To Jamaica I

In the days following the Rastas' return home, GofE buzzed with excitement; mostly about who would go with me. As I saw it, of the twenty-some of us then living there, a good 30-few were contenders for the position, which is to say everyone at GofE and several other collaboraters who lived elsewhere in our neighborhood. We decided to have a drawing to select my companion since we all seemed to agee that it wouldn't be fair if I just chose someone. Everyone in residence was invited to put their name on a 3X5 card if they were able and willing to go or to put the name of one they could recommend to go in their stead. A dozen "off post" collaboraters were given the same invitation. Cards were placed in a box (28 cards,total) then drawn by the blind-folded half-naked lady; as is usually done in cases like this. Owing to a relatively high rate of turn over at GofE we drew five cards (one winner and four runners-up)so that were our first winner unable to take the trip, or even the first, second and third, well you get it.  And, we weren't sure when the trip would be taken but surely not until Autumn or Winter so we could have need for runners-up. As it turned out though, one of our most recent arrivals at the time of the drawing, one Bob Brower was first in the drawing and was with us long enough to accompany me to accept Brother I.V.'s invitation. Everyone with a card in the box and quite a number of others attended the drawing. When the five cards had been drawn we began to focus on the coming trip. To decide what we wished to accomplish. To get specific about our itinerary and reserve passage early enough to get the big discount. Ben's next-door neighbor, a very talented young lady named Jeanette, volunteered to tailor suits for Bob and I of a clerical nature befitting our positions as U.L.C. ministers. We would wear them while using public transit. Ideas for gifts that might be welcomed by our Jamaican hosts were explored; most of those present thought that a variety of items from the shelves of our free store would be the best choice. These items were all either made by or collected by  members of our congregation and most could easily fit in a carry-on.  What we wished to accomplish, was put on the back burner that day, but returned to the fore now and again as we approached our day of departure.