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.