Jamaica, Part II.

Onward we must go!

Day 3
      Today, I worked at the Lord's Place with Caroline, Chrissy, Lizzie, and Adele.  I think this is the biggest home, since it has a side for elderly women and a side for HIV/AIDS patients. Once again, I was struck by how familiar all of the residents were.  They were ready to dance the minute we walked in, and Fr. Todd did a wonderful job of getting down with the ladies!  At one point, Caroline asked one of the girls why she looked so sad.  The girl told her that she was missing her mom and didn't know when she'd get to see her again.  As they talked, she told Caroline that she was 19 and had been at the Lord's Place for three years.  She hadn't seen her mother since she got there.  How heartbreaking is that? So many of us are quick to lash out at our moms or roll out eyes when we don't like what they have to say.  We don't think twice before saying something hurtful when caught in a disagreement.  Would your mom ever drop you off and leave you for, most probably, the rest of your life to live in a center full of mentally ill women? Yeah, I didn't think so.  I definitely took a few steps back and thought about everything my mom has ever done for me. Geez, I owe her so much! I could say thank you millions of times, and it still wouldn't feel sufficient.
      During lunch, we celebrated Brother Leo's birthday!  There was cake AND soda, which means this was a really, really big deal.  It was really cool to see what a birthday celebration is like for these guys.  They have a huge meal full of laughter just like we do, and they also give really nice speeches about the person celebrating their birthday.  Oh, and me and Caroline's favorite brother from last year recognized us! So exciting!!! In the afternoon, we fed the residents their yogurt (it will be a long time before I eat Yoplait again) and watched a movie with them.  When the work day was done, we were reunited with a very solemn group from Bethlehem, the children's home.  That morning, one of their residents had died, most likely from a seizure.  It just so happens, we found out later, that the girl's mother was coming to visit for the first time in six months that day. God works in such mysterious ways, doesn't he? While I found myself feeling somewhat sad for the girl and her family, I felt so happy for her because she is finally freed from her imperfect body and sitting right next to the man who loved her through it all!
      After we got home from working, I went with Chrissy and Maggie to watch some of the boys play futbol with the brothers.  We went to a local park, and since girls are not allowed to participate in games whatsoever with the brothers, we just sat and watched. We made a 12 year old friend who responded to every question with a "No, Miss," or "Yes, Miss," response. I truly hope he escapes the pull of the ghetto and is able to make something of himself! He gave us all gifts to bring back with us to America, and even though we couldn't bring the strange plants on the plane, I did manage to sneak home a few seeds. ;)

Soccer in the mountains.

      After returning from soccer, we went to evening prayer then had dinner together. I noticed then that we were slowly but surely becoming a family, even with Tim, Daniel, and Awet from Notre Dame. When working with MOP, you quickly realize there are very few people who will ever understand your experiences. Only the people in your group won't look at you like you're a crazy person once you get home! At dinner, we talking about the two martyrs.  In 2003, two brothers were shot and killed by a single bullet while doing the dishes.  Today, when the brothers tell the story, they smile the whole time. For us, it's hard to image being happy that someone is gone, but on their picture at every center the brothers have put their "Birthday in Heaven".  They realize how great a life those brothers are living now, and they were able to forgive the man who killed them.  They even helped out his wife financially when he himself was shot and killed! After hearing that, I realized that I need to work on forgiving people in my own life. It can be hard to forgive those who really hurt you, but holding grudges only holds you back.