Young adult leader in North Idaho journalsgroup trip to Jamaica to minister to the poor

At left, Shea Dinning feeds a girl at the Bethlehem Home in Jamaica, where a group of young adults from North Idaho volunteered for the Missionaries of the Poor. (Photo/Debbie Chicane)

Editor’s note: Debbie Chicane, a former recipient of the Diocese of Boise’s Guardian Award, recently traveled with young adults from St. Mary’s Parish in Cottonwood, Idaho, to volunteer with the Missionaries of the Poor. She chronicles the trip in her letter below.

By Debbie Chicane

For the ICR

Two years ago, our group of young adults from St. Mary’s Parish in Cottonwood, Idaho, began planning our second trip to Jamaica to work with Missionaries of the Poor, a Roman Catholic monastic religious institute devoted to serving the elderly, mentally or physically challenged, homeless, orphaned, abandoned and dying.

In these two years, we hosted several fundraisers to support our 2025 mission trip. These fundraisers consisted of a spaghetti dinner with a gun auction,

Debbie Chicane (Courtesy photo)

homemade cinnamon roll delivery, a Jamaican dinner, silent auction and T-shirt sales.

Along with our fundraiser and some generous donations, we reached our $11,000 goal. Each team member donated time, effort and energy in making this opportunity happen.

On May 11, two groups gathered — one at Spokane Airport and the other at Boise Airport. Our journey had begun!

The Spokane group consisted of Caleb Frei, Kyle Frei, Alex McElroy, Shae Dinning, Hope Schwartz and me, Debbie Chicane. The Boise group was comprised of Leah Higgins, Laney Forsmann, Tara Schlader and Kristin Wemhoff. We came together at the Dallas airport to begin our mission adventure as a team.

Upon arriving in Jamaica, our hearts were burning with excitement.

Five of our team members knew the joys that awaited them due to their experience following the 2023 mission trip. The others were filled with great anticipation of what the next nine days would hold. Several brothers and our dear friend Father Max greeted us. We all felt welcome as suitcases were loaded and conversations began. I told all present, “Yes, I am finally home!”

Young adults from North Idaho traveled to Jamaica to serve with the Missionaries of the Poor, a Roman Catholic monastic organization devoted to serving the elderly, mentally and physically challenged, the homeless and poor. Front, left to right, Debbie Chicane and Alex McElroy. Middle row: Kristin Wemhoff, Leah Higgins, Kyle Frei, Tara Schlader, Hope Schwartz, Laney Forsmann and Shae Dinning. Back row: Caleb Fei, James Parmatier. (Photo/Debbie Chicane)

The first morning began at 6 a.m. with the chiming of a bell that reminded us that Mass would start in 15 minutes. We were all sleepy from the long journey and lack of sleep, but we made our way to the chapel.

As we entered, the melodious sound of the brothers singing made us all take pause. The chapel rang with the glory of God as each note was sung and words were proclaimed with authority and boldness. We had the opportunity to experience this awakening of God through music each day, before lunch, dinner and at the end of the day. Each time we were able to engage with the community in prayer, our hearts became new, and a sense of God’s presence became tangible. It was like a refreshing rain being poured upon us every day.

Every morning, after breakfast, we would receive our assignments for the day. We were split into two groups, each sent to a different home where various needs had to be addressed. The homes consisted of elderly and disabled women and men and kids of all ages with special needs. There was also a mountain home where older boys with disabilities and special needs lived. The names of the homes the brothers run are Bethlehem, Lord’s Place, Good Shepherd and Faith Center.

The sisters run the girls’ homes, called Holy Innocence and Jacob’s Well, and finally, the mountain home is called the Beatitude Home. We were given the privilege to visit each of these homes during our stay.

The jobs or opportunities to serve included bathing, diapering, showering, visiting, feeding, playing, singing, powdering, dressing, clipping nails, painting nails, preparing food, hanging laundry, folding laundry, cooking, dancing, sanding, painting, doing dishes and sweeping.

We were there to be present to the needs in front of us, get ourselves out of the way and do whatever was required. Each day began early and went late.

Leah Higgins stated that “The days are long and tiring, yet rewarding and fulfilling.” I couldn’t agree more. At the end of each day, your body is tired, but your heart is overflowing.

The growth and perspective that comes with serving is felt at a deep level. You always think that you have so much to give to another in an opportunity like mission work until you realize how another’s presence has changed you.

Laney (Forsmann) reinforced this concept when she said, “I think the people I was surrounded with gave me more than I gave them. Two specific residents touched my heart the most, Jesse and Sydney. They simply shared their stories and danced with me; that’s it!”

Caleb added, “I learned that living a simple life is the key to happiness and not taking anything for granted. Watching the homeless and disabled still be so grateful and loving toward each other and toward life taught me how to be happy!”

The brothers, priests and sisters at Missionaries of the Poor evoke a joy that can only be found through God.

Leah stated, “The brothers and priest are so Christlike. This work we do is for a week or so, but the work they do is each and every day, with a smile on their faces and no complaints. This community gives their lives up to serve the needs of others, pure and simple! Matthew 25:35 states, ‘For I was hungry, and you gave me food, thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger, and you welcomed me!’”

Hope Schwartz assists a boy with special needs at the Bethlehem Home. (Photo/Tara Schlader)

These men and women dedicate their very selves to change a hurting world through love, joy and kindness. Our time with the brothers was extraordinary. The balance between work, prayer and play is a key to create the solid ground from which these men walk. After dinner, we were given the opportunity to engage in card and board games. We even ventured to the roof after a long day to engage in fellowship and meaningful conversation. These men became our brothers as we grew to understand their stories and hear their witness of sacrificial love.

On special nights, we even engaged in very competitive games of volleyball, in which, to their dismay, we held our own.

A special trip to the ocean topped off our weekend as laughter and play filled the air. Whether at work or play, we received blessing after blessing from our time with our dear brothers.

During our time in Jamaica, we were privileged to meet the founder of Missionaries of the Poor, Father Richard Ho Lung. He shared with us that he started the mission on July 19, 1981, and there are currently 11 other Missions of the Poor worldwide. His gentle heart and love for the poor was evident as each word of love and kindness was spoken. We all enjoyed this special time with Father Ho Lung and were able to purchase his books so we could learn more about his story. What an honor it was to spend time and learn from a man who said “yes” to all that God asked him to be and do.

As our days came to a close, we shed many tears and said our goodbyes, but mostly shared what we learned.

Tara Schlader commented, “My biggest takeaway from these trips is that here in America, we are too caught up in the materialistic life. We are always seeking ‘bigger, newer’ things, thinking these will bring us joy. However, the happiest I have ever been is in Jamaica, serving the poor, away from my phone and the fast-paced American life.”

Laney Forsmann added, “I learned that it’s important to share the love the Lord has given you with everyone the Lord has graciously put in your life, even if they are complete strangers.”Caleb (Frei) said, “I will definitely be going back!”

Finally, Leah summed it up by saying, “It’s hard to leave a place where you feel God’s presence in everyone you meet and everywhere you go.”

This trip has been life-changing for us all, and we pray that what we have learned, we will successfully bring to our families and communities and answer the call to be a light to all those around us, no matter who they are or where they are from.

If you have any questions about how to make donations to Missionaries of the Poor or about organizing your own mission trip, contact Debbie at 208-553-5837 or email me at debbie16.dc@gmail.com.

May your heart be filled with the simple love that can change the world.