Three locals head to Jamaica this summer to run an orphanage

Three parishioners from Trinity Lutheran church are heading to Jamaica this July to take over the management of an orphanage for a year during the directors' absence.
Kim and Mark Lau have volunteered to run My Father's House, an orphanage in Whitehouse, Jamaica that takes in abused and abandoned children.
They will be joined by Jenny Bushaw, a senior at Sehome high school who will be interning there.
Current directors Jim and Penie Koch will be spending a year in the United States fund raising for and raising awareness about the orphanage.
There are currently six children at the orphanage, but Lau hopes to really utilize the space to help as may children as possible.
Local parishioners step in to fill a need
According to Kim Lau, the Kochs were in the process of looking for the right people to take over the management when she decided to email them and ask them if she could assist them in any way.
“They were praying for someone else to come in,” she said.
Both Lau and Bushaw have volunteered with the orphanage previously. Lau headed a week-long mission trip to the orphanage last year with the church's youth group, during which they built a house for the children.
Lau was reluctant to leave the place; when she found out that the orphanage was in need of temporary directors, she jumped at the chance to help, she said.
The orphanage is entirely donation based, said Lau. Contributions mainly come from teams of volunteers who come and stay at the orphanage for a week, she said.
The teams, usually made up of youth groups doing mission work, pay $400 per person for their stay, which covers room and board and helps fund the orphanage.
“Teams coming in is what keeps the orphanage afloat,” she said.
The teams that come through assist in various ways, including tutoring the children, conducting
bible study, and helping with the maintenance of the place.
Community helps with cost
Bushaw was initially worried about the paying for the trip,which was expected to be between $5,000 and $6,000 per person she said.
But, fund raising efforts and contributions from both the church and individuals have helped alleviate the cost, Bushaw said.
“At first I was scared about the money because I only work part-time,” she said. “But all the donations have really showed me how amazing people are. People are very generous, its kind of mind-blowing.”
For example, the cost of the plane tickets have been partially covered through donations, she said.
But, the group will not be paid to run the orphanage, so they are still in need of financial assistance, according to Lau.
Living expenses will be around $400 per person each month, and they will also be paying for insurance, she said.
“There will be absolutely no money [income] coming in,” she said.
The Laus are also hoping to sell their house in Bellingham and buy a smaller one, in an effort to raise money for the trip.
High school senior eager to serve after graduation
Having participated in several mission trips through the Trinity youth group, Bushaw said that
she is looking forward to graduating from high school and going abroad to make a difference in the lives of the children at the orphanage.
“I hate being stuck here in classes,” she said. “I'm excited to go there and have a purpose.”
Bushaw fell in love with Jamaica during her previous trip there, and enjoyed working with the children, she said. .
As an intern, she will helping with every aspect of the orphanage, included maintenance, cooking, and tutoring the children.
Mark Lau will also be leading the group in creating a garden for the orphanage, a project that Bushaw is looking forward to working on, she said.
Youth group serves abroad
According to the Rev. Dr. Doug Iben, pastor of Trinity Church, the youth group often participates in international mission work.
“There's always lots going on,” he said.
The group has traveled to Peru, Mexico and Jamaica in the past.
The church will also be sending 12 high schoolers and six adults to volunteer at an orphanage in Haiti this summer, he said.
A central part of the church's mission is impacting the lives of teenagers, especially by giving them a opportunities to help others, said Lau.
“Our church is very supportive of the youth in making a difference,” she said.
Ways to help
Trinity Lutheran Church will be hosting a spaghetti dinner at 5:30 p.m. on May 14, at the church's Grace Center. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards the trip. The church is located at 119 Texas St.
Individual contributions should be made out to the Kingdom Builders Ministry.
Those interested in following the Laus' and Bushaw's trip can read about it on the couple's blog at www.MarkandKimLau.blogspot.com.