Blessings
The Lay Missionaries are safely home! Praise the Lord!
Our two weeks in Kingston helping the Missionaries of the Poor, care for 600+ physically and mentally impaired, homeless elderly, abandoned children, street people, poorest of poor residents (as it was last year during our visit), was spiritually enriching, seeing in their eyes the eyes of Our Lord looking right back into our own eyes, thanking us for ‘taking care of Him’! Joyful service with Christ Crucified. Sharing daily in a life of prayer and contemplation, common fellowship with the brothers in community, a life of active ministry to the homeless and the destitute, a life of service to the Christian Churches.
Marie, Lynne Donnelly and I are so blessed to have this opportunity as Lay Missionaries, always a life changing experience that forever enkindles within us, the call to ‘Be His Heart on earth’. His unconditional Love is known in Kingston, Jamaica! May the Sacred Heart of Jesus Be Loved Everywhere. Now and Forever.
In whatever way, great or small,
that we can touch someone's heart with even a little bit of love,
we are all being Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
(Fr. Ray Diesbourg, MSC/Provincial)
The stories are many, and we’ll share them in another email. For now, those who remember Jason, he continues to need so many prayers. His megablastoma has grown, encompassing more of his facial area, and now, Jason is also experiencing pain. His seizures are more frequent. With a new supply of medications from our generous donations, the Brothers will be able to help control Jasons seizures. We were able to bring new supplies of Dilantin and Phenobarbitone, Praise the Lord! I was so happy that all of the medications, Influenza vaccines, Tdap, and other medications, arrived safely to Kingston, and passed all customs. Another blessing! Prints (8X10) of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart are now, hanging in each of the apostolates…the Brothers and residents love her so much and have great devotion to the Our Lady. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is truly with us every moment.
Our first week was sunny and temperatures in the high 80’s low 90’s- humidity was greatly felt and the mosquitoes left their ‘sting’ and itch everywhere! Our 2nd week brought the uninvited quest, ‘Hurricane Sandy’! All power was off the entire week, no way to communicate with the outside, no way to charge any cell phones. ‘Sandy’ made a mess of all of Eastern Jamaica, as well as at each of the 5 apostolates. Street people living in shakes lost the what little shelter they called a ‘home’. Clean up is ongoing now, even the day we left, October 28th, much work will continue for some time. Our departure was another experience, as we could only get flights to Miami in the USA. Marie and I rented a car, and began the 22 hour trip back to BWI in Maryland, where we had left my car. Taking little shifts to nap while the other drove, brought us into Maryland along with that pest ‘Sandy’ hovering over us! In spite of her great strength, by the graces of Our Lord, protection of St. Michael, and your faithful prayers for us, we arrived safely home, Monday night around 7pm.
Until another time, it is great to be home….but part of our love remains in Kingston, Jamaica ‘The call to serve the poor is an invitation to Happiness’!
Thank you all again for your prayers, you were also touching the lives of many, with us working within our hearts as well as the people of Kingston love you and thank you!
One in His Heartbeat,
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