~Hello Chesterfield~

Fred (from Holland - our host), Jennifer and Scott



Sunset



Four wheelers as a way of transportation!





While walking through town, I saw the most banannas ever!






If your looking for a job, they are hiring.






While driving down the road, horses greeted us and actually stuck their head in my window.

Sunrise breakfast meeting was inside a plane

Last night we exchanged flags with one of the Rotary clubs at dinner.

This is the world famous 'Johnny Cake'. Similiar to a donut but not as sweet. Yummy!

I know it has been a while since I have posted but I have been extremlely busy! Although it looks like we are having fun, we are! But we are also on a very tight schedule with meetings, presentations, cultural visits, host visits, etc. We do get a couple hours here and there but we are working :)

This week we are in St. Maarten which is one half of the island and it is governed by Holland so they all speek Dutch. Yesterday, Sarah, Shelli and I went to Korps Politie Nederlandse Antillen and met with a detective and forensic specialist. We learned how their court process works, booking and intake and the dutch legal system. Can you beleive that most all police officers there speak 4 langauges? Wow! We also had the chance to take a tour and meet with the local community center. They had awesome programs for kids and the Rotary sponsors most of them. Their facility is amazing!

Today I went back to the police department and went on a ride along. I went on a cruise ship and overlooked an investigation. It was very interesting! I have been trying all sorts of different foods and drinks. Tomorrow we are going on a yacht and we will learn how to sail while at the same time race our yacht with another team. FUN!

St Thomas Eco-Tour

In St. Thomas we had the opportunity for an Eco-Tour that involved kayaking through the mangroves to an eco-island sanctuary, hermit crab races & exploring the island then snorkeling and kayaking back. In total we kayaked over 2 miles!
-Sarah

St. Thomas Families

Last night we had dinner at Don & Susan Chandler's home which they so graciously opened for the team and our host families-great dinner & socializing with new friends. We are all so blessed to have had such wonderful families to welcome us into their homes & lives and treasure the memories and friendships for years to come. Thanks to Don, Susan, Sharon, Greg & Carolyn & families for being so kind and helpful - we appreciate it more than you know!

-Sarah, Shelli, Jenny, Scott & Jerry

*photos courtesy of Don Chandler (he was taking the pics so he's not in any!)

all work no play?! no way!

Thought we should post some pics to show the folks back home that we really are working...this is no vacation :) but it's working in paradise!!!

Photos courtesy of AG Don Chander, St. Thomas VI

St. John national park & wildlife

iguana

century tree only blooms once every 100 years

(we working the photography vocation day-thanks for the pic Bob!)

St. John is 2/3 national park! what a lovely island, pristine beaches & wildlife!

-Sarah

Housing Development Visits

It may be hard to imagine, but through my discussions yesterday with Jackie, Housing Development Director, and James, Law Enforcement Coordinator, I learned that here on St. Thomas gangs are rapidly growing. They are growing four times faster here than in the U.S. and elementary school students are now showing signs of gang related activity due to their older sibling's influence.

Although there are numerous challenges in preventing this kind of culture, there are fortunately programs that are working towards shaping and steering the youth into positive life long community members. It is through the hard work of Jackie, James, staff, and volunteers, including the Rotary Clubs on the island who donate time and resources to the sites, that their intervention and after school programs, two of the most successful programs, are likely saving the lives of approximately 100 children under the age of 15 and they are working diligently to get more involved.

In the above the pictures, the shoes hanging from the telephone line indicates the number of victims an individual has killed, a picture of Greg (the great host!), Jackie (Director), Scott, and Jackie (Staff), a picture of books and chairs donated by Rotary, and a fun picture with the children.

ST. Thomas Vocational Day

The morning began with a walk with Rotarians Greg and George as we toured the area and I learned about the variety of fruits and trees indigenous to the area. Then off to meet with Donnalie, the President of the YWCA, in the morning and then Cherise, Executive Director, with United Way in the afternoon.

A common theme that is promenient within the islands is the need for more youth programs to help keep them engaged in making positive life decisions as well as living healthy lifestyles. The challenge is creating or finding locations to host such programs. Many of the youth living indigently are unable to get transportation to those centers that are thriving and providing wonderful services, while others are able to make it but are being turned away as a result of the capped enrollment numbers.

It was inspiring to speak with Donnalie an Cherise as they took their time to educate me on all the great events and successes they are having as well! I hopefully was able to provide similar insight into our challenges and successes in the States.

The island is most fortunate to have them in their positions.

Scott

St. John: Vocation Day (Sarah)

sugar mill ruins

*************************

My vocation had a change of plans today...but it was just fine with me! The probation/court vocation will be available tomorrow so today....I was a St. John Photographer's assistant! I got to assist Bob with a destination beach wedding on the gorgeous Maho Bay beach. I can't post any pics of the actual weding yet because it was Bob's client after all! but afterwards I was able to explore all different areas of the Island and photograph it! WOW. So today was a photography vocation day for me which suited me just fine as that is a totally unique opportunity.

-Sarah