A new "way of seeing"

Tomorrow we leave for Jamaica and I am torn. On the one hand, I want to be completely open to the experience and not have any expectations. I want to be expectant, but let go of my expectations. On the other hand, I certainly have expectations. Mostly, I am praying that my perspective will be changed by my time in Jamaica—my perspective on the poor, the world, God, myself. In short, I am hoping for a new “way of seeing.” Perhaps it’s my recent reading of Julian of Norwich and her emphasis that we must learn to see as God sees. Reading Julian called to mind something John Cusick often said when I heard him preach in Chicago—that we sin because we don’t see ourselves the way God sees us. John and Julian both agree that God’s way of seeing is love. I’m hoping my time in Jamaica will “open my eyes” to this way of seeing. This is my expectation, but who knows what God has in store for me, for us, for Mustard Seed? We’ll have to wait and “see.”

-Douglas Leal

A deep breath and then a release

It will be a matter of days and hours before our plane touches down in Jamaica. Our last meeting before the trip was a mixture of prayer, smiles and laughs. Some of us are concerned about being open to being a vessel for the work of God. Others are trying not to have expectations. We're all excited that one week from today we'll be sitting in Mustard Seed Communities.

With semester break peeking around the corner we are now kicking into high gear for our academics as well as our trip. Two of our members are completing the first draft of their thesis and others of us are preparing papers that are due this week.

Tonight, we discussed what emotions, smells and sights we will encounter as we touchdown in Montego Bay. Words such as community, cacophony, release, interesting smells and excitement rose during our conversation.

Having only known each other for a short while it will be interesting to see how our relationships develop in the next two weeks.

Logistics are planned out with drivers to and from the airport assigned. We are packing our things and gathering items such as sunscreen, bug spray, medications and water bottles.

We have a sending forth liturgy planned for 12:15 p.m. Tues. at the Holy Spirit Chapel at the STM.

It is hard to believe our trip is here after months of planning, fundraising and raising awareness.

We are unsure how the blogging will work at Blessed Assurance if it will work at all.
A running notebook(s) will be kept from each day and perhaps posted once we return.

Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts and kind words thus far. The most exciting part of our journey awaits.

Raising funds, awareness

The fundraiser was a success. Organizers estimated that 60 people came through the doors ready to donate, donate, donate. We raised just under $1,000 from Friday night's event that drew students, faculty, friends, and relatives.

We sold out of the homemade rum punch. The Jamaican food we served was devoured. And all-in-all folks stuck around and had fun.

Many of us on the team were surprised how successful we were pulling the two-hour event together. It was magical watching everyone in action.

Many of our silent auction items were sold. And folks seemed pleased with the items they walked away with.

We have our last formation meeting Sunday to talk about community. Wendy e-mailed us today and told us our project during our trip will be digging ditches and painting.

It is hard to believe that our trip is almost here.

Story from the BC Chronicle about the trip

Here is a story that ran in the Jan. 29 issue of the BC Chronicle. Please follow the link to view the rest of the story.

Planting the seeds
School of Theology and Ministry graduate student Wendy Samuel remembers the comments volunteers made to her during her work at the Mustard Seed Communities, a home for abandoned and disabled children in Jamaica.
Many adults looked past the children's twisted limbs and their impoverished backgrounds, she says, and instead saw Christ in the children whose parents abandoned them on park benches and in sugar cane fields. The experience was personally and spiritually inspiring, to say the least — and she's expecting more of the same.
Samuel will be leading a group of fellow STM students on a service immersion trip during spring break to Jamaica, where they will volunteer in the Mustard Seed Communities for a week.

The service trip, which begins Feb. 28, will be the first for STM, which opened last fall. It also will be a homecoming for Samuel and her husband, Nathaniel, since both volunteered and worked in the community for several years.

http://www.bc.edu/publications/chronicle/around-campus.html

Fundraiser party for Jamaica

An assortment of juices for a homemade rum punch and five cases of Red Stripe are ready to be consumed for our Jamaica fundraiser this Friday.

Gifts for the silent auction have been set aside and fliers as well as announcements have been made.

We're just hours from our big party. Team Jamaica decided early on in the planning process to have one big thing and one small thing to help raise funds and awareness for our trip.

Although we've received a good amount of funding from the School of Theology and Ministry we are still working on raising money.

We are in the midst of final preparations for our trip. We are getting our immunizations and prescriptions in order. We are putting aside our work pants, shorts and hats. We are entering into our meetings for prayer and logistics.

Our friends and classmates are excited for our party. They are talking up like it's the 'seen and be seen' of the STM. Yup.

If you are around the area Friday come celebrate with us. We are asking for $5 at the door and about the same for drinks alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

The party starts at 5p.m. at 129 Lake Street. Look for the two lions. Roarrrrrrrrr...

Where am I going?

Jamaica. Mustard Seed Communities. Where am I going?

If five years ago, even two years ago someone told me I would be going to Jamaica I would have jumped for joy! Going to a warm climate for a trip sounds like fun to me. This is my idea of vacation. For me when I think of Jamaica, I think of paradise. Lush, flowering plants with intoxicating aromas. So many shades of green that the eyes are overwhelmed by the intensity. There is an island native music that makes ones hips sway to a beat and beckon for one more dance in the warm air. I can imagine a happy couple embracing each other as the sun sets on the horizon. Maybe they even lock in a passionate kiss. Jamaica. Paradise.

If someone had told me I would be going to Jamaica for a service immersion trip to work with children at Mustard Seed Communities I would have laughed at them. If Jamaica is paradise, what will a service immersion trip be? How can it be Paradise? This couldn’t be further from the truth. Well, actually there are parallel truths. My trip to Jamaica will include seeing the vibrant colors, the plants and flowers. Except instead of being intoxicated by the aromas and smells I will be admiring them out of a spirit of thankfulness for God’s creation. The music I hear will inspire a rhythm and beat. Yet rather than dance the night away we will be dancing for the Lord of the dance. Will there be happiness and love? Yes, there will be love. Love for my neighbor. Love for the children. Yes, I think Jamaica will be filled with warm embraces as I laugh, live, and get to know my fellow Christian brothers and sisters at Mustard Seed Communities. The national motto of Jamaica is “Out of Many, One People”. The many different experiences, moments, facets, and people are Jamaica. They make this great island a paradise. Yes, indeed I am going to Jamaica.

- Michelle Kelley

Finding community, working toward a sacramental life

I have been reflecting on community lately having just got back from a five day retreat at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham.
Our prayer, fellowship, and the opening of our hearts and souls by the grace of God through the hospitality and faith of the monks made me realize how important it is to share our lives in God's love.

I am glad to have another community to share some of my journey with- first this BC mission trip, and second the Mustard Seed Community itself. I am glad that to know that we are holding each other in prayer, and have been getting to know each other.

I realize there are challenges also to community when my fears come up. I believe this is a good opportunity to grow, and to become more fully alive.

I know the sacramental life is critical in forming community. Sharing in liturgy and Eucharist is very important, and this helps us have the strength and confidence to truly open ourselves to God and one another.

I know I am better at theory than practice. And I hope and pray to have the trust and courage to practice this.

Another thought kicking around in my head is the hardship we will see not only in the handicaps of the children but also in the poverty of Jamaica. I believe this will also reveal my own spiritual poverty.

Blessings to y'all and look forward to seeing you soon.

Bill Gural