Post Celebration thoughts from Laura Doherty, Executive Director of MSC USA

Over the years I have heard many wonderful stories about the children, staff and volunteers – all of whom make up Mustard Seed Communities Nicaragua. The stories are joyful and inspiring. I experienced some of those stories firsthand upon visiting Nicaragua for the opening of Mustard Seed’s second home there, Hogar Belen – Diriamba.

Our children, Tatiana, Becker, Omar, Amilkar, Brayan, Moises (to name a few) are growing and thriving. They are happy and joyful and well loved by the staff that cares for them. The staff are loving and dedicated, welcoming all who come to Hogar Belen with open arms and smiles. The volunteers are hardworking and generous with their time, talent and treasure. Together they all make up the family that is Mustard Seed Communities Nicaragua.

The opening celebration of Hogar Belen – Dirimaba was a celebration of many things. A celebration of our children, staff, donors and volunteers; volunteers that were present, volunteers who have come to Hogar Belen over the years, and volunteers who have given so much of themselves to support our programs from back home – wherever their home may be.

It was a celebration of how far we have come and what we can achieve together through faith. From the times when frantic phone calls were made to raise money to keep the lights on at Hogar Belen to where we are today, moving forward to provide a caring home to more children who need us, all of us.

Many thanks to all,

Laura Doherty
Executive Director, MSC USA

Singing from the Children of MSC Nicaragua

The Children of Mustard Seed Communities Nicaragua, together with caregivers and their teachers, sang a song at the Opening and Dedication.

Becker Welcomes Guests to the Opening

Becker, one of the first residents at Hogar Belen - Managua, welcomed everyone to the Opening and Dedication of Hogar Belen - Diriamba.

Celebrating Success in Diriamba!!

While the Mustard Seed St Brigid's Mission team was preparing for the Opening Celebration in Diriamba this morning, the staff, children, & the Sewing Center volunteers at Hogar Belen were getting ready in Managua. To say that the children were excited would be an understatement, they were simply thrilled even though they probably did not understand what they were excited about! To be getting on an air conditioned tour bus and traveling for an hour is a real highlight for them. Moises insisted on putting on his dress shoes at around 5:45 am, over an hour before the planned departure! Violetta quickly corrected him in her loving yet firm manner. Little by little all was made ready and the buses departed almost on schedule. We were greeted by a banner stretched across the road; there was no mistaking that this was the place for the Celebration! The Missionaries were like one big family trying to finish all the final details before any big party... trying to welcome the early arrivals AND be ready in time for the delegation of board members and guests from all points beyond. Thanks to the awesome advance planning of Michelle Shines and her many, many helpers~ the entire day proceeded like clockwork. Every detail was thought out in advance; it was clear that all in attendance were very moved by all they heard and saw.

A particular high point of the day was the opening comments of Becker Zamora. Anyone who has seen this young boy grow up at Hogar Belen felt so proud of him during this moment in the spotlight! He was so proud to be the "poster boy" on todays program!!! (see photo) Another glorious moment was when Tatiana cut the ribbon at the doorway signifying the grand opening to the new orphanage. The Mustard Seed children then came out and sang their own special song to the guests.

Our Nicaraguan community neighbors also treated us with children dancing their native folklorica dances and then a Nicaraguan version of "Grease Lighting" which brought laughter to everyone present!

Our special delight, in addition to the Opening of Diriamba, was the celebration today of the graduation of 11 Sewing Center students and 20 Cooking Students. Their presence added so much to the program!

We celebrated positive changes and new beginnings for many of our friends here in Nicaragua. And after the lunches were served and the tours of the new dorms and kitchen were given we celebrated together a mass of thanksgiving to our Great God who has brought us together! Co-Celebrants included Father Gregory Ramkissoon (founder of Mustard Seed), Archbishop of Jamaica, most reverend Donald Reese, Deacon Leo of St. Brigid in Atlanta, and Father Rafael Bermudez.

Thanks to all for following this blog ... I am certain that there will be many more posts and comments to come!!!

Estaba un Buen Dia!!
Diane, Janet, Donna & Howie

Father Gregory & Delegates tour Sewing Center & La Chureca Dump

Today was a busy day at the Centro de Costura (Sewing Center).... It was buzzing w/ activity as perhaps 30-40 ladies were cooking and sewing in eager anticipation of the festivities planned for tomorrow at Diriamba. As we arrived we found out that their "borrowed mixer" was not working .... and we surprised them w/ a new KitchenAid Mixer brought in from the United States ... Their eyes lit up as they opened the box to find a brand new Red Mixer! Timing is everything. With the new mixer they were able to finish making hundreds of pasteles (small Nicaraguan pastries filled w/ sweet cheese and pineapple).

Father Gregory soon arrived with his delegation from Jamaica and the U.S.A. .... After a brief tour of the facility and narrative given by Diane & Janet they proceeded to caravan over to La Chureca. Rice & beans and other miscellaneous food products were distributed to the families at the health clinic location inside the dump. Christ in the Garbage ministries provides this service once a month. The delegates were given a bus tour through the garbage dump witnessing the abject poverty. Homes constructed of sheet metal and cardboard and families rummaging through the garbage for recyclables and food w/ burning debris filling the air was witnesses by all.

The "Sewing Sisters" returned to Hogar Belen to play in the ball field w/ the children, playing tag, football, and climbing on backs to play horsie..... ahhh.... what a fun way to release the sadness of the dump. Laughter renews the soul!

The children are snug in their beds but they are all so anxious for the morning to dawn. Clothes are pressed and layed ready ..... shoes polished and baths will begin predawn. I can't imagine getting this family ready for the special occasion.... we will be VERY busy tomorrow AM......
Janet, Diane, Donna, & Howie too! (our sewing bro!)

We have painted, painted, painted, ate lunch, painted, painted, painted, and painted some more. It´s looking very good at Hogar Belen - Diriamba! I wish I could add some pictures at this time, but we had to take a 3-wheel cab into town to post a blog.
(Here is a photo ~compliments of a friend)
All are healthy and working hard. Everyone has gotten to know each other very well after a few days. Lots of good stories and tears. Daphne is keeping us in line, Susan is doing a banner job with our reflection and Beth is leading the "crying game". We are exceptionally grateful for the opportunity to come to Diriamba and serve.

Gotta go and get back to the property. Lots to be done before the big "grand opening" on Friday.
Lots of love and "hasta manana"

Mark

It is always wonderful coming back to Nicaragua! We went to Diriamba late yesterday and the mission house is a beautiful, bright blue and yellow! The land is cleared all the way to the back of the property, the cement fence is up and gorgeous, and there is running water! There were children running around and ready to greet us. Brayan looks like he is having a great time there. We had dinner with the St. Brigid mission group last night. It is really fun finally getting to meet some of the people that I have heard so much about for so many years and to hear their stories about the journey and adventures they've had while building Hogar Belen Managua and Diriamba and the Sewing Center.

We are staying at Hogar Belen with the Sewing Center group-taking walks and eating meals together. Manuel is walking with a little assistance (although I don't think he needs it), Kevin is still spinning on the wheel chair wheel, I fed Gabriel two full bottles of milk this morning, Elvira looks great and has that huge smile on her face, and Omar lays down until he sees someone who will play. There is a new child here, Fernando, who helped with preparing some of the things for the dedication and accompanied us on our walk. Susana is still cooking up a storm and Violeta is running around all day. The rooster is still singing in the middle of the night...all is well at Hogar Belen.

Seeing all the folks coming down here for the dedication and hearing their stories makes me realize that so much love has gone into this MSC apostolate. Feeling very blessed to have been a part of it.

-Kathy Regalado