Believing is Everything

My senior year of high school I had the opportunity to go on a mission’s trip to Jamaica. At first I was hesitant about whether or not I wanted to go on a mission’s trip. I had never been on a mission’s trip before and I was a little scared because I was afraid that the people in Jamaica would not be willing to listen about the word of God. Most of the people in Jamaica believe in Rastafarian beliefs and religion. It was difficult to convince the people of Jamaica to believe in Jesus Christ when they already had their minds made up.
Being in Jamaica was a big culture shock to me. I pictured Jamaica as a poor lower class country who is in a finical crisis and do not have much to give. When I was on the bus traveling to the Haven Inn I realized that Jamaica is poor, but the spirits within those people are amazing. Even though they have nothing they are happy, gracious, and proud of what they have even if it is not much at all. I remember our bus driver took our senior class to his house and he was proud of what he has. Chris’s (the bus driver) house is the size of the USI’s dorm rooms and that is pretty small for the size of a house.
The most interesting Rastafarian that I met was named “Scratchy.” Every night a group of seniors would go sit out on the “sea wall” which is a concrete ledge that led down to the beach and to the ocean. We would talk to people out at the “sea wall” and discuss the Bible with those who were interested and wanted to know more. Scratchy on the other hand argued his beliefs and we argued back our beliefs. It was a never ending process with Scratchy and we did not get through to him, but he did become our friend. He always asked when will the red-shirted people be back again (our mission team always wore a certain shirt to witness to people and it was red and white).
Our senior class stayed at the Haven Inn for seven days. Our main goal for the trip was to witness at the School for the Deaf about the gospel. Before we left for our trip, we had a group of ladies come in twice a week to teach our senior class sign language, so we could communicate to the children at the deaf school. We even had to write down our testimony and learn all the signs, which was a little challenging for me. It was enjoyable to being able to communicate to the deaf children, but it was even more exciting to teach them the gospel.
At the deaf school not only did we teach the children about Christ, but we also gave them new shoes, bibles, school supplies, and fun toys for them to enjoy. We also visited other locations in Jamaica like the Blossom Garden Orphanage. It was depressing to visit the orphanage seeing all the children and the staff telling us some horrific stories that had happened to the children before they came to the orphanage. The children were separated by age group and I was lucky because I was with the toddlers and new born. We spent the day holding and playing with the children. All of the toddlers where in a small room that is outside and it had bars on the windows; it almost resembled a prison or jail of some sort.
Jamaica was a fun mission’s trip even though our team did not get a lot of free time to kick back and relax. One of the most rewarding gifts was to see the look on people’s faces when we gave them a bible. All around the trip was a life changing experience and I am glad that I decided to attend the trip. I think that I would have regretted my decision, if I have not participated in the mission’s trip.
Being a Christian is the most important part of my life. I think that being a Christian gives me a sense of belonging in society. Sometimes I feel like I do not fit in or belong and being a Christian gives me a purpose to life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 Another verse that sticks out to me is Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” This verse means to examine oneself and see the integrity of one’s devotion. Also, people need to keep themselves true to God and themselves.