FAQ's about Jamaica

I thought I would take a moment and answer a few of the questions that I most frequently get asked:

Q. When will you be leaving for Jamaica?
A. I will be leaving for Jamaica in March. I do not know the exact date yet because I will have to apply for a work Visa from the Jamaica government. I will be sending in my visa application the first part of January and will then have to wait on the response from Jamaica before I can book a one way flight.

Q. Are Aaron and Melissa Black and family going at the same time?
A. Yes, and I feel very blessed to have such wonderful friends to work, live and serve God with.

Q. What will you be doing in Jamaica?
A. CSI Ministries mission statement is "Mission Experiences in Jesus' Name". So we will be hosting short term mission teams. This means; making the connection with those in Jamaica who have needs and the teams who will serve them. It also means, food, transportation, cultural experiences, supplies for  the work projects, etc. need to be in place before the teams arrive. CSI also has a Student Support program which provides funds to help kids get to and stay in school. I think this involved visiting schools, teachers and children to check on grades, attendance and also help them with home work. And I'm sure that God has plans that I don't see fully right now. So this answer is to be continued...

Q. Where will you be living?
A. I will be in living Saint Mary Parish, town of Highgate which is in the interior of Jamaica. As far as I know right now I will be living in a block house down the street and around the corner from the Mission House. And yes my house will have electricity and indoor plumbing.  I will have hot water!  (This is picture of the house I will most likely be living in with Jamie Barton.)


Q. How do I join you in ministry with prayer and financial support?
A. I have prayer cards which I would love for you to put on your refrigerator or in your bible as a reminder to pray. I will also be sending out a monthly news letter by e-mail and I will be contacting my partners with prayer requests. If you want to send financial support mail a check to CSI Ministries, 1714 W Royale Dr. Muncie, IN 47304 with my name in the memo line. Or ask me and I will give you a response card and envelope. 

Q. How long will you be gone?

A. CSI requests that you make a three year commitment, however I really hope that I will be in Jamaica much longer. This doesn't mean that I will be gone three years straight. I will be home for about six weeks each year. Four of those weeks are used to reconnect with those who are partnering with me in ministry and continue to raise support. Two week are vacation time.

Q. What do you think you will miss the most while in Jamaica?

A. My family and friends of course! But I will also miss fresh milk, the change of seasons, the ease of shopping we have, and I'm sure there will be other things also.

Feel free to leave a comment with your question.

Departure Date

Last night our Executive Director at CSI Ministries announced that I will be leaving for Jamaica in March. This is what I have been waiting for. It was just over a year ago when I knew that the Love God has given me for the Jamaicans required action. But now that I know when I will be leaving there are many mixed emotions and tons of thoughts running through my mind. Will I be home for Christmas next year? Boy Oh Boy is it going to be hard to say goodbyes. I'm praying that there will be many Good times within the goodbyes. I wonder how involved the visa application process will be. My comfort in this is that many others have successfully completed the visa process before me. I wonder if I will be fully funded before I leave, right now with earthly eyes it sure doesn't look like it. But I say, God is more than able, after all everything in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. I wonder how many suit cases I will want to take with me? I don't have many possessions left, at least by American standards but still, it will probably be more than a couple of suit cases. How do I let all those who have come into my life know just how much I will miss them? What is in store when I arrived in Jamaica? What wonderful acts of God will I witness?
What? How? When? Where? Why? Many, many questions.

Right where I'm at

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task,

 but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks

 as if they were great and noble."

 Helen Keller

Jamaica

Today my heart is full of love. Do to my journey to Jamaica and the need to raise support I have a greater understanding of the importance of interdependence of the body of Christ. Without others coming along side me and offering their prayers and financial support I would never be able to accomplish the dream God has placed in my heart. That dream is to live in Jamaica and to love the Jamaican people with the love of God.