Agape: Ministry to the Islands.
Jamaica

7/16/08-7/23/08

To view trip photos, click here

• To serve the “poorest of the poor” and walk in the footsteps of the Lord.
  
• Bring peace and justice to a community that is affected by crooked politicians,
  drug dealers and terrible living conditions, unless you are wealthy.
  
• To share our experiences with fellow parishioners.

Who are we?
We are a group of up to 25 (ranging in age from 14 to 80+) who go to Kingston, Jamaica on an annual basis (this will be our 9th trip) for a 7-day period. While in Kingston, we serve each day from 7 am until 4:30 pm at the different centers (there are 5) that are run by the Missionaries of the Poor founded by Fr. Richard Ho Lung.

The centers consist of:

• two centers that house men and boys
• one center this is all women, girls and babies
• another with men, women, children and those afflicted with AIDS (men, women & children, as well)
• a new center that houses babies and young children and will serve as a school eventually

Residents are mentally and physically handicapped, abandoned babies/children, older people who have no-one to care for them and people that are just left to die in the gutter. Fr. Ho Lung’s Brothers bring these people to the centers, nurse them, feed, clothe and give them a place to stay until they die. In general, these are “throw-away people” who do not live up to the expectations of their society.

What do we do?
Our duties are varied (and dictated by the Brothers who have dedicated their lives to these people). Duties include: washing, bathing, mopping floors, painting, general cleanup in the centers, fixing hair, cutting fingernails/toenails, applying lotion (residents line up more than once, just to have the human touch). We sing, color, read stories, feed, change linens and there’s a whole lot of interaction with the residents.

Where do we stay?
We stay in a convent that is a turn-of-the-century hotel. There is no air conditioning. The rooms are adequate and there is a shower in each room. No guarantee that there will be hot water, but when the temperatures are in the high 90’s (as well as the humidity), a cold shower feels good. There is a pool where we gather to “unwind” and share experiences of the day.

How do we finance this trip?
Each missionary provides a portion of the fare and the rest of our money is obtained through fundraising such as sausage biscuit sales, church events and contributions from organizations, businesses and individuals. St. Luke’s We Care Committee also includes us in their budget to help alleviate the cost.

The next trip is scheduled for July 18-25, 2007.

For information, contact Bill Suslick at 704-516-0962 suslickw@alltel.net or Theo Ennis at 704-568-5989 Theoennis1@aol.com.