BLESSING OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEED

We run a business called Cayman Kayaks. Or I should say, we ran that business. The pandemic has shut down the tourism sector in the Cayman Islands and so we’re living off our savings.

We didn’t want to just feel sorry for ourselves so we vowed to help others with all this extra time. We started volunteering with an organization on the island that delivers food to families in need. We did this twice each week for several months, and really formed relationships with these families. We had the opportunity to be a living example of Christ and we made extra time to pray with them before the deliveries.

One day, a single mom living in a shed with two kids confided in me that she was pregnant. This woman had nothing for her expectant baby and couldn’t afford to buy a thing. My heart went out to her, so I made a post on a Facebook group I’m part of, asking if anyone had any baby clothes or items for this expectant mom. We were overwhelmed with over 50 individual responses. We were able to abundantly meet her needs.

We thought we could bless others with some items that we’d received from this outpouring of kindness. So we did. And word started to spread. Even more people started calling us, wanting to donate clothing items for all ages for us to distribute to people in need. At the same time, we heard about more people that were struggling on the island. We were inundated with clothes and toys, far more than we could fit in our small home. It was like a snowball rolling downhill, getting bigger and bigger.

We didn’t know what to do. We prayed over our situation and pleaded with God to show us where to go next.

Someone offered their warehouse that very next morning to store everything and more space for expansion should that happen. It has expanded since we moved in. We have been contacted by people who want to volunteer to help us pick up items, as well as sort and deliver the care packages around the island. Companies have donated bags and bins to help us organize things by gender and age.

We needed to name our ministry, and Proverbs 11:25 kept coming to mind: A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. So we named our ministry “Blessed” since it showed our heart for the Lord. We are not only blessing those receiving the items, but those giving them are also blessed.

We have now helped over 400 families; that number keeps increasing with the borders closed and more people needing everyday necessities. When the opportunity presents itself, we share how much God loves them. It has been an incredible experience which has drawn us both closer to Jesus.