Where is Home?

I'm a day late posting the blog for yesterday (Saturday), but I just couldn't manage to open the computer last night. I simply wanted to sit, enjoy some more time with a few members of the team, and reflect on what we just experienced.

The day we leave Jamaica is always difficult. We leave with mixed feelings because we are our best selves when we are there, serving God alongside the amazing people of Mustard Seed. But I know the whole team is eager to return home to share our stories and challenge ourselves to be those same best selves amid the pace and distraction of our "normal lives".

Our Saturday started with some time together around the breakfast table before we packed up and said goodbye. That simple joy- time together- is something I value so much about this week. Then we said goodbye to the kids at Sophie's Place and loaded the van one last time. On our way to the airport I sat in the back and just watched the team. I always enjoy seeing how the team changes during this week and how individuals grow. So I sat back and watched once again with a smile on my face knowing that every member of this team is so special and has answered a call that is not an easy one to answer. They all have taken the challenge to be the ones that change the world and I am absolutely sure they all will. How they will is going to be unique to each of them, but I know they have been touched by Mustard Seed and will touch others because of it.

After we got in the car to come home from the airport, it struck me that I was not an emotional wreck like I often am after this experience. It became clear that the emotions weren't as raw, and I wasn't overwhelmed to see NYC and be brought back to the pace and noise of the city. The why became clear right away. When something like this moves from being just an experience to being part of your life, you know it will never go away. Mustard Seed is now part of who I am and my time in Jamaica is a piece of my lifestyle that just is. I go, I come back...I go, I come back. And more than anything, I try to live what I see and feel every single day. It is just an experience if it is about the eight days that we are there. It changes to being part of your life when it moves beyond that.

Seven years ago, Mustard Seed and Kingston, Jamaica were new things to me. And now as I am about to renew my passport, I hesitate to get rid of the old one because each of the nine stamps of entry into Jamaica tell a story. Each trip has had a profound impact on my life. Each time I was there I changed. Each experience was alongside others that have gone on to have an impact on so many lives. And each mission opened my eyes to the stories of the caregivers, staff, and others that are the engine of Mustard Seed.

On the flight home yesterday, Andrew came up to me and asked me to go with him to the back of the plane. We spent the next half hour standing in the galley telling the flight crew about Mustard Seed and our work in Kingston. Everything was so fresh in my mind and the details just poured out of my mouth. And they stood there listening, crying, and sharing in the experience with us. One of the flight attendants grew up in Kingston and she shared with us her story of how she emigrated to America. As she talked, she suddenly looked up and told us that she could have been one of the kids we care for at MSC had one or two decisions made by her or her family in her life been different. That was so real and so raw, and it highlighted how necessary the work of MSC really is. Then one of the other flight attendants who was from Guyana asked if MSC would ever be in his home country as he told us about the needs there. What's startling is how many countries need the work of MSC. They need an organization that is willing to take a risk and make sure that no child is abandoned twice. That every human life is so precious and will be taken care of no matter what disability they have or what has happened in their life. That is the challenge of the faith we live- to tell these stories, make sure people's eyes are open, and to call people to action.

A new day has started for this team from Hoboken. Everyone that made the trip this year had been on our trip before. That means that all of them have moved from this being an experience to being part of their lives. They know what that means and they know what the challenge becomes for each of them. As we all spend the next few days reflecting and figuring out what our next steps are in our lives, I know that we will all look forward to going home. Yes, we may be "home" in Hoboken, but Kingston has truly become our other home. It is where our hearts feel full and we get to walk in Jesus' footsteps. We get to be witness to faith in action and join in that action. The question, not only for us but also for each of you reading this, is where do we go from here? What do we do with these stories? How do we take action?

I wish I had the answers. But honestly, I don't. I pray every single day that God will direct me to where I am supposed to be and what I am supposed to be doing. But if all of us keep our hearts open and allow ourselves to be moved by these stories and experiences, we will hear the call to action. And I am truly inspired and thankful for all of the people that have already responded to that call. To this team, I thank you for you. Each of you has touched my heart and inspired me with your humor, affection, compassion, and action. You are the change that I wish to see in the world.

Michael