Week One in Jamaica

When we arrived at our base in Jamaica, we were greeted by our host family, Chris and Sarah, and their four kids. Chris and Sarah are the founders of AIM, and from the moment we stepped onto the property, they made us feel right at home. After a long day of traveling, there was nothing better than sitting down to a delicious Jamaican meal and getting to know the place we would be calling home for the next few weeks. That night, after going over the rules and settling in, everyone crashed. We were exhausted, and I don’t think I’ve appreciated a night’s sleep more than I did that first night. The next morning was our first official day, but thankfully we had some extra time to rest after the long journey. I spent part of the morning helping our amazing chef, Mrs. Dalvis, with dishes and enjoying a slower pace before the week really began. That evening, we hosted a community dinner at the base. Looking back, I think all of us were a little nervous. We had no idea what to expect, but as people started arriving, those nerves quickly disappeared. One thing I learned almost immediately about Jamaican culture is how incredibly friendly and trusting people are. Parents would hand us their babies to hold without hesitation. Kids ran up to us for hugs. The girls loved braiding our hair and laughing with us. Before long, it felt like we weren’t strangers anymore. We were just people sharing a meal, playing games, and enjoying each other’s company. It was one of those moments where you could truly feel God’s love bringing people together. The next day was supposed to be our first work day. We were heading to help a woman named Mrs. Falipia, whose roof had been blown off during the Category 5 hurricane that hit Jamaica last October. The hurricane left behind so much destruction, damaged homes, churches, and families trying to rebuild their lives. Standing there, knowing we had the opportunity to help in even a small way, felt incredibly meaningful. We loaded up our supplies and made our way to Mrs. Falipia’s house, excited to finally begin. But as soon as we arrived, dark clouds started rolling in. It became clear that taking apart a roof in the rain wasn’t going to happen. Instead of getting frustrated, we gathered together and prayed. We prayed over Mrs. Falipia, her home, and for clear skies the next day. Then we headed back to base. At the time, it felt like a setback, but God had different plans. Back at the base, we spent the day building much-needed storage shelves. It wasn’t what we expected to be doing, but it turned into a productive day filled with laughter, teamwork, and opportunities to grow closer as a squad. The following morning, we woke up hopeful and excited. When we arrived back at Mrs. Falipia’s house, the weather was beautiful. Finally, it was time to get to work. I quickly volunteered to be on the team climbing onto the roof. I was excited to help and eager to get started. At first, I was completely focused on the task in front of me pulling nails, removing pieces of roofing, and helping wherever I could. But after a while, reality started to set in. It was nearly 90 degrees outside, and we were standing on top of a metal roof under the Jamaican sun. The heat was intense. I started getting a headache, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to stop. I wanted to keep helping. I wanted to prove that I could push through. Thankfully, some of my squadmates noticed what I wasn’t willing to admit. They brought me water and electrolytes and encouraged me to come down and rest. I remember feeling so frustrated with myself. While everyone else was working, I felt like I was letting the team down. As I sat there trying to cool off, my friend Payton came over and simply said, “Avery, let me pray for you.” That prayer changed my perspective. As she prayed, I felt God reminding me of something simple but powerful: I didn’t come all the way to Jamaica to prove how much work I could do. I came to serve. And serving doesn’t always look the way we expect it to. Sometimes serving means working on a roof. Sometimes it means washing dishes. Sometimes it means resting so that your body can recover. For the first time that day, I stopped feeling guilty. I went back to base and spent the next hour lying on the cool tile floor with fans blowing on me. My body desperately needed the rest. Later, when I felt better, I helped with dishes and prepared lunch for the team. It wasn’t the role I had pictured myself playing that day, but it was still service. God was still using me. The next morning, I was ready to try again. When we returned to Mrs. Falipia’s house, I climbed back onto the roof with a different mindset. This time, I paid attention when my body needed a break. I worked hard, rested when necessary, and then got right back to it. Piece by piece, the new roof came together. When we finally finished, seeing Mrs. Falipia’s reaction made every drop of sweat worth it. She was overwhelmed with gratitude. Something that seemed so ordinary to us a metal roof meant safety, comfort, and peace of mind for her. She no longer had to worry about rain dripping into her home while she slept. Standing there, looking at the finished roof, I realized that missions aren’t always about doing something huge. Sometimes they’re about showing up, being willing to help, and letting God use whatever you have to offer. This first week in Jamaica has already taught me so much about service, humility, and trusting God. It hasn’t always gone the way I expected, but that’s exactly what has made it so meaningful.Thank you for reading and following along on this journey. I feel incredibly blessed to be here and can’t wait to see what God continues to do in the weeks ahead.