Today was the last full day here in Jamaica. It’s a bitter sweet day for the team as we
reflect and can’t believe that our time in Jamaica has slipped past us so
quickly. Luckily we were able to all
board the bus this morning after the stomach flu took a few of our team hostage
yesterday. We were off to the
beach! While on the surface, this may
seem like just like any other vacation day in the Caribbean but, I assure you
this is a day of decompression after a physically & mentally draining
week. We use this day to casually
discuss our experiences over the past week.
This helps us process our thoughts and feelings and prepares us for
what’s known as re-entry…coming back to the “real world”. We
also make sure we have some good fun while we are at it!
While reflecting on the week, these are some of the things
that came to mind:
So it’s no secret to the team that I attended St. Joseph’s
Preparatory School, an all boys Jesuit school located in North
Philadelphia. There are two mottos that
I took with me and try to incorporate into my daily life. The first is “Men for Others”. This is to be taken in the most literal and
self-explanatory way. The second is “Live
the Fourth”. This is a saying from the
four day retreat called Kairos and it means to take what you have learned and
experienced in those four days and let it mold who you are and who you will
become. When applied to a trip to
Mustard Seed Jamaica, it means that while what you do during your week in
Jamaica is important, it is crucial to carry it forward for the other 51
weeks of the year.
Natalia presented us with a challenge to double our
team size for next year. What better way
to do that than spreading the story of Mustard Seed Jamaica? This is how I feel called to “Live the Fourth”. I challenge the team to do the same, as well
our readers. Yes this means you! Most likely someone related to the team
shared this link with you. They are returning
from Jamaica tomorrow and want to tell you all about it. Ask them why they went. Ask them to see pictures. Ask them to share their experience with you. Ask them what it was like to have their whole
perspective on life change in one week. Ask
them about the child that had the strongest impact on them. Most importantly, ask them how you can be
involved. Ask them how you can have the
same experience.
I leave you with one last quote from Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon which I believe summarizes the difference each person can make if they are willing. “We must believe in the smallest little
action, that’s going to love these children, that that action can explode into
a lifetime of love.”
- Kevin (8th Year)
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