Supporting Locals in Jamaica

Bought these handmade bracelets, for my mom for her birthday, from a lady named Dalia, selling them on the beach. She walks up and down the beach 6 days per week selling her jewelry, to earn a living to provide for her two daughters! I highly recommend buying these handmade items when traveling abroad, to support the locals, AND, to ask them their story so that you have a personal understanding of how rough life can be, and how your single purchase can make a difference!

I also bought this friendship bracelet from a 14-year-old boy who was selling them for $3 to earn money to go to school. $3 may not sound like much, but can be a big deal to some. Am I certain that this boy really was earning money for school? No, I am not! But, I'm a sucker for helping people out, and in the grand scheme of things, what is $3?

Village Life in Jamaica

A few weeks prior to my mission trip to Jamaica, I had put a post on Facebook, after having a vision, that I wanted to take food to an elderly person, while on my trip. But, to whom?

Two days into my trip, Ms. Linda received a phone call from an elderly lady named Jess, who lives in a village in the mountains, called Congress. She was asking Ms. Linda for some shoes and food! Her size shoes I did not have, BUT, food - I can do that!!!! smile emoticon So, me and LouAnn met this elderly lady at the local supermarket in Whitehouse, and I bought her some rice, flour, sugar, and bully beef, as well as food for 5 more families. [Sidenote: I could not understand a single word this lady said! Ok, maybe every 10th word or so!] So, we asked this lady to take us to her village so we could see where she lives, and to hand out some food. The three of us caught a taxi up the mountain - worst "road" EVER - to Congress. At that point, we walked around, talked to families, and handed out food, then we hiked up the mountain to the shanty where Jess and her husband live. DIVINE moment! God led the way....to that elderly person whom He was trying to get food to! One of the best experiences of this trip, partially because it took me out of my comfort zone and I had to overcome fears of talking to complete strangers in a foreign land whom I cannot always understand well and explain to them why I was bringing food to them! Definitely a growing and stretching moment - a moment based on walking in faith!

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This elderly couple desperately needs a new home!!! Because of the high prices of lumber, it will cost $5,000.00 + just to build a shanty (shack)! And, she has a sister who lives on the other side of the village (we didn't make it there b/c of the long hike) whose shanty is even worse, from what I've heard! This is just one story, of many!!! All I had to offer them was flour, rice, sugar, oil, corned beef, and taxi fair to go to Black River to get her medicine - doesn't seem like nearly enough!!!

Right Place, Right Time

PROVERBS 16:9


PSALM 37:23


Have you ever just felt like you were in the right place at the right time? That God had strategically placed you in that exact location at that exact moment, for a purpose? I have had many of those God-moments in recent years, and just recently experienced it again. I've been meaning to share this very devotional, but busyness has kept me from it. I finally realized that this was something that I am supposed to share, and that if I didn't make the time, it would never happen!

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) says: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Have you yourself ever had a plan that went awry? Well, that's probably because you stepped outside of God's will, and the plans that He has for your life. Though it can be frustrating, hurtful, confusing, and heart-breaking when our plans do not work according to the way we think they should, we must know and trust that God ALWAYS has a plan!

In recent years, God has been revealing His plans for me, and my life, slowly and steadily. It's exciting! It can be scary! It's rewarding and fulfilling! But, it has not come as quickly as I would like it to sometimes, AND, it doesn't always look how I thought it would or should. But, AGAIN, I was reminded this week that HE has THE plan all laid out - - He has went before me - - He knows! Why did I ever doubt?! Because....of impatience! Who me? Never, right?! Perhaps you can relate. Perhaps you are waiting on God to reveal something to you. Perhaps He has revealed it, but it has not yet come to fruition. Let me assure you, "the Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him" (Psalm 27:23). He knows the desires of my heart, He knows that I am passionate about missions and outreach, both in Jamaica, and in the area of fitness and faith - - He knows because He placed those desires and passions within me. Why? Because He has work for me (and all of us) to do! He continually goes before me! He prepares the hearts of those whom I will come into contact with. He opens doors. He keeps placing me in THE RIGHT PLACE, AT THE RIGHT TIME.

I sat in a meeting recently, and as a door was opened, and favor was shown, I realized at that very moment that HE had placed me in that very room, with those very people, at that very moment, because....He was giving me a voice for those who could not speak for themselves; because....He knew the desires of my heart and my passion for missions - - He put them there, why wouldn't He know, why wouldn't He care; because....He has a plan....a plan far greater than anything I can imagine....a plan that involves little 'ole me, and only because....I am a child of His, a ready and willing vessel...a simple "yes" was all He needed!

Continuously, He establishes my steps. Continuously, He opens doors. Continuously, He sends confirmation when I doubt. Continuously, He sends encouragement my way when I need it most. Continuously, "the right place, at the right time." All He needs is a "yes", in joyful obedience! So, quit doubting, quit fearing, quit giving up, quit questioning, quit putting it off.....just say, "Yes Lord, I will.........!" You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to wait for the perfect time. You don't have to have it all figured out. He already has the path laid out, the plans established, all the details worked out.....all He needs is your "Yes," not your details, your plans, your timing.....just your "Yes," and He will do the rest. He will place you in the right place, at the right time!

JAMAICA, HERE I COME.....{upcoming} Sixth Mission Trip, to Jamaica - March 2015

HERE I COME JAMAICA! You have no idea how excruciating it is to "wait" when you know, that you know, that you know, that God is calling you to something specific!!! Or, maybe you do! It's been since June 2014 that I was last in Jamaica...not really that long, but long for me, when I desire to be there! AND, it has been a year since I've been to Whitehouse, Jamaica, the area I am returning to this trip! I am so excited to return and see friends that I have made along the way (pics above)....hopefully they still remember me!

WHAT WILL I BE DOING ON THIS TRIP? Good question! I am flying solo this trip, so that I can be free to do whatever God is calling me to do, and to go wherever He is calling me to go, and to spend as much time as He is calling me to spend with individuals. I am excited, and nervous, because I feel that this is going to be an adventurous journey that stretches me beyond my comfort zone, and into unknown territory!

VISIONS: I have been awaken several early mornings, late nights, with visions of specific things to do while in Jamaica, though, at the time, I did not realize they were actual visions. But as I have fasted and prayed, I am beginning to realize that still small voice that prompts to do something, that we sometimes miss...out of busyness, out of fear, or out of doubt. The specific things that He has shown me seem minor, insignificant, and some even ridiculous, BUT, out of obedience, I will submit. I am not going to share these things, at the moment, but will, instead, (as long as I have internet access while in Jamaica), share them AFTER the fact, via this blog!

PREPARATION - PRAYER & FASTING: I would GREATLY appreciate prayers leading up to, and during, this trip! (1) Courage and boldness; (2) to be led by His voice; (3) for safety; (4) physical healing; (5) financial support. I will be doing the 10-day Daniel Fast, beginning this Friday, March 13, if you would like to join in!

OUTREACH: I will be doing some outreach, and can always use donations of supplies, or financial donations to purchase food once there to bless others with.

I am very excited for this opportunity! God continues to make a way, and I do not take that lightly, nor do I take for granted the amazing people He has placed in my path to support me...too many to name individually, so THANK YOU ALL!

Be Blessed,
Jama

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8mZpGj29qw

Missions Fundraising Efforts: How You Can Help

Missions Fundraising Efforts



Over the past two and a half years, I have been doing continuous fundraising for mission trips. I started out by sending letters to people I know, requesting that they would consider supporting me to go on my first trip. From that point, I have done everything from rummage sales, to raffles, to selling shirts, to adult exercise event fundraisers, to children's fitness event fundraisers, to boot camps, to change jars, etc.

Fundraising is exhausting, it can be a lot of work, very time-consuming, and sometimes even costing you money in advance, but, if it helps to accomplish the goal, then it's worth it!

Another aspect of fundraising, other than just for money, is collecting relief and school supplies to do outreach. This too is ongoing, but well worth the effort, as I have had many items donated to be given away in Jamaica, including: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, flip flops, deodorant, clothing, shoes, school supplies, books, candy, games, toys, etc.

Almost all of my mission trips, and outreach efforts, have been funded by donations! I am so grateful that God has surrounded me with such generous, loving, and caring people!

So, if you cannot or do not want to go on a mission trip yourself, how can you help or get involved? I will detail several ways in which you can help:

1. MONETARY DONATIONS: Monetary donations are always welcome, and as I said, most of my expenses are paid via monetary donations. Monetary donations can be applied in several ways, including: funding my trips, purchasing outreach items, sponsoring a youth to go on a mission trip, sponsoring an entire outreach project, etc. Monetary donations are accepted as one-time donations, or continuous, recurring donations.

2. SAVE YOUR CHANGE FOR JAMAICA JARS: I have jars that I hand out to anyone interested and they can save their change in them, then return the jars to me when they are full. ALL OF THESE PROCEEDS go toward outreach projects in Jamaica, including at schools or orphanages.

3. RUMMAGE SALE: I take donations of items year-round for my annual fundraiser rummage sale! These proceeds fund the expenses I incur to travel on mission trips, as well as a portion is always donated to other organizations or people involved in missions in Jamaica.

4. SHIRTS: I sale "yay God" t-shirts, Fitness & Faith w/ Phil 4:13 verse 3/4 sleeve sweatshirts, as well as Faith & Fitness Boot Camp shirts (short-sleeved & long-sleeved).

5. FITNESS EVENTS: You can host your own fitness event! We can get as creative as you would like.

6. BOOT CAMPS: You can hold a weekly, monthly, or one-time boot camp for a small fee.

7. OUTREACH & RELIEF ITEMS: These items are always accepted throughout the year, and would be taken on each mission trip: toothbrushes, travel-size toothpaste, small bars of soap, small deodorants, small washclothes, lightweight flip flops of all sizes, crayons, colored pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, small glue bottles or sticks, small children's scissors, coloring books, children's books, bibles, devotionals, etc. PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS MUST BE SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT ENOUGH TO BE PACKED AND CARRIED IN A SUITCASE, along with other items.

8. HOLD A FUNDRAISER YOURSELF & donate the proceeds, OR collect supplies from family and friends and donate them.

9. PRAYER: If nothing else, and more importantly than anything else, you can pray!

10. HELP SPREAD THE WORD about our mission efforts in Jamaica! Word of mouth is the best form of advertisement for support!

Please contact me @ masonlaw33@gmail.com if you have any questions, or would like to know how you can help, or if you are interested in going on a mission trip.


The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “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.’

Acts 20:35
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Fifth Mission Trip, to Jamaica - June 2014

Fifth Mission Trip, to Jamaica - June 2014




Approximately two years ago, I inadvertently met Jennifer Everetts when I stumbled across a 5k event on Facebook that was to raise money for a ministry called Journey Home Jamaica. At that time, I was still every much into doing 5k events, AND, I had just went on my first mission trip to Jamaica, so, it was inevitable that this was the perfect race for me. I attempted to register on-line, and was having trouble getting it to go through, so I contacted the web page admin, which just happened to be Jennifer Everetts. We immediately began communicating back and forth via msgs, regarding our mutual passion for Jamaica. Not soon after, I went to Jennifer's home to meet her, and further discuss our mutual passion. We quickly hit it off and realized that we had a lot in common, including that I work as a Legal Assistant, and she used to, and that I had just begun teaching group exercise classes, and she was a certified Praise Moves instructor. But, more importantly, we were both passionate about missions in Jamaica!

At that point, I was preparing to lead the team that I took to Jamaica in September 2013 (my second mission trip), and was sharing that with Jennifer, when she offered to host a weekly bible study for myself and my team, along with anyone else interested in missions, at their home, leading up to our mission trip. That's where our story began! (We've been meeting just about every Monday evening since then, though our numbers have dwindled down to sometimes just myself and Jennifer and her husband).

Bruce and Jennifer Everetts founded Journey Home Jamaica ministries and are currently trying to raise funding to open a children's home in the Negril area in Jamaica. I have been assisting them by supporting them, praying with and for them, and helped lead a team of youth on a mission trip to Negril, Jamaica in the summer of 2014. The Everetts have graciously supported me in all of my mission efforts, in various parts of the Island, as well as my fundraising efforts here locally. They have been very supportive as I have attempted to discover and fulfill the calling God has placed on my life. So I was pretty excited when they asked me to go along with them and help lead a team of youth last summer, as we had all been to Jamaica several times, in various places, but never together.

JUNE 2014 SUMMER MISSION TRIP: This trip really was a great trip! There were 4 adults and 12 youth on this team. Just a quick summary of our week included: outreach at a local basic school in Negril, outreach at Robin's Nest Children's Home in Montego Bay, manual labor at a property in the middle of nowhere...lol, painting at a homeless shelter ran by a local church, and outreach and street ministry with Word To Life Ministries in Negril. This particular team worked very well together - never any grumbling or complaining - and though a very busy week, with things not always going as planned, it was a very productive and fun week!

We stayed at a local hotel in Negril, where I shared a room with two teenage girls, who traveled along with me - Tori & Marah. Oh what an experience!!! They kept me laughing - kept me on my toes! It was awesome to spend that time with them, and see them thrive in the environment. (Sidenote: Marah has since returned to Robin's Nest, on her own, to do a 2-month internship; and Tori has since went to Mexico with a group from college, to do mission work at an orphanage - GOD!).

It would probably take me several blogs to describe in great detail how insightful this trip was, but to sum it up, my favorite part was the street ministry - not because I felt qualified to do it, not because I wasn't scared to do it, not because it was within my comfort zone to do it - - but because it seemed like the most impactful thing we could do! Each time I go to Jamaica, I love learning more about the culture and just interacting with the people and building the relationships - all of which is kind of out of my comfort zone, but where I feel like I should be focused!

I have since been invited to again help lead a team back to Jamaica with the Everetts this summer (2015), which I am hopeful and excited about, especially since my 13-year-old nephew has expressed a desire in going - his first mission trip and my first time having a family member go with me! AND, a good friend of mine plans to go as well, which is VERY exciting!

I am still fasting, praying, and listening for direction from God on where He wants me exactly, in the mission field, and I feel hopeful that He is leading and guiding me every single step of the way, even if I cannot see exactly where He is taking me! My only goal is just to be used by Him, to be His hands and feet, to glorify Him in all that I do, to impact lives, to direct unbelievers, hurting, and broken people to Him, and to just continue to share with others His goodness and all that He has done for me! Other than that, I have no plan, as of yet; I have no specific direction, as of yet; my only plan - keep returning to the Island that has so captured my heart!

Fourth Mission Trip, to Jamaica - February 2014

Fourth Mission Trip, to Jamaica - February 2014



Well, by now, I knew that I had moved beyond the occasional mission trip, and shifted toward an actual calling placed on my life - missions became a passion!

In December 2013, I met with missionary Linda Botkin (pic of us above), whom apparently realized what God had placed in me, probably even before I realized it myself. We discussed the possibility of me engaging in the day-to-day activities of Jesus for Jamaica ministries, in Jamaica, on a more long-term basis. At that point, it REALLY hit me - God was calling me.....ME....to missions....in Jamaica! I experienced all sorts of feelings and emotions....surprised, excited, anxious, overwhelmed, happy, sad, confused, etc, etc. I was excited about the possibilities, but sad to think about what I would be leaving behind...a life that I truly enjoy...people that I truly love and would miss...and a lifestyle that is comfortable.

I wasn't sure which direction to go! So, my next step was to spend two weeks in Jamaica, following Ms. Linda around, seeing what the daily life of a missionary is really like. I didn't know what to expect, but I went, seeking answers and guidance from God. The day-in and day-out of the life of a missionary is not really what you see on a one-week mission trip, so spending two weeks there was much more insightful, though I'm sure still not really the full picture.

I was able to again visit the McAlpine Basic School a few times, spending a little bit of time with the children, just reading books (pic above), and playing games. We visited an elderly lady who was sick, and prayed for her (she passed a few weeks later). But the majority of our time was spent getting things ready for the opening of a new orphanage, now the home of four young girls. Also, I was able to spend some time with Nicola and her family, on Gordon Mountain, spending the night with her in her small shanty. This experience definitely took me out of my comfort zone, and I had to face some fears, but it was an invaluable experience, in which I am glad that Ms. Linda encouraged me to engage in. Nothing really prepares you for something like that......

SPENDING THE NIGHT WITH A LOCAL: As I describe what it was like to spend the night with a local, consider the luxuries in which you were afforded! Nicola and her family live in a row of shanty's on Gordon Mountain. It is a short hike up to her home, where you will have to hike uphill, over rocky terrain, and overgrown brush. As you approach the homes, you will see wooden shanty's (shacks), sitting on a few cinder blocks, raised off of the dirt "yard." (pic above). There is no rhyme or reason as to their exact placement, they are just sitting in random places. No grass, no landscaping....just dirt, rocks, and goat droppings. Yes, you will see goats, dogs, pigs, cats, etc. They just roam the "yard," sometimes sleeping underneath the shanty's. The typical shanty is one room, maybe approximately 12x12 or so, with no electricity, no running water, no kitchen, no bathroom. You will probably see a bed, maybe a sheet or two, and maybe a pillow. This particular shanty where I stayed had a dresser, a suitcase where things were stored, a torn and tattered laundry basket, and a broken fan. The "kitchen" was a makeshift kitchen outside (pic above), that the entire family shared. So, if it is raining, as it often does in Jamaica, then the "kitchen" cannot be used! The "bathroom" consisted of me using a tin pan, that was taken outside and dumped behind the shanty! Brushing your teeth consisted of going outside and using rainwater from the rain barrel to brush, swish, and spit out on the ground! There was no kitchen table for the family to sit around, share a meal, and talk about their days, so as you can imagine, the quality of life in the mountains of Jamaica is far different from what we are accustomed to! So, what do you talk about with someone whom #1 - you have trouble understanding, #2 - who doesn't do much other than sit around all day, #3 - comes from a totally different culture, and #4 - whom you have nothing in common with? Good question!! I believe it is more about spending time in their presence, showing that you care, that you are not afraid to step into their shoes and experience their lifestyle, and just be, right along with them! SIDENOTE: My vision is to someday lead bible studies with them!

Spending two weeks in Jamaica vs a one-week mission trip with a team, was an eye-opening and enlightening experience, but, I walked away still unsure of where God wanted me, exactly. I felt a bit frustrated, as I really had hoped and anticipated hearing from and receiving more clear direction from God, but I was not receiving any answers, and because I had a full-time job, a mortgage, a life here, I could not see how I could so quickly transition into long-term missions, yet.....

The soul-searching continued......