MU | F e a t u r e s
Yoder said many of the students learned
not to worry about the “small things” in
their lives, after seeing “other less-affluent
members of the human family face
challenges to their survival on a daily basis.”
Despite the relative hardships of their lives,
however, Jamaicans are warm and generous
people, Yoder added. There is joy. And there
is a lesson in that, too.
For Yoder and Good, much of the trip’s
reward is watching the transformation in
students. “I consider teaching a sacred
privilege,” explained Yoder, and teaching is at
its best when it’s not confined by walls. In a
classroom, he says, he’ll enjoy the occasional
“aha moment” when he sees a concept really
sink in. “In Jamaica, I could see each student
learning and growing every single day. It’s
very rewarding to me as a teacher.”
considering a Medical Practicum trip, an even
more rugged experience in a remote area of
Nicaragua.
“There’s a whole world out there,” says
Chase, who’s no longer satisfied with the
insular tourist attractions that draw the
masses down beaten paths. From now on, he
says, he’ll meet the locals and experience the
culture when he travels, even when it’s not
comfortable. “I’m not going to be at a Sandals
resort any time soon.”
By Melinda Lantz ’81
Not only did the students grow individually,
they bonded as a team. “I got to know my
teammates a lot better,” said Chase. “And
when you know your teammates better
you’re going to play better.”
“There’s traveling,” said Eric. “There’s
traveling with your team. Then there’s
traveling outside the country with your team.
It’s an experience that you can’t get at a big
school. It’s rich.”
While immersion in Jamaican life forced
the students outside of their comfort zones
in many ways, it whetted their appetite for
more. Julio hopes to return to Jamaica one
day with his oldest daughter “to show her
how most of the world deals with poverty.”
He wants to learn sign language, too, so he
can communicate with the deaf children at
Maranatha.
A biology-chemistry major planning to
become a physician, Eric said Jamaica
“makes me want to travel more.” He and
Chase, also a biology-chemistry major, are
(Top) Josh Collier ’15 works in the bucket brigade; Professor
Brad Yoder gets a hug; Chris Hosier ’17 (bottom left) plays
soccer and Jamaican children greet Luke Scheel ’16
(bottom right).
Photography by Lucas Carter.
Read his blog and see more photos here.
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