Update: We are hoping our friends get home this coming week. As we know, with them being away from home, they still have home responsibilities and they are unable to work. Please note this increase is to assist them with expenses not only for staying there and getting back, but also to take care of any bills and late fees that may be occurring.

A message from Josh and Justin!

Hello Friends and Loved Ones,

Justin and I are so grateful for your support and prayers as we navigate getting back to the United States from Jamacia. As you can imagine, the Category 5 Hurricane Melissa has devastated the entire island of Jamaica and has left everyone including us with limited resources and access to essential services and supplies. We are safe but are currently unsure about when we will be able to get home. (Our flight has been cancelled 4 times now and Airport operations are shaky. We left on October 23rd for a family wedding and were supposed to return home on Sunday October 26th to avoid the storm.)

Since the storm, we have been forced to make tough decisions that our safety and the safety of those around us. For context, We had to extend our stay at our resort (they are charging a disaster fee, daily and per person.. knowing we have no where to go.) depleting our finances to just the limited cash we brought on the island (I.e. $150 US dollars, originally meant to tip our wait staff, now used to get a overcharged taxi to take us near the airport - the only place with cell signal on the entire island.), cell signal and WiFi are out so we have limited ways of contacting our loved ones (we had to get to a roof somewhere to send this message with like 1 bar and it’s spotty), we have run out of our medications (Josh has high blood pressure, gout, and plantar fasciitis), been dehydrated, and endured other very traumatic incidents since Tuesday that we will not disclose here.

To those who know us, It is hard for both Justin and I to ask for help, especially when it comes to money but We are asking our friends and family to donate if they can to our go fund me, Cash App @jktrot or @qualityontherocks, or Zelle Justin via his phone number (7082382603) to help us get us home, and help offset the extreme financial burden this experience has caused. (We are hoping signal returns, but all the ATMS are down, that’s why we are doing this.) We also appreciate everyone who can share this fundraiser as well! Even just a few bucks or a share can go a long way. (In addition to prayer, as both Justin and I would appreciate a spiritual lift in this moment as well!)

Justin and I also understand how blessed we are to be able to leave the island and return home. For so many native and local Jamaicans they are starting their lives over from the bare minimum. So we have also decided that a portion of the funds raised in this fundraiser that we do not use will be given to hurricane relief efforts here in Jamacia.

Thank you for helping us in our time of need. We love each and everyone of you and we are hoping to be able to contact and see you soon!

Love,

Joshua Trotter and Justin Smith