The Bus Ride

August 22, 2013

Today I arrived at the orphanage in time to help dress the children for their big outing to the park. There was one crib filled with girls’clothing and another crib filled with boys’ clothing. The first little girl I helped had multiple burns all over her body. I sometimes find myself holding them and thinking how different their lives could have been in a functional home environment. Once she was dressed, she smiled and ran off.

The next in line, a little boy, had the saddest eyes I think I’ve ever looked into. Although I guessed his age to be about a year and a half, his eyes looked hollow and his expressions were that of an old soul. After I got him read, he just wanted to be held for a bit so we had some“cuddle time.”

Sarah was the third child I was to help. She was maybe two and was already tugging at an outfit in the crib filled with girls’ clothing that she had apparently picked out to wear. After we got her pretty pink top and matching skirt on she headed over to the pile of shoes to try and find a pair that accentuated her outfit. Such a girlie girl! : )

As we prepared breakfast, I smiled to know that the milk the babies and the toddlers were drinking came from you, my friends and family; and I thought, if I am smiling I wonder how big God’s smile is right now? I truly am so grateful to each of you and proud of you for giving to the orphans in Jamaica. I believe you bless the children and you bless God’s heart.

The helpers then asked me to please thank all of you again for the milk.
They said, “We were mixing it 10:1 instead of 7:1 as is recommended on the can. Mr. Wright, the groundskeeper and custodian, has worked there for many years so I asked him,”What do you do when you have no milk and you see none in sight?” He said.” I go around and beg from other institutions and sometimes I beg at the supermarkets and the outlet stores. I have been doing this for years.” Then he got a big grin on his face and said,”I work for God and I love my job.”

We packed lunches for 24 adults and 40 children (all under the age of 7)
and then loaded the water, soccer balls and the children onto the bus. It
was fun to watch their faces as we drove through the city. I realized the 8 month old baby I was holding had never been out of the orphanage. His eyes were as big as saucers! The older children watched out the windows in amazement at the world outside their walls.

The director shared with me that some of these children aren’t adopted because they aren’t eligible. Many of them have parents who are in prison and, even after the parents are released, there is a time of proving themselves fit in order to get their child back. Often times they re-offend and are sent back to prison while the child is growing up in the system. Some of the children go to foster homes but the foster parents only receive $40 per month to have the child. Foster homes are very hard to find and sometimes these situations become abusive.

When we arrived at the park we sang songs and I played my guitar. The looks of ecstasy on their faces as they danced and giggled and fell down in the grass…….well I wish you all could have been there with me. We had snack and played some more, followed by lunch. They each got their own little bottle of juice and walked around looking very smug.

On the bus ride back, some of the children fell asleep from the exhaustion of a long and exhilarating day. It was odd for me as there were no seatbelts and no car seats so we held the littlest ones so they could sleep. As we neared the orphanage the high walls and fences with the coiled barbed wire on top came into sight. The little guy sitting next to me said, ”Well Auntie, we’re home!” I smiled at him but truly was fighting back the tears as I realized this is the only ‘home’ some of these children have ever known.

God we thank you tonight for what you have given each of us. What you have provided for us, for our children and for some of us, our grandchildren. The homes and the families we get to love and experience in America. Help us Father to never take this for granted. In Jesus name we pray. Amen

In conclusion, I want to thank all of you that prayed and continue to pray and support these children monetarily. Sometimes we are not in a position to give financially but we give into God’s Kingdom-work through prayer…..and that opens the floodgates of heaven.


Malachi 3:10

Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw
open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there
will not be room enough to store it.

This is my prayer for the orphans and for each of you,

God keep you and yours,

Jeanne

THE BATHTUB

The Bathtub

FOR MOST CHILDREN IN AMERICA, WHERE I GREW UP, BATHTIME IS ASSOCIATED WITH RUBBER DUCKIES, BUBBLES AND TOY MOTOR BOATS. BUT NOT SO FOR A TWO YEAR OLD JAMAICAN BOY LAST WEEK IN KINGSTON.

THE NEIGHBOR HEARD THE CHILD SCREAMING AND FINALLY BROKE THE LOCK TO GET INTO THE SMALL APARTMENT IN THE GHETTO NEIGHBORHOOD TO FIND A YOUNG MOTHER TRYING TO DROWN HER SON. AFTER GETTING THE MOTHER AWAY FROM THE BOY, THE NEIGHBOR TURNED THE CHILD INTO THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN KINGSTON.

I WONDERED HOW A YOUNG MIND OF TWO YEARS PROCESSES THESE EVENTS. ONE NIGHT I’M IN MY BED IN WHAT I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN AS HOME AND TONIGHT I’M IN AN ORPHANAGE DUE TO LACK OF AVAILABLE FOSTER HOMES. I NOW SHARE A SMALL, TWIN BED WITH ANOTHER TWO YEAR OLD BOY BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH BEDS FOR EACH CHILD TO HAVE HIS OR HER OWN BED.

BREAKFAST IS NOT WHAT I’M ACCUSTOMED TO; A SCOOP OF PORRIDGE FROM A VERY LARGE POT. THERE IS NO MILK. I NO LONGER HAVE MY OWN DRESSER FILLED WITH MY CLOTHES BUT AFTER BEING RINSED OFF IN A WASH TUB EACH MORNING I AM DRESSED FROM A LARGE STACK OF CLOTHES ON THE TABLE THAT ARE FOR BOYS OF ALL SIZES. I NEVER SEEM TO WEAR THE SAME OUTFIT TWICE.

WE PLAY AFTER BREAKFAST, THERE ARE ABOUT 45 OF US AND ONE TRICLYCLE. WE STAND IN LINE TO TAKE OUR TURN ON THE SWING. ONE OF THE HELPERS GIVES US EACH 2 MINUTES.

YESTERDAY WE ALL WERE BATHED, CLEAN OUTFITS PUT ON AND OUR HAIR COMBED. I WASN’T SURE OF THE OCCASION UNTIL I SAW A YOUNG COUPLE LOOKING AT EACH OF US. THE LADY WAS VERY PRETTY AND I LOVED HER AMERICAN ACCENT. HER HUSBAND LOOKED VERY SERIOUS; I THINK IT BROKE HIS HEART TO SEE SO MANY OF US AND THEY WANTED ONLY ONE LITTLE GIRL. I FOUND MYSELF WONDERING IF ONE DAY SOMEONE WOULD COME FOR A BOY AND WOULD IT BE ME; OR WOULD MY MOTHER GET THE HELP SHE NEEDS AND COME BACK FOR ME?

EACH DAY I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AT THE DRIVEWAY. IT IS A LONG DRIVEWAY WITH A VERY TALL GATE AT THE END WHERE THE SECURITY GUARD SITS TO MONITOR THE ARRIVALS.

YESTERDAY A MISSIONARY CAME AND SAID WE ARE NOT ORPHANS. SHE SAID GOD DIDN’T MAKE ANY MISTAKES AND WE ARE ALL HIS CHILDREN, NONE ARE ORPHANS. I WAS VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT ALTHOUGH WITH 45 OF US I MISS CRAWLING UP IN MY MOTHER’S LAP ON THE FEW NIGHTS SHE WASN’T GONE WORKING. I STILL REMEMBER HOW SHE SMELLED….SO SWEET LIKE THE PRETTIEST FLOWER IN JAMAICA. HER HANDS WERE SOFT BUT HER FACE ALWAYS WORE A SAD FROWN. I WOULD IMAGINE HOW SHE LOOKED WHEN SHE SMILED BUT I HAVE NO MEMORY OF THAT SMILE.

DEAR GOD,

THANK YOU I’M NOT AN ORPHAN. THANK YOU THAT I BELONG TO YOU. WOULD YOU BLESS MY MOM TONIGHT. PLEASE LET HER KNOW I’M ALRIGHT HERE AND I HOPE SHE IS GETTING HER LIFE BACK TOGETHER. TELL HER PLEASE, JESUS, I’LL BE WAITING RIGHT HERE BY THE WINDOW WHEN SHE COMES AND TELL HER I FORGIVE HER FOR WHAT SHE DID. TELL HER I MISS HER VERY MUCH.

 

LOVE, 

JADEN

The Line

My article this time does not include pictures because they are not allowed in the orphanages. Since I returned to the island two months ago I have been longing to serve at an orphanage. The one I have gone to for six years is now closed and the children have all been moved to various foster homes and orphanages. It is very difficult to be accepted as a volunteer , especially as a non-Jamaican, because so many in the past have gone in only to scope out the children to illegally adopt or sell.

My friend, Yvonnie,  who I live with here, is a manager in the Child Development Agency and was able to get me in. When we follow the mandate God has on our life His favor precedes our every step. I really give God thanks.

There were 62 children from newborn to age 8 but most seemed to be ages 2 or 3. I sang a few worship songs with my guitar and told them how much Jesus loves each one of them. I then lost my captive  audience as it was time for the snack, popcorn. I sat down by one of the workers and picked up a baby that was sitting at my feet crying. She was so beautiful and stopped crying the minute I picked her up. Then I noticed a line of 15 children or so forming in front of my chair. The first girl in line must have been about 7 so I whispered to her,”Why are the children lining up?” She looked at me with wide eyes, then leaned into me and said softly,”They need a hug.”

Well the tears flooded my eyes as I took each one up into my lap for a minute or two and then had to get on to the next one. I thought about how much Jesus loved being around the children and about the famous painting where Jesus is surrounded by children. Lord, God thank you for your children! Their wide, innocent eyes, their tears, their laughter and their unconditional love.

I have scheduled to go each Tuesday so this week I will bring powdered baby milk and bananas. They do not have enough food for the children as the government gives them one monetary amount per month regardless of the number of children they have. The level of poverty is very high so the enrollment at the orphanages continues to grow. They come from abusive homes, their parents are in prison or have just abandoned them for drugs or lack the funds to provide for them.

As I fell asleep Tuesday night I found myself wondering if we would be lined up at the throne one day and when Jesus asks,”Why are they lined up?” I’ll lean in and whisper,”We need a hug.”

The Chicken Story

My story this week is about a friend of mine named RuthLynn. I met her when my church in Kingston went out in street ministry one evening. She was selling her soup on the roadside and I struck up a conversation  with her about her soup recipe. RuthLynn knew the Lord but had been out of church for years. I invited her to church but she didn’t come for weeks.  I called her every Saturday evening, though,  and one Saturday she said, “Yes, I will be there tomorrow. “

That was five years ago and we’ve been friends and worshipping together ever since. RuthLynn is a housekeeper and works long hours each day for little pay. RuthLynn and her children raise chickens and sell the eggs to supplement the household income. Last April, when I visited Jamaica, a couple from my Life Group donated some money to RuthLynn’s chicken business. When I saw her last week I asked her if she had a lot more chickens now after purchasing new ones with the donation. She then told me that without the donation from my American friends she would have lost her chicken business entirely.  She explained,”Thieves come in the night and steal the chickens. Also the cats and dogs have eaten several  as they are hungry too.” Her husband has been out of work for months as the unemployment rate here is very high. I flashed to the news I had heard the previous evening reporting one million people, out of a total island population of 2.8 million, live in poverty.

I don’t think the couple from my Life Group will ever visit Kingston, however,  I envision the day when they meet RuthLynn in heaven and God says to them.”Well done my good and faithful servants, she fed her family and was able to keep the small business alive because of you!” 

Never underestimate the power of a gift you give on God’s behalf……...for He will use it in a mighty way for His people.

The Infermary

REPORT FROM JAMAICA  OCTOBER 2011 These pictures are of the elderly and mentally challenged on the northern part of the island at the Infermary. The man holding the bowl is blind but recites the 23rd Psalm with clarity and purity like I've never heard before. None of them have any family and live on rice and beans so we bring them juice and fresh fruit when we can. When they die, they just bury them out back on the acreage as there is nobody to give them a funeral. We also read the bible with them and they love to sing the old hymns.  There are approximately 30 women and 30 men and almost all of them love the Lord and rejoice in Him daily. Their beds are lined up along the wall like an orphanage only these are adults. They always tell us how great God is. The lady with her arm around Chelsey, my daughter, always sings, "How Great Thou Art" and when we finish she says, "Now, sing it again!" She has no teeth but sings so beautifully I believe her praise and worship is similar to what we will hear in heaven.

God's Little Mangoes

WEEKLY REPORT FROM JAMAICA: Sept 19-23, 2011

Today, our custodian at the school where I work ...her neighbor..... heard a newborn crying in the trash can on her way out to the car this morning....baby was taken to hospital.....haven't heard anymore. Yesterday,  I had to tell the mother of a downs syndrome child that the child could no longer come to school due to lack of funds. The child cried. The mother had tried to get her into a public school because it is so much cheaper but they refused her. The school said they couldn't deal with the child's needs. My pastor visited the Infermery this wk on the northern part of the island. The people are various ages...lots of elderly....and lots of special needs adults that have nobody to care for them. There are no systems in place here for any age person with special needs. They live on rice and beans. We bring them fresh fruit and soup when we can. How blessed our special needs children and adults are in America. Wednesday, two more private schools closed because not enough parents can afford the fees etc and the public schools here can refuse students if they feel they are full. Tuesday I stopped at the orphanage I have volunteered in before. The teacher there has a run-down classroom out back with a few desks, some pencils, paper and crayons. I saw a VHS in the corner but it didn't look like it was working. I try to bring her supplies when I can. She is so very thankful for everything! As I got out of my taxi and walked up to the gate of the orphanage, a darling, dark, little guy (maybe 3 years old) spotted me and went screaming back to the other kids in the orphanage, "White lady come!"  "White lady come"  ha ha  That was the bright spot in my week.  I hope one day when I enter heaven that little guy is there and will say to Jesus,"White lady come!" Well I felt a bit discouraged this week as I have a cold and the needs just seem soooo BIG here. I just lie on my bed and say,"God, I don't even know where to begin....so much need ....bring me the resources and direct me in Jesus name. I know we worship a BIG GOD so I am praying he open the storehouses of heaven for His people here. I love all of you.....I keep you in my prayers. .Please keep the prayers coming..especially for the children! Your ambassador to Jamaica, Jeanne