Our very own Marla and D’Vaun were featured on a recent podcast!
Thank you to TJ Mauldin for taking time to talk with both Marla and D’Vaun to hear their stories and experiences with ACE and what led them to where they are now. If you’ve never heard them speak or even if you know them well, it’s a great reminder of how God works through us all for the good of the world around us. Give it a listen!
Any great undertaking doesn’t start where the results are seen; it starts with a spark of inspiration, a simple idea, a tiny prick that over time becomes a little more than a sensation to ignore. Then God confirms that He’s implanted destiny, and it so happens you’re carrying the seed.
The village has been ACE’s seed. If you’ve been around long enough, you’d have probably heard the pitch (more than once, too). God has inspired us after being his hands and feet in childcare trying and failing, being frustrated when our help only goes so far because we have limited access to our children and our parents aren’t equipped to follow up, God bless their hearts. The village was God’s light bulb moment to us (He has all the great ideas).
You’ve already met Latoya Newel and her family (if you haven’t you’ve been neglecting the newsletter; God’s watching you), For those of us whose memories aren’t as great (I gave you an out), Latoya’s family experienced turbulence after turbulence in their life. All this meant ACE had to go deeper in trying to help. We gave her a job, she stayed with us a while, living in several houses on our property. But nothing can replace a home of your own, and that’s when God reminded us of that brilliant idea He gave us all those years ago.
We’ve made so many attempts to start building the Village for so many others; however, as they say in Jamaica, “Wherever God is, the devil presents himself thrice as much.” We decided that God’s ability to help is greater than the roadblocks that came up. We stepped out in faith and started the process again to make sure that this mom with her five kids had a home., Though the journey was long (with lots of help from sponsors and teams) and we didn’t always follow the route we started, we are beginning to see where God wants to take us. Our first family is in the Village – home, sweet home.
One of my now favorite verses, Romans 8:38-39, speaks to God’s faithfulness and commitment to us, in the same way neither red-tape nor limited resources nor forces of darkness can stop God’s plan to water that seed of faith, a seed that leads to the fruits of our labor and the love of Jesus Christ.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
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Have you ever seen the shoeboxes in the lobby of your church or school marked “Operation Christmas Child”? Those red and green boxes are for a program facilitated by Samaritan’s Purse, a nondenominational outreach organization that provides spiritual and physical aid to people in need around the world. You may have been on the preparation side of this program, filling up boxes with toys, hygiene products and school supplies, helping to ship them off to more than 100 countries. https://samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/the-journey-of-a-shoebox/
ACE was honored to team up with Samaritan’s Purse on the other end of this event to distribute boxes to some of our very own children in St. Mary, Jamaica. It’s never just “drop the box and go” — Samaritan’s Purse has developed a beautiful multi-faceted program with stories, booklets and songs to truly show God’s purpose in the children’s lives and in the gifts they receive, helping to create life-long relationships with Jesus Christ.
The boxes are given out in conjunction with a 12-lesson series called The Greatest Gift over the next few months. This long-term program helps the children learn more about Jesus and to create opportunities for discipleship, not only for the students but their whole families. Even more special, for all the children who complete the twelve classes, ACE will have a graduation, and each will receive his or her very own Bible, provided by Samaritan’s Purse!
What a wonderful experience it was to be a part of this, to see their smiles upon receiving their boxes and to know the Bible stories and prayers will continue to surround them as the days go on. Thank you to the Jamaican chapter of Samaritan’s Purse for allowing us to work with you. We look forward to each and every opportunity to come!
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With the start of 2023, I’m so thankful to see another year but even more exited to know things are getting back to some normalcy, getting to see our ACE friends we have not seen for a while. I am also happy to update you on how our microbusinesses (Galina Breeze, Buccaneers and Green Life Farm) are doing, as well as our newest addition of the Peace House!
Normally, Galina Breeze bookings start very slow coming off a long holiday, but the hotel has really gotten some local business. We were 50% full the first week of January and have remained that way. In the meantime, Buccaneers Jerk Centre has had continuous business and we are very busy during weekends. This has helped us tremendously with income, providing employment and assisting in paying the salaries for farm staff. Speaking of the farm, animals on the farm are doing great. The cows are increasing in numbers and having calves, and the pigs are having piglets as we grow these for the jerk center. The farm guys are now riding the horses to move about on the farm and help with the cattle.
Even though the Peace House is still not finished – we are waiting for furniture as well as a working bathroom and finishing up odds and ends – we can breathe a breath of peace, because finally we’ve had the first official event here! Christmas is one of the best times of the year, and this year was made even more special as we were able to celebrate the greatest gift, Jesus Christ, with our extended family through Christ at the Peace House. What a celebration it was! Food, lots of food, and a ton of off-key singing surrounded us as we visited with our staff, sponsored families, and friends. We even welcomed Ms. Cookie, one of our seniors at 93 years old who lives alone, to join us in the season of togetherness. The Peace House represents that place where we can come to celebrate Jesus, and we all can feel that peace of God here!
So, we’re off to a great start in the new year, and we are looking forward to what’s to come! God is surely not dead. He’s alive and kicking!
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Most of you know or have heard us mention Dawn, our Child Sponsorship Stateside Coordinator. She has worked diligently for nine years with our Jamaican staff via email and phone calls, coordinating sponsor/child relationships, home visits, and learning about the needs of the children in our program.
What’s amazing about Dawn is that you can mention a student’s name and she will know every detail about that child and his or her sponsorship. She’s a walking Child Sponsorship encyclopedia. Marla mentioned in a previous newsletter, how, even during a hospital stay, she had her computer open, keeping the sponsorship program current, without missing a beat. She has taken this role into her heart and truly makes this impact area of ACE shine.
So, we are so sad to announce that she is retiring in the next few weeks. While we know many great things await her and her husband as they plan their own adventures, we will miss her deeply. Transition is hard, but, in this case, the job is staying in the family in the best possible way — not just our ACE family but Dawn’s family!
Remember Amber, or rather Ms. Amba? She is Dawn’s niece and an integral part of ACE’s history. Seventeen years ago, she came to ACE on a short mission trip, came back as an intern, worked on our Stateside staff, then volunteered full-time with ACE in Jamaica for five years, leading the iQuest program, teams and education initiatives. Amber has seen and done just about everything ACE-related, even helped with the initial setup of the Child Sponsorship program, as she saw the needs of kids and families through her interactions at the schools, even sometimes taking a child into her home.
The Child Sponsorship program and its processes have been streamlined over the years by all who have had a hand in it, both in Jamaica and in the states. How fitting it is for Dawn to hand the baton back over to Amber, now a mom herself, well-versed in the needs of the children of St. Mary and the workings of our ACE ministry. Welcome back, Amber, and best of luck, Dawn! We love you both!
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UPCOMING MEDICAL TRIP DATES:By partnering with medical groups from the US, ACE holds quarterly medical clinics throughout the parish. In working with the Jamaican Ministry of Health, our teams are able to make regular visits to the government clinics, enabling these communities to receive the care and treatment they so desperately need. By holding regular clinics, the health problems of the communities are treated regularly therefore decreasing the acuteness of the illnesses.
Our trips run Saturday to Saturday and the cost is $850 per person for the entire week; Please note starting January 1, 2025, this price goes up to $899 per person. This includes your stay and food at Galina Breeze Hotel, transportation to and from the airport, organized medical clinics, 24-hour security, and transportation to and from the clinic sites. (Free day activity is an additional $35 that you will need to have with you on the island) Airfare is not included. Please note that this is a group rate and is based on 4-6 per room. If you need a private room and there is availability (determined by ACE and the hotel), you may have one for an additional $25/night for double occupancy, $50 for single occupancy.
If you’re interested in learning more about our medical trips, or you wish to book a trip, click the button below to contact our stateside office.
TRIP COSTACE trips are for teams of 15 or more, but individuals and teams smaller than 15 can be accommodated in certain circumstances.
Length: 8 days/7 nights (standard trip is Saturday to Saturday)
Cost per person: $850 + airfare (including $100 non-refundable deposit)
Please note starting January 1, 2025, the trip cost per person will be $899 + airfare (including $100 non-refundable deposit).
Children 12 and under are half price. Children 3 and under are free.
We require that our teams arrive and depart from Montego Bay airport, arriving prior to 3:00 pm and departing no earlier than noon. We are 95 miles from Montego Bay and 75 miles from Kingston, but the drive is quicker and safer from Montego Bay due to road conditions.
What is included in the cost?
√ Ground transportation between airport and hotel (2 hour trip each way)
√ Room and Board (group price based on 4-6 people per room)
√ All meals during your stay at the hotel
√ 24-hour security
√ Daily bus transportation to local outreach (10-35 minutes)
√ Most construction supplies, if applicable (paint, block, cement, etc.)
√ All tips and taxes
√ Full local staff and ACE staff
√ Access to hotel pool, tuck shop, and ocean side fire pit
√ Optional site trip for one leader to Jamaica prior to trip (airfare not included – please inquire about dates)
√ A life-changing experience!
X Airfare costs – flight requirements above must be met for free ground transportation, with arrival and departure on Saturdays (unless arrangements are made prior to booking)
X Mandatory short-term travel insurance. We can coordinate this through our ACE partner, Travel Team Brokers (contact us for pricing) Or teams can provide their own (proof of insurance required).
X Food during travel to and from the airport
X Off-day costs (an afternoon activity planned by ACE with transportation; bring $35 to cover lunch and admission expenses)
X Optional purchases at hotel or at off-day site
About the Scriptures
We believe the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God and that men were moved by the Spirit of God to write the very words of Scripture. Therefore, we believe the Bible is without error.
About God
We believe in one God who exists in three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ is the second member of the Trinity and (the Son of God) who became flesh to reveal God to humanity and to become the Savior of the lost world.
About Humanity
We believe that all people were created in the image of God to have fellowship with him but became alienated in that relationship through sinful disobedience. As a result, people are incapable of regaining a right relationship with God through their own efforts.
About Salvation
We believe that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed on the cross, provides the sole basis for the forgiveness of sin. Therefore, God freely offers salvation to those who place their faith in the death and resurrection of Christ as sufficient payment for their sin.
About the Christian Life
We believe all Christians should live for Christ and not for themselves. By obedience to the Word of God and daily yielding to the Spirit of God, every believer should mature and be conformed to the image of Christ.
Agenda items may include
There will be an “off-day” opportunity, usually a beach or other relaxing activity, toward the end of your week; teams must bring $35 per person in cash to participate. This is a perfect way to end a week of hard work!
The negative impact of poverty is most deeply felt by the youngest and most vulnerable part of the community—the children. Like Jesus in Matthew 19, ACE believes it is our duty to welcome these children with open arms, offering them love and protection. We are committed to give the children of our community a chance to break out of the cycle of poverty by empowering them to reach their full potential by being educated, cared for, and in good health.
WE ARE a Christ-based outreach ministry dedicated to community transformation in the parish of St.Mary, Jamaica through strategic initiatives in education, enterprise, healthcare, and discipleship.
HOW DO WE DO IT? ACE enables volunteers to join in its outreach through a variety of hands-on experiences. Individuals and groups from all over the world come to volunteer their talents and know-how, which helps provide self-sustaining solutions to local problems, and in turn, empowers the people of St. Mary, Jamaica.
WHAT IS OUR IMPACT? With more than 30 years experience working in Jamaica and a deep understanding and passion for the country, ACE serves as a model for successful community outreach. Additionally, while making a direct impact during their time in Jamaica, volunteers often return home with a new understanding and passion for service which results in continued ministry to those in need throughout the globe.
Being a beacon for Christ is the fundamental purpose of everything we do. Equally important is how we do it. Our duty is to let His light penetrate the darkness by being love in action.
We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk… because faith without action is dead. As we are often asked why we do what we do, the answer is simply, the door is open for us to lead the way for children and families to experience a relationship with their Saviour, so we are seizing the opportunity and partnering with Christ. We work with our local church to ensure continued spiritual growth and care.
Community Discipleship- Discipleship is intentionally incorporated into everything we do. In addition to one-on-one discipleship efforts, ACE coordinates and hosts conferences for more in depth mentoring and outreach to men, women, business people and couples.
Marla Fitzwater, Founder and Executive Director of ACE, arrived on the island in 1988 coordinating short-term mission teams to work in Jamaica. Her work began to form what is now ACE.
During the early years, Marla quickly observed that those receiving the primary benefit from volunteer efforts were actually the people and organizations who were serving. These visitors were touched by the experience and inspired to continue serving others upon returning home. Ironically, the local community had not experienced any long lasting change. Despite the projects and improvements, the community inevitably returned to a poverty state physically, mentally and most of all, spiritually. She also learned that poor healthcare and lack of education was a reality and that without improvements in those two basic areas, people just wouldn’t have a chance to grow and flourish the way God intended.
Through these tough lessons, the strategy for ACE’s outreach was born. To this day, our ministry focuses in four main areas of Impact: education, healthcare, enterprise, and discipleship.
There is an old proverb, “If you give a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day, but if you teach a man to fish, he’ll eat for a lifetime.” History proves that lasting change in a poverty culture is achieved by empowering the people to reach their full potential and become self-sustaining. ACE is invested in our community long-term and in conjunction with our partners in the US, we are identifying the circumstances of those around us in order to find real solutions for their unique needs.
History proves that lasting change in a poverty culture is achieved by empowering the people to reach their full potential and become self-sustaining. ACE is invested in our community long-term and in conjunction with our partners in the US, we are identifying the circumstances of those around us in order to find real solutions for their unique needs.
The ministry of Jesus on earth was teaching and healing. Rarely is there one without the other. We have found that if you talk about the love of God but fail to meet the basic and urgent needs of the people, it might as well be hypocrisy.
By partnering with medical groups from the US, ACE holds quarterly medical clinics throughout the parish. In working with the Jamaican Ministry of Health, our teams are able to make regular visits to the government clinics, enabling these communities to receive the care and treatment they so desperately need. By holding regular clinics, the health problems of the communities are treated regularly therefore decreasing the acuteness of the illnesses.