JAMAICA | Brian

A Walk of Faith: The Day Harmons Valley Changed My Perspective

The moment I stepped off the bus for this mission trip, I knew my life was about to be challenged—and changed. But of all the profound experiences (and believe me, there were many), the one that impacted me most was the Faith Walk through the town of Harmons.  Outside of the foundation site and our time at Harmony House interacting with the staff of Won by One, I hadn't truly connected with the people of Harmons Valley yet. This was my first opportunity to walk their streets, look into their eyes, and hear their stories—stories of resilience, of the hurricane's impact on family members in different areas of Jamaica, and of what life is really like in this beautiful region.

I won’t lie; I was incredibly nervous. Imagine walking into a town where you're a total stranger, carrying your Bible, and introducing yourself on the street just to ask if you can pray for them. Nancy, who knows the community well, led our group. We didn't have a plan beyond knocking on doors and asking one simple question: "Is there anything we can pray with you or for you about?"

The responses were truly humbling.

• Many simply asked for prayers for health or for their finances to improve. Not a single superficial request. Their needs were real, fundamental, and deeply felt.

• But what struck me even more? Many people smiled, looked us in the eye, and said they were "all good." They were completely content and happy with what God had already given them.

This day was a massive departure from my everyday comfort zone, but it became one of the most impactful days of my life. We met people of all ages—from teenagers to 85-year-old Miss Elsa.

I found myself doing things I never expected: laying hands on wonderful people I had just met, reading verses from the Bible, praying powerful, intimate prayers, singing hymns, and simply sitting down to listen to their stories. The common thread woven through every encounter was the awe-inspiring faith in this community. They have so little by Western standards, yet their spiritual abundance is unmatched. They are living proof that true contentment comes not from material possessions, but from a deep, abiding trust in God.

God is so good. I went to Harmons Valley to serve, but I was the one who was truly ministered to.

I am eternally thankful for our incredible team from Charter Oak Church, for the guidance of Won by One to Jamaica, and most importantly, for the people of the Harmons Valley for forever changing my life and reminding me what it means to walk by faith!

Brian Quinn, Jamaica 2025