But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? My Little children let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:17-18 KJV
(the Bible verse most used by the Jamaican people)

“Love in action” – three little words that describe the heart of a missionary. A missional heart is one that has received the love of God in such a way that the only way one can now live into God’s love in Christ Jesus is acts of compassion….acts of love. What a wonderful verse to frame Mission Jamaica 2011.

Mission Jamaica has been love in action for 21 years now, we have been blessed by the love of our Jamaican friends and friends we have met on mission trips from around the country who joined us in serving. I had the privilege of visiting mission partners from Georgia this summer in their home. The Tannehill family has participated in MJ through their home church in Evans, Georgia since 2004. Rita Tannehill has been a missionary on the adult trips (we call her Steel Magnolia as she can out work most guys on the construction site!) and has made a personal commitment to bring all three of her children on MJ youth mission trips. Her daughter, Meredith, has been four times. I asked Meredith what makes her come back. Without hesitating she said, “I love the children.”  Meredith wrote the following.

“For me, Mission Jamaica has become a precious time for me to connect with God on a very different level and in a very special way. Of all the various sites the youth visit while in Jamaica, the West Haven Children’s Home for the mentally and physically handicapped has changed who I am today – for the better. At this home, there are roughly 80 children who are cared for, all with disabilities from cerebral palsy to Downs syndrome to bed rest because their little bones have turned to stone in twisted forms. For some people, it is hard to look past the incapacities of these children, but for me it’s hard not to cry. It’s hard not to cry because I see the Lord. God is present everywhere in these children. He is in their deep brown eyes that sparkle in the sun, their huge smiles and laughter, and their grip when holding hands. From the moment you step off the bus, these children of God love you as if you brought them into this world, even though you don’t know their name. Some of the kids can make out a few words, but most of them cannot. But all can smile. Some of them are 25 and some of them are 4. But they all love to be held. All of them have nothing of their own. But none of them cares. You see, all that matters to them in those moments you are with them is YOU. You are their special person that day. You are that someone who loves them unconditionally. To these children, your actions are what speak to them. Movement, touching, facial expressions are the language the West Haven kids understand and always will.

“I think about everything I have done in the last six years. I graduated from high school, studied in Japan and New York, took a road trip, celebrated my birthday, and graduated from the University of Georgia. When I returned this year to Jamaica (my fourth trip) William, Frankie, Beanie, Colleen, Sheldon, Skooter, Keno, Wayne, Kurlou, Shantel, Marlene, Kerry Ann, Nijoke were all still there. Still smiling, still sitting with each other in their cottages, still waiting for us to return. And that action of returning lets each of them know that we will love them always and forever.”

West Haven is one of the many mission sites we serve and clearly a favorite for adults and youth. There are many wonderful people who have served as missionaries to Jamaica and have wonderful stories of the people they have served and served with. If you are one of them, please come; tell your stories as we gather to celebrate Mission Jamaica 2011 on Sunday, Sept. 26. If you have felt the tug of your missional heart and want to explore the possibility of joining us this year, come and let us help you navigate the waters of turning thoughts and words into actions of love.

“Let us not love in words but let us love until it hurts”
– Mother Teresa