This Year Is Different

Every year when the team leaves on the trip it rains. This year was different though - we escaped just in time to miss the snow. It was different and set the tone for this trip being different than any other.

After an early morning, quick trip to the airport, seamless check in and an overall uneventful flight, we arrived in Kingston. We piled 13 bags, plus 2 carry ons each, into the familiar white Mustard Seed van and set off on our journey, stopping only once for some delicious chicken and beef patties. Normally we'd be en route to Sophie's Place, but this year was different.

Up through the windy roads and down a long dirt path, we arrived at Jacob's Ladder. All veterans of this trip, we all have had the opportunity to see this community, which houses adults over 18 with disabilities, come further into being each year and have been nothing but impressed with it's progress.

After we settled into our beautiful new residences for the next few days, we exchanged pants for shorts and went on a tour of this truly majestic community. The chapel is taking shape - the two stories are getting built up, the tile is being laid on the floor, and we all paused a moment to feel the presence of God, while taking in the scenery of rolling hills that surround us. Next we moved on to tour the farm, picking up a few residents who were excited to join us on the tour. Chickens, pigs, cows and rabbits. The expansion plan to make this community self-sustaining is impressive. We walked over to the pond, past the huge greenhouses, all the while taking in the beautiful land around us.

After a long day we returned to our residences, to catch up, relax and journal. In the evening we reflected on our highs and lows of the day and also our hope for the trip. Mine was to be here, live here, experience life here, be open to the different and new experiences of this trip and simply live in the present.

While we have all been on this trip before we are challenged to live, not in the shadow of trips before or what awaits us back home, but to create new experiences here, to serve and be open to the challenges of this week.

~ Karin (Two Year Veteran)