Sean Major-Campbell | The St Bess mission – a new understanding of miracles

WHAT A mission! It would not have been possible without all who gave of their love, compassion, resources, and positive vibrations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I am grateful for the leadership, creativity, and generosity of Fr Louis Hurst, Fr Kirk Brown, and Fr Bertram Gayle, among other volunteers, givers, and just so kind hearts of love.

The mission trip gave us a new understanding of miracles. So many times, the disciples (volunteers in the love of Christ) who committed to sharing, commented on how the gifts brought to the space of St Peter’s Church Hall in Pedro Plains, appeared to have multiplied. When we brought the rice, beans, corn meal, crackers, bun, corn bread, regular bread, cooking oil, mackerel, tuna, sardines, corn, milk, corned beef, toiletries, pampers, adult pull ups, sanitary napkins, bleach, detergent, cases and cases of water, juices and drinks, tarpaulins, wash rags, among other helpful items, they just seemed so much more than we first realised.

The appearance of multiplied loaves was heightened when we realised that the lines were getting much longer than the full church hall that we met when we got there. The word was being spread that this group from Kingston had come to share with the people. Interestingly, one of the bus drivers said to me, “But faada, when mi a tek owt di tings dem, it look laik dem muor dan wen wi did a pak.” (But, father, when I was taking out the things, they looked like they were more than when we were packing them in.)

There is something about an attitude of giving, sharing, and enthusiastically wanting to reach those in need. That something gives us a will to accomplish and sheds light on that saying, “Littles is much when God is in it!”

Of significance is that fact that most people were not members of the church. We had no interest in where people came from or to what political party, they aligned themselves. Again, my thoughts went back to one of my favourite quotes from Archbishop Justin Welby who once said, “When the church is working it is the most mind-bogglingly, amazingly, extraordinarily beautiful community on earth. It heals, it transforms, it loves, and it changes society.”

Understandably, it will take time to figure out how people are assisted re roof and housing restoration activities. However, in the meantime, they still have the daily need for food and water and sanitation and toiletries. No other organisation in Jamaica, has the collective reach that the church has. Just imagine if we were all united in one purpose for the good of humanity and to the glory of God.

In the Bible version known as The Message (MSG), Deuteronomy 15:10-11 states, “Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So, I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbours in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbours.”

I have been seeing various church groups and organisations with reports of their reaching out. May we continue to reach out to people through this time of recovery. Sometimes in the aftermath of challenging experiences, some other challenges are heightened. Family challenges, health issues, poverty concerns, and the list goes on. Mental health concerns associated with natural disasters may be overlooked. However, those who have experienced or witnessed much loss and pain are prone to depression, post traumatic stress disorder and other trauma related issues.

Do not forget the animals. Some may also have been injured. They also need food and a fresh supply of water too.

Remember the volunteers and caregivers too. When we arrived in Pedro Plains, we decided that we would share all the food that was brought for the lunch fellowship. We acknowledged that we would just sort out refreshments for our volunteers on the way back to Kingston. We were, however, pleasantly surprised that on the return trip there were enough left over to share around.

There is so much to be accomplished when we put hands and hearts and resource together. May we continue to help others to the glory of God.

Let us sit with this Jesuit prayer for a moment:

“Holy One, you are our comfort and strength in times of sudden disaster, crisis or chaos.

Surround us now with your grace and peace through storm or earthquake, fire or flood.

By your Spirit, lift those who have fallen, sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill us with the hope of your new creation; through you, our rock and redeemer.” Amen.

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human dignity and human rights. Send feedback to seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.