As a part of the US Naval Hospital Ship’s “Continuing Promise 2015” mission to Jamaica May 6-13th, 2015, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints along with the local humanitarian missionary couple (Elder & Sister Summers) participated in outreach activities at two sites.
The first site was the Rennock Lodge All Age School in Kingston, where the United States Naval Ship (USNS) band performed for children. Several members including the Kingston Branch President Leocrawf Stewart and Elder Martin Hall (Mission office) also joining Sister Britton (local coordinator of activities) and Elder and Sister Summers, with the help of the Naval and Army personnel, distributed cookies and school kits to each student attending the school, there were 151 kits distributed. Many of these kits were prepared by adolescent church members as their contribution to this outreach activity.
On Tuesday May 12, 2015 members of the Ship’s crew and members of the church visited the Mustard Seed: Jerusalem Center in Spanish Town. This is a home for children who are homeless, severely physically or mentally disabled or who have HIV/AIDS.
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The Navy band also performed at this event. Navy and Army personnel came to interact with the children. Elder & Sister Summers related that “it was amazing to see the joy and gratitude radiating from the children’s faces; it was definitely a blessing to be around such warmth”. Five youth from the church helped to distribute hygiene kits to each child, approximately 175 kits were distributed.
LDS charities donated approximately US$500 in food to the school and also sponsored ice cream treats which the children loved. The “ice-cream party” was suggested by Ms. Suzette Dixon, Jerusalem Center’s director.
Overall, the outreach activities in these two institutions were well received and persons who participated shared feelings of happiness to have had the opportunity to reach out in a meaningful way.