While most college students were bumming around at home counting down the minutes until their return to Columbia, juniors Megan Eitel, Megan Geisz, Joanie Stream and Jordyn Voss were busy building homes in Harmons, Jamaica.

On January 8th these phi-nomenal Phis embarked on their week-long Jamaican adventure through the Christian organization, “Won by One.” The mission trip was comprised of a group of 51 Mizzou Greeks and each individual was required to bring two suitcases of donated clothing, medical supplies, school supplies, and toiletries to leave in Jamaica.

Throughout the week the group worked on several different service projects from working on the houses or at the local school or store to helping out in the greenhouse or just hanging out with the people of Harmons. They spent time at the infirmary there, visiting with  the elderly and mentally or physically disabled persons that lived there. They sang worship songs, read the bible and reached out to these people. Joanie was moved by the time she spent at the infirmary. She said, “Those people are pretty neglected and just being able to sit with them and be in their presence was inspirational on its own. [They] have a remarkable faith in God that is unexplainable for the conditions that they live in and I one day hope to love life and cherish my relationship with God like they do.”

By the end of the week the Mizzou volunteers had completed 3 homes! They also created two foundations for the next group of volunteers coming in.

Megan Geisz explains her favorite part of the trip was dedicating the completed houses. “We gave each person that was receiving the houses a bible, a bag of rice, and a flashlight. We also prayed for them, that the house would bring joy to their lives. All of them turned around and prayed for us as well, and thanked us for all that we did for them. The 3 recipients of the houses were so grateful that we were there and that we had built those houses for them. It was amazing to me because these houses were so tiny and small, about the size of my bathroom, and we knew that they were going to house their whole family in it, but yet they were so, so thankful for the house.” Geisz explains the trip as humbling and says its still setting in for her.

Just hearing the girls’ stories is humbling! Their week of service was truly a life-changing experience. Stream says, “This trip wasn’t about the work we did or the supplies we brought them, it was about the relationships we made with the Jamaicans and with the other members of our team. The Jamaicans were so willing to talk and work along side us, and as much I wanted to give to them, they gave to me too. They’re inspiring people and a couple of them truly touched my life, I plan on keeping in contact with them.”

Omicron is so proud of these inspiring, motivated and empathetic young women. In just one week the 4 of them were able to help make such an impact on so many people, it is outstanding. Stream said, “This trip was hands down the best  week of my life and I made memories and friendships that I’ll cherish forever.”

This is an annual mission trip Mizzou Greeks go on and participants are selected through an application process. Go to www.wonbyonetojamaica.com to learn more about the Won by One organization, or talk to any of our outstanding members who experienced the trip.