CWM

Life after TIM!

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 09:39

TIM 2008 student Shermaine Stone explores the impact and relevance of the Training in Mission programme after returning home.

It’s been more than seven months since returning from the TIM programme. I am now back in my homeland attending the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands: Meadowbrook United, located in Jamaica.

Putting TIM into practice

My local congregation has two services every Sunday and we serve three communities and operate various programmes to facilitate spiritual, emotional and physical growth, for people as young as two years old. We have two basic schools and an adult college where literacy is taught, an elderly feeding programme, community sporting activities and competition where the youth are the target among others.TIM will always have its place and will never lose its relevance. Its reach is far and its impact is permanent

With the help of TIM I have gained much insight into the needs of people and the world at large and how I can continue to affect my world. For my placements I worked at a Sparrow Rainbow Village, a hospice for children and adults with HIV/AIDS. I proceeded to Lerato House, a shelter for young girls between the ages of 11 to 18 who are at risk for trafficking and other forms of abuse. In India I worked with temple prostitutes popularly known as Marthamma and fisherfolks form various fishing villages.

Back home

Upon my arrival to Jamaica after a life altering experience at TIM 2008 in Johannesburg, South Africa and Madurai India, it took a couple of months to become fully integrated in the daily happenings of my country.

After sharing my experience with my church one member posed the question “Do you think TIM is still relevant?” My response was a very enthusiastic yes! TIM will always have its place and will never lose its relevance. Its reach is far and its impact is permanent. TIM is one of those programmes that will always spark interest and because of its uniqueness with culture and content it will never die.

My heart was always geared towards young people and how life affected them generally and specifically. The resource materials I got while on the mission played an integral role in the things I was able to share, especially the Heartline Materials from South Africa, which was also used in a community retreat that was held at the end of May.

With the aid of the Camp ministry, the wider church will also be able to benefit from my experience. To date I have been able to share what I have learnt with a wide variety of groups of people, including Meadowbrook United Church Youth Fellowship, Young Leaders Forum, University and Colleges Christian Fellowship.

I have shared my TIM experience and what I have learned during my time on mission, and hope to continue to do this especially to affect the youth in Jamaica!