Saturday, December 5, 2009
We are His hands. We are His feet.
It’s early Saturday morning and I’m still processing my trip to Jamaica. This is a consistent theme that mission volunteers face upon returning from a week at Mustard Seed – how to process the experience and incorporate it into daily life.
Thursday I was reading to a group of 6 year old boys living with HIV. They are beautiful children who have so much love (and energy) to share. I can still see them in the courtyard of Mary’s Child in their uniforms of navy blue shorts and white shirts; waving, blowing kisses, and yelling “Good-Bye Auntie!” as the car backed out of the drive.
My role on Thursday was to be present for these children – a role I treasure. Upon returning to my home and office my role has changed. I am meant to be present for my children now. To share with them all that I experienced at Mustard Seed in Jamaica so that they will be inspired to love and care for those who are in need – whether they are their peers or people they will never meet.
My role is to share the many stories of Mustard Seed Communities with our volunteers and donors so that they will know how their time, talent and treasure are making a difference in the lives of Mustard Seed’s children.
Thursday I was reading to a group of 6 year old boys living with HIV. They are beautiful children who have so much love (and energy) to share. I can still see them in the courtyard of Mary’s Child in their uniforms of navy blue shorts and white shirts; waving, blowing kisses, and yelling “Good-Bye Auntie!” as the car backed out of the drive.
My role on Thursday was to be present for these children – a role I treasure. Upon returning to my home and office my role has changed. I am meant to be present for my children now. To share with them all that I experienced at Mustard Seed in Jamaica so that they will be inspired to love and care for those who are in need – whether they are their peers or people they will never meet.
My role is to share the many stories of Mustard Seed Communities with our volunteers and donors so that they will know how their time, talent and treasure are making a difference in the lives of Mustard Seed’s children.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding to assist in speedy repairs to road leading to Mustard Seed's Martha's House
As seen on Office of the Prime Minister's website
http://www.opm.gov.jm/news_and_public_affairs/
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has given an undertaking to assist in speeding up the process of getting repairs done to the roads leading to the Mustard Seed Communities' refurbished Martha's House at Windsor Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine.
Mr. Golding has requested that the Mayor of Spanish Town, Councilor Andrew Wheatley, provides him with the estimates of repairs for the Windsor Road. The estimates had been completed for sometime now but the Mayor noted that repairs had been stalled because of the unavailability of funds.
Mr. Golding gave the commitment this morning (Dec 2) to fast track the road repairs when he addressed the official opening ceremony of Martha's House, which is run by the Mustard Seed Communities. The Prime Minister's instructions came in response to pleas by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities, for the roads to be repaired.
Monsignor Ramkissoon provided an update of the services being provided by Martha's House which was destroyed by fire in March of this year leaving some 30 children displaced. The children who are brought to the Mustard Seed home are abandoned or orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS and are living with the virus.
In his address, Mr. Golding commended Mustard Seed for the speedy refurbishing which has been done to the home destroyed by fire and extended thanks to all the corporate entities which have contributed financially to the rebuilding. He also commended Monsignor Ramkissoon for his ability in mobilizing support to get the repairs done in less than a year. Mr. Golding expressed appreciation to Scotia Bank for its contribution of a cheque for just over $2 million to the Mustard Seed's ‘Dare to Care programme', as well as those who gave of their time. The funds were raised by staffers of Scotia bank and their contribution was matched by the bank.
Mr. Golding and representatives of the sponsoring companies were taken on a tour of the property where the Prime Minister got a first hand view of the classrooms, music rooms, and the dormitories before the official ribbon cutting ceremony by Most Reverend Donald J. Reece, Archbishop of Kingston.
http://www.opm.gov.jm/news_and_public_affairs/
Prime Minister Bruce Golding has given an undertaking to assist in speeding up the process of getting repairs done to the roads leading to the Mustard Seed Communities' refurbished Martha's House at Windsor Road in Spanish Town, St Catherine.
Mr. Golding has requested that the Mayor of Spanish Town, Councilor Andrew Wheatley, provides him with the estimates of repairs for the Windsor Road. The estimates had been completed for sometime now but the Mayor noted that repairs had been stalled because of the unavailability of funds.
Mr. Golding gave the commitment this morning (Dec 2) to fast track the road repairs when he addressed the official opening ceremony of Martha's House, which is run by the Mustard Seed Communities. The Prime Minister's instructions came in response to pleas by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon, Executive Director of Mustard Seed Communities, for the roads to be repaired.
Monsignor Ramkissoon provided an update of the services being provided by Martha's House which was destroyed by fire in March of this year leaving some 30 children displaced. The children who are brought to the Mustard Seed home are abandoned or orphaned as a result of HIV/AIDS and are living with the virus.
In his address, Mr. Golding commended Mustard Seed for the speedy refurbishing which has been done to the home destroyed by fire and extended thanks to all the corporate entities which have contributed financially to the rebuilding. He also commended Monsignor Ramkissoon for his ability in mobilizing support to get the repairs done in less than a year. Mr. Golding expressed appreciation to Scotia Bank for its contribution of a cheque for just over $2 million to the Mustard Seed's ‘Dare to Care programme', as well as those who gave of their time. The funds were raised by staffers of Scotia bank and their contribution was matched by the bank.
Mr. Golding and representatives of the sponsoring companies were taken on a tour of the property where the Prime Minister got a first hand view of the classrooms, music rooms, and the dormitories before the official ribbon cutting ceremony by Most Reverend Donald J. Reece, Archbishop of Kingston.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Whatever You Do for the Least of my Brothers
It’s evening at My Father’s House. I can hear the sounds of the children, some crying as they settle down for the night. The noise from the street is loud tonight; sirens, cars, music and occasional outbursts of shouting outside the gates. It is the end to a long, hot, remarkable day.
Over 200 people came to celebrate the opening of Martha’s House at Jerusalem! Corporate sponsors, government officials, clergy, individuals, Mustard Seed children and staff – all members of the Mustard Seed Family who contributed in some way to the rebuilding of Martha’s House. It was overwhelming to see so many people crowd into the multi-purpose building that was just a skeleton of a building one month ago. Many dignitaries sat upon the dais including the Most Reverend Donald Reece, D.D., Archbishop of Kingston and the Honorable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica.
The Archbishop reflected on the fire at Martha’s House and how out of such a tragedy has come so much good. The rebuilding of Martha’s House was accomplished within just nine months and provides the children with so much more than they had at the home on North Street. There is more space, room to play outside, a school, and sense of community.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the work of Mustard Seed Communities in caring for the most vulnerable in Jamaica. He highlighted the efforts of Monsignor Gregory whom he had met many years before when Monsignor (then Father) was seeking approval to develop a plot of land in White Wing into a home for disabled children, now My Father’s House. The Prime Minister recalled thinking that the vision this young man had was unattainable and that he would never come across him again. He was wrong – Monsignor Gregory has achieved what many thought was impossible; providing homes to over 400 children. Monsignor continues to turn up at the Prime Minister’s office.
Monsignor Gregory, always one to recognize someone’s willingness to be of assistance, thanked the Prime Minister for his support and asked for his help to fix the road leading to Jerusalem! which is littered with three foot deep “pot holes”. The road is treacherous to travel on when bringing the children to the hospital during an emergency, especially in the rainy season. Upon returning to the office a couple of hours later, Monsignor received a message from the Prime Minister’s office promising to fix the road and arrange for ten acres of land to be given to Mustard Seed to expand Jerusalem!
The children of Dare to Care played the Jamaican anthem on the steel pan drums and entertained the crowd. The choir from Dare to Care sang Christmas songs Jamaican style from their recently produced Christmas CD – Rejoice - Out of Many One Christmas. This is the second CD the children have recorded. The proceeds will go into a fund specifically to provide for the education of Mustard Seed children with HIV/AIDS.
We have so much to be thankful for and so much more to do. The excitement of today’s opening has left my mind and my thoughts turn to the children of Dare to Care, who live with HIV.
Tashana, 14 years old, who with her beautiful voice sang a solo today and asked me if we have homes for children with HIV in the United States. Tashana won’t have her picture taken because she goes to a public school and is afraid someone will recognize her as living at Mustard Seed, a home for children who are HIV+. She fears for her safety.
Ramone, 13, plays in the steel pan band. Ramone has started doing poorly in school, is behaving disrespectfully at home at Matthew 25:40 and cannot accept that he has AIDS. Each time that he sees the doctor he asks to be retested.
Tiana, 10, looking for “sweeties” (candy) and hiding from her “Aunties” (caregivers) so that she doesn’t have to do her homework and take a shower. She reminds me of my daughters who are close to her age. They are so similar and yet have such different lives.
Racquel is turning 13 on December 6th. She has always been one of the children I seek out when I come to Dare to Care. When I met her two years ago she seemed tough and very much in control. Everything about her said, “I’m in charge.” She’s changed. She seemed more vulnerable this visit. She gave me lots of hugs and wanted to stay at my side. I took a picture of her by the Christmas tree and said good-bye. She asked why I had to leave and when I would be back. How could I answer that? How could I say, “I have a husband and children at home who I love and am missing. They need me and I need them.” How could I say those words to a girl who needs a family to love her; a family she can love. A girl who needs someone to read with her every night so that she will learn to read. A girl who is growing up in Jamaica with HIV.
Despite the challenges Mustard Seed’s children living with HIV face, they are loved, safe and have a place that is their home. Six more children were brought to Martha’s House today.
Over 200 people came to celebrate the opening of Martha’s House at Jerusalem! Corporate sponsors, government officials, clergy, individuals, Mustard Seed children and staff – all members of the Mustard Seed Family who contributed in some way to the rebuilding of Martha’s House. It was overwhelming to see so many people crowd into the multi-purpose building that was just a skeleton of a building one month ago. Many dignitaries sat upon the dais including the Most Reverend Donald Reece, D.D., Archbishop of Kingston and the Honorable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica.
The Archbishop reflected on the fire at Martha’s House and how out of such a tragedy has come so much good. The rebuilding of Martha’s House was accomplished within just nine months and provides the children with so much more than they had at the home on North Street. There is more space, room to play outside, a school, and sense of community.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the work of Mustard Seed Communities in caring for the most vulnerable in Jamaica. He highlighted the efforts of Monsignor Gregory whom he had met many years before when Monsignor (then Father) was seeking approval to develop a plot of land in White Wing into a home for disabled children, now My Father’s House. The Prime Minister recalled thinking that the vision this young man had was unattainable and that he would never come across him again. He was wrong – Monsignor Gregory has achieved what many thought was impossible; providing homes to over 400 children. Monsignor continues to turn up at the Prime Minister’s office.
Monsignor Gregory, always one to recognize someone’s willingness to be of assistance, thanked the Prime Minister for his support and asked for his help to fix the road leading to Jerusalem! which is littered with three foot deep “pot holes”. The road is treacherous to travel on when bringing the children to the hospital during an emergency, especially in the rainy season. Upon returning to the office a couple of hours later, Monsignor received a message from the Prime Minister’s office promising to fix the road and arrange for ten acres of land to be given to Mustard Seed to expand Jerusalem!
The children of Dare to Care played the Jamaican anthem on the steel pan drums and entertained the crowd. The choir from Dare to Care sang Christmas songs Jamaican style from their recently produced Christmas CD – Rejoice - Out of Many One Christmas. This is the second CD the children have recorded. The proceeds will go into a fund specifically to provide for the education of Mustard Seed children with HIV/AIDS.
We have so much to be thankful for and so much more to do. The excitement of today’s opening has left my mind and my thoughts turn to the children of Dare to Care, who live with HIV.
Tashana, 14 years old, who with her beautiful voice sang a solo today and asked me if we have homes for children with HIV in the United States. Tashana won’t have her picture taken because she goes to a public school and is afraid someone will recognize her as living at Mustard Seed, a home for children who are HIV+. She fears for her safety.
Ramone, 13, plays in the steel pan band. Ramone has started doing poorly in school, is behaving disrespectfully at home at Matthew 25:40 and cannot accept that he has AIDS. Each time that he sees the doctor he asks to be retested.
Tiana, 10, looking for “sweeties” (candy) and hiding from her “Aunties” (caregivers) so that she doesn’t have to do her homework and take a shower. She reminds me of my daughters who are close to her age. They are so similar and yet have such different lives.
Racquel is turning 13 on December 6th. She has always been one of the children I seek out when I come to Dare to Care. When I met her two years ago she seemed tough and very much in control. Everything about her said, “I’m in charge.” She’s changed. She seemed more vulnerable this visit. She gave me lots of hugs and wanted to stay at my side. I took a picture of her by the Christmas tree and said good-bye. She asked why I had to leave and when I would be back. How could I answer that? How could I say, “I have a husband and children at home who I love and am missing. They need me and I need them.” How could I say those words to a girl who needs a family to love her; a family she can love. A girl who needs someone to read with her every night so that she will learn to read. A girl who is growing up in Jamaica with HIV.
Despite the challenges Mustard Seed’s children living with HIV face, they are loved, safe and have a place that is their home. Six more children were brought to Martha’s House today.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
So Many Blessings - Thank you Lord
The day started at 4:00AM with praise and worship led by the children of My Father’s House and Monsignor Gregory. The moon was full and the chapel was dark except for the two candles on the altar. The children began singing “Thank You Lord” while in the background neighboring roosters crowed, dogs barked and an occasional Bob Marley song could be heard. As Catherine says, during this time of day the chapel is the center of peace, a stark contrast to the surrounding neighborhood.
The children who pray each morning at My Father’s House have a variety of disabilities. Many are brought to the chapel in wheelchairs and are not able to communicate verbally. Despite their verbal challenges, the children sing and pray with incredible enthusiasm so that you hear can them pray the Rosary clearly. Ricky and Jodi, two of the older residents, both eager to lead Morning Prayer, reached a compromise agreeing to take turns each week. Catherine thought the group to be especially enthusiastic this morning – perhaps excited by the return of Msgr. Gregory.
After breakfast we headed to Jerusalem! where Martha’s House has been rebuilt and where the reopening will take place tomorrow. Every time I come to Jerusalem! I am amazed at how it has progressed. When I was here in May the multi-purpose building was nothing more than a steel shell. It is now finished; complete with a stage which the Prime Minister of Jamaica and other dignitaries will sit upon for the celebration tomorrow.
The gardens at Jerusalem! continue to flourish providing a peaceful meditation area outside of the chapel. We drive through Jerusalem! Village to see the “new” Martha’s House. As we pass Dare to Care, another of our homes for children living with HIV/AIDS, Martha’s House comes into view. Six brightly painted cottages surround a grassy area where the children can play. A gazebo stands at the far end of the property next to the main building which contains the kitchen and common room. Fish ponds, the chicken farm, sheep and goats can be seen in the distance. Out of the tragedy of the fire on March 16th has come an incredible blessing – a beautiful home for our children with space to play and a community that they are part of. These children belong here. They are loved and will thrive in their new home at Jerusalem!
The children who pray each morning at My Father’s House have a variety of disabilities. Many are brought to the chapel in wheelchairs and are not able to communicate verbally. Despite their verbal challenges, the children sing and pray with incredible enthusiasm so that you hear can them pray the Rosary clearly. Ricky and Jodi, two of the older residents, both eager to lead Morning Prayer, reached a compromise agreeing to take turns each week. Catherine thought the group to be especially enthusiastic this morning – perhaps excited by the return of Msgr. Gregory.
After breakfast we headed to Jerusalem! where Martha’s House has been rebuilt and where the reopening will take place tomorrow. Every time I come to Jerusalem! I am amazed at how it has progressed. When I was here in May the multi-purpose building was nothing more than a steel shell. It is now finished; complete with a stage which the Prime Minister of Jamaica and other dignitaries will sit upon for the celebration tomorrow.
The gardens at Jerusalem! continue to flourish providing a peaceful meditation area outside of the chapel. We drive through Jerusalem! Village to see the “new” Martha’s House. As we pass Dare to Care, another of our homes for children living with HIV/AIDS, Martha’s House comes into view. Six brightly painted cottages surround a grassy area where the children can play. A gazebo stands at the far end of the property next to the main building which contains the kitchen and common room. Fish ponds, the chicken farm, sheep and goats can be seen in the distance. Out of the tragedy of the fire on March 16th has come an incredible blessing – a beautiful home for our children with space to play and a community that they are part of. These children belong here. They are loved and will thrive in their new home at Jerusalem!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Martha's House Rebuilt and Ready to Open
Posts
