Nicholas and I were blessed with an opportunity to go on a week long mission trip together this June to Jamaica with Mustard Seed Communities. We have known the Donnelly family for years and have known of many other families who have gone with them when they take a group to Jamaica every year, so we excited to finally experience it for ourselves. It was the most amazing week! We stayed at Jacob's Ladder, one of about 10 orphanages in Jamaica that house disabled children and adults. About 30% of our time was spent doing work projects, while the majority of the time was spent simply spending quality time with the residents - which is what they needed and appreciated the most. Both Nicholas and I were incredibly moved by how filled with joy these children/adults are who live in poverty, with no family, and with mild to severe disabilities. The MSC program is amazing in the work they do to give dignity to each individual, no matter ability or disability! The love we saw showered on these individuals by MSC, and having the opportunity ourselves to share God's love with them for a brief period, brought tears to my eyes! We are so thankful for the opportunity to have been the hands and feet of Christ, in a very small way, on this trip and we hope and pray we have the chance to go back one day!
On our first day we attended mass at Our Lady of Fatima in Ocho Rios.
This is the view from the church - later in the week we had to opportunity to go snorkeling in these exact waters and it was so great - tons of coral and fish!!
Enjoying fresh mangos after mass - sooo good!
This place is situated in the rural mountains about 25 min outside of Ocho Rios. It houses children who have grown up in the the MSC system and now are adults and are too disabled to be on their own - these residents stay here till they go home to heaven. It is divided into villages and a few of the villages also housed younger children - the Widow's Mite kids from a rural mountain orphanage recently relocated here, and a large group of mixed age Haiti kids rescued about a year ago from human traffickers in a high risk special ops mission assisted by the Navy Seals!
Everyone had to sign up to wash dishes a time or two - Nicholas and Andres were the first to volunteer :-)
They have a small farm with crops, chickens, pigs and goats that helps supply food there and also brings in a small income for the property.
Hanging out at Bethany village with residents
Playing Bingo with residents one night
Feeding the children at Widow's Mite
Mary
"Farming" - we picked tomatoes in the green house
Twice that week we baked brownies and cookies with a handful of residents.
Every night we gathered as a group in the chapel for reflections and prayer. Andres added music with his guitar.
On our way to Kingston to visit to other homes - My Father's House and Jerusalem
We had a lovely visit with Monsignor Gregory, the founder of MSC - he shared his story which is amazing!
The chapel at My Father's House
We visited the on site radio station at My Father's House and even went on air!
This was impressive - every single home in MSC has an adoration chapel where residents are regularly brought to be in the presence of Christ!! All children at baptized and chatechized as much as possible for their ability.
Here were the children with the most severe disabilities - it was my favorite place - the love showered on them and their sad state of life brought both happy and sad tears to my eyes!
Nicholas and Andres sang and danced with this boy and he was in sheer joy! :-)
At Jerusalem they have a large chicken farm and tilapia farm for income.
It was a joy watching Nicholas singing and dancing with this lady
Coloring with the residents of Jerusalem
Helping a child climb a tree
We went out to dinner one night and had this jerk chicken which was so good!
Photos from dinner out night
getting ready for field day
This is where we stayed - girls bunk room on left, boys bunk room on right with kitchen in center.
The chapel at Jacob's Ladder
Field day fun
There is no hot water, no AC and no clothes dyers here.
Clean up project
"Landscaping" - raking rocks near newly built homes
Playing soccer with the Haiti kids
3 other mission groups were in other parts of Jamaica that week and they joined us for mass at Jacob's Ladder one day - this is the photo of just our group that day (with a couple residents too)
We had 1 day at the public beach in Ocho Rios - had an hour long snorkel trip on a boat that was so cool!!
Fun times at the talent show/concert that evening
Nicholas helped cut and place new plexiglass for the stations of the cross on property.
One day we helped tear down a chain link fence and roll up and save to save for reuse.
Fun for Nicholas to use a jack hammer!
Mona
Even though we came as missionaries to the residents of MSC - I think they served us and showered us with love as much or more! "It is in giving that we receive..."
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