Missions Mag 1-4

Jamaica Mission Trip
by Steven Elder
At 7:05 AM on Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 the wheels of our plane lifted
from the ground in Nashville, with the final destination of Mandeville Jamaica.
Now the first thing that comes to your mind might be coconuts, palm trees
and the beach. But what you might not know is we were on a mission. We were
eight ordinary parishioners with average skills trying to do something extraordinary
in Jamaica. The members of our mission team, Sister Martha, Stephanie
Dodson, Ben Elder, Ruthie Wood, Kay Waid, Rebecca Thomason, Anna Rose
Buckman and myself all gave up something to go. Time with our family, our own
financial commitment, time away from work, etc. But what we received in return
was far greater in my mind than what we took with us. I’ve heard once stated that
giving is the most selfish thing you can do. Because giving, allows you to receive
so much more in return. This is so true with the people of Jamaica.
Our trip took us all over the Diocese of Mandeville. The whole country
of Jamaica is a little over 4,000 square miles. The State of Kentucky by comparison
is over 40,000 square miles. We call the Diocese of Mandeville, our sister
diocese. St. Jerome Church in Fancy Farm, KY is in the Diocese of Owensboro.
Our relationship with Mandeville started back in the 1990s when our Bishop
John McRaith asked Bishop Paul Michael Boyle from Jamaica, how we might
help them? Bishop Boyle asked for pencils. Now the Ash Wednesday collection is
dedicated for the Diocese of Mandeville. This past year we collected $64,000 for the Mandeville.
For the mission I went on, a
lot of focus is put on building a house,
but that’s just a small part of our emersion
process. In the 7 days that we were
there, we visited the Gift of Hope Mustard
Seed where children with severe
disabilities stay and are cared for. The
difficulties and problems those children
face on a day to day basis, did not deter Kay or Anna Rose from loving and supporting them. The hot Jamaican sun
did not deter the rest of the team as we cleaned, sweated and painted a visitor’s cottage at St. Vincent School so that visiting
teachers and other volunteers can be recruited to come to Jamaica. The winding roads around Mandeville did not keep
up from touring the St. John Bosco Home for Boys where apprentice programs are provided for the youth. The lack of
medical supplies and help did not keep our team members
from working at a clinic and providing medicine and help
to those in need. Time stood still for us as we listened to the
voice of children singing “This Little Light of Mine” at the
St. Joseph School in Cross Keys. Our hearts poured out for
those at the nursing home watching nuns and sisters care
for those who can no longer care for themselves. The small
crowded church in the hills provided the perfect location as
we taught 17 women how to use their new water filter and
bucket. This water filter program will provide clean drinking
water to at least 68 people.
Back to the house we built. It was a home no bigger than
a small garage. No electricity. No running water. No bathroom. Just three rooms and small front porch. Built off a dirt road
in the corner of a field. The Powell family worked side by side with us building and painting the house. Angela Powell the
mother of the family held our hands on the front porch thanking and praising God. She sang, Alleluia Praise the Lord, God
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