B.A.N.G. (Building A New Generation) started as a 3 night concert event for the youth in Spalding, Jamaica. The tour has become a widely accepted and anticipated event, expanding it to many other locations. This summer will be a 4 night tour in Spalding, Melrose, and Kingston.
Located in the parish (or city) of Manchester near the center of Jamaica.
So, what is Kendal Camp?
Kendal Camp is a facility used as a conference center. Kendal is located at the top of a mountain which allows for a cool breeze (especially at night) and a beautiful view. These pictures will hopefully give you a better idea of where we are staying. We've used Kendal Camp for the last four years and we love it.
What does camp look like?
What are the different parts of camp?
1. The Driveway:
Located about 1 hour 45 minutes from Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) & 2 1/2 hours from Sangster International Airport (MOBAY)
2. The Courtyard:
To the left are the rooms and inside that building is the devotion room, dining room, and kitchen
View from the second floor rooms
Perfect spot for water balloon fights ;)
2. The Dining Room:
4. The Kitchen:
Behind us is the water cooler where we fill up our water bottles :)
K.P. Duty
5. Devotion Room:
6. The Veranda:
The veranda at sunrise
7. View from the Veranda:
9. The Backyard:
10. The Rooms:
Windows are have curtains, glass panes, and bars. Each room comes with a key.
Now, I know the real question you're asking... what do the inside of the rooms look like?? Well, here it is. Room #4 (located on the floor level) will be our example...
Each room comes with a variety of bed sizes. Most likely the rooms will have two twins and one double. When packing, make sure to bring only flat sheets for a double bed (you never know what size bed you'll get). Each room also comes with a bedside dresser and a large closet. There are also electrical outlets to charge cameras and portable fans. (We will discuss this more when we go over the packing list). There are no ceiling fans or A/C.
Each room also comes with their own bathroom. Make sure to pack a towel for showering and one for R&R day.
Bathrooms have a toilet, sink, trash can, electrical outlet, mirror, and a high window. (Sorry the room pictures are so messy! There were two girls staying in it! :) )
Bobby Bishop (yes, that's his Government Name) is based out of Lynn, MA. Bobby is one of the coolest people you've ever met. If you haven't met him, I pray that you are blessed with an opportunity to meet him. He has an amazing heart for the Lord and loves serving His people. He is wonderful with the youth and people of all ages. His ability to relate to and encourage young adults is definitely a gift from the Lord. Bobby has been described as "fun, talented, and wise in God's Word."
Bobby & R-Swift on stage
His CDs: Government Name (2005) and Everyday Man (2009). He also has a couple other CDs and remixes available. Please support him! While most of these are free, if God lays it on your heart to make a donation, please do so :)
Please vote for him as best rap/hip hop artist!! @ this website: http://bobbybishop.bigcartel.com/. Just type "Bobby Bishop" in the rap/hip-hop artist line.
How I Met Bobby:
Over 10 years ago, when my family and I lived in Boston, we met the McGuire family (who is related to Bobby.) Years later, after we moved to Atlanta, we were reunited with the McGuires.
Around that time (summer 2008), God put it on my heart to bring Christian hip-hop artists to Jamaica on our mission trip. I was attending Samford University at the time and began emailing booking agents and searching for artists to come on the trip with us. I faced over 8 months of rejection emails; including artists asking for way more money than we could possibly afford to pay them and just plain getting no responses. Then, one Sunday night, after I had just gotten back to school, everything changed. I plopped down at my desk in my dorm room and began searching youtube for concert videos of Trip Lee, an artist with Reach Records. I despised going back to school after being home for the weekend, so I always distracted myself with something in order to keep myself from going crazy. Just so you know, Trip Lee was the big influence in my decision to rededicate my life to the Lord so I always enjoyed listening to his CDs and watching his concert videos and messages. Anyway, while searching youtube, I stumbled upon this video::
As I was watching, Bobby's name scrolled across the screen (Bobby comes on @3:29, by the way). When I saw it, I paused the video and sat there staring at my computer for probably 10 minutes lol. I couldn't believe it. (I'm laughing now thinking about how shocked I was and how the light bulb clicked). After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I called mom.
I can't tell you how amazing this was. God knew that I would stumble upon this video. God knew that I would be introduced to the right artist, but in His timing. He taught me to never give up and keep having faith that He'll work it out. It was God's idea to do it, so of course He'll see it through to completion. God used my connection with Trip Lee and his music to lead me to not just a new relationship with the Lord, but a relationship with artists who would mean the world to me. This was the beginning of my new life.
After that, I immediately added Bobby on facebook and messaged him about my desire to bring artists on our mission trip (and of course asked if he was at all interested.) Honestly, preparing for another rejection, I sent it. As soon as I did, I got an immediate response from him telling me to go ahead and sign him up for the trip! No questions asked--he was willing and ready to come! The rest is history.
His arrival in Jamaica
Bobby, his cousin Nina, and I about to leave to go shopping
My favorite memories with Bobby: First: Our initial facebook message :), but also the phone calls when we first began discussing the trip. A shortened version of my life at the time is that I had just rededicated my life to the Lord and I didn't have many close friendships with believers. I was dealing with a lot of internal and external struggles including depression, loneliness, & heartbreak. While I was excited about the trip, the reality of having a committed artist hadn't set in yet. I was in a daze as plans were being made and the end of my last semester at Samford was approaching. I remember sitting in Panera Bread (like I always was lol), doing homework, listening to music, trying to occupy myself with anything other than the discouragement I was constantly wrapped up in--and I got a call from Bobby. He brought the biggest smile to my face. While the memory is still so alive to me, I honestly can't remember much of the words that were spoken. What I do remember is God's presence and sudden revelation of His Will coming together flooding and covering me. Automatically, I felt relieved to be speaking with someone that I already knew I could trust. Someone that I knew cared about me and loved Jesus. While God was the actual relief and release, I felt it being poured out for me through Bobby.
Bobby with Young Joshua, R-Swift, Sherry (a team member) and Pastor Smikel.
Right before Bobby and the other artists left to return home
Second: The impact he had on Tenisha, a 5 year old little Jamaican girl. She loves Bobby--no, wait, ADORES him. She was always right there in the front row, wanting to be seen by Bobby and dance to his songs. The next summer, Bobby was unable to come because his little baby girl was born within a week or so of the trip. It was obviously a blessing, but we really missed him. Especially Tenisha. She was heartbroken when she learned that Bobby wasn't there. I already know she's going to be thrilled when she sees him again this summer.
Bobby & Tenisha
Bobby,
I just want to tell you how thankful I am for you. Without you and your willingness, I honestly don't know if the trip would have happened. The trip would not have been nearly as effective in the presentation of the Gospel. You were the connection from God's small voice in my heart nudging me to trust and do His seemingly impossible Will to what God had ordained and saw through to completion. I can't tell you how relieved and overjoyed I was when I heard back from you that day. I think I cried for--well I'm not sure how long, but I am just so thankful for you. You will always be a reminder for me of God's faithfulness. I love you Bobby!
Kara
