Missionaries' Thoughts on
Atlanta YAM Mustard Seed Trip
Nov 2004
(from
Wed Night - Nov 24, 2004)
Brian Blasick
(CTK)
~ Well i guess i am the first guinea pig,
so here goes. A lot of emotions: joy, hope, love, guilt, fear,
being
depressed for the kids. It is a sacrifice to put on a happy face and
play
with the kids when you have never encountered someone like them before.
All we can do is pray for them, and love them, let them love us, and be
thankful for the blessings like water, air control, food, the ability
to
work to make yourself better in life, and so many other things we have
been given. And we have been Given them.
Most of the world is like this: wow... So
it is tough, the human part of me says i cant believe what i have seen
and how they live in conditions we would call disgusting and unhealthy,
yet the spiritual side of me knows that underneath the poverty is a
poor
spirit that is dependent on God for all. In some ways, if we could all
be so lucky we took nothing for granted: this trip will make me take a
lot less for granted. ~
Matt Gardner
(CTK)
All is well. As well as can be, and
when we let things be, then they can be all they were meant to be!
It is so hard to let things just happen in
Jamaica, but part of the alure of Mustard Seed is to take
ourselves out of our environment and live
in a completely different way. It is a forced escape from
the world we know. It can be
disconcerting.
It can also be freeing. If we just let it be so.
Raymond
Barrett
My trip here in Jamaica has been almost
overwhelming.
Jamaica is very different than what I am used to. Those that I
have
met and have seen here have a lot less resources than those at home but
many of them are true servants. Those involved in Mustard Seed
Communities
truly care about the children and work very hard to make sure that
these
children with sever disablilities are treated with love a
respect.
It is amazing to me how we as people from many different parts live in
our mental worlds not being aware of all the different ways of seeing
things.
I am impressed with the simplicity here but my heart also goes out to
the
people here who trully have to struggle. I pray that God helps us
to be aware of what is important in this world that God gave us and
that
we reach out to one another.
Karen Gay
Things are going well down here in
Jamaica.
Unlike last year, we are actually able to get some work done :).
I have had the opportunity to spend a little time at Dare to Care and
the
kids are doing very well. Kimone, a little girl who last year was
as shy as can be has completely opened up. As soon as I walked
into
the patio, she came running into my arms and barely left my side during
my stay. I am grateful for God giving me the opportunity to help
lead this amazing group of missionaries to MSC...it has been an
uplifting
experience!!
Michelle
Giesken
WOW! What an experience! My
emotions
have been all over the board. One minute you find yourself trying
to let go of the most simplest of things that we take for granted
everyday...will
there be water to shower, will there be toilet paper, etc. It is
so hard to give up control. We have all made ourselves so
independent
and this experiece reminds us that we are not in control but God is and
he will provide what it is you need...not necessarily what you think
you
need but what you really need! He has done that time and time
again
on this trip. In the next minute you are smiling and laughing
whether
it be with the children at MSC or with my fellow missionaries.
The
one thing that really touched me today at Mass was a story that Father
Tim told about a little girl that had come to mustard seed about three
months ago. She was HIV positive and her family stopped
"touching"
her due to the stigma that exists. When she came to mustard
seed she had worms eating her flesh. Sometimes we tend to feel
bad
for the kids that we have met at MSC but Father reminded us that the
MSC
children are the lucky ones. "They were lost but now they are
found!"
His mercy is not poured out on these children according to a man
created
schedule here at MSC as evidenced by the fact that our itinerary has
changed
almost as fast as it is spoken but there is a "plan" at work--our
Father's
plan and it is very humbling to see the faith of those moving that plan
forward each day!
Dan Krupinsky
After getting in late Sunday the time has
really flown by. It's hard to believe the trip is half
over.
At times things feel surreal. The hour or so ride to Jerusalem
has
become normal. Tomorrow is our 'fun day' at the beach but I've
had
fun every day here. The group has been fun and the projects fly
by.
It has been difficult for me to spend time with the kids. I'm not
sure what to do or say. I found the hardest part is getting
started
and I just needed to throw myself into it. The children aren't
all
that different than other kids. They like to play and smile and
laught.
It's been an eye-openning experience.
Carla Habeeb
I can not put into words the effect this trip
has had on me. I have been truly touched by the children, the
staff,
the long term volunteers, Father Gregory, Father Tim and, of course, my
fellow missionaries. I am usually not someone who is comfortable
around the disabled, and I was fearful and ashamed of my anxiety.
However, I have really opened my heart to see Jesus in the eyes of all
of these precious children. One of my best memories is sitting
down
on a bench to take a rest, and a child immediately climbed onto my
shoulders!
So I started walking around with him and hearing him laugh and shout
with
excitement. The next moment, I kept feeling someone keep bumping
into me with a walker, and I turned around to find another adorable
little
boy trying to chase me, and he had the most beautiful smile on his
faced
as he laughed. All of the children have inspired me, and my most
favorite moments have been at the Dare to Care community. The
children
were so amazing and adorable. At any moment, I had 2-3 children
in
my lap, one braiding my hair, one painting my finger nails, and all of
them calling me "Auntie." My experience at Mustard Seed has been
truly a memorable one, and one that I will always remember.
Steve Ludwik
There has been a tremendous sense of comradary
since we met in the church parking lot. The team has really
performed
well and we have all gotten along great There are good
laughs
every day and despite the conditions, all is well. The effect has
been profound on me. I have seen many pictures on TV and in
magazines about poverty stricken areas. Seeing it up front makes
it close and personal. The people here have been very friendly,
if
difficult to understand sometimes, but we have been treated very well
and
I know that MSC appreciates our being here. The tasks have been
remidial,
grunt type work, but it is the kind of work that is very time consuming
and laborious. With many hands performing the work, the tasks go
fairly quickly. The locals seem impressed by our abilities and
also
our organizational skills. The kids are glad to see us as well
and
they have big smiles on their faces when we interact with them. I
hope to be able to attend another mission trip in the future.
Steve Schreck
Greetings from this very special place.
The week has been going well. We've been busy painting, moving
equipment,
and taking inventory of supplies. We have a great team down here
this year. The kids are as wonderful as always, and we are having
a good time laughing, smiling, and playing with them. I send
Happy
Thanksgiving wishes to everyone back home.
Rend Auro
This mission experience has been
incredible.
I knew that we would be working with children with physical and mental
disabilities but I had no idea what to expect. Monday was the
most
difficult day, after a morning of hard labor sorting inventory of
hardware,
we got to play with the children in the courtyard and I found it
extremely
challenging at first; it took a few attempts before I realized that I
didn’t
really need to do anything except to be there and accept hugs, carry a
few children, and sometimes sing with them. Their smiles where
enough
to assure me that all they wanted was human touch and some form of
affection.
Tuesday was a bit easier; I helped paint a house in the morning and
spent
the afternoon in the Dare to Care house where all the HIV/AIDS children
reside. These children had no problem communicating; the toddlers
attacked me with many stickers, hugs, and tickles. I walked
out of there shimmery, exhausted, and happy! Wednesday was the first
time
this week that I got to have coffee… need I say more! Tomorrow
morning
we will celebrate Mass at sunrise with the children. While I
can’t
wait to experience Mass with the children, I am not exactly thrilled
about
waking up 3 am. Please continue your prayers and I hope you have
a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I have a lot to be thankful for!
Bernadette
Zayas Lorenzo
Happy Thanksgiving Mom, Dad, Nerissa, Maan,
Paulynn, Tito Ben, Sally, Michael, Carla, Beatrice and Robert, Heather
O, and all of my WAVES Family and ALL!
This mission trip is a great blessing to
me.
I saw Heavenly Father and Jesus through the children. These are
Heavenly
Father's special children and their GREAT MISSION is to teach us HOW to
love! I am honored and humbled to serve these GREAT
spirits!
Thank You for your prayers.
James Ragsdale
This trip has been quite different from the
two I took in 2002. The crowd is just as lovely but smaller and
thus
bonded a little quicker. Yet, I didn't know most of those on this
trip at the beginning as I did the last ones. The work
seems
to be more intense due to less people. The kids are still very
rewarding
and humbling to be around.
Cluade still blows me away with the St Peter
song. I'm going to have to find it when I get back.
Other Missionaries whose thoughts might be
added later
Yolande
Choo-Ying
Crystal
Guthrie
Annette Welton
(Henry) Tom Smith (NY)
Go back to a missionarie?!?