june newsletter - Jamaica Relief Ministries

JRM Summer Event
Schedule
JRM
Reported by Joe Shetler
Jamaica Relief Ministries
June
J
amaica Relief Thrift Store is a place of hope, life and renewal for many
people on many levels. Jeremy & Brittany Hershberger from Middlebury, IN moved into the area with 2 year-old daughter, Brielle, to take
on the challenge of operating the thrift store now in its 7th year of
business. They have made a few changes such as extending
business hours to 7:00 pm on Thurs & Friday and becoming tax exempt to help customers out, not having to pay tax.
The store is able to provide about 35% of its sales for the
ministries in Jamaica. A volunteer program would increase
this amount dramatically, cutting down on the overhead
costs so that is the goal for the store. Jeremy is looking for 2
girls and 1 fellow to volunteer on a regular basis. If you or someone you
know would fit this need, please contact him at (260)463-1561 or
[email protected].
For folks wishing to
donate larger items
(furniture or appliances) from out of
town; email [email protected]
and we'll see if
there are possibilities on how to get it
here. Everyone can
help whether by
shopping or donating their unneeded items! Be sure to “like” The Jamaica Relief Thrift Store’s
facebook page to keep you updated on what’s going on there.
Kevin & Carrie Stutzman are planning a JRM fundraiser in Plain City, OH August 4th at Plainview Christian School. It will feature a Jamaican meal of
jerk chicken, rice & peas, etc. Kevin will share about the work in Jamaica.
Sam Kanagys are bringing some of
their family in June to rebuild
Shelly's mother's house/store that
went through a fire.
Sandra & Abby Hershberger and
Travis Wengerd, from Abbeville, SC
are coming in June for two weeks
to help with painting and maintenance.
A group from Columbus, Ohio area,
sponsored by Dr. Shugert are coming in June to seal the driveway at
JRM and make water jug carts for
Mt. Pelier.
Berea Fellowship youth group from
Nappanee, IN are coming the last
week of June to build two houses,
one in the Cascade area and one at
Mt. Pelier.
A youth group from Summitview
Fellowship in Lancaster Co. are
coming in August to replace the
school roof at Mt Pelier.
Besides putting on the new roof at
the Blackburn Learning Center at
Mt. Pelier, we hope to install a
more permanent electrical system
in the school during their break
this summer. As of now they can't
use their refrigerator or computers
because of low voltage. We have
several more projects/houses waiting on groups to come build them.
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
MARK YOUR CALENDER! Coming to Pickens, SC October 22 at Ray
Hershberger's Red Barn. BBQ Pork, Chicken & southern fixin’s! Bluegrass
Music (John Schmidt); a delightful & inspirational evening guaranteed!
PO Box 436
Fair Play, SC
29643
Reading PO Box 134
Reading St. James
Jamaica, WI
Please use US address for all Donations!
E-newsletter, sponsorships, and staff applications:
Email: [email protected]
Find us on the web!
www.jamaicarm.org
We are excited to have Miss Erin Miller from Sugarcreek, OH on our team as the
newest Auntie. She is doing a great job already. ☺
Katelyn Yoder, our teacher for the school year, returned to her home in Maryland
in May. Kate was also in charge of the Bible Club every week at Mt. Pelier. She loved
with her whole heart, and poured herself into JRM. She is greatly missed.
PRAY WITH US FOR:
•
Continued safety for our staff; Praise God for that thus far! Pray too that we can work together as a team.
•
Upcoming case conferences. This is where we discuss the care of each child with family members/CDA, etc.
•
Groups to do building projects
•
Praise the Lord that you can now support JRM through AmazonSmile! ☺
T
hey say the first time at Blossom Gardens can be an emotionally draining day, and it proved to be
true. My heart broke for the precious children that came running up, wrapping their arms around me
and jumping up and down, not noticing as I struggled to stay on my feet. Each one desperately longed
to be loved. Each one with a story. With roughly 50 children and only a few Aunties, there are simply
not enough arms to go around. Although it seems small, it's been rewarding to learn to know the children by
name, and to show them the love of Jesus.
So that is why every week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, two of the JRM aunties spend a good part of the day
(from 8-2) at Blossom. There are about a dozen babies and 10 toddlers. It's usually pretty wild, especially with
the toddlers. Depending which auntie is on duty and what the weather looks like, we take the
children outside which is always a blessing. The afternoon is also spent with them as the babies take their afternoon naps. Then around 2 o'clock, we say goodbye and head home, looking
very disheveled and smelling rather foul, but always with a full heart.
Although the day feels long, it's always refreshing to "get out" of our little bubble on top of
the hill and spend the day immersed in the Jamaican culture. How else would we become fluent
in Potwah? ☺ It is in environments like Blossom that we realize just how blessed we are and
what an amazing opportunity we have to speak life into these dear ones as we fulfill our goal
of 'being the hands and feet of Jesus to the Jamaican children.'
-Written by Novella Fisher