Personal Testimony - Karyn Wishart

My mission trip to Jamaica.

                In March this year I had the privilege of going to Jamaica as part of a sports ministry team. It was put together to complement the Christian mission work that was taking place during the Cricket World Cup.

The Australian mission team was made up of 2 Queenslanders, 3 Sydneysider’s and 3 Victorian’s. This team was hand picked to facilitate a sports program that covered netball, basketball and cricket. We went with the idea that we were going to go into schools and facilitate coaching, skills and drill programs in our specified sports and use this as a vehicle to share the gospel with these Children. Little did I know God had  already begun to paint a much bigger picture and we were entering a land rich for harvest.

After a very tiring 26 hour trip, with 3 connecting flights and time in transit we finally arrived in Kingston, Jamaica. It was hot and stinky and the excitement and reality hit me as we stood in the airport line just praying we were going to get past customs. Little did we know that as soon as we got past customs we were to find out our luggage did not make the last flight and was lost somewhere between Jamaica and Los Angeles.

                This was the beginning of what was to turn out to be a trying but rewarding time. Most of us only had the clothes on our backs and therefore we found ourselves starting to think about how we were going to run our sports programs in our thongs and without any of our sports equipment. Wearing our hats of faith and positivity we believed that our luggage would be found and arrive the next day so we left the airport with that in mind.

                God really taught me that when you trust him he truly provides.  We didn’t have anything and all of a sudden I felt naked of everything I knew. I was in a new country, no luggage, didn’t really know the people I was with, didn’t know where I was going or any specific details as to what we were going to do. I found myself to be feeling unsafe in a country that was dirty and unfamiliar. In all of this, God gave me continual security. We had a lovely Driver that became a vital part of our mission team. He didn’t just drive the bus; he became our debriefer, guider, spiritual leader and cultural informant. He was a blessing.

                Over our stay we went to 8 schools where we ran devotions and sports clinics. We witnessed 1700 children give their lives to Christ. It was amazing, God was using our team; all the resources that we had brought to help us share His word were lost as they were with our luggage, but He used our hearts and minds to reach the hearts and minds of the Jamaican children. Our luggage did arrive 3 days later but God had shown us already that all He needed was us. Ready, willing and trusting.

What impacted me most from this trip was how well off Australia and Australians are. We have so much more materially but the Jamaican people really taught me that you don’t need beautiful homes, multiple amounts of clothing, hot showers, resources and programs. All you need is God and He provides all that is needed for the right time.