So... It's been a few days since I returned from my five and a half week mission trip in Kingston, Jamaica. It was both life changing and exciting as well as difficult to comprehend. Even now, writing this I'm not sure what to make of it. There were ups and downs, highs and lows; the people we met were unbelievably humble and thankful and beautiful. Even if we just sat and spoke with them, they showed a gratitude that I only wish I could exemplify. It was an unbelievable journey and I'm still in disbelief that I did it.
In St. Thomas Parish, Jamaica we visited a fresh water fountain where some people shower and wash their clothes.
While in Kingston, we worked at the Immaculate Conception High School & Prep School. In the beginning I struggled with the fact that we were working at the #1 school in all of Jamaica and felt that our help could have been utilized elsewhere. Later on in the trip though, I slowly became connected to each of the girls with which I worked. Being with the kindergarteners helped me realize how much I want to be a mother and have a big family. I was able to see so many different backgrounds and cultures within one setting for which I am forever grateful.
Lunch at Immaculate consisted mainly of singing and dancing rather than eating.
Each Wednesday, we volunteered for Missionaries of the Poor at the Bethlehem home and worked with children who are mentally and physically disabled. The first day was extremely difficult and overwhelming - we were automatically thrown into feeding and changing children without any instruction. By the second and third times though, we fell right into things with smiles and excitement for the next visit to come. The final visit was almost breathtaking - the boys were high-energy and bouncing off of the walls (some of them... literally). It felt as if I belonged there right in that moment with the boys at Bethlehem and it increased my passion for working with children.
Bob and Jeremy are "frenemies" at the Bethlehem home. Wherever they are, they bring energy... and trouble.
Every Saturday and the last four days of the trip, we worked at Jamaica National Children's Home (JNCH). The first two times I worked in Jamaica at JNCH, I never made a connection with any of the kids. Thankfully, during this visit, I connected with so many of the children there. Anthony, Lisa, Sanjay, Harmony, Roxanne, Jodi, and so many others touched my heart in a way unlike anyone else. The smiles on their faces each time we walked in were enough to let me know that we were helping them just as much as they were helping us. These children have gone through more in a few years than a lot of people have/will in a lifetime and even still, they are constantly smiling and holding onto hope of a better future.
(Unfortunately, photos are not allowed to be posted due to security purposes for the children at JNCH)
At the beginning of our third week in Jamaica, the Wortley Home for Girls - a nearby orphanage - burned down leaving 19 girls and 2 house mothers without a home. The Immaculate Conception Hostel opened its doors to all of them. Thankfully, it was during our week off and we were able to work with them all day everyday. We drew with them, made bracelets, and took them swimming. Many of the girls were unable to swim and being able to teach them how to do so was an amazing accomplishment for us and the girls. The hardest part about spending time with them was when they called us "mommy". It was overwhelming to realize that the love we gave to them that week and the following was more than some of them had received in a very long time, if ever. I am so thankful to have met these girls; they have all changed my views on many things in life. I now appreciate my family more than I ever have and I am extremely thankful for my education - some of the girls do not attend school and if they do, it is not a very good one. Being available to them for those two weeks was the most unexpected yet treasured moment of our trip. We truly were in the right place at the right time.
Throughout this journey, I was able to get closer to my faith than I ever have before. At the hostel we stayed in, there was a small chapel available for daily mass which we attended almost everyday. Even though it was a struggle to get up for the 6:45 a.m. masses 3 days a week, we did. I was able to become confident in who I am as a person, all flaws included. I realized what I deserve and what I don't; relationships I need and those from which I need to distance myself. I can finally understand that God's love is truly infinite and as vast as the ocean. A good friend of mine once said, "That's a shit ton of love". It's so true. I constantly battled with the fact that I wasn't enough or even lovable. I know God's always there for me no matter how far I stray, as long as I am present and ready. I hope each of you have the chance to find yourself and your faith like I have been blessed and able to do.
Up in the Blue Mountains, we purchase some (cheap) freshly picked coffee from a farmer himself.
During the one weekend we had off from work, we were fortunate enough to visit Port Antonio, Jamaica with a few priest friends of ours. It was an unbelievable weekend that I will always remember. The sky was blue, the sea was clear, and the company was wonderful. The relationships we made that weekend will last a lifetime and I am anxiously anticipating my next visit to Jamaica - especially Blue Lagoon!! It was great to spend a weekend on the beach relaxing and I am forever thankful for that tiny vacation.
We were lucky enough to meet Father Sam who introduced us to an entirely different culture of Jamaica.
Jamaicans are truly one of a kind people and I am thankful to forever call Kingston my home away from home. Although it was difficult to get used to the "island time" and thinking I was late when in reality I was early, the life I lived there was so easy-going, relaxed, and (mostly) stress-free. As cliché as it sounds, in the U.S., people are constantly running to what's next and no one ever truly lives in the moment. Jamaicans truly encompass what it means to live happily and patiently; no one is racing to be better than another - they are working together. Everything has become so competitive in this world and for once, it was astonishing to live in place so dedicated to helping each other out. I hope one day, we can all live together rather than against each other.
XO
