When Nardia Pérez obeyed God to move from Kingston to Portland, she didn’t know she was stepping into the next chapter of God’s calling on her life. All she knew was that the Lord had asked her to move—and to trust Him.
For the missionary who lived in Kingston, it made little sense. Her life, her work, and her connections were all in the capital. And yet, after months of fruitless house hunting and quietly waiting on God, a friend shared news of a beautiful property in Portland for rent. As she listened, something stirred deep in her heart.
“While she was talking, I felt this joy bubbling up inside,” she recalls. “It was like God was nudging me and saying, ‘This is it. I still questioned it. Portland? So far? But the Holy Spirit said, ‘Go and look at it.’”
She went—and found favour. Today, she lives on a beautiful property nestled in Portland’s lush hills, and is preparing a home for her husband, Julio César Pérez Olivares, who is still in Cuba. The couple are already known for their Mission to Cuba last October, where God used them to supply food, medicine, and toiletries to over 40 households. They also ministered the Gospel and prayed for the sick.
Pérez, who shared with Freedom Come Rain that they “met supernaturally,” said they are now married and God has given them a ministry; Helpers For Christ International.
Now living in Portland and awaiting her husband, Pérez has started a powerful movement of hope, healing, and spiritual awakening. Looking back, she shared how it all unfolded.
At first, she simply commuted to work in Kingston by bus—a long and exhausting journey. But God was working through even this. The long rides became divine appointments.
“The Lord let me meet people on the bus: the driver, the conductor, the regular passengers. I started praying for them, talking to them. Portland was revealing itself to me through their stories.”
It didn’t take long for her to sense the deep spiritual emptiness that weighed on many of the communities.
“There are so many churches, but something was missing. The people were spiritually poor. The streets felt dry, like the presence of God wasn’t moving. I started weeping and fasting and crying out for the people of Portland.”
In time, God made the next move clear. Through more favour and supernatural provision, He blessed Sister Nardia with a vehicle. Then came instructions to go into the heart of Port Antonio with a sound box and a mic—and preach.
“I had done street ministry in Kingston before, so this wasn’t new. But this was different. I could feel the Lord’s presence filling the streets as worship music played. Vendors were singing along, some lifting their hands in praise. The police? They asked me to pray for them. One even begged me not to turn off the music.”
Something began shifting in the spiritual atmosphere of the town. But God wasn’t done.
Amid the preaching and worship, Nardia noticed the faces of the homeless—men and women sleeping on sidewalks, hungry and forgotten.
“God said, ‘Feed them.’ And before I could even figure out how, two men came up to me asking for something to eat. That was my confirmation.”
The following week, she returned with a warm breakfast for 12 persons. A week later, she fed 24. From nowhere came donations of flour, bananas, meat, and helping hands.
“God just keeps blessing the effort. People donated. People joined me to serve. The burden became a blessing,” she confessed.
Today, every Saturday, Port Antonio wakes up to the sound of worship music and the aroma of hot breakfast on the streets. Nardia and a small team serve meals, pray with strangers, and preach hope in a place many had overlooked.
What began with a step of faith is now blossoming into a full-blown mission. Nardia’s dream? A gospel concert in the heart of Port Antonio Square, filled with worship, the Word, and a call to repentance.
“I want the town to be saturated with the presence of God. I want a harvest of souls. Portland needs revival. And I believe God has not forgotten this place.”
With her husband soon joining her from Cuba, she believes this is only the beginning.
“Wherever He sends us next, we will go. But for now, our hearts are here. Jesus loves Portland. I know that with every part of me.”
To those feeling uncertain or afraid to follow God’s voice, Nardia has one simple message:
“Step out. Don’t wait for it to make sense. Just obey. God will bless your obedience more than you could ever imagine.”
