Welcome to Our Blog
Welcome to our blog—a space where we share the heart of our mission. Through stories, updates, and reflections, you’ll see how God is moving through our community outreach in Jamaica. Whether it’s a small act of kindness or a life-changing moment, we’re here to shine a light on the love and transformation happening every day.
Barrels of Bounty
BY AMBER WENDLING SMITH I have experienced cheerful giving both while living in Jamaica and as the Stateside Sponsorship Coordinator. To give an unexpected gift and see faces react with gratitude fills the giver’s heart with much joy. I often get asked by sponsors...
Marla’s Minute: Let’s Hear it for the Boys
Let’s hear it for the Boys……. Remember last month’s Marla Minute when I said I was getting old? Well, this proves it. One of my many favorite songs during the 1980s (and many of you weren’t born yet!) was a song called “Let’s Hear It For The Boy”. Since Father’s Day...
30 Years of Growth
"30 years of growth and some things never change”. That’s the thought I had this past week as I mixed concrete at GLLF with my team of 27. You may be thinking that I was bemoaning the opportunity that lay ahead of me, but I really wasn’t. I actually love cooking in...
The Harvest is Great
Before 2008, my perception of Jamaica was based on the cruise ship port in Ocho Rios and commercials for the huge all-inclusive resorts. All of that paints a picture of a thriving culture where everyone is living the dream life. It was not until June of 2008 that I...
Althia’s Angle: Preparing for a Full Summer of Teams
Last month, my husband, Foster, and I came up to the States for a much-needed break before we hit the ground running with a summer full of mission teams. We spent our time resting, gathering essential supplies, and preparing for the busy season ahead. Summers at ACE...
Trust God’s Calling
Chelsea Peterson served on ACE’s iQuest internship program in 2014. But the journey to get there brought about its own set of challenges and need for dependence on God. The following is her story that she shared with our team. This month marks the 10-year anniversary...
God’s Expectations Vs. Mine
Long-time ACE volunteer Tina Gerke shared the following story with our team after her recent trip to Jamaica. It’s been almost 23 years since I first stepped foot in Jamaica. I would have never believed all the changes and lessons that I was to learn along the way!...
Protecting Donor Gifts Amid USPS Issues
It is always ACE’s top priority to protect the gifts we receive from our donors. That’s why we want to make you aware of recent issues that we’ve experienced with the Atlanta USPS and offer alternatives to continue supporting ACE in timely and secure ways. In recent...
Marla’s Minute: Still Seeing God At Work 36 Years Later
I’m Old…. That’s what I was thinking inside my head as I was standing beside a group of teenagers and college students this spring. We began the famous bucket brigade slinging gravel onto ACE’s greenhouse floor. The fact that ACE has aged about 36 years since the...
The Lord’s Garden
Former ACE iQuest intern Audrey Renner recently came back down to St. Mary, Jamaica, with her husband and father. After her trip, she headed back to the States and shared the following letter with our team. I’ve always loved springtime in Ohio. Suddenly, after months...