Several former and current American Trinity High School students travelled to Kingston this summer for mission work with Missionaries of the Poor.

They delivered care and humanitarian services to the poor and indigent at Missionaries of the Poor’s different locations in Jamaica. Missionaries of the Poor is an international monastic order of Brothers dedicated to “Joyful Service with Christ on the Cross” to serve the poorest of the poor.

Trinity High School senior, Hannah Nash explained, “The residents there (Missionaries of the Poor’s locations) are people who have no one to take them in, were living on the street, have no family but some also have different physical and mental (ailments).” Senior Declan Williams reported that he gained perspective while on the trip. 

According to Williams, “You hear a lot from parents about finishing your food because there are people starving, and we kind of brush it off. When you actually see it, it hits you way more than just seeing a video or picture.”

Students sharing experiences

Sophomore Thomas Jarboe said in reflecting after the trip, he realized the residents helped the students more than they helped the residents. “They opened our eyes and took our blinders off,” Jarboe said adding, “Being there gave us a sense of peace because God wanted us to be there for a reason.”

Nash said the work the students participated in is what God wants people to do.

“This is what makes you happy,” she said, “because following God is the only way to be happy.” Alex French, religion teacher at Trinity, said he visited Jamaica for the first time almost a decade ago to work with Missionaries of the Poor.

“My heart was awakened, my faith was taken deeper,” he said. “I loved pouring myself out for the people that were there,” French stated that he wants other students to be able to experience the same things he did. 

To that end, he said the school is looking to offer a mission trip every other year and is working with the Missionaries of the Poor to do so. Senior Georgia Howard said the trip made her realize how “small” her problems were. “We may stress about school, but there are people in this world who just really need you,” she continued saying, “you’ll never forget it.”

Jarboe agreed, saying there are people in the world who wish they could read and write. “Their crosses are so much bigger,” he said, “and ours are really small compared to theirs.”