Today we had another early start with a picturesque drive
down the mountains from our quarters at Sophie’s Place. It then continued through
the hustle and bustle of workday traffic in downtown Kingston to Spanish Town.
There we went to work on a project at Jerusalem!, which is the largest
community amongst the Mustard Seed homes. Our team project was tiling a path
that had been widened by us the previous day to allow for wheelchairs. This
path was tiled with many different leftover tiles that probably would have
ended up in a landfill back home. Here everything has a purpose and with these “repurposed”
tiles we more a less put a puzzle together to create a beautiful mosaic path.
Our day continued with lunchtime
prayer in the chapel led by a 15 year old girl beyond her years, from their Dare
to Care program which cares for those living with HIV. This was followed by a
great lunch of whole tilapia, which are raised in a pond on the grounds of
Jerusalem, Jamaican rice and peas, and slaw.
The 2nd half our day was
spent at Mary’s Child which is a favorite amongst many who have been on the trip
before. This is where we get to hold the babiesJ.
There are currently 6 babies and 12
girls/moms- to -be at this home. This is the only home of its kind in Jamaica.
The girls here are very young and have very unfortunately been a victim of rape
or incest or have been thrown out of their parent’s home. Mary’s Child takes
these girls in, helps them with motherhood and teaches them skills such as
sewing, cooking, or cosmetology to help them get jobs. While it is sad to see
the circumstances in which they came here it is nice to see that they have a
place to go where they are cared for and taught to be nurturing mothers to
their little ones.
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Suzanne (5th Year)
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