LEE'S SUMMIT STUDENTS TO BUILD HOMES, SERVE JAMAICANS
MAY 26, 2004
A team of 40 high school students and parent volunteers from Lee's Summit Community Church will build homes for the poor in Harmons, Jamaica from June 19-27.
The Jamaica trip is the second to that country for the church's students and provides sorely needed help to people living on the edge of homelessness in the mountainous, inland region of the island nation.
Volunteers build simple but safe one-room structures.
“The people are staying, in lots of cases, in shacks they tried to build on their own with bad supplies,” says Ryan Wheeler, director of Student Ministries at the church. “They're very poor conditions, so when we build them a structure on a foundation it is huge to them.”
The trip is not only about building homes. Team members work alongside Jamaicans in the construction process. This gives LSCC students an opportunity to share how their faith in Christ motivates their mission.
“We work with the people,” Ryan says. “It's not just the Americans coming in and doing something and leaving.”
Local missionaries with an organization called Won by One match the people needing homes with the team members' efforts.
In addition, social and community outreach events are held every evening.
Students will also visit a facility known as “the poor house,” which is home to the terminally and mentally ill.
“We just visit and show love to the people,” Ryan says. “It's a very uncomfortable thing because the ‘poor house' is not well maintained and is dirty. But it's a great opportunity at the same time because it gives us a chance to love as Christ would love.”
LSCC members are assisting the team by providing funds and donating items that will be given to Jamaican people in need.
“It is thrilling to have the opportunity to not only serve our community, but to reach beyond it at the same time,” says Lead Pastor Doug Brown.
Contact |
Please contact Roy Harryman, director of communications, for more information at 816.524.6786 x104.