Progress

Today we worked at Jerusalem, a large Apostalate located in downtown Kingston.

After 4 days at Jacob's Ladder, getting to know the rural grounds and older residents at this place we have only briefly visited on past trips, pulling into Jerusalem was very much like coming home. Familiar places where we've worked in the past, smiling little faces that keep us coming back each year... Being there just felt right.

It's always fun to revisit the projects that our Hoboken Cares team has finished over the years. This is my 4th trip, and with this group I've knocked down damaged buildings and cleared debris from areas where new buildings now stand, spread tons of top soil so the kids now have grass to play on, painted buildings and created sidewalks and did lots of other little and big projects that simply needed to be done. The work is hard, and we love it. We love knowing we are making a difference in the kids' daily lives. We love that the caregivers and administrators consistently tell us that we are the best team, that they say they saved their most difficult projects for us, and that they always seem amazed when we finish the work ahead of schedule and ask for more. The praise is not necessary, but it is welcome after a hard day of physical labor.

What struck me today, as we visited the various areas of the Jerusalem Apostalate, was the progress that has been made by Mustard Seed over the past year, without us. There's a new "Play Room" there for the mentally and physically disabled children, complete with rubber flooring, educational toys, and lots of clean space to play. The youngest HIV Positive children have moved into the new Martha's House area, and seem happy and settled. The addition of an Early Childhood Center means that the children start organized learning earlier. There's a thriving vegetable garden where there was previously just an open field. Even the 900 chickens that are maintained for eggs and meat seemed heartier and healthier in their large chicken coup. And that's not to mention the progress and projects in the works at Jacob's Ladder and the other Apostalates.

The truth is that as hard as our team works while we are here in Jamaica, there are hundreds of Mustard Seed Communities' employees who work even harder when we are not. Their vision is one of self-sustainability, growth, premium care, and everlasting love, and watching that vision come to life is awe inspiring. Being part of that vision is a blessing that I will continue to thank God for it during the rest of the week, and every day until I can come back again.

Teri (Four Year Veteran)