This Family Is On A Mission
The Getgey family: Amy, Andrew, John, Mollie, Parker, Lauren, and friend Jackie
We don't usually think of children as missionaries but the Getgey family proved it is wholly possible.
John Getgey, President of a broad-based counseling service, and wife Amy deliberately searched for a summer project that would give their four children a cross-cultural faith experience. 
Through his pastor at St. Andrew's church in Mariemont, a suburb of Cincinnati, John connected with Barb Coyle, a retired teacher and 8 year Franciscan volunteer at St. Francis Seraph Ministries and Fr. Jim Bok's parish in Negril, Jamaica.
John Coyle, Barb’s husband, planned to travel with her to help facilitate the Mary Gate of Heaven Summer Vacation Bible School. The Getgey family met with Barb, “We were sold immediately. It was natural, just the right thing for us to do,” stated John Getgey.
The blond, wholesome Getgey youngsters sat comfortably in their living room and eagerly discussed the legacies of their second trip to what they originally thought was an exotic island nation. Lauren, 15, Parker, 13, Andrew, 10, Mollie, 8 and friend, Jackie, 15, agreed they have been blessed with family love and stability, but learned there that not everyone had the same advantages.
Outgoing Parker, smiling through his braces, was perceptive as he described seeing hunger through the eyes of the people who came to the St. Anthony's Soup Kitchen where they helped prep and serve meals. “One man guardedly bent over his plate and scooped his food as if it were to be taken from him. He must not have eaten for quite awhile. Nothing is wasted!”
All the girls were moved as they saw how the children craved affection, that some led purposeless lives, and came from disorganized families. “Our necks were sore at the end of the day from them needing to hug us,” perky Mollie added. Shy Andrew observed that some of the 50 children they served in the 10 day visit, “lived in galvanized steel shacks, half the size of their living room.”
“We took tons of clothing, crafts, and school supplies with us. Things we take for granted like shoes and swimming suits just were not ordinary. Not all the children lived near the ocean so most could not swim.”
Lauren and Jackie, both confident young women, went on, “The foods were different and equally, the culture. There were so many single mother families. Unemployment is high. The poverty level is astounding but, having nothing, the people are so creative!”
Youngest Mollie, showed a photo of her feeding a four year old who tagged along with a sibling, “She was so hungry! We packed the leftovers for her to take home!” 
The oldest participant was 18 years old but he fit in and treasured the activities, which surprised her.
“The native kids craved the Bible stories and said they look forward to Vacation Bible School all year. Fr. Jim with his big heart just couldn't turn any of them away.” Seeing God's people hungry in every form is the memory that each of the Getgey's brought from Jamaica. They just can't help not trying to do something about that!
Besides learning cricket, new dances and trying strange fruits, all agreed it was a positive adventure and they want to return next summer to do it again.
The example John and Amy have set for their children will have life long affects.
Thank you Getgey family. You are our everyday heroes.
Story by Joanne M. Queenan
Fr. Jim Bok, OFM, during Vacation Bible School
Fr. Jim Bok, OFM, is the pastor of Mary, Gate of Heaven Catholic Church in Negril, Jamaica. The St. Anthony Soup Kitchen is one of the many ministries of the Parish visit their Facebook page. If you would like to donate to Mary, Gate of Heaven or any of its ministries please visit our Donation Page and write your preferences in the 'Comments' box.
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