MONTEGO BAY, St James

Pastor Mary Wildish, head of the Montego Bay-based Trumpet Call Ministries International, could not mask her joy last Friday as more than 300 needy people from across that resort city flocked the church compound for the ministry’s annual Mission of Mercy Christmas fair.

According to Pastor Wildish, who started the ministry 14 years ago, the fair, now in its 11th year, formed part of a raft of outreach initiatives being undertaken by the church, which has a membership of close to 700.

“We are not just preaching a message of hope through Jesus Christ, but we also demonstrate it through our giving and so from the beginning of the church this has been our heart… just to bless, just to reach out…,” said Pastor Wildish, as she greeted a number of the seemingly satisfied beneficiaries in attendance at the fair.

From as early as 10:00 am people began to stream into the main hall of the church’s building which was transformed into a huge shopping mall, stocked with hundreds of fashionable pieces of garments, shoes, cosmetic items and bags.

These were also a barber shop, hairdressing parlour, a dental and medical station, as well as a food station.

Those invited were allowed to shop free of cost for several pieces of clothing and footwear, before visiting the food station for a sumptuous meal.

Additionally,those desirous of having their hair groomed and to have medical examination as well as dental checks were also able to do so at no cost.

They also received grocery packages.

Lee McPherson, one of the beneficiaries, who said he has been attending the fair since its inception, told the

Jamaica Observer West that he always looks forward to the Mission of Mercy Christmas fair.

“It is very good, I like the treatment, I don’t find any fault,” said the Rose Heights resident, who shopped for himself and his eight-year-old son.

Marketing and communications representative at Trumpet Call, Tracia Stephens, noted that a day before the fair the church feted more than 100 inmates at the Freeport Police lock-up under its HOPE (Helping Out Prisoners in Extreme Need) outreach ministry.

“This ministry caters to the physical and spiritual needs of the prisoners,” said Stephens, adding that a team from the church also goes into the prison twice monthly, carry food and provide medical care for those incarcerated.

On Saturday a team from Trumpet Call also visited the Cornwall Regional Hospital in Montego Bay – under its Hospital Outreach Programme – to bring Christmas cheer to mentally-ill patients.

Stephens noted that additionally, through the efforts of volunteers, more than 200 families in and around the communities of Montego Bay are fed on a biweekly basis. The ministry, she stated, also supports a clothes closet where those who are destitute and homeless are able to obtain clothing.