Twelve La Salle Academy students and four teachers journeyed to Kingston, Jamaica in mid-April to work with Mustard Seed Communities.

Mustard Seed was started in 1979 by Father Gregory Ramkissoon, in response to a growing epidemic on the island - the abandonment of children with special needs. Today, Mustard Seed provides a home for more than 300 children with a variety of mental and physical handicaps.

In addition, Mustard Seed has multiple homes on the island for young children who are HIV positive and have been orphaned, as well as a home for pregnant teenage girls who have been kicked out of their homes.

During the course of the week, Lasallians helped feed and care for the children, planted a garden that will help feed a home for 100 children and worked on an income-generating project with the teenage moms.

Below are reflections, written by our students, about their experiences, people they met, and life-lessons they learned.

I met a very special girl named Shoshanna at Dare to Care in Jerusalem.  She was 4 years old and had the biggest smile you ever did see.  She sat next to me in the chapel, promptly falling asleep on me right before the Eucharist.  Her neat little braids fell on my lap.  Shoshanna didn’t have a worry in the world in that moment, and neither did I. 

I remember so well carrying her back to school, this precious little child who trusted me from the moment we met. She had to go to school and our jobs that day took us elsewhere. I was so blessed to be able to see her again, only 2 days later. The most wonderful feeling in the world came over me when I found out that she remembered who I was. She gave me a tour, showing me her favorite spots in Jerusalem, which side of the tree has the best plums and which of the goats was with calf.  Unconditional love is the most fulfilling feeling one can have, and I will never stop feeling it for Shoshanna or any of the other wonderful individuals that I met on this trip.  

I was so thrilled and honored to have Shoshanna’s love for that time we were together.  There is no question that these kids gave us more than we could ever hope to give to them.  Jam 3 was an eye-opener and a blessing.  As we drove away from Jerusalem that last day, Shoshanna ran up along side the van and we waved to each other until we were out of sight. 

I suppose I didn’t really put together that she was HIV positive (as the kids at Dare to Care are) until that final moment.  It was a heart-breaking realization.  But I knew then more than ever that that I owe it to my friends, my family, and that little girl to show that same love to everyone I encounter in my life.

- Julia Harvey, Senior

Putting the most significant week of my life into words seems nearly impossible. That week in Jamaica consisted of friendship, trust, compassion, hard work and most importantly, love. The experiences I shared and the people I met will always have a place in my heart and are always consuming my thoughts.

Whenever times are tough, I always think back to the children at Sophie's Place who overcome hardships I can't even imagine but still have a smile on their faces everyday. I think back to the time I spent with a boy named Anthony who could not see or hear you, but could hold your hand for hours on end in complete trust.

I remember the boys of Matthew 25:40 who competitively swung at a piñata, only to share the candy amongst their many brothers. This is one of the numerous experiences that struck me the hardest, how children who have a fraction of what I have could share their treats with one another, when at home, I couldn't even give up the bigger half of the cookie. Scenes like those truly opened my eyes to see my life in a new light.

I am so incredibly blessed by simply having the ability to walk, a loving family, clothes on my back, food for dinner, running water and a school to attend. Being back in America has been a challenge and at times I feel lost. However it is my responsibility to spread their stories and lessons I have learned to everyone around me.

- Audrey Kivlehan, Sophomore   

My trip to Jamaica was an experience that will remain in my heart forever. I went with the hope of helping the children of the Mustard Seed Communities, but I left with the appreciation of knowing that the children were the ones that helped me. Everyone in Jamaica is very nice, welcoming, and appreciative. The people there value life, reach out to those in need, create happiness for themselves in even the simplest ways, and place God above all.

The people we came into contact with were the ones that truly made this experience one to cherish. Each morning I looked forward to feeding the children of Sophie's Place, playing soccer with the Dare to Care Kids, decorating crosses with the teenage girls at Mary's Child, praying with the children at My Father's House, or cheering on the children at Jerusalem on Sports Day.

I never wanted the days to end because I knew each night would bring me one step closer to returning home, but the truth was I felt like I was at home. For one week, Jamaica became my home. I was protected, loved, and cared for and I was able to protect, love, and care for the people around me, who became my family.

Throughout the week, I witnessed many moments that took my breath away and caused me to think about anyone besides myself. This trip was a life-changing experience and one that will remain in my heart forever. I am truly blessed and grateful to have been given the opportunity to be part of this wonderful journey of finding myself in the eyes of a fellow brother or sister of Jamaica.           

- Jacquelyn Desrosiers, Senior  

In Jamaica, I was amazed by the love, trust, and faith that all the kids had for each other, as well as for us. They were extremely appreciative, they thanked God for everything they had, and they loved our entire group even though they had only known us for one day. This made me think about how I handle things and my habits. I don’t usually open up to people so easily because I don’t want to be let down. However, these kids taught me a really valuable lesson.

If we go through life not loving and trusting people to our fullest potential, then what do we live for? Why would we keep ourselves from love? Love is one of the greatest gifts that God has given us, and I wasn’t allowing myself to truly embrace it. However, the kids I met at Mustard Seed love me so much and they barely know me. They knew I was going to hurt them in the end by leaving, but they still didn’t hold back. And even though I don’t know them well, I love them so much. So if they love me without holding back, then I am capable of loving others, no matter what happens in the end.                     

- Taylor Cherry, Junior

There are so many words to describe Jamaica: amazing, hopeful, eye-opening, reassuring…but one word that really sticks out is love. An example of this love was shown at a place called Matthew 25:40, which is a home for boys that are HIV+.

We brought a piñata for them to break open, and, of course, they had never seen one before so they were all excited to see what was inside. We lined them up shortest to tallest and one by one they hit it until the very last boy broke it open. When the candy flew everywhere, there was just a swarm of kids diving on the ground for candy and no sooner did they gather all the candy then they started stuffing their faces with it. Most of them couldn’t even finish all of it.

So, the most amazing part of the story is that they went out onto the street and started handing it out to the poor people on the streets. They barely had anything and yet gave away what little they had. That is agape (unconditional love) at its finest. This trip has been the best experience of my life so far. 
-    Tim O’Reilly, Junior

Jamaica was a week of emotion, love, happiness, friendship, and caring. The children at Sophie’s Place were some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met in my life. They truly touched my heart forever and always. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about them or how they are doing. I constantly remind myself of their love and happiness.

As much as I would like to think that I helped them, they helped me so much more. They taught me how to love unconditionally and how to open my heart to others. My week in Jamaica was filled with joy. Every morning I woke up happy, excited for what was to come. Each day was a new adventure. I never knew what was going to happen, but I was never disappointed.

I could have stayed there forever. Coming home has been extremely hard. Everywhere I look I see something that the children in Jamaica don’t have. I will never forget my experience and want to live everyday the way the Jamaican children would want me to. I want to make them proud.

- Janelle Rondeau, Junior

It made me realize what a gift and a privilege I was given with every moment I spent with the kids; stealing noses with TyTy, singing Nathaniel to sleep, gossiping with the girls at Mary's Child, and even getting bossed around by Monique, and the time I spent with the Mustard Seed staff; Owen telling us about his own kids and Leroy pointing out the rare 'Jamaican Deer' also known as goats. 

There are times where I would give absolutely anything to go back and have just one more night with the people I had grown to love. But I know I was given the opportunity to be a part of something truly special and good and something I will never forget.  I don't think I will ever be able to effectively enough thank everyone who held my hand for the past year before and especially after. To my friends and my family and my new family I found with my fellow missionaries, thank you and I love you all.
–    Gianna Gambardella, Senior

I left for Jamaica with feelings of uncertainty and home sickness, and returned with emotions of inspiration, gratitude, and appreciation. I experienced a metanoia, or change of heart, which I have never felt before.

The love from the Jamaican people, the children we spent every day with, my friends, my teachers, and my family all created and contributed to my change of heart. One thing I will never forget about Jamaica is the people.

Despite the poverty, the corruption, the violence, and the uncertainty, they remain faithful and appreciate the gifts that they were blessed with. They are so warm and comforting. Visit Jamaica and helping Mustard Seed allowed me to experience something I would never find in America. I returned a new person ready to tell about my experiences.

I hope to inspire others to go out and serve. This experience helped me to understand a different culture and a different perspective on life. This realization, when shared, will only create a new world full of hope, acceptance, and peace.

- Kirsten DeChristopher, Senior

Jamaica was truly an eye opening experience for me. I never could have guessed before Jamaica, the impact this trip would have on me after we returned to the United States.

Before, each and everyday I went through life preoccupied with the most insignificant things, but now I know better. I never knew how ignorant I was to global poverty; I knew it existed but I had never experienced true poverty.

In Jamaica the people are so faithful, and are thankful for things such as their fingers, toes, and living to see another day. A mission trip such as Jamaica could do everyone a world of good. In Jamaica we served God and the people, however I feel as though I learned more from them then I could have possibly contributed to their community. I am truly blessed, and because of Jamaica I will never forget that.

- Alex Randall, Sophomore