A special relationship

Happy Halloween from Jamaica!

Christina: After a great breakfast of pancakes & fresh scrambled eggs we had morning prayers with the residence of Jacobs Ladder (JL). Morning prayers at JL is unlike anywhere else at MSC. The residence here are older than what we are used to and they are severely mentally and physically disabled.

Francesco: Michael is one of the residents who can actually communicate with me (somewhat). He rubs his belly and will say "full" to let you know he just ate. His voice is deep, yet friendly. Michael likes to watch us work and help out. He seems happy to have us here and isn't shy to jump in and help out.

Christina: I first met Michael at My Father's House 5 years ago, on my first service trip. He is very affectionate and loves to sing praise to God. He loves to give hugs and always wants me near him. If I try to say hello to another resident he'll quickly pull me back to stay with him. He blows air kisses to me too.

Francesco: Michael even tries to kiss me!!! He'll pucker his lips up real strong and tight and blow me an air kiss. Man, if that happened back home I don't know what I would do!!!...but here I play along and blow a kiss back because these kids are coming from a fun loving place. They are so innocent. They don't have as much as us but they are so happy.

Christina: Spending more time with the people at JL makes me think of my sister who is a special education teacher. She tells me stories of her students and the difficulties she has during her workday. I commend the caregivers here who work so hard to take care of these residents. They feed them, bath them, praise with them, chase after them and so much more. Most of all they show them love and patience. What a lesson that is to me!

Francesco: While mixing concrete with Andrew, Michael came alongside me with an empty wheelchair and motioned for me to get in. He took me for a ride to the area where we were mixing concrete and I began to work. When I looked back I saw him sleeping in the chair like he just had a long night of partying. It was pretty cool that he wanted to push me around before taking his afternoon nap. He doesn't have anything to give me like food or a cup of coffee like a friend back home would offer me if I was at their home...so instead, he offered me a ride in a wheelchair to show me love. He's a really cool guy.

Christina: JL wasn't the first place I would have chosen to come to but now that I'm here I don't want to be anywhere else. JL is magical and lots of things are going on here. After a long day of the team working on painting the missions house, cleaning the area around the well and making new stairs, a rainbow appeared over the mountains. I think that was God's way of saying He is pleased with what we are doing here. I'm happy and so very proud to say we are a part of the JL team.