In Jamaica, the sea is a medicine for the soul.  When many Jamaicans catch cold or have the flu, they go to the sea to sit or swim.  The islanders believe that the sea can cure what ails you.

Recently, we found out that no one had been to the sea (ocean) just two miles away since 1993.  It was time for a visit!

With permission from the Matron, we loaded up all the women who wanted to go, some sandwiches and juice, and headed for the sea. 

Marla describes the day at the beach as one of the best ever, “No one had a swim suit, but no problem the ladies just went right in with their dresses on! Or, some took them off and went in the buff!  Good thing Jamaican beaches are for everyone, clothes or no clothes.  We played ball, swam, laughed it was a great day!”

The next day Marla and her staff took the men.  “They were more excited than the women,” says Marla.  “When they arrived, they went straight for the sea.   Some took off swimming.  Ruby, Administrative Manager for ACE, and I looked at each other wondering if we were going to have to hire a boat to go after them!  But they came back to shore for sandwiches.  We found out that some of the men were fishermen and had not been to or seen the sea in 20 years!  It was another awesome day.”

The next day when Marla returned to the infirmary she was pleased with what she saw, “Our friends looked good.  They seemed refreshed.   Their skin had improved.  They were happy.”

And that’s why ACE plans to do this again and again, but it take a lot of work and Marla and her staff can’t do it alone.  Consider coming to Jamaica and helping us take the infirmary residents back to the sea.  Won’t you come with us to St. Mary’s Poor House where the residents are anything but poor in spirit?  They are rich in love.

Infirmary Queens

Vi and Sharon