Kingston, Jamaica
It's about time I wrote about Jamaica.
I spent ten days over my winter break serving with and for others in Kingston, Jamaica. My team and I fundraised, bonded and learned about Jamaica and the socioeconomic, historical and political factors that affect its poverty and people for the entire semester before we left.
Although, even when we were leaving, I didn't know what to expect.
Friends who had been on mission trips before and shared their experiences with me made me think, "Maybe I'll get this amazing chance to talk to someone about Jesus." The truth is, the people I encountered in Jamaica taught me more about Jesus, Christianity, love, service and sacrifice than I could ever imagine.
"So, what did you do?"
"How was your trip?"
After coming back, all I could say to most people was, "It was the best experience of my life." Now that I am transitioned back, I can share a little more... but not a lot.
My team and I were a part of something very special at Loyola University New Orleans. Ignacio Volunteers is a program you must apply, interview and be accepted to. I would like to respect the integrity of this fantastic program by not giving away too much, just in case someone reading this is a student who may apply later.
Our journey began on Dec. 27, 2017, as we all spent the night before takeoff sleeping on the hard floor. It didn't bother me, but it should have been an indicator I was about to be surrounded by these incredible people, and pushed out of my comfort zone in the days ahead.
Once we were in Jamaica, we served the homeless, the poor, the blind, the forgotten, the mentally and physically disabled and those who were HIV/AIDS positive.
There are certain people who may never remember my name, but have forever made an impact on my life.
We served alongside those who cared for their population of residents every day--it was their life's work. This was extremely humbling, as many of them chose this life from the young age of 16, and committed to at least ten years of service. They taught me about sacrifice as they shared stories of making their decision, leaving their families and all forms of communication with the world behind. When the youngest of these servants gets to return home for three weeks after 10 years of service, he will be 26. I began to consider the transformations you go through in life between 16 and 26, and thought, "Will his family even recognize him? He's a different person."
The thought also crossed my mind that I could be at home, enjoying 10 more days of break, spending time with my own family relaxing, and still be in the comfort of my dad's delicious cooking and accessible, clean water with my phone and Wifi. "Nah," I thought, "The uncomfortable and impossible is where God shows up most, and He's about to do something extraordinary in my life."
Jan. 1, 2018 was that day.
It was the best and most defeating day of my life. I described myself later as "emotionally wrecked" on that day.
I started New Year's Day serving residents by putting lotion on their arms, hands, legs and feet. We fed lunch to those who could not feed themselves, gave them manicures and pedicures, helped clean and talked, laughed and danced our way into 2018. When I say "danced," I mean it. We were sweating from head to toe after an hour of it! However, I can't think of a better way to begin what has already been an incredible year where I've seen God show up in so many ways.
In the morning, when I applied lotion on a woman, I noticed nobody was paying much attention to her. Although it was hard to communicate with her, she held my hand as we prayed, and later that day I found her again in her wheelchair, not interacting with anyone.
I began talking to her again, but realized she was repeating something to me that I was having the hardest time understanding. Finally, I heard it.
"What do you have to give me?" she asked.
Defeat.
In that moment, I saw Jesus staring into me. "What do you have to give me, Lily Rain?"
I had nothing on my person to give her. I thought, "I could pray for her again."
"Love," I finally answered.
Then, she began saying something else, "Shoes," she said, "I need shoes."
Defeat.
"What size are you?"
"Eight, large," she said.
"Why do I have size 6.5 feet right now, Jesus? My Chacos aren't going to fit her!"
Defeat.
What had been a day full of love, great energy and dancing ended with me knowing I was leaving the best day of my life somewhat broken.
You know what's cool about being broken? That's when God can seep into your life more.
This moment with her taught me how much I do have to give. It led me to let go of things I was indifferent about, that were costing me time and money that I was struggling to find and not furthering my walk with Christ.
I quit my sorority. "How many pairs of shoes could I buy and send her for the money I struggle each month to find to be a part of something I don't feel called to be a part of anymore?"
I walked into the service site that day immediately feeling welcomed by all the residents who were wanting to hug me, hold my hand and sit with me. Their smiles were almost as big as their hearts. I left knowing I would never be the same.
Yes, there were other little moments during this experience where I saw God work through myself or one of my teammates. This is the one I chose to share for now.
However, I do want to share something I learned about mission trips.
Loyola calls Ignacio Volunteers an, "Immersion service program," because they want participants to truly be knowledgeable about and immersed in what is around them--no phones, no distractions--and the culture. I thought my mission coming to Jamaica was to talk to people about Jesus. Well, trust me, they know Him. I was even told by a woman, "We prayed for you to come and visit us."
A man in Jamaica told us that the difference between a mission and a trip is that you grow on a mission. He also said that, "There's a difference between preaching your faith, and practicing it."
This hit home. I wasn't there to introduce someone to Jesus. Sure, I prayed and shared my faith.
When I was mopping floors, feeding those who could not feed themselves, applying lotion, giving shaves, distributing food, painting nails that had never seen a manicure or pedicure like I had in the States before, changing sheets, filling empty bottles back up with sticky juice to serve, playing cards with and talking to people, dancing and singing or watching one of my teammates serve--these moments are where I found Jesus most.
These might seem like sweaty, small or mundane tasks, but Matthew 25:40 says, "Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
This verse kept coming to mind throughout my service in Jamaica. I can't wait to see where God calls me next to serve and spread love.
““The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
I see Jesus more now in my life, and in everyone I meet. I see how my obedience to the little tugs He places on my heart, turn out to be incredible blessings. I see how privileged I am to be an American, be going to college and return each night to a bed, hot shower and clean water.
Many of the men who dedicate their lives to serve the poor of Jamaica told me all they needed was to read or hear, "Come and see," and they followed the call to service.
What is Jesus calling you to come and see?
“Jesus said, “Come and see.””
