Who is Jasmine Ramos?
I am a newlywed, dog mom, teacher, youth leader, and most importantly God’s girl! In August last year I married my absolute best friend, Brian Ramos. I am a mommy to Roxie, the cutest puppy in the world 🙂 I teach 2nd Grade at Orlando Christian Prep. I am a youth leader for 9th-10th grade girls at Avalon Church, which has been my home church for 10 years. I love traveling and spending time with my wonderful hubby and family!
Do you have a verse that is significant for this point in your life? Why is it significant?
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Lamentations 3:22-24 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.
I feel like I am at such an exciting yet scary point in my life. I look back and see how much God has stretched me, and I look forward to what He has for my future. On the other hand, I find myself battling worries and fears daily—fear of rejection, self-doubt, inadequacy. 1 John 4:18 reminds me that I have no reason to fear, because His perfect love has deemed me worthy. When I am overwhelmed by my recently new responsibilities or life in general, Lamentations 3:22-24 reminds me that I will not be consumed, because of His love. His compassion, or desire to alleviate my suffering, is new EVERY morning. The Lord is all I need.
Why World Hope? How did you get involved?
I first got involved by my youth pastor/worship leader at the time, Dustin Janney. He headed a group from Avalon Church to go to Kenya. Since I love to travel and serve others I thought I would go, and the rest is history!
What is your experience with missions?
In 2010 and 2012 I went to Kenya with World Hope.
In 2014 I went to Detroit with World Hope.
What quality did you bring your trip? Or what did you hope to bring?
The first time I went to Kenya, I was 18 years old and just started college. I didn’t have any special gift or talent like music or medicine. But I learned that all you need to bring is the desire to serve and love of Jesus.
What has been your most meaningful moment on a missions trip or with World Hope in general?
The first time I went to Kenya I met so many wonderful people. I became good friends with Jackson, Hope Church Kenya’s accountant, and his family. The second time I went to Kenya, I had the special opportunity to visit his home and spend time with his family. It was incredible to be welcomed into their home and experience the love and joy their family has despite their circumstances—not better or worse, just different!
How did your ideas of what a missions trip would be like differ from the reality of going on one?
My idea of a missions trip was going somewhere to help other people and teach them about Jesus. While that is still true, it is so much more than that. The reality of going on a missions trip is serving others, growing in your own relationship with the Lord, and gaining a new perspective of what is truly important in this life.
Describe a memorable relationship formed on a trip or with World Hope.
I formed relationships with both people in Kenya and from Avalon Church. One of the most memorable relationships I formed was actually with Jessica and Arthur Goncalves, a young married couple from Avalon. Before the trip I knew of them but didn’t really know them well. Over the course of my first trip, Jessica and I became very close and built a strong friendship that has lasted since then. During the trip I would talk to her unborn baby, Arabella, in her belly. Around 4 years later, Bella was the flower girl in our wedding and their son Caydan was our ring bearer. The relationship I formed with Jessica and Arthur has been one of the most valuable because they have been amazing mentors to my now husband and I, all the way from when we were dating until now. If it weren’t for that first trip to Kenya, I might have never had this God-honoring friendship.
What are your next steps? How has your life changed since traveling with World Hope?
After traveling with World Hope, I’ve had a brand new view of the world. I look around my neighborhood or the local Publix and think about how many people don’t know Jesus and then realize that there are people all over the WORLD who don’t have hope. I also think of the people I’ve met in Kenya and Detroit who have less than ideal circumstances, and how they have such sincere hope and joy through Jesus. It makes me realize how blessed I am, and my responsibility to share my blessings and hope with others. My goal is to go on a World Hope trip with my husband in the near future to experience all of these things with him. 🙂