A youth group from Clarkston United Methodist Church spent nearly a week in Jamaica, New York, gaining insight into the world of the needy.
During the week of July 10, 53 high school students and nine adults worked at many job sites with the ultimate goal of spreading their love of Jesus Christ and his teachings to the people of Jamaica.
Tasks included building repairs, painting, general maintenance, handing out food to the homeless, working in Carlton House (a homeless shelter) and participating in ‘Kid’s Club,? which brought the church’s teachings in song and game form to the local children.
According to a press release from Clarkston United Methodist Church, the group worked with Youth Works, a Minneapolis-based company, that organizes summer mission trips.
Staying in a Salvation Army Citadel that houses a Mexican speaking church, a daily soup kitchen and a World Trade Center Relief center, offered the youth a far different perspective from that witnessed on Clarkston’s streets.
Clarkston resident and youth leader Laura Curdy said the mission differed from previous trips due to the face-to-face interaction that occurred between the youth and people they were assisting.
‘This made a huge impact on the kids coming from Clarkston. I can vouch for that because I grew up in Clarkston, moved to New York and then moved back to Clarkston. The kids realized that the needy are people just like us; except they are poor and have not had the fortunate upbringing many of our kids had,? said Curdy. ‘They were fascinated by the cultures. Their hearts melted down because they were so amazed by the sadness and loneliness and despair.?
Curdy, who spent 17 years away from Clarkston (some in Miami, Florida as well), worked as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines while living in New York City. She said the life-changing experience forced the youth to see the needy as human beings.
‘I had a job as an adult in New York and experienced a mind set about the homeless. If you go with a helpful mind-set, it changes the way you think,? said Curdy.
Tom Schmidt, Jr., a recent Clarkston High graduate who attended four different missions, noted the uniqueness of this particular trip.
‘It was city work versus the rural trips and involved helping homeless people directly rather than just doing touch-up work. I liked it a lot more because you could see what you did. You could see the people enjoy the help,? said Schmidt.
Anne Oltman, another recent Clarkston High grad, also discussed the personal impact of the trip.
‘The diversity of the people stood out. I’ve never been to a place with such diversity. They were needy, but very welcoming to us at the same time,? said Oltman.
The trip, funded mostly by fund-raising activities, concluded with a free day on July 15 to take in the sites of Manhattan. The day included shopping on Fifth Avenue and a dinner cruise on the Hudson River taking the group past the Statue of Liberty.
Schmidt and Oltman both reflected on how the trip topped off their experience with the youth group as they prepare for college.
‘I learned (over the four years) to always be trying to serve God and help people as much as you can. It’s easy to surround yourself with only Christians, but you should give people a chance and spread God’s word,? said Oltman, who will run cross country at the University of Dayton next fall.
Schmidt plans to continue his involvement with Christian youth organizations at Michigan Tech.
‘Going to a place like that (New York City) opens people up. It shows them real life. I recommend people go, you don’t have to belong to our church. You only have to participate in the fund-raising? It’s one of the best things you could do,? said Schmidt.
Curdy said she hopes future trips will be to cities because of the impact the mission has on the kids and how it helps them see their effect on people.