of the trip Nassau-->Guyana and Guyana-->Canada and it was a sacrifice. I opted to not go on a girls trip (cruise)later this year to use the funds for this and there are no regrets. I only wish that I'm was employed full time so that I could have financially supported the kids and/or the project in a more substantial way. I guess I won't be a student forever so this is another missions project that I can look forward to supporting!

Yea, so I leave Nassau to fly to Georgetown, Guyana on the 28th. My role is of "helper" and because of my expertise, I get to really help. :D I'll conduct/lead most of the intake assessment interviews with the kids and their families and I'll also [hopefully] have an opportunity to conduct one or two group sessions with the kids. woot woot. It will be a jammed packed, emotionally charged, tiring trip; I know this. But I'm up for the challenge. Guyana is poor. These kids [families] are probably even poorer. But we've got the Good News. We are going as servants to provide support and HOPE. These kids have a future and it our intent to ensure that they have as many of the physical, emotional, academic and most importantly, spiritual resources to walk confidently toward that future!

Unless you are in Canada, where the account is, I don't think there is much that can be done monetarily (outside of wiring funds) but we accept prayers. I'd also be more than willing to leave a couple items of my own at home so that I can carry some clothing, shoes or school stuff for the kids. All of the volunteers are full time students (well except Schantal who just started a job on Monday- praise God) so we also are in need of a dollar here and there for the costs that may be incurred while on the trip. I'm praying that my job here gets my pay sorted out, but if it doesn't come in time, I know that God will provide....exceedingly and abundantly.

I'll maybe see if I can Schantal to write a guest post for next Thursday (if she can find the time) but if not, I'll be back with more about the Timothy Project and the countdown.

Grace peace and love,
Gia

edited on 8/23/12:

Schantal says: We do accept donations online. And if anyone in the bahamas wants to donate, we really need "non-school" shoes for the kids...We just learned that some of them don't even have that.