We were received with much love like always. A year had past since last mission to Jamaica but upon meeting with Pastor Powel and Pastor Wright it was if no time had past since our last goodbyes. The mission took place at the Stettin New Testament Church with similar set up and arrangement as last year. This year however the people were eagerly waiting for us so that the crowds were bigger right from the outset.
Our missionary team was composed of Dr Damian Martinez, Dr. Dale Wright and myself who were the physicians that traveled from Miami. We were met there by doctors Val and John Royes. Dr. Val Royes has a similar ministry operating in Jamaica and both her and her husband came down from Kingston on Friday to be our pediatricians for this mission. My deepest thanks goes to this couple who are committed to the work of the Lord. Without them hundreds of children could not have been seen.
Pauline Ramsey and Brenda Leighton were the registration and triage personnel. They wrote by hand all the names, contact information, vital signs and medicines for all patients seen. In addition, they did not loose an opportunity to share the Gospel and minister to the sick. This was an unbelievable task that needed an anointing from God. Fred and Grace once again were the primary evangelist and counselors. Their passion for the Gospel and their compassion for the people is an example to all. They always minister, pray and lay hand on the sick until they are hoarse and can not speak anymore. The Lord has a reward for them in heaven.
Sisters Rebecca Toruno and Kathy Rejouis were in charge of the children ministry as well as praying over the sick. Hundreds of children received the Gospel, were fed with the Word and with love. Some of them were also fed physically because they were hungry. These godly women left it all on the mission field but the received so much love in return that it was all worth while. What a blessing it was to have them.
Brother Damian is a Chiropractic physician that adjusted the entire town. He gave classes on how to lift properly and avoid injury. Remember that this community is made up of primarily yam farmers so almost everyone had back pain, arthritis or total body pain. We dispensed more than 3000 tablets of Ibuprofen, Tylenol and Aspirin. Dr. Martinez himself ended up in a physical knot but confessed to this being the best experience of his life as a Christian after his wedding and birth of his children. Brother Damian is a man of God dedicated to the work of the Kingdom. He shared the Gospel with young and old and was a blessing to the team. He ministered to us in regards to our own personal heath and his advised was well taken.
Brother Dale Wright and myself were busy seeing as many patients as humanly possible which was around 40 cases per day each. Dr. Wright is a quite, humble man who answered the call of God to this mission faithfully and served well. There is a special blessing for him from the Lord for his life. Dale also was ministered to by the Lord while on the trip and this encounter with Jesus will change his life forever.
Last but not least was the Pharmacy staff, Simone and Lois Kamika. These sisters worked for hours on their feet dispensing all the medications for the 400 patients seen. I know that every inch of their bodies hurt at the end of each day. Their job was very important as they were responsible for dispensing medications without error, giving the proper instructions to the patients and finally sharing of the Gospel or a word of encouragement with the sick.
I felt that the prayer from our group and specially from brother Fred and sister Kathy was at a new level. This clearly revealed our growth in Christ and the influence of the discipleship under Pastor Danne King at Life Gate Christian Center. The Lord used this prayer of faith to heal the sick, cast out demons and minister to the people.
The mission ended with a Friday night worship concert that lasted 3 hours. This was a party on to the Lord Jamaican style with Reggae Gospel music. If there is one thing beside the blessing of the Holy Spirit on us for our service and obedience that we took home, it is the worship spirit of the Jamaican people. My goodness!!! Through out the 3 days we were there we herd beautiful and spontaneous praise and worship. At times it was truly so angelical that it created the movement of the Spirit among us. People would weep even in distant areas away from where the worship was taking place. During the worship concert, a big movement of the Spirit and His Glory was manifested among us. This was an encounter with our Lord Jesus and His joy was felt as we worshiped Him. The Joy was so intense that it moved us to end the service with a conga line celebration. Wow! I wish that you all would have been there to share this.
I wish to thank all of you who made this year of missionary work in the ministry of Doctors In Christ so rewarding and precious. To all the doctors, pastors, missionaries I say thank you for your dedication and faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ. To all of those who cared for us, cooked for us and pampered us thank you. We love you and appreciate you. To those drivers that transported us safely on the dangerous roads of each country, thank you. We are in awe of your abilities. To our Lord and Savior Jesus the provider, the sustainer, the most high Priest, the King, the comforter, the ability giver, the difference maker, the transformer of men and owner of this ministry, we love you and we thank you for making our lives worth living. Doctors In Christ will see you all on the mission field 2010. Stay in Christ. Stay in prayer. Seek the anointing within.
Jorge W. Gomez, M.D.
