I’m sitting here, on my bed in Jamaica, at the start of a New Year. However, this is not only a new year, but a new journey as I begin my year at the Robin’s Nest Children’s Home. Yesterday I was greeted by a group of smiling and laughing faces — some on their brand new Christmas bicycles, others simply sprinting down a mountainside. I’m not sure I knew how very much I missed this place!
This may be news to some of you or maybe not, but I want to take this opportunity to share how I’ve come to this place and how God has been working in my life since my visit here last summer. The Lord has asked me to do something crazy, something many would call foolish, and something that leaves me a thousand miles from my small comfort zone. God has asked me to lay down my pursuits, my plans for the future, and my desire for control and move to Jamaica to serve at the Nest for a year. After much heartache, wrestling, and even arguing with God, I am finally here because of doors He has opened. He has asked me to take a step of faith and say yes to Him, and I am trusting wherever He chooses to lead me.
Last summer, I spent two months interning at the Robin’s Nest Children’s Home in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It is a small home up in the mountains with open arms, big hearts, and 33 amazing kids. Many of the children at this home face enormous obstacles to being adopted into a loving family because of the legalities of Jamaican welfare system. The Nest seeks to provide a home for these kids as long as they can, bringing the Father’s love and light into each of the children’s lives.
To say the least, my heart broke over some of these children’s stories. It was extremely hard to return home, return to “normal” life — classes, work, having all my own physical needs met — after being at the Nest all summer. This past semester, I’ve warred with myself and with God. I tried to be faithful where I was, asking Him for big signs and a clear direction. And our God is faithful! It came in the request from the directors of the Nest for me to return long term. And from there, God kept leading me here in increasingly clear ways, continuing to make plans fall into place. So now I will be in charge of various duties such as the older boy’s Bible study, some teaching with the preschoolers, and worship on Sundays, among many other untitled jobs!
As Jake, up to this point, my plans for my future have been simple: finish college with a good degree, make good money, find a pretty girl, start a family, obtain security and comfort, etc. However, over the past few months, God has been radically challenging my own plans and aspirations. Surrendering control and laying down my own dreams is an area God has been stretching and working on with me.
Just a few months ago, I was so focused on my college degree — so much so that I found most of my identity in my scholastic success and achievements. I was seeing everything in my life through grades and eventually feeling qualified at some point simply because I would hopefully obtain a degree. God has asked me to lay this down for the time being and draw closer to Him by serving in Jamaica. He has asked me to lay down my job, my life back home, the comforts and security I have there, and my own immediate plans. He is asking me to drop everything and run after Him. I have clung so tightly to my future and my life, telling God that I know what is best. Yet time and time again, He is showing me that abandoning my life to Christ IS life to the fullest — that He can surpass my wildest dreams! As C.S Lewis said, “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
So I am here!
But this is where you join me in this journey! To stay here at the Nest, I need steady monthly support. This will cover the costs of living here and more importantly, financially further the Nest and the children here each month. I have partnered with a wonderful organization called Orphanos — a mission-based, children focused, sending agency. If you go to http://www.orphanos.org/missionary-family?staff=2426 you can get access to my shorter bio. Orphanos takes nothing out of each donation, allowing 100% of the gift to pass through and they provide tax documentation. If you are willing, the link to donate is http://www.orphanos.org/donate and Orphanos will handle reoccurring monthly donations starting as low as $3.00. You would select Choose Your Designation, then Support a Missionary, and finally, type my name in Special Instructions About Your Gift. No gift is too small, and with each month you will be equipping me to stay and serve here.
Equally important, I ask for your prayers for this journey. I will not lie to you and say life at the Nest is easy every day. There is stress, pain, heartache for the children, and times when life is a struggle because I am still Jake. Jake, who is constantly having to die to self. In the highs and in the lows, I covet your prayers. I ask that you be praying for the children here, many of whom come from heartbreaking situations. I pray that you lift up our directors Vicki and Elizabeth who are constantly juggling so many things. And finally, be praying for me as I seek to be intentional in bringing Christ’s light to the Nest every single day I am here. I will be posting about this journey God has me on here on this blog. Check out the bottom of this page to subscribe, see previous blog posts, and find the link to support. You can visit or subscribe to keep up to date with prayer requests and what’s going on with the Nest and I.
Friends, I am so excited for this chapter in my life and in God’s story. It has been a bumpy road to get here (seriously, the road up the mountain is pretty rough) but I cannot begin to tell you how God is moving here, and how the Nest is such a big part of His plan! Each child here holds a special place in His heart and in mine, and I hope that in your support, you can also grow to love this place like the Father does.
I apologize for sharing such a big story through an email, instead of in person. It in no way diminishes the worth and impact each of you have had on my life and how I value you. Each and every one of you has played an instrumental part in getting me here, whether you know it or not. So I thank you so very, very much.
Sorry for the super long post,
- 6:29 PM
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