International Orphanage Relief
Should I Go?
We have all experienced the uncertainty, doubt, and even fear before taking your first mission trip. This is perfectly normal and to be expected. We believe that God is going to do amazing things through you on this trip that will have a profound impact both in Jamaica and in your life back home. This fact angers Satan to no end, and he is going to do everything in his power to discourage you from going. Here are some things that Satan may be throwing at you, as well as some responses that we have for these attacks.
Money - I can't afford $1,300 - We have experienced time and time again the blessing and humility that comes with raising support. God is able to do beyond what we can possibly imagine. If you feel that God is telling you to go, then it is only logical that God will make a way.
Time - I'm too busy to leave for a week - We know that it can be tough to get responsibilities covered, time off work, and all the other things that take up your time. What it really comes down to is a matter of priorities. Where does God fit into your busy schedule? How important is your relationship with Christ? God is going to use you on the trip to spread his love to orphans that desperately need it. There should be time to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Self-worth - What can I do to help? - God has blessed us all with different gifts and personalities. There is a spot for everyone in our mission in Jamaica. Our main focus is to build relationships with orphans. You don't need any special abilities to spend time with the kids, sharing Christ's love. God does the work, you just need to be there.
Discomfort - We aren't saying that this will be a vacation. There will be times where you are uncomfortable. We believe that any discomfort that you feel will grow you as a person. God uses the times when we are the most uncomfortable to mold us into true follower's of Christ, who are willing to give up personal comfort for the sake of spreading the gospel.
Safety - Between flying in an airplane, transportation in a foreign country, working amongst poverty, and just being away from home there are plenty of things that could make you worry about your safety. Accidents do happen, there isn't anything that we can do about it, but we strongly believe in God's power. He is able to keep us safe in the worst of conditions. What we can do is to surround ourselves with prayer, both personally and through raising prayer support. We need to be bold and trust that God will take care of the rest.
Location - Why Jamaica? - There is need back home - We have seen first hand the need for love that these orphans in Jamaica have. We feel like this is where God has prepared for us to be serving. We completely understand that there is need in the States as well. One of the cool things about working with short-term trips is that it gives us a chance to have an impact in neighborhoods in the U.S. as well as with people in Jamaica. People that come down become inspired by seeing God move in a new way, so that they can take that inspiration back to there neighborhoods and churches, to their own mission field.
Just Do It! - IOR is focused on sharing the love of Christ with orphans in Jamaica. We do this by bringing down groups on short term mission trips to both build relationships with the kids and to assist the orphanages through work projects. We are very passionate about sharing Christ's love with orphans, but we also have experienced first hand the benefit of going on short term mission trips. Seeing God move in a new way and getting a better understanding of who God is has a huge benefit both in the individual and the people they come in contact with. The only way to experience this benefit is to step out in faith and go!
Time - I'm too busy to leave for a week - We know that it can be tough to get responsibilities covered, time off work, and all the other things that take up your time. What it really comes down to is a matter of priorities. Where does God fit into your busy schedule? How important is your relationship with Christ? God is going to use you on the trip to spread his love to orphans that desperately need it. There should be time to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Self-worth - What can I do to help? - God has blessed us all with different gifts and personalities. There is a spot for everyone in our mission in Jamaica. Our main focus is to build relationships with orphans. You don't need any special abilities to spend time with the kids, sharing Christ's love. God does the work, you just need to be there.
Discomfort - We aren't saying that this will be a vacation. There will be times where you are uncomfortable. We believe that any discomfort that you feel will grow you as a person. God uses the times when we are the most uncomfortable to mold us into true follower's of Christ, who are willing to give up personal comfort for the sake of spreading the gospel.
Safety - Between flying in an airplane, transportation in a foreign country, working amongst poverty, and just being away from home there are plenty of things that could make you worry about your safety. Accidents do happen, there isn't anything that we can do about it, but we strongly believe in God's power. He is able to keep us safe in the worst of conditions. What we can do is to surround ourselves with prayer, both personally and through raising prayer support. We need to be bold and trust that God will take care of the rest.
Location - Why Jamaica? - There is need back home - We have seen first hand the need for love that these orphans in Jamaica have. We feel like this is where God has prepared for us to be serving. We completely understand that there is need in the States as well. One of the cool things about working with short-term trips is that it gives us a chance to have an impact in neighborhoods in the U.S. as well as with people in Jamaica. People that come down become inspired by seeing God move in a new way, so that they can take that inspiration back to there neighborhoods and churches, to their own mission field.
Just Do It! - IOR is focused on sharing the love of Christ with orphans in Jamaica. We do this by bringing down groups on short term mission trips to both build relationships with the kids and to assist the orphanages through work projects. We are very passionate about sharing Christ's love with orphans, but we also have experienced first hand the benefit of going on short term mission trips. Seeing God move in a new way and getting a better understanding of who God is has a huge benefit both in the individual and the people they come in contact with. The only way to experience this benefit is to step out in faith and go!