One of the main mindsets one must bring to a mission trip is preparedness to adapt. A most memorable lesson I learned as a Vincentian living in Barbados is that though our countries have islandic similarities linking our well loved archipelago together, there is so much nuance among us and these differences should be appreciated and according to the circumstances embraced. I think we all did well with that, adapting to our new sleeping quarters rapidly.

We quickly learned that often lunch is lighter and dinner is larger. We adapted swiftly to the one hour change that came with travelling West. We were reminded that well known songs come in so many different versions. In spite of these differences, the same crow rattled its melody through the morning at dawn and the same crickets sang at night as the sun set one hour later than we’re used to. And we read, discussed, laughed, shared and prayed as the sun cycled daily.

The most prominent characteristics tying the members together were their love for Jesus and their eagerness to serve. We had singers, dancers, cooks, administrators, servers, speakers, teachers, masseuses, counselors, supporters, dramatists, writers, encouragers, intercessors, techies and more. There was never a dull day and everyone at some point had an opportunity to participate and share the gospel.

It has stuck with me since. The following day when we went to a lovely, little Primary school sequestered in the gently sloping hills, Marcia runs up to me excitedly and exclaims that she saw national symbols on the walls. And there they were, the littlest child had the chance to memorise the features of Garvey and Nanny and Bogle and Bustamante among others. They would know their national flower by heart. It was a real life illustration of knowledge applied. The sweet little “yes sir” and “yes miss” filled the air each morning along with a panorama of hair ribbons and my heart longed for Primary School days again. The thorough recitations of prayers and scriptures harkened back to a foundation many of us had in my childhood. The teachers were doing more than imparting secular education, they were also providing spiritual education. Each of us had a little part and every little part counted.

In missions, there is no room for ‘I’ or ‘me’, not when the work to be done revolves around a certain Him. We are fit into what preacher John Piper calls God’s “architectural plan”. By our connection through the one Living stone Jesus, we are like living stones being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus (1 Peter 2.5). We are partners with Him and workers building with and for Him. Christianity is predominant in Jamaica as it is in Barbados and equally our beautiful homelands need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28 is still relevant. Short term missions like these exhibit  the willingness of the body to volunteer their time and energy to help lift up the hands of brothers and sisters serving in another part of the vineyard. And what a blessing it is to serve alongside people who love Jesus so much just as you do! Our times of worship at the neighbouring assembly were sweet. They welcomed us with open arms and treated us as if we were their own. They were a part of our team. Several of us are partnering in the great commission even those of us who are physically unable to go but we pray from our homes and donate or provide guidance and assistance, even when we do not go, we are part of the mission too. It is a chance for all of us to be a part of what God is doing.