A letter from Vicki Smith in Jamaica
October 22, 2008
Greetings from Jamaica,
With seven weeks of school behind us, Iona is in full swing, with many activities and new students. We now have approximately 185 students, which means classrooms are full. The only exception is Grade 4, with twelve students. Of course, the higher enrollment means positive things are being said in the community about Iona Preparatory School.
September brought the beginning of school along with Hurricane Gustav and Tropical Storm Ike. Gustav caused much destruction to roads and homes and moved on. Ike did very little compared to Gustav, but was frightening to watch and know he was moving on and gaining strength. Of course, he moved on to the Gulf Coast, my home. Once again, I felt the compassion of Jamaicans as they asked daily about my family, friends, and possessions in the Houston, Texas, area. Truly they know here what these storms can do and feel empathy and sympathy for others in the path of danger.
Recently, about 30 of us from Boscobel United Church ventured to Kingston to attend a musical, “Yes!” The story related through song and dance is the true story of Father Richard Ho Lung and his group of “brothers,” the “Missionaries of the Poor.” Since 1981, this group has ministered to the poor, destitute, and ill in Kingston and Golden Spring.
Other areas opened and operated by this group are: India (1991); Philippines (1993); Haiti (1994); Uganda (2000).
The story unfolded with joy and sadness and with Father Ho Lung having two small roles himself. It is truly an inspirational story and a much enjoyed production.
In early October I was invited to attend the parish spelling bee with the teacher/coach and the two Iona contestants. The competition was held in the capital of St Mary parish, Port Maria. The bee is similar to the spelling bee run annually by Scripps in the United States. Unfortunately, both of our students missed their first word due to nervousness. The winner was a girl who will now move on to the next round, representing St Mary.
Netball, a sport much like basketball, is a very popular sport here in the Caribbean. Finally a team from Iona won a game. The girls managed to get a victory and thrill everyone, as the history of Iona scores was dismal. There is always some sort of competition, from sports to academics, so the students stay busy with school work and the extras.
We had Friday, October 17, off from school for mid-term and then the next Monday was “Heroes Day,” a national holiday. The week of October 13-17 was National Heritage week. In celebration, on Thursday the performing arts teacher put together a short program of Jamaican song and dance using all of the students. It was interesting and entertaining to see the children perform many songs and dances from Africa and some that have evolved over time on the island. Many were wearing costumes of the first Jamaicans. The program was a success.
At Boscobel United Church things have been busy as well. During the past few weeks a rally was held to support the synod council. The recorder group played and was well received, as usual. One of the members has a dance troupe, and they were very entertaining and displayed worship through movement in a praise song.
Recently, a pastor from Budapest visited for a short time in a missionary role. Reverend Too's message, or “meditation” as she called it, was a beautiful reminder that a Christian from any country with any accent is a blessing to hear from a pulpit speaking about the Lord. She was treated warmly by the Jamaicans and missed when she returned home.
As October draws to an end November waits with many activities and my last few weeks here. I know it will pass quickly, and I will make the most of each day here with the children and friends who mean so much to me.
In the belief that “With God all things are possible,”
Vicki Smith
The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 266
