This is the Ramsook family. Philip Ramsook, the father, is from India and now lives in Jamaica. To make money Philip makes charcoal in order to sell it to the many Jerk Chicken vendors in his area.
The home you see above is a 6x6 foot home that had a burlap sack for a door; it was just big enough to put a small bed in. The pile in front of the small home is the charcoal that he is making.
Seeing the living conditions and experiencing the culture of another nation produced a lot of different emotions in me. I felt compassion for the family, fear of the unknown, humbled to be used by God, privilege to be as blessed as I am, etc.
I experienced another feeling and that was a feeling of pride in my church family and those that were on the mission trip with me. I am so proud to be a part of a congregation that “gets it”; a congregation that understands that it is not about us, it is about the mission that God has called us to; to look beyond ourselves and to look at a lost and dying world that needs to know Him. I was also proud of how our team from FFC represented our Lord and represented our church.
I'm proud of our mission team as well. Thank you for bringing the Ramsook family story to our attention. It reminds me how blessed I am and where my priorities have been misplaced.
ReplyDeleteI tried to go shopping today and it was difficult after hearing everyone speak at church sunday and viewing the photos you posted. All the STUFF in the stores nauseated me. Where are our priorities and what do we place value in? This is a good reality check.