I just returned from spending two weeks in Jamaica with two of my daughters, ages 19 and 11. We also went with another couple, who were “Jamaican veterans.” We went with Partners in Mission, a ministry of Virginia Mennonite Missions. Our purpose in going was to help out at the Maranatha School for the Deaf. It was my 19-year-old’s idea to go, since she is studying to be a Deaf interpreter at Gallaudet University. Somehow, she talked me into going along, and though I was hesitant at first, I am so glad I had this opportunity.
My hesitancy came from a couple of factors. One, I didn’t really want to go without my husband, and it wasn’t possible for him to go at this time. He is the extrovert, talking to everyone who crosses his path, and making friends of strangers in a heartbeat. I, on the other hand, have a hard time knowing what to say to strangers. It takes me longer to warm up to people. And just going into this totally unfamiliar situation, with my daughters looking to me to lead, was a little intimidating and worrisome for me. Second reason for my hesitancy, I didn’t know any ASL (American Sign Language). How was I going to communicate with this Deaf community when I knew next to nothing about signing?
Little by little, God took these fears away. Not all at once. Not before we left for the trip. But as I went, learned, loved, and grew, the fears gradually subsided. God helped me every day to approach new situations with grace and strength and love. And I even learned to communicate fairly well! My daughter taught me, and her younger sister, some ASL before the trip. But, after two weeks of spending nearly every day with these children, I got so much better at understanding what they were saying and communicating back to them. It did help that a few of them could partially hear and partially talk. And it also helped that my daughter usually was in close proximity if I needed her help to interpret.
After overcoming these obstacles, I must say that this trip far exceeded my expectations. It was truly fun! And the friendships we formed, especially with the children, were invaluable. I was able to help teach darling, smiling children their colors, and numbers, and letters. We were able to teach the school children a few new songs to sign. We brought crafts and helped the students to make jewelry and God’s Eyes, and to color pictures my daughter drew for them, as well as decorate wind chimes we brought. We flew kites with the children, and seesawed and played volleyball and corn-hole. We laughed and listened to giggles and swung on the swings, and played some more. The days were full, tiring, long, and wonderful!
Every day I woke up to blue skies and white clouds and palm trees swaying in the breeze. I miss feeling that breeze, cooling my skin from the heat of the sun. I could look out the front windows of the house where we stayed and catch a glimpse of the deep blue of the Caribbean Sea, about 5 miles away. And on a few days, I was close enough to enjoy the lapping waves and the sea salt air. I never tired of looking for the ackee trees (Jamaica’s national fruit) and orange trees and beautiful red Poinciana trees. Wherever we drove, there were roadside fruit stands with piles of watermelons, and concrete houses with bright colors and decorative fences. And drifting toward me would be the delicious smells of jerk and curry. Fresh avocado and mango and pineapple often graced our table. And the bland rice-n-peas (rice and beans to us) could be washed down with some bottled water or a glass of Ting (a grapefruit-flavored soda). And each night I would go to sleep to goats maa-ing and dogs barking and bugs chirping and cars rumbling over potholes.
But the best thing of all was the people! Warm and friendly. Hands waving and faces smiling. Quiet voices speaking in a dialect difficult for my American ears to understand. Little brown faces greeting me and hugging me. Loud outbursts of laughter and calls to get my attention. Children wanting to be close: touching and hugging and feeling my hair. A beautiful people made in the image of God! God in them and God in me, connecting.
I don’t want to forget the lessons I learned, the things I sensed, and the people who touched my heart. Take it easy. Take it slow. Don’t push. Be flexible. In whatever comes along, follow the Spirit. Let go of fears and worries that don’t really matter. Let go of needing to be in control. Let God work. I talked to and heard about so many people that have weathered such awful situations and circumstances, yet their faith in God has remained strong. God was there, bringing peace, comfort, and joy. I’ve seen love. I’ve seen hope. I’ve seen true beauty.
Clouds come and go
The breeze bringing them in
Then pushing them quickly away
A storm maybe, maybe not
The sky covered
Then opening to blue
The Spirit is the breeze
Bringing what she may
White powdery clouds
Dark menacing clouds
Coming and going
Then wiping them away
Opening up to blue
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