Discipleship | American-Caribbean Experience

The Green Life Village

by American- Caribbean Experience | May 25, 2021 | Community, Discipleship, Education, Outreach

Is it finally happening? After all these years of hearing Marla talk about her Children’s Village, a place for families to live together and grow together, it is finally happening. Note that the illustration above is from our original artwork drawn up in 2013. We are in the process of having updated plans drawn to reflect a more current vision.

Up on the hill, around the river, through the woods, and across the gravel is a tiny road leading to a community called Cambridge. The Green Life Farm borders the community all the way from the main road to the river. Thanks to so many friends of ACE, the clearing of the coconut grove – or “walk” as they say in Jamaica – has begun. While we are keeping many of the coconut trees (coconuts are in big demand for their water and jelly), this is the location for our village to be built.

ACE has named it the “Green Life Village” (called a village because it truly takes a village to raise a child). Many children we have sponsored will be living in this community with their parents or parent.

We will have our own D’Vaun and Saskia living here as the small-group/family leaders for ACE. We will be very intentional about who will reside on the property and what they will be doing to grow, thrive and survive in a healthy and productive way. More information to come, but if you are interested in finding out how you can be a part of this long-in-coming dream of ACE, give us a call or email! We will be happy to share with you what the needs are and how ACE plans to make this the most sought-after community in St. Mary.

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The Seniors of St. Mary

by American- Caribbean Experience | Apr 28, 2021 | Community, Discipleship, Outreach

A year ago last month, we were told we could no longer visit our senior family at the St. Mary Infirmary. While it’s understandable, all of us at ACE have felt a tremendous loss. Yet, with the needs mounting, we’ve continued to visit the many “shut in” seniors in the community who are elated that we have found them!

Rose has a sore on her foot that won’t heal. She also doesn’t have anyone to clean it and change the dressing. When Dr. Guy and his wife, Carol, were here, they made house-call visits for this purpose as well as to just cheer our seniors up a little. Most docs and their wives, I’ve noticed, are not so willing to clean and bandage a poor lady’s foot like Rose’s. But Dr. Guy and Carol, who is a nurse, are not the normal medical professionals. They are outstanding, always going above and beyond with a personal touch.

Meet Angus, one of the many blind seniors ACE has taken under our wing. When our friend of ACE, Teresa, was here, she cleaned and sang, and cooked and sang, and… well, you get the picture. What joy she brought to Angus and so many others!

Another wonderful person is Ezra, the uncle to Sheldon, one of our fathers and employees at the farm. Ezra is blind as well, but that never stops him. While he can’t see in the natural world, his supernatural abilities are amazing. Spending time with him helps us all see the world in a new way.

With your help, love and the support you continually send us, we keep the road busy and the paths to their homes well worn. Thank you all for making a difference. Now if we can only get you on the plane to come see us, we can show you the way to the Seniors of St. Mary!

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A Silver Lining For Our Families During COVID

by American- Caribbean Experience | Apr 27, 2021 | Book A Trip, Community, Discipleship, Outreach

Every once in a while you read something or see something on TV about how COVID actually helped someone in a way totally unexpected. This is exactly what has happened not just once, not just twice, but several times with our sponsors helping their sponsored children and their families. The children have not been in school, and most of the families, as you can well imagine, have suffered loss of income and many times have nothing to offer their children. Thanks to so many sponsors, ACE has been consistent in supplying food staples to the many families who have nothing to eat.

In addition, some of you, since you could not come in person, elected to send the funds you’d normally spend to come down to Jamaica directly to us to help these families! Beds, refrigerators, tables, mattresses, more food and a lot of love has been coming down this past month. Take a look at the smiles! We cannot thank you enough, and neither can your sponsored children and their families.

While COVID may have changed how you’ve helped ACE from afar this past year, we still want to see your smiling faces in Jamaica soon! We may have some friends who want to say thank you in person!

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It’s iQuest Time Again!

by American- Caribbean Experience | Mar 24, 2021 | Book A Trip, Community, Discipleship, Education, Outreach

Are you a college student seeking a life-changing experience? We are looking for you! With teams filling in on our 2021 schedule, we are ready for a new group of iQuest interns to come from June 5th to August 19th!

Working with ACE staff and volunteer teams for the summer is just the ticket for adventure, growth and renewal. What an opportunity to go outside your comfort zone, learn new skills and make a lasting difference in the lives of others, while making friends to last a lifetime.

We are slowly getting back into our busy world after a year spent on “pause”. As our time at home comes to an end but before our schedules become overwhelming again, spend the summer with ACE! Discover the ways that God can use your energy and talents to connect to so many who need a smiling face and a helping hand. Go online today to sign up to be a 2021 iQuest intern – and find your new home away from home!

IQUEST APPLICATION

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Jamaican Cowboys

by American- Caribbean Experience | Mar 23, 2021 | Book A Trip, Community, Discipleship, Outreach

It sounds funny when you read the title. A Jamaican cowboy? Our age is showing when we think of TV shows like Gun Smoke and Bonanza or all of those John Wayne movies where everyone is Caucasian with fancy boots, spurs, big hats and a horse to ride. But when we talk about cowboys in Jamaica, we need to begin to think a little outside of the box.

If you have not yet visited this miraculous piece of property ten minutes out of Port Maria, our home town, then you will have to set your calendar to come on out. When you come, you’ll see our Jamaican cowboys who will soon be riding horses (left on the property by the previous owner) to keep up with all of our GLLF cattle.

Meet Dwight Huie, known to us as simply “Huie” or by his pet name, “Gold Teeth”. Huie is what we would call an “all-rounder”, soon to be “cowboy”. Huie is the father of two grown daughters (twins!) living in England. He, like all of us, is a true animal lover with lots of heart.

This month, LeRoy, another cowboy, worked on saddling up the horses and getting them accustomed to being ridden. We do have an age limit on who gets to ride (no one over 60 or under 21). These are working horses and working cowboys, so we want to keep the work safe and efficient. As the economy picks up (soon, we pray), we should be able to expand our staff and pastures. Keep us in your prayers!

Thanks, Huie and LeRoy, as well as Indian, Sheldon, Maggie, Skanka, and Noyan (who just turned 80 this month), for keeping those fences going in, one post at a time. Reminds us of that old “Don’t Fence Me In” cowboy song… are we showing our age again? These fences are definitely needed, but our cowboys will still enjoy the wide open country that they love! Who knew that Jamaica – a tourist spot for beaches, resorts, Bob Marley, Blue Mountain Coffee, Irie Mon – would now become home to true Jamaican cowboys!

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Meet Sarah!

by American- Caribbean Experience | Feb 22, 2021 | Community, Discipleship, Outreach

ACE has been fortunate to have extra helping hands from time to time. Sarah has been one of the people who has been down to Jamaica several years in a row and saw a need that she might be able to fill temporarily. We would to take this opportunity to introduce you to Sarah, a 27-year-old young lady from North Georgia.

Here is a note from Sarah in her own words.

I felt a longing in my heart to do something more with my life, so when the opportunity came to be able to volunteer in Jamaica, I resigned from my job, ended my lease on my apartment, and never looked back.

Since I’ve been here helping out with day-to-day functions of ACE and Buccaneers, I’ve been able to work closely with the ACE staff. What an awesome experience it has already been. I’ve learned many new things, like how to drive on the opposite side of the road, how to call avocados “pears” and even how to navigate my way through Port Maria – but most importantly, I’ve learned how to depend on Christ.

One of the most amazing things about being down here is seeing firsthand the way God has been using ACE to assist these precious people. I can say from the bottom of my heart that ACE has been the hands and feet of Christ for the people of St. Mary. ACE has bridged the gap for employees, their families, and families in our communities by providing food, educational access, and basic needs.

Already in 2021, we are seeing God working in additional ways. While we miss our friends at the infirmary and can’t be with them like we used to, we can still make an impact to those in need. A short survey of our community brought forth numerous seniors that are shut-in, lonely, and longing for human connection. They, too, feel abandoned and forgotten. Instead of becoming frustrated with limitations and setbacks, we are allowing this season to go deeper into our community and relationships. I am learning that God always has a plan, and if I am willing to trust Him in all things, He will open doors of opportunities and ways to be His hands and feet.

I’d like to end with a quick story:

We were visiting a single mother that cares for her disabled adult son, every day, seven days a week, with no help or assistance. We brought coffee and, of course, the famous “Betty” condensed milk creamer. We started out talking about the little things – a new year, the weather – but then the conversation began to go deeper. She shared during this COVID season that she really misses being able to go to her church. I think that has been a tough thing for a lot of people. We decided to hold church right where we were by reading her favorite Psalm, Psalm 51, singing and a few songs. We ended our little service that touched us all by having a prayer together.

I can never go wrong by putting love in action. It has been so humbling to be exposed to a portion of this active ministry. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead – with all of you, the wonderful ACE Family.