Journey to Jamaica: A Ministry on a Missions Trip
I did not quite know what I was going to expect when I arrived in Kingston, Jamaica. A few people informed us that we would see poor conditions and depressed areas. I was thinking in my mind where I grew up in the projects as something similar, but I was wrong!
When we first drove to the Rae Town Corps, I could not believe my eyes. Our driver said to us, “As I turn this corner, you will see some things but try not to get depressed.” What I encountered were packs of dogs lying about in the streets, people sitting in the alley ways looking weary, brick walls all torn down and falling apart, trash thrown all over, metal sheets as walls to their homes and ram shackled looking yards and shacks for homes. Amongst all of this was the Rae Town Corps. Rae Town Corps is the beacon of light to an area of economic depression.
But this is not all that I witnessed on my trip. I met a people who were resilient, loving, accepting, hopeful, courageous and full of ingenuity. These wonderful people taught us that whatever life gave them they would survive and be happy for what they had. I watched as little kids were happy kicking around a stone and an empty Coke bottle in place of a ball. I saw the community coming over to see what was happening and what we were doing at the corps.
Eventually, some of these same people worked alongside of us, happily transforming a dark place into a place full of light and color. As the week came to an end, I started seeing less of the physical trash and depression and more of the beauty in the people. My time in Jamaica made me discover there was more in me to give and more that I needed to surrender to God. This will not be my last missions trip!
-submitted by Capt. Dawn Russell, Green Bay Union Court Corps