Jamaica Mission Trip #2 - "He is here. Thank you, Lord."

This Spring Break, a group of Seminarians from Saint John Paul II Seminary have the chance to serve with Mustard Seed Communities at Jacob’s Ladder, where over 150 disabled men and women reside. Here is the second installment where Connor Schmidt reflects what it is like to come back after two years to serve again.

HE IS HERE. THANK YOU, LORD.

These are the words that are displayed in every chapel where Mustard Seed Communities work. Returning to Jacob’s Ladder after two years for another mission trip, I was glad to remember this as I walked into the chapel at the center of the property.

He is here. Receiving a tour on Sunday of the property, I was reminded about the providence of God that had brought all that is here into fruition. Every building and material property had been generously donated and/or built by parishes and groups from the United States. We even got the chance to visit the new chicken coop; two years ago, our seminary mission group raised money to build it. We also spent time with the residents, who were excited to see us and hang out with us. At one of the pavilions, Elvis, a resident walked up to me with a big smile and told me how much he was happy to have me back with him, we spent some time being with each other for the rest of my visit in the pavilion. His presence truly is felt among this whole place.

Thank you, Lord. There are many obstacles to our ideal mission trip. One of them is limited access to the residents because of coronavirus precautions, as well as hurricane-like rain holding us back from doing our work outside. But we’ve used the time to increase our prayer as well as time spent in fraternity. 

    As I am sitting here in the kitchen of the mission house, my brothers around me are playing chess, chatting over coffee, cleaning the house, and singing “Roxanne” by the Police to guitars and ukuleles. As part of our newfound apostolate of prayer, we had all-night adoration last night, where pairs of men kept watch with Our Lord. We were interceding for the safety of Jacob’s Ladder and all Mustard Seed Communities during this heavy rain as well as for the safety of the residents and staff during this Coronavirus epidemic. 

    With challenges and newfound opportunities, seminarians are finding just how true it is for the Communities to say that The Lord truly is here, and how thankful we should be that He is present. We are excited to see how the rest of the week pans out, and for the Lord to show how much more deeply his love penetrates into our hearts and this mission at Jacob’s Ladder!