Jamaica News
15 members of First Christian Church, 10 youth and 5 adults, traveled to Port Maria, St. Mary, Jamaica for a week-long mission trip serving with American Caribbean Experience, an organization that has served the people of Port Maria for over 28 years. The group collected school supplies and gently used clothing to donate to the people of Jamaica, packing minimally in order to make the most room for donated items.
St. Mary is the poorest parish in Jamaica and has a population of a little over 114,000. It also boasts the best secondary schools on the island. The primary income for the region has traditionally been agriculture, but has moved towards hospitality as some large resorts have built in the area with the advent of the Ian Fleming International Airport, which caters to private jets. As
The mission team learned a lot about the culture and heritage of the Jamaican people as they served in construction and agricultural projects, volunteered in schools, walked the hillsides delivering seed packs to families seeking to grow their own food, and spent their time serving the poorest, most vulnerable people at the Port Maria Infirmary. The team prayed daily for the people they served and even took part in a prayer walk through one of the Galina neighborhoods. Seeking to serve others out of their tremendous love for God, these members received the gift of personal transformation and are more determined than ever to seek ways to serve others.
Loving God with our entire substance affects how we live and act in the world. It forces us to consider how we live, what we purchase, what we throw away and whose lives are affected negatively by all that we do. It calls us to share the love of Christ with others through our actions and our conversations. The members of the mission team plan to seek ways to continue what they have learned from their trip, to share with others who will listen and invite all who wish to share the love of God with our neighbors both near and far to join them in serving those in need locally and in planning another mission effort in the near future.
If you would like to hear more from the First Christian Mission Team, plans are underway for an authentic Jamaican dinner where team members will share stories from their journey, hopes for the future and express their effusive thanks to the congregation for supporting them in their efforts in missions. Watch for more information and plan to join us.
Blessings,
Tracy