These words pronounced with a strong carribean accent, Usain Bolt, Bob Marley, Rastafarians and Cool Runnings were about the sum total of what I knew about Jamaica. After our visit to the island, this picture got some colour. Turqoois, clear water, a small island with hills and lush vegetation, hundreds of Palm trees, tropical fruits, friendly people and a tropical laid back atmosphere were added. What is sad about this picture is the smell of dagga that completes it. Dagga is cheaper than food and holds so many captive.
We arrived at Kingston and was spoiled with Blue Mountain coffee, which is considered as one of the best in the world. In our time here we spend two days at a homeless shelter. We sat between the people and chatted, played dominoes, listened, tried to understand, cared and shared Jesus's love. This made me think of the following quote of mother Theresa: "We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty." What a privilege to be able to have served in such a way.
Then our team split up and we went to St Anne's Bay, a beautiful town at the coast where Christopher Colombus first discovered Jamaica. Pastor Jerry's main focus is the youth and we experienced our time there as such. Children were in and out of the apartment where we stayed, we visited 3 schools and we played soccer and basketball almost every afternoon, with the kids and the youth, on the fields next to where we stayed. We became part of the community and the street. No label as missionaries, just the crazy, adventurous, young people from South Africa (who loves Jesus). We sat utill late at night on chairs outside in the street with our neighbors and others from our street, escaping the heat inside. Talking, enjoying the cool air, being His light without debating, judging or trying to convince.
We didn't have one church service in our time there but it felt as though we took church from the inside to the outside. We are church, and we lived it, made it practical. One Sunday instead of a service we had a homeless day. Pastor Jerry got this vision and mission from God a few years back. With some volunteers they serve the homeless about once every three months. Homeless people were picked up from the streets, given a hair cut, shave, bath, food, a bible and a new set of clothes. We helped with the food preparation, nail clipping, hair cutting and clothes. What a humbling and great experience! The thought that we were doing this as if for God, put so much joy in our hearts. An experience that will always be with me.
We met 4 influential people in different areas of St Anne's. Coincidence? With God leading the way, never. Pastor Jerry. A woman of God, who stands firm in faith and prayer. Truly inspirational. Donovan, a local fisherman, who spoiled all 8 of us with a wonderful fish meal, although he is a poor man. He caught fish until 4 the previous night to have enough for us. Ryan Lee, a local shop owner, who spoiled us with anything we needed or wanted. John Oswayne, a volunteer at the youth centre, opposite from the field where we lived. It is an initiative from the government to keep the youth off the streets and away from dagga. Except for pastor Jerry, no one is involved in a church. Although they know about God, they had a lot of questions, differences, and confusions. We could spent a lot of time with each of them and could inspire them with our stories of faith, God's provision and all our adventure experiences. Likewise they blessed us just as much. We became friends with all of them...
So for 2 weeks we became part of St Anne's. We spend special moments with the locals: sitting on their chairs (on a street corner) eating their food, picking up litter with the youth around the basketball field, playing basketball with the youth and sharing
life. Living Jesus. What a wonderful community and a blessed time! It's a privilege to say we now have friends in St Anne's Bay!
Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me (let me experience) and I learn. (Benjamin Franklin). We learn by experience this year. Maybe this is what Global Challenge is all about..