Taking Shape

Hi from Copan, Honduras.

The computer lab and classroom are taking shape. The outside and inside walls are up and Monday we will begin on the gables and then the roof. We have sifted sand, made mortar, carried mortar to the block layers, tied rebar, first cutting the wire into the right size pieces. We have carried blocks and carried blocks and carried blocks, sometimes from one place to another and sometimes to the person who is laying the block. We do whatever we can to facilitate the work of the skilled workers. We clean the site and the tools each day before going home for supper. En route we stop for a welcome beer at the local tienda, not a bar, just a little store where we can sit outside on the verandah in the shade.

We are having a good time with the men from the community who are working with us on the site. The foreman is a Honduran, Freddie, and he remembers Jack from some of the "builds" we were on before.

The children are lots of fun and they laugh at our halting Spanish but like it that we try. Some of them work alongside us and they work very hard, much harder than you would expect from such small children.

We are in Copan on our "days off" to visit the famous Mayan ruins here. It is hot and sunny and we are all well. It is a blessing for me to be surrounded by all these people who cared about Jack and who care about me.

There is much more to tell and there will be many pictures to choose from but for now this is it.

Elaine

Thinking of You All!

Hi Elaine, Lindsay, Cathy, Frank, Lis, Heather, Yvette, Leslie, Marion, Katie, Richard, Jens, Charles, Laura, Devon & Garrett,

I hope you all had good trips getting to Honduras. We'll look forward to hearing from you when you have a minute near an internet cafe.

At home in Edmonton, Linda J. lit a candle at Westwood for you all & the work you are doing in memory of Jack.

I also lit a candle for Fred Partington (this memorial project was his idea) & Diane who are along in spirit on this build, and on another mission in California now. Take good care Freddie & Di!!

Light & Love to all,
take care ~
Dawn

Can Hardly Wait

I am Leaving tomorrow for an adventure of a most special kind
I get to help build a tribute to Jack and what he stood for
WITH my MOM
and All kinds of friends some I know some I have yet to meet
all who have been touched changed challenged loved by Jack
agree or disagree he ignited the think sparks
I am honored to be part of keeping them lit

Diane and Fred will be there with us
Building
thanks Fred for thinking and acting big
See you all soon
Lindsay

The Crew - Heather

Heather said...
I leave in around 48 hours for Jacks build. My body feels like it is bursting at the seams with mostly excitement and anticipation and, ok... I'll admit it, some fear. My bags have been packed for days... I can hardly sleep at night. (this is far worse than the excitement of summer camp) I am at a tender age, where I could go many directions in life and currently, I have chosen is SOUTH!

Let's start, at the beginning when I met Jack and Elaine. My mother and I first went to Westwood Unitarian, in Edmonton the winter of 2000. I was thirteen and was starving for someone to take the "male role-model" lead in my life. Among other things, I was struggling with coming out, mental health issues and my parents crappy divorce. It took Jack and I no longer than my first Sunday for him to ask me, (and Just ME!!) out for lunch. I have no idea if Jack knew the impact he was having by just asking me out for lunch. Like I was mature and no longer some kid... he wanted to know who I was without family. Well, needless to say, my mother wasn't exactly thrilled. "Who's JACK!?" she asked in a shocked tone, in the basement of Westwood. But after she met him and Elaine it wasn't long before both our families were good friends, staying up late chatting. I am sad that Jack's and my life only crossed paths for 7 years but given the age difference, I am so thankful it even did.

The day I heard that Jack had died, I cried while I pinned my most favorite and beautiful pare of treasured fairy wings with a dried red rose on my cealing. Every time I lie in bed, I look up at those wings and hope-hope-hope on each shooting star and seeding dandelion wish*wish*wish that someday... Someday, I too can work for justice and empower the people and create positive change while carefully Questioning Everything and speaking ones mind. For better or for worse.

I thank Jack for passing the torch onto me and my generation. I won't let him down.

originally posted: January 14, 2009 2:27 AM as a comment
dawn n. note - i moved it up!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Hi Everyone,
I got onto the computer to pay off the last bills before leaving- so I am distracted. On return I will learn how to add the photos.
Yvette

How it all started

Jack and I first went to Central America with World Accord in 2001. We returned 4 more times to help Hondurans and Guatemalans build either a home or a community centre. In 2005 when we were in Horconcitos to help with the community centre, Jack decided his balance was too compromised to be safe on the work site and he would not go again. He was 81.

When Jack died in July 2007, my son-in-law, Fred Partington, suggested that instead of flowers at the memorial service, people be asked to contribute to a fund at World Accord so we could build a school to honour Jack's life. What a brilliant idea! The Jack Allen Memorial Fund was established and it has grown amazingly. Next week 15 family members and friends are going to Honduras to build a 3 room, stand-alone computer centre adjacent to the high school in Horconcitos. Sadly, for health reasons, Fred and my daughter, Diane, will not be part of the crew.

Besides me, the crew includes: Charles, Jack's grandson, Frank and Cathy, Jack's nephew and his wife, Lindsay, my daughter, and the other 10 are friends. Some are long time friends and others are people we met on our World Accord "builds", who have become life-long friends.

Introducing Katie

Let me introduce myself.

I first heard about World Accord and their construction projects in Central America about 11 years ago at a Canadian Unitarian Council annual meeting. I was there as a new minister from Newfoundland. Finally, I have the opportunity to fulfill the dream of going along on a build.

And Jack, along with Elaine, was a mentor along the path to ministry for me. I lived with Elaine while attending St. Stephen's Theological School. Charm and Jack and Elaine would occasionally invite me to go along with them for coffee and doughnuts, I think it was. I remember a specific occasion where their support during a difficult time was oh, so helpful.

I'll be staying in Honduras to participate in a second build Feb 7-21, learning some Spanish during the week between. I hope to learn not only some Spanish, but also more about me, and about being a better world citizen. This is all part of my sabbatical from Beacon Unitarian Church, Part II.

My Sabbatical, Part I, was a 53 day canoe trip this past summer from western Saskatchewan to Thunder Bay. As I reflect on it, I see it was a pilgrimmage for me. There's more about it on my blog http://katiecanoeing.blogspot.com/. It was a return to canoeing, my passion. A return to the outdoors, to a more physical way of living. Playing hockey once a week wasn't enough.

My own blog for this trip is at http://katiesrunningcommentary.blogspot.com/.

The Crew

Everyone going to work on this project, honouring Jack, please introduce yourself and include your connection to Jack, svp.
Thanks!
dawn

Welcome

Thanks for visiting. This blog will follow the Jack Allen School - Expedition aka JAS-E - a group of family and friends who will be going to Honduras in 2009 to build a high school computer lab in honour of our dear one, Jack Allen.
We are just getting started on this blog, so thanks for your patience.

Dawn