Comments on: The Warmth of Jamaica

By: Dee Yoder

Dee Yoder — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:02:39 +0000

And I’ve seen this kind of poverty right here in Applachian America, too. Oh my. The key is to do something…after our hearts are moved…just to do something.

By: Joye

Joye — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:15:24 +0000

This post just echoes my heart right now. God is doing something, isn’t he? He’s calling his people to action–to more than just feeling but to being. To being the help that someone needs. To being the shelter the homeless are seeking. To being the answer for the questioning. To just being…HIM…in our world.

By: Christy Klein

Christy Klein — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:15:58 +0000

You are so right. We have all the comforts in the world and yet we complain and whine like spoiled little children. I, too, was moved and humbled by a trip to Jamaica. To hear about people living in complete poverty is one thing, to see and experience it is something else entirely. It’s impossible to be the same person you were before. I used to be a very cold and merciless person, but God has been changing me, slowly. I didn’t even realize it had happened until one day we were walking into WalMart and a lady with her son approached us. She was selling her own belongings to get money for food for her son. My hubby was with us and he’s a go-get-a-job kind of person, so under his direction we politely turned her away. Moments later we were sitting in McDonalds eating… all I could do was think of her and her son. I felt so unworthy of the meal I was enjoying. In fact, I was so disgusted with myself that I couldn’t eat. I wanted to take my food and run out into the parking lot in search of this lady. And I would have if my hubby hadn’t been with me. But instead I just sat there… moved, but not moving. It broke my heart.

By: Patty Wysong

Patty Wysong — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:09:14 +0000

Wow.
I’m a cold person, too, and I’ve been asking for compassion…this piece says so much, Kristen! So much.
Huggles!

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 01:25:29 +0000

Deep breath—still processing…so moving…thank you…

By: Leigh Anne

Leigh Anne — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:16:59 +0000

We stayed at the Royal Caribbean in October of 2007…and were simply shocked at the 10 minute ride from the airport to the resort. Literally…dirt roads next to the “highway,” goats roaming around the “highway,” shacks and lean-to’s (sp?) as homes…and then the gorgeous grounds of the Royal Caribbean…all right there together.

We spent a lot of time talking to our butlers while there…and feeling guilty for even having a butler, especially after they treated us like royalty. Which we didn’t deserve. One told us that he’d been saving for 3 years to afford a home for himself, his wife, and their then 2-year old daughter, so that he could move from his parents’ tiny house, which they all shared together. When we began to tell him about the Lord, his face lit up and he said, “Are you my brother and sister in Christ, then? I am a Believer, too!” Scott and I cried…and it was the favorite part of our entire trip. More than the beauty of Jamaica, more than the horror of the poverty there…because we found common ground with a family member…in a paradise that can’t compare to the one we’ll be reunited in one day.

p.s. I loved this post…you are a far better person than I’ll ever be…sincerely…

By: Paula

Paula — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:24:53 +0000

Amazing post Kristen. You once again inspire with your ability to hit right where it counts the most. We, even here in Australia, take it for granted that we have a nice roof over our heads, a warm bed to sleep in, satisfying food to eat, sound cars to drive, and the list could go on and on. xo

By: Teresa

Teresa — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 04:40:41 +0000

Enjoyed reading your blog tonight. I am still finding my way around blogland….I always love making new friends..I am posting about Disney so hope you will stop by. Commenting automatically puts you in the drawing for the June giveaway. What a beautiful blog you have….

By: KelliGirl

KelliGirl — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:00:35 +0000

Kristen,
I think we’re twins! I’m a pretty practical, stoic, buck-up-little camper kind of gal. But I’m amazed at how God has thawed some of the frosty spots in my heart over the past couple years. Jesus is still working on me though.

A big change in my heart has come about from being involved in the prison ministry.

My family and I are going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic this summer and I imagine it will strike me as Jamaica struck you.

Great post!

By: Christy

Christy — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 01:49:05 +0000

We often feel moved but never move…

oh how I understand this statement. God has been challenging me in this area this year. I often feel so moved by things and think oh I should do something and yet I never do.

I read a blog the other day about donating to a ministry and how as Christians we often feel as if we need something in return…he used the example of a tshirt. I had never thought of it that way but it opened my eyes.

Just like this post did…

I pray that my eyes stay wide opened and I move.