We have enjoyed the multi-colored logo of ACE for many years. Like seasons that change, we thought it was time for a new leaner and simpler ACE look. Let us know what you think! We love it, especially with its nod to the wave from our previous logo!
We equate the new look to changing out of the same ol’ clothes into a fresh new pair of jeans! We’d love to hear what sort of logo merchandise you’d like to see in our gift shop!
For years, we’ve been talking about building our own school. Then our plans changed, as God withheld the property we had hoped would open up for a school, at least for now. Believing God’s timing is far better than ours, we pulled back. ACE wanted to build a special needs school at one time but found that putting both schools together would not attract the local families, as there seems to be a stigma with joining a special needs school with a regular school.
Every day for the past five years, as we drive to the ACE Campus, we pass a school called Edge Hill . You might have seen it – the name is on a big Digicel sign. In checking online, we realized that the Digicel Foundation had in fact built this school for the 30+ students who were assessed as special needs. Remember when your parents and teachers would say to you, “Never assume, always ask?” Well, I must have forgotten that because I assumed Digicel was actively involved in the day-to-day needs of running the school. I was wrong.
After meeting the vice principal, Mrs. Lee when ACE donated the stove a few months ago, we learned that Digicel only built the building but doesn’t support the actual operation and costs involved to run the school. And that’s when ACE enthusiastically said, “We will!!!” We became partners this year with Edge Hill Special Needs School and feel honored to have access to the students and wonderful teachers.
Our first interaction with the students was last week, when our friends and partners at Castine Church conducted our first home economics and shop classes for the students. Eyes got wide and smiles began when we opened the chocolate chip cookie mix and the peanut butter cookies. Who doesn’t love cookies?!
While the cookies were being made, another class on table-setting was being conducted across the hall. Setting a table with forks and knives might come in handy if the Mayor were to stop by. The best part of was cutting the peanut butter sandwiches before eating them.
In another class room, the shop students all built sailboats. Using drills and an electric saw, our expert volunteers allowed the students to actually cut and drill into their wood for their boats. I’m not sure which had a greater impact, using the equipment or finishing their boats! It was a wonderful time. The school asked if we would be willing to sponsor some of their students as the need is great. Of course! We are honored to have so many volunteers on a waiting list to adopt/sponsor students so that should be an easy ask.
Next time you visit us in Jamaica, bring us some home economics stories and cooking items. Cookie sheets, pots, pans,, bowls, spoons – you name it, they need it. And if you are the shop kind of person, bring your old tools, new tools, levels, safety goggles, measuring tapes, and anything to build. They love it and, frankly, so do we!!
Not only do the sponsored students get field trips with ACE each year, but we take the entire grade with us — and this season was no different. Students in primary schools study local community and government just like in the states. Remember when you were young and went on a field trip to the capitol or maybe the police station? Our little ones get the same experience. With ACE providing the means and schedule, our students enjoyed the day in Port Maria, learning all about their local community.
We visited the police station where students received a talk from the sergeant about safety and laws, then the mayor gave the students his undivided attention to answer questions. Another group was addressing letters to themselves and mailing them from the post office. The funny part about this field trip is that our own ACE staff seemed to enjoy it as much or more than the students. We even learned that our grown adults had never addressed and stamped and mailed a letter at their own post office. A real change in times, right? What a great experience for everyone!
After lunch with patties, the students received the finale at the fire station, where they got to climb into the firetruck and hold a hose spraying water. Is it any wonder all our third graders decided they wanted to be part of local government? Jobs like fireman, policeman, and postal attendant were all at the top of their lists, but no one wanted to be mayor! Perhaps it was the big desk he sat behind that looked very large or scary. Either way, we are grateful for our local servants in Port Maria for making the two days of field trips very educational and fun.
Our famous experienced canners returned to Jamaica again this winter to see how our mothers and staff were doing in canning food since last year. All of our canners from the States were pleasantly surprised to find not only was canning going well, but our ladies had branched out into making preserves.
As the week began, everyone who canned last year got to open their jars from a year ago and prepare for lunch at the Campus. Part of the canning program is not just about canning meats and soups and vegetables but also demonstrating how these sealed jars can last a year or more on a shelf inside a home that doesn’t have air conditioning or refrigeration. Many of our Jamaicans had raised eyebrows as they wondered if the chicken they canned a year ago would be good to eat.
Carefully and methodically, the cans were opened and the food heated and put in with the rice. It was funny to watch as each National waited on the other one to eat first. Of course, our American counterparts dove in and then, everything was okay! Lots of food, lots of laughter and lots of sharing all week in between the new canning. Thank you, ladies, for making a great concept for Jamaica come alive at the Campus.
While it is now officially spring, ACE had an incredible winter season in Jamaica. Our 10th annual Men and Women’s Conference turned out to be a huge success, even with many changes taking place.
For ten years, God has provided ACE with wonderful teachers, musicians, and volunteers to set the stage for our three-night conference, a conference that began years ago with only six attendees in a church in Trinity. While numbers are not a true sign of success, we must admit having more than six attend encourages us that we are moving in the right direction. With over a 150 attending this year’s conference, held at the beautiful Galina Breeze Hotel, our theme was “Be Doers, not just Hearers”.
And doers we were! Our regular worship leaders could not attend this year, so that left Allen and Marla to sing and lead worship – just kidding! Actually, as He always does, God came through and provided two worship leaders from the Atlanta area and a young couple already in Jamaica to come together for the first time and deliver three incredible nights of music and worship.
Our wonderful Pastor Helen showed up each evening to deliver a supernatural inspired message to all the women as we crowded into the Henry Morgan room to soak up the atmosphere. And what an atmosphere – very calming, peaceful, and yet energizing at the same time. The men crowded into to the Louise Bennet room downstairs, engaged in the ongoing conversation and teaching of Dave Duff and the other men on his team. Thank you to the long-standing work of Trinity on the Hill and the many individuals who gave up vacation days to volunteer their time and talent! Our 10th Annual Conference was once again a big success and a confirmation that little can be much when God is in it.
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 Sangster/Montego Bay airport (MBJ), arriving prior to 3:00 pm (2:00 pm is better) and departing no earlier than 1:00 pm. It’s approximately a 2.5 hour drive to the hotel. Another airport option is Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ), which has limited airline/flights but is 20 minutes from the hotel. We have no time requirements for pick-up and drop-off at OCJ, though there may be a wait time for afternoon hotel check-in.
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
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.
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.