Valuing Our Inner-city Residents

I haven't blogged in a while, but tonight I just felt I should.  I logged into my account and saw a friend's blog about some folks bleaching their skin in a country in South America.

In inner-city Jamaica, skin bleaching is quite common also.  But, I have come to realize that the problem is not wanting to be lighter, but wanting to be more accepted.  Many people grow up feeling unloved and unwanted.  I have heard stories where the darker child stays home and does housework, while the lighter child goes to school as the parent believes the child who is more brown has the greater chance of succeeding.

People want to succeed, so they do what they feel is necessary to make this happen. It seems the lighter the skin, the brighter the future.  They also want to be accepted and many have said when they are "brown" they are more sought after.  Therefore, they also bleach to please others.

Our society gives us a lower self esteem.  Lighter skin models sell the most products and they seem to have better lives.  Many feel lesser because they are darker.  Missing the truth that they are fearfully and wonderfully made.

I want to help to change minds and consequently change lives.  Marcus Garvey implored people of African descent to "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery."  However, many are still trapped by self-deprecating thoughts that lead to self destructive behavior.  Many children have been told that they are "worthless" and "good for nothing" by their parents and teachers.  They grow up believing this and often don't even realize how gifted they are and that they are created for a special purpose.

I got an idea to show the positive side of the inner-city community where I am a missionary in a documentary TV series.  I knew it had to be God's idea.  The residents need to recognize that they are His treasures - diamonds in the rough. They are special with talents and gifts unique to them. They should have a chance to shine, and that is what Parade Gardens:Diamond in the Rough will allow them to do.

Plus, others in Jamaica need to understand that the folks from our inner-city communities are special.  Inner-city communities are the pulse of Jamaican culture.  People come from throughout the world to experience this culture.   We cannot deny the impact of these neighborhoods on our society.  We need to encourage the residents of these communities to use their talents, to build themselves, their community and their nation.  It is time for us to stop denying their value because they of where they come from.  And, where they live is NOT JUST A GHETTO.  

Gold St. in Parade Gardens, Kingston, Jamaica

Please visit our crowdfunding page, if you would like to get more information, or you would to support this effort.

The Power of Love

"...the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

I met Kalia over a year and a half ago, and I truly believe it is the love of her parents and her extended family that not only makes her survive, but thrive under the circumstances she has had to endure since birth.

Kalia in the hospital

Kalia's first surgery was the very day she was born as she had no anus. The skin on her stomach was cut and her intestines were put on the outside through the incision so that she would be able to pass her feces. However, her battle had only just begun.  At just three days old she had her next surgery. This time it was on her esophagus, which her parents described as being attached to her lungs. When she was swallowing, air and food were going down the same passage.

These conditions would be taxing on an adult, nevertheless, Kalia's afflictions do not end there.  Compounding her situation are issues with her heart and kidney, along with an arm with no radius bone. She also has asthma, and is often admitted to the hospital for wheezing and shortness of breath.  With all these ailments, undoubtedly, she is susceptible to infections.

Kalia and her cousins

It is hard for her young parents to see their little daughter suffering, but they have learned to cope with the many emergency room visits and long hospital stays.  Thankfully, Kalia lives with a loving extended family who are there to help her and her parents lighten their burden. Unfortunately, she and her family live in an inner-city community in Jamaica and they cannot afford all her medical expenses.  

Expecting miracles, Kalia's grandmother often brings her to visiting missionaries and church groups for them to pray for her.  I too believe that amazing things can happen through prayer, but I also understand that we are to be Jesus' hands and feet here on Earth.  We have been positioned to help Kalia in whatever way we can. Learn more about how you can play your part.

Visiting missionaries pray for Kalia as she is being held by her grandmother

Kalia's story has made it to one of the nation's leading newspapers and now many persons are aware of all the challenges she has faced at such a young age and have fallen in love with her.  However, love is an action word, so now we must act and help Kalia have the best life she possibly can.  Love Now...Act Now!!!