Meeting Jerry: A Quiet Beginning

When our disaster relief team first met Jerry in Jamaica, he barely said a word.

We were providing hurricane relief, repairing the roof of his mother Sandy’s home after Hurricane Melissa devastated western Jamaica. Like many families across western Jamaica, they were trying to recover from a storm that had turned life upside down.

Jerry showed up to help.

He wasn’t very talkative. He rarely smiled. Most of the time, he kept to himself.

But he worked.

While volunteers climbed onto the roof, Jerry climbed right alongside them. He carried materials, followed directions, and quietly served from start to finish.

After that project, we made a point to stop and talk whenever we saw him. We encouraged him. We thanked him for serving. We invited him to help on other projects.

And every time, he said yes.

From Helper to Community Leader

One project became two. Two projects became ten.

Before long, Jerry was showing up even when his own family’s home wasn’t involved.

Today, Jerry is becoming part of our disaster relief team in Jamaica. He’s learning construction skills, helping repair homes throughout his community, and growing into someone who can one day help lead volunteers serving in Jamaica.

Recently, Jerry’s sister shared something that helped us understand just how significant this journey has been.

She told us that while Jerry knows many people, he has only ever had one close friend. For much of his life, he kept to himself and often found refuge in habits and choices that left him isolated.

But something has changed.

The man who once stood quietly on the edge of every conversation now laughs with volunteers. The man who rarely smiled now jokes with our team. Just yesterday, we watched him playing with neighborhood children and missionary kids alike, laughing as though he had known them his entire life.

One of the clearest reminders hangs around his neck.

A Symbol of Transformation

These days, Jerry wears a cross.

For him, it represents a promise fulfilled. A life transformed. A reminder that God sees him, knows him, and has a purpose for his life.

Beyond Roof Repairs: The Real Mission

When people hear about disaster recovery, they often think about roofs, lumber, and construction materials.

Those things matter.

But a repaired roof was never the end goal.

For Jerry, disaster relief work became an open door to relationship and spiritual transformation. And relationship became an open door to transformation.

As we continue our long-term disaster relief work in Jamaica, we’re watching God raise up local leaders from within the very communities we came to serve. Men and women who are discovering purpose, belonging, and hope while helping rebuild their neighbors’ homes.

Jerry is one of those leaders.

And his story is still being written.

Pray

Pray for Jerry as he continues growing in his faith, leadership, and purpose. Pray that God would surround him with godly friendships and continue shaping him into the man God created him to be.

Give

When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica, Jerry needed a roof.

What none of us knew at the time was that God was using that roof repair to begin restoring something much deeper.

Your generosity helps create opportunities for local leaders like Jerry to be discipled, equipped, and empowered through our ongoing disaster relief and community development work, serving long after short-term mission teams return home. It allows us to remain present, build relationships, invest in communities, and walk alongside the men and women God is calling into leadership.

If Jerry’s story encouraged you, would you consider making a gift today?

Go

Join our disaster relief team in Jamaica and serve alongside transformed community leaders like Jerry. You’ll help repair homes, build meaningful relationships, and witness firsthand how God uses simple acts of service to transform lives.

Thank you for helping us remain until the mission is completed.