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March 3, 2008
Success in Jamaica

The way I look at life will never be the same again. I truly believe I saw the real Jamaica. One thing was consistent, whether in the Kingston ghetto or the hurricane devastated Portland Cottage outback, that no matter what their living conditions or how much they had been inconvenienced by their loses, Jamaicans were always happy and welcoming. They always found a way to make the best of life they could no matter what.

This was my first trip outside the United States. Everyone told me that I would be meeting desperate starving people. And from an American middle class point of view, they would appear exactly that way. But after living and working along side them for 10 days, I started to see their lives more from their point of view. I never got the impression that they saw themselves as desperate starving people, but more as a greatly inconvenience people. Inconvenienced by their loss of their property to hurricanes, low pay, high gas prices, lack of raw materials, and concerns over the future of their country. Despite these inconveniences, they are very happy generous people.

Our purpose there was simple. Build ten 10x15' homes in ten days. We succeeded in building twelve homes. The goal was to give ten families a start after loosing their homes in hurricane Dean, just something to build on.

I couldn't help make comparisons between American culture and Jamaican. Everywhere we went we saw homes in a constant state of construction. A person may only have enough money to by a dozen cinder blocks and a bag of cement. So they will build what they can from those materials, which usually results in a partial wall, or walk. Then when money comes available again they will build some more. We saw large homes built this way over 30 years of building a little at a time.

Many of those we were building houses for were living with relatives or in shacks not much bigger than 8x6' dwelling held together with corrugated steel and some plywood. But in spite of their outward look, indoors they had made them into a comfortable home. Some of the most humble dwellings were quite nicely decorated inside.

Something that I found interesting to me about Jamaica was that no matter how poor or rich you were, everyone had an eight-foot fence around his or her property. In the poorer areas they were made of corrugated sheets of metal, in the richer areas they were made of cinder block and concrete. The local deacon explained to me that this was to protect their property. They even felt the need to cover their graves with a concrete slab to prevent grave robbers from digging up the bodies.

Another thing interesting to me was that I would commonly see a nice house built in the middle of many small houses or what we would consider shacks or shanties. The Deacon explained to me that it was quite common for the landowner to lease sections of his yard to relatives to build their own smaller houses on.

We began our trip by leaving Winchester at 8 p.m. February 21 and had to stay at the Dulles terminal all night due to the bad weather. I flight departed 6 a.m. the next morning and we arrived in Montego Bay Airport by 4 p.m. that afternoon. See me pictured right at the Montego Bay Airport. From there we had a four hour bumpy roller coaster bus ride across the country on a route the locals treat as a mix of the Indy and Baja 500 to Kingston (thank goodness for Dramamine) finally arrived at hotel around 9 p.m.

From then on, except for Sunday, our daily routine was 6 a.m. breakfast, go to the factory to make the wall panels, and then drive to the country to assemble and set up the house. Our goal was three houses a day. If you don't know the Jamaican climate, every day was like working during a humid August day in Virginia.

My first day out I was all prepared with work clothes, tool belt and tools and ready to build houses when the Bishop who is head of the organization came to me and recruited me to be the official photographer. I was prepared for carpentry work, not photography, and only brought my little point and shoot camera. I had only expected to take a few snapshots for memories, not provide photojournalistic photography.

My first assignment was to cover the meeting of the ministerial staff with the Prime Minister of Jamaica. "Do you have anything to wear", the Bishop said. Okay, I have a suite case full of raggedy work clothes and old shoes, and one set of church wear. So I am thrust into the job of a professional photographer with a point and shoot camera, one change of good clothing, four memory cards and a bag full of AA batteries. Talk about challenging. I always claimed that a good photographer could capture good images no matter what kind of camera they were using as long as they new their equipment. I was about to prove my point or eat my words. My point and shoot Sony and I became very good friends very quickly.

After our meeting with the Prime Minister, the ministerial staff drove through Lionel Town and up to Portland Cottage to document the condition of homes they built prior to hurricane Dean. All were still standing and had been added on to by their owners. Our driver was deacon of a local church. Talk about a wild ride -- I will never complain about the aggressive drivers of Northern Virginia again. It was like riding in the Baja race. My seatbelt was the only thing that kept me from bouncing out the window. If we were not dodging potholes deep enough to disappear in, we were dodging and swerving around other drivers trying to do the same. Forget about minimum following distances. You are only following too close if can't see the other driver's tail lights.

Sunday was church day and we started off the day attending services at a local church in the suburbs of Kingston followed by a second service in the downtown ghetto area. We were treated to a welcome lunch and got my first sampling of jerk chicken and goat meat. The chicken was great, but I think goat meat will be an acquired taste for me. Speaking of goats, they are as common as dogs in this country. Most run loose but everyone seems to know whose goat is whose. I never saw any snakes since the mongooses have pretty much eaten them all. Lizards are everywhere and beware the ants. The first day I set my cold vest on the ground. When I picked it up to put it back on, I didn't realize it was covered with ants. I got several bites that I still bare the marks from before I could get them all off me. We managed to run across two fire ant colonies while building and accidentally stirred up one. Thanks to the Discovery Channel, I learned to keep my distance from these aggressive and venomous varmints.

Monday we went to visit and document the condition of the Health Clinic in the Kingston ghetto. I always said as a child that I would never let anyone take me to an American ghetto and here I was in the Kingston one -- a truly scary place. Filled with narrow streets and high walls that could be easily barricaded at the end to facilitate a robbery. As the Bishop gives me the following warnings: don't take any ID or money, leave your camera bag in the car, lock the car, and remaking constantly aware of your surroundings, it hits me where I really am. I must be out of my mind. If any of the people or places in Jamaica qualified as desperate, this would have to be it.

It wasn't until Tuesday that I finally got to rejoin the team. After missing out on work assignments I felt left out and was eager to get into the muck, mud, sweat and dirt with the rest. I managed to finally find ways to help out by making sure work areas were safe and clear of debris, setting up lighting, carrying walls, and still trying to document the events of the day and the people involved. Many of the locations we built on were foundations of previous homes littered with broken glass, nails, rocks and other debris. It was a miracle that we did not have more injuries than we did. Some locations were up or down steep hills or on very rock terrain.

Our host had a very close call while in Kingston. He was counting money in the back of their car and a passer by spotted them. They noticed that the passer by made a cell phone call, but thought nothing of it. Within minutes they found themselves surrounded and barricades be moved into place at the end of the streets. They quickly started their cars and managed to escape just in time. The Lord was really looking out for them that day.

Tuesday through Thursday we completed three houses a day, and on Thursday night we left Montego Bay about 3 a.m. We built three more houses there and by 7 p.m. picked up food to deliver to two local churches before we turned in for the night.

About the third day I took on the duty of safety officer making sure debris was moved, and the area was generally safe. Guess who had the only injury. After leaving the church we noticed that the load of food had shifted and was in danger of sliding off the truck. Since I was closest to the bus door, I got off to fix the load. Now let me set the scene for you here. It's 7 p.m., pitch dark and you can't see beyond the edge of the road, we are in the mountains and there are no road markings or guardrails. Got the picture? So I fixed the load and was climbing back out of the truck. Rather than use the tire as a step, I decided just to jump down to the ground. Big mistake. I lost my balance and tumbled backward finding nothing but air to land on. I did a backward summersault down twenty feet of steep embankment landing in a pile of broken glass and other garbage someone had thrown out.

It took my fellow passengers a few moments to realize what had happened, but a couple of them formed a human chain and hoisted me back to safety. Saturday was supposed to be our day to enjoy the resorts, but I spent it in my room bruised and bloody with my knee packed in ice. Fortunately by departure day, I was back on my feet.

But all and all, I had a wonderful time. My goal was to serve my fellow man and that's what I did. What once seemed important matters to worry over seem so unimportant now. If the Jamaicans can maintain their faith, love for life, and family relationships with what little they have -- I surely can with much more.

Despite the lack of adequate photography equipment, I manage to capture some wonderful moments with my little Sony Cybershot.

One of my favorite duties was interviewing the new homeowners. A few are pictured below.

	This is Nichol, a kindergarten teacher with four children who was moving into one of the houses we built. She leased the land from her father.
	This is Teresa, mother Teresa they call her, her and her six children will be moving into one of two houses we built in the Kingston ghetto.
	This is Helen in front of her old house with her husband and grandchildren in the background. To shy to be photographed, I had to use one of my funny words to get her to small. She couldn't wait to move into her new house.

I want to thank Debbie Rhodes, Barbara Agregard, Verna Gibbons and Pam Hutzell for their generous contributions that helped make this trip possible.

A little note I received today from Bishop Allen:

Rodney,

I have lead more than forty mission trips and five building trips. The flexibility, ability to multi-task and remain humble and Christ like is a wonderful gift set.

I want to personally thank you for all the things that you have done to help my ministry. I am amazed at your patience and thoroughness. Of all the team members you shined. You worked so very hard building houses and did a wonderful job in a skill set that is far different than your regular work as a professional photographer. You were a tremendous asset as a lay builder and a valuable team member. While most only operated in one field you operated in two.

I appreciate your humility and willingness to do things that you are not accustomed to. My brother, you have represented Christ not only with your hard work, but also with your attitude. I would be happy to work with you and recommend you to anyone. I have heard nothing, but wonderful comments about your work last week from your teammates.

Thank you! I will be praying for you. I hope to work with you again. Until then, I remain . . .

YOUR MISSIONARY TO THE POOR,

Frank Allen
www.hopecharitable.org

February 2008
Rodney will be joining a short term mission team to build homes for the poor in Jamaica

I have an opportunity to join a short-term mission team, to build homes for the poor. I will be traveling with my church, The Winchester Church of God, in February 2008, to Jamaica where we will work to build 10 simple homes. Each home is 10ft x 16ft with a tin roof and concrete foundation and floor. There are two rooms and no electricity or water. In United States standards it is a shed with hurricane strapping, but to a family without a house, it is a home.

I have felt the call from my Lord to be a part of this team. We will not only build homes for the poor, we will build relationships. The trip is not to promote religion, but to follow Christ's example of personal sacrifice to help our fellow man.

During the trip I will utilize my gifts and talents to impact lives and experience a life changing opportunity. This trip will cost about $1,300.00. Our team is trying to raise money to fund other volunteers.

The trip is being organized by the Winchester Church of God and the Hope Charitable Services, International. If you would like to make a donation, make your check payable to "The Winchester Church of God", with "Homes of Hope 2008" on the memo line and mail it to Creative Arts Photography, 63 Riflemen Lane, Winchester, VA 22601. Your prayers for our safe trip and successful service will also be greatly appreciated

During this trip, the studio will remain open to provide customer service during my absence.

Rodney Lee Gibbons

For more information about Hope Charitable Services see http://www.hopecharitableservices.org

January 24, 2008 update :

On January 24 our team built one of the houses in front of the Winchester Church of God. If gave us a great trial run at assembling the house. This first run took about six hours to complete, but after a little practice, I think we can get it down to four hours.

The latest news on where we will be building the homes in Jamaica is the Kingston and Portland Cottage areas that were hit by both Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Dean in 2007. You can find a map of these locations at map.

Jamaica's Poorest Still Living among the rubble of Hurricane Ivan

Hurricane Dean Hits Portland Cottage

Nov 14, 2007:

As the date draws nearer, we continue to gather more and more details about how we will be serving the needy in Jamaica. Our team will be flying to Miami where we will be joining three other teams. From there we fly to Montego Bay, Jamaica and take a three hour bus trip to Kingston. We will spend the first two days constructing the panels for the houses at the factory, then load all the parts, tools, and supplies in trucks and travel to the countryside to assemble them.

Thank you to our sponsors who have sent us over $350 to date along with their prayers and support. I continue to look forward to this trip with great excitement.

November 11 , 2007
Rodney attends a seminar "Glamour, Boudoir and Pin-up Style Photography" in Dulles, VA

I attended a one day seminar on Glamour, Boudoir and Pin-Up style photography. This is part of my continuing education which earns me credits toward maintaining my certification as a Certified Professional Photographer through Professional Photographers of America.

I obtained some terrific ideas on obtaining the golden glow in skin tones that is highly popular in today's pin-up magazines as well as tips on effective use of props, sensual tasteful posing, and backgrounds.

Rodney Lee Gibbons, CPP

July 24-25, 2007
Rodney attends a seminar "Almost Alone with David A. Williams" in Leesburg

I ATTENDED TWO DAYS OF PRACTICAL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHIC ENHANCEMENT & EDUCATION FOR WEDDING AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS.

Topics that David covered included:

• Detail Miniatures – story-telling images, and portraits of environments.
• A renewed emphasis on freehand designing
• Existing Light as the primary light source
• Supplementary light sources “Love that mixed lighting”
• Doing more with less – learning to think differently.
• Creating a homage portrait – ( how I make my MasterWorks portraits)
• What makes Aussie photographers different and David’s deposing.
• Aussie weddings & his approaches.
• Aussie children & his approaches.
• Single light portraiture
• The horizontal and the using depth – using negative space.
• Visual communication.
• Immediacy and expression.
• Art and design influences – identifying the component construction of a style.
• Fine-quality inkjet printing & Digital hand printing.
• Digital practices for weddings – sorting & proofing
• Digital tools you really need – e.g. use and creation of actions.

July 31, 2007
Rodney Lee Gibbons, CPP

January 12-16, 2007
Rodney attends Imaging USA Seminars and Workshops in San Antonio, TX

I just returned home from an exciting four-day marathon of workshops in San Antonio sponsored by Professional Photographers of America. If any of you have been following the weather, you know a big ice storm hit San Antonio the day I left. I didn't find out my flight was cancelled until I arrived at the airport at 9 a.m., but thanks to some quick rerouting via Newark, NJ by United via Continental Airlines, I finally made it home by 2:30 a.m. the next morning.

I attended seminars on event photography, children’s portraiture, wedding photography, digital workflow, marketing, retouching, and creative artistic effects. I call it a marathon because we started our first class at 7 a.m. and finished our last at 7 p.m. Classes were scheduled so close together that I had to walk as fast as I could between the hotel and class rooms.

It's rumored that Canon will be releasing new cameras this spring that will show improvements in color and dynamic range. I am always excited to hear about that. I am already saving my dollars.

I did manage to fit in a quick visit to the Alamo while I was there, and of course, managed to sample the local food. I was also hoping to use a lot of my Spanish speaking skills, but was disappointed to find out that little if any Spanish was spoken in the tourist areas. My attempt to order breakfast in Spanish in one of the downtown cafes was met with total confusion since no one there spoke Spanish.

As a result I earned credits toward recertification as a Certified Professional Photographer, and came away with a lot of new ideas for products and marking.

Jan 18, 2007
Rodney Lee Gibbons, CPP

Creative Arts Photography
63 Riflemen Lane
Winchester, VA 22601

Voice: 540-722-9000

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