Why I Do What I Do...

Great question! Simple answer! To help bring the Good News of Jesus to those who will listen. I love Jamaica! I love the Jamaican people. I love the opportunity that God has given me to serve in the mission field. Jamaica may not seem to some a hard place to minister, after all we all have seen the commercials of Jamaica and the crystal blue water and sandy beaches. But let me assure you, you cannot judge a book by its cover. Although Jamaica does have some beautiful beaches, the majority of the island is not what you see on T.V. Jamaica is a very impoverished island. With the average income of $4000 U.S. dollars a year you can only imagine how many Jamaicans live their lives. Many live in houses that are smaller than most of our garages. With that, you can easily find families of 8 people or more living in that size of a house. Many of these homes have no running water, plumbing, toilets, refrigeration, stoves or even electricity. Many Jamaicans live life hand to mouth, each day a new struggle to meet the daily needs of the family. Yet, what I find most fascinating, the contentment of the heart and the joy the Jamaican people have.

I am blessed to be part of such an amazing mission organization as Praying Pelican and the ministry that they bring to so many people around the world and in the USA. The heart and vision of Praying Pelican is simply an extension of the heart of Jesus. For me, this opportunity to go and share the love of Christ with the Jamaican people, live in their culture, their homes, to share just a fraction of their day to day life, to share in their hardships and to share in their joy is a blessing from God. That is why I do what I do! To be part of the their family and they mine, what an awesome blessing! I can’t imagine doing anything else. Loving on people, sharing God’s love, changing lives for Jesus and helping others come to know Jesus as Lord of their lives! That’s why I do what I do! Thank you Jesus for calling me to this awesome ministry!

The past couple of weeks I was in Jamaica serving in many different areas. I spent time in local schools sharing Bible stories, teaching literacy lessons, loving on the students and even washed the feet of teachers and students. I spent time in a children’s home for mentally and physically challenged children, who have been abandoned by their families and basically thrown away. I fell is love with these kids and look forward to going back in June! I spent time in an adult infirmary where 400 adults spend everyday bed ridden, alone, and forgotten. I talked with residents who have not seen family in 30-40 years. I listened to their stories, hugged them, cried with them and laughed with them. I am family to them and them to me! That is why I do what I do! I could go on and on how God is so moving in my life and the lives of those he puts in my path. All I know is that God has purposed me to GO, to love, to share, to minister and to bring hope. And through all of this, he teaches me, grows me, and challenges me, but even better, He blesses me with some awesome people in my life. That is why I do what I do!

You can be part of this awesome ministry. Be it a short term mission trip to one of Praying Pelicans many locations or by joining our team. Either way you will be blessed beyond measure! Check us out at www.prayingpelicanmissions.org to see how you can be involved or simply ask me and I will share with you how to be blessed and be a blessing!