Hi all, got back from Jamaica Saturday evening. Suzanne, thank you for your prayers, I appreciated the support. It was the hardest trip, more than the 1st 2. I worked at the Infirmary all week, except one medical clinic for 1/2 a day then back to the Infirmary. I needed the break. I thought the Infirmary was getting better care with some help from ACE but it looks like basically, they work when you are in sight, but once your gone everything goes back to "normal". My first day, they must have forgot I was coming, or maybe didn't expect me to come in the morning, because I walked into the women's ward, and was horrified at what I saw. They started scrambling to work. It isn't the ancient building, and dirty surroundings. All of Jamaica is like that, and they all live like that for the most part. I know that culturally they wouldn't think anything of thier surroundings at the Infirmary. It is the neglect of people. Lying in thier own waste for days......exposed for everyone to see. Bed sores and sores all over skin from being filthy. An elderly gentleman pulled me aside and talked and talked. I caught about every 3rd word and finally put together what he was telling me. He said when he was young, he had a home and family. He lived like a decent human being. He had been in the Infirmary for 27 years, and wanted me to know that when we came, things were different. Better...but when we left, it was exactly as it always had been. I told him I understood and believed him, and that was why we came. We were trying to help the staff change things. I couldn't promise anything or even give him any real hope. You take resources up there, and I suspect they are stolen and sold. I would like to ask everyone to simply say a prayer for the Infirmary. For a true spiritual revival on that hill. Poverty culture is one of slavery. They aren't slaves anymore, but they continue to think and act like victims. Just like in Nehemiah's story. If spiritual restoration doesn't come, the resources will be wasted. All the comfort I could take from the situation is, that for the days I and my partner Audrey Guy went, they had water or juice to drink, loving interaction, backrubs, and footrubs, we fed some who would not have gotten fed because they can not feed themselves, comforted the dying in as much as possible. And I saw Jesus. I saw strong faith in the midst of such sorrow. I am the one to be pitied in that respect...in faith, they were much richer than I am, and I know that is because of their circumstance. They have nothing BUT Him. Lisa

Wow!
What a testimony, Lisa. Thank you for sharing it.
Mary

Hi Lisa,

I was reading your story and it is so tragic that people don't have any more sense of responsibility than that. I look at my Mom and it would be impossible for me not to care for her needs. I will pray so much for this situation. It may be a lack of funds coupled with lack of manpower producing a lack of hope and certainly revival is needed. Thank you for sharing your story.

Responsibility??? Granted when I was in Jamaica it was for a vacation and not on a mission trip but I didn't get the impression that anyone there knows the meaning of that word.

I have come to the conclusion that when they say "no problem mahn" what they are really saying is "This is no problem for me. This is your problem and I don't intend to do anything about it other than tell you that I'll take care of it."

Well, I can see why you'd feel that way Jerry, but it's complicated. Some of it is culture....some of it is the extreme poverty. Most of it is the victim mentality that produces hopelessness. There's "no problem" because they may feel there is nothing they can do about it, so why worry. Now, it's like the generations who grow up on welfare, there comes an attitude of entitlement or expectation that someone else will do what's necessary. That's why I said, if there is no spiritual revival and restoration, nothing will change. ACE has been there for 20 years, educating, preaching, loving and serving the people of Jamaica. There are some Godly people who get it, and are changing and working to help thier own people. There is also a change in government, that hopefully will not be more of the same in keeping people down and ignorant. They are not taught to think for themselves either. It's a God sized job. Just pray for God's mercy and revival. L

I'm sure that's right but I'm sure that's part of why I've never felt called to mission in Jamaica too. They don't seem to want help, they just want a handout.

Consider our mission in Jamaica and our mission in the Sudan. In the Sudan we're helping them to help themselves. They must grow the crops. They must build the tools. They must manage the water systems. In Jamaica we just give them some of what they need but as soon as we leave, they're no better off than before we came.

As you said, they need change in their spirits. I just don't know if our current aid system is conducive toward that end.

My wife went on a mission trip to Jamaica and she feels blessed for having done so. In some way I'm sure it has blessed those whom she served as well. There is no doubt that their needs are real and their pains real as well. I'm just not sure this is the right direction in order to instigate real meaningful long term change. God still blesses our service so I don't mean to imply in any way that this is something God doesn't favor. Any action is better than none.

I agree, and the Lord reminded me while there that even giving a cup of cold water in His name is a valid work. New things are happening in Jamaica, with micro business education and start up. There are many new cottage industries starting, plus farming education, so hopefully, a new season of self reliance is being born. The medical work however must simply be a gift, until government makes some changes. That isn't something people can do for themselves, they need skilled nurses, doctors, and dentist'. It's God's kindness that draws us to repentance...I hope that as we demonstrate that no strings kindness that they are drawn to Jesus and are changed. L
I'm also reminded something that Sashi said to me...that Muslims were accepting Jesus simply because they were being loved. No one is preaching there in the Sudan and handing out bibles and tracts. They are being loved...and changed because of it. L

The situation on Jamaica is unique to itself even if reflective of some other cultures. My husband went there several years ago and remembers the whole, "No problem mahn" thing. He said it took many more days to build a simple hut there than it would have here. They are big time into marajuana and I think it slows them down too much and they do not have the sense of productivity they need for the speed of life but especially in healthcare where you have to be on it and stay on it all the time. They're certainly not in a hurry about anything but when that comes to healthcare, they need to feel compassion for those who are sick.
To Jerry: You seem to me to be a very prophetic person and tempered with mercy and patience, it is a wonderful gifting.
Have a good day J & L

To Jerry: You seem to me to be a very prophetic person and tempered with mercy and patience, it is a wonderful gifting.

Yeah...kind of like Jeremiah, huh Jerry? (smile) L

Lisa I just want to cry when I read your post. I'm so saddened to think of the people lying in their own waste. It hurts to think about it. I'll try very very hard to remember to pray for these people and that region. I am just at a loss for words. I guess Mary said it best, "Wow!"

Hmmmm Jerry, I'm thinking I'm going to be looking at you in a whole new light now. If there's a weird glow coming from up above the balcony this week end, I'll know it's you.