Wrapped Up, Tied Up, Tangled Up, In Jesus

I went to Jamacia previously when I was a child, however returned twice while I was in undergrad on two separate one week mission trips over spring break with the Wesley Foundation. I decided to combine both trips into the same post as, though they were different, they were quite similar experiences overall.

Spring Break 06 :: Sawyers & Ocho Rios
Every year during Spring Break Wesley offers some kind of mission experience. My sophomore year, I was selected to go on the International trip to Jamaica. Much like the trip to Juarez, there was group of about 20 of us who went to serve through construction and children’s ministry. This trip we actually did a lot of painting for a church, playing soccer, and lead worship with the church we were helping. We had the usual devotions surrounding meal times and spent a great deal of our “down” time getting to really connect with our teammates. Some of the deepest friendships I made from Wesley are those that were shared doing mission work together. It’s crazy how an experience like this can so quickly bond you to people. You’ll see throughout the course of the trips I took with Wesley, many of the same people were also on each of those trips or various service projects that I was a part of. Our mission teams became our family.

After the work portion of the trip, we ventured to Ocho Rios for a couple of “fun” days before heading out. We visited the beautiful beaches, did some local shopping and even found Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville along with a few pubs and restaurants that were particularly “touristy”.

We also went to Dunn’s River Falls during our time in Ocho Rios. We climbed up the falls and oh my goodness was it an experience in trust and quite a thrilling one! It was absolutely breathtaking as well. We ventured to the local markets, bargained our way to some great souvenirs, and tried some more of the local cuisine.

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Spring Break 07 :: Trelawny & Brampton
This trip was much the same as the one before with devotions and the split of construction and youth time, however we were able to share a lot more with the kids this time around since we had gained the trust of the ministries we were joining with in the country. We sang songs, did crafts, and shared of Jesus’ love with the students in the school we were helping to revamp from storm damage. We again ventured to Ocho Rios for our final days, but honestly, in the outskirts is where I would have rather been.

One of the songs they particularly enjoyed was one that of course had some motions to it. They were very into dancing and even put on a talent show for us to show off all their moves. Y’all, the kids could dance. They went from singing rap & reggae songs (which we were given a CD of and it’s pretty catchy stuff!) to our songs we taught them. “I’m wrapped up, tied up, tangled up, in Jesus” & “This is the day the Lord has made” were belted from their lips as they danced along the streets.

One of the coolest things we were able to do, is share with some of the young women at the church about what it meant to respect yourself and your body. That as women, we are not just objects for men to use, or that our bodies were to be used to make money or to obtain freedom. Some of the young women had been forced into prostitution simply to survive. They had no idea that they could seek an education, that they could get a job, and even that they could search for the man that treated them with the respect that they so desperately needed and deserved. They found strength in our example and courage to press forward. It was such a humbling experience to have those conversations.

After these two trips, my fondness for Jamaica is much stronger now. To me, Jamaica is more than just a resort destination, or a country devastated by drugs, but rather a beautiful location filled with people who need to hear the Gospel by the loving actions of those who truly want to make a different by teaching them The Truth and showing them The Way instead of just putting a band aid on a bigger problem.