DaKids Speak…

I like it because it's fun and the nuns are nice to us. In the summer sometimes they call the ice cream truck and we get ice cream. We play, learn stuff, and watch movies.

Love,
Marilyn, 8 years old

Hi my name is Aylin the nuns house is very fun and makes good food. Also, on Wednesdays, we have tutoring and my teacher is Ms. P. I learn a lot from her!

9 years of age

Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry is something that I hold very dear to me. A young adolescent in a new community I came to know and became part of the initial process of bridging the gap between the Mustard Seed and migrants. Little did I know my family would grow into a larger family in the very first year in Goshen, as it was for the Danuns. And for the next four years I shared, experienced and grew as a young man with countless of generous and caring people. Either while leading a group of kids for a hike, playing basketball with fellow peers or discussing architecture w/ a tutor: hope and compassion were constant and enduring qualities within each character. Surrounded by despair at times MSMM was always a light of possibility and growth for any individual. I became a brother, a friend, a mentor, a student and most importantly a kid once again. A new ambition that expanded and encouraged our community; confidence to simply give, listen and accept became our approach. Enforcing our already strong will to better ourselves. Cultivating our knowledge and to extend it to larger and larger dreams and capabilities. Nurturing our understanding of others, to others, through others in compassion. Thank you. To all who have shared, experienced and given to this wonderful ministry. I thank you. That with this great community I open my eyes. There were no more ‘what ifs.’ My circumstance was just that. Just as many other individuals in different situations but there was only one direction. To progress.

Living in a world where influence is vital, i am fortunate to say that MSMM has helped me greatly. Over the years Da Nuns have seen me grow and help guide me to become responsible, mature, dedicated, and independent. I have been assisting at Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry since i was 5 years old. Not only has this been a fun and safe place for me to attend, but it has also helped to meet new people. As a child of a migrant farmworker i would not get out at all. My obligation's at home were to take care of my younger brother and clean. Going to Da Nuns house was a place where i could just be a kid, I was fed, played with my friends, made crafts, and swam in the pool. There were no worries just entertainment. I am very thankful for the people who have donated money to our ministry, we would not be the same without you.

-Karen
17 Years of Age

There are so many things i would love to say about MSMM but I don't know where to start. I been coming to the mustard seed migrant ministry ever since i was 5 years old. And i am still attending the nuns house at 17 years old. Throughout the years that i have been coming to their house i have learned many things. Sister Pam and Fran have not only helped me out when I'm in need but they have also influenced me in a number of ways which has helped me grow and become more independent. Like my friend Karen has said not only has MSMM been a fun place to go it has also helped me meet many kids who are in the same situation as I am. I highly believe that if it weren't for them I would have never met the wonderful friends that I have now. Coming from a latino family and being the youngest of 6 kids I was obligated to go to school and come straight home and do chores. But at the nuns house I was able to forget about everything and be a kid for once and have a childhood. I was able to learn how to swim at a young age and just live life as a normal kid. I feel that MSMM in a way has influenced many of its kids in a number of ways to better them selves. AS the years go on i just wish the rest of the kids who go through there home can get influenced the way I did and tell their children about the fun they had at the nuns house. When ever i had a problem I could go to the nuns for help and continue to do so. I have a lot of love for them and always will. I would like to thank all the people especially Father Boland who help make it possible for us kids to have a great home outside of home. Thank you for your time, donations, and patience. I highly agree that if it weren't for the donations of kind people MSMM would not be where it is now. Thank you very much once again.

Yours truly,
Zenia
17 years old

Spaghetti, birthdays, and swimming… I was only 8 when my family was fortunate to meet these incredible women that brought so much joy and smiles into our lives. I was that one little girl making food for my siblings that were not old enough to work with the rest of the family. I was that little girl that stayed at home to “help” with the chores. I was that little girl that could have lost her childhood.

Fortunately, Mustard Seed entered my family’s life and completely rejuvenated our wellbeing. This amazing ministry, in reality, opened my eyes to the many possibilities of life. I was introduced to travel, cultures, and music, all intertwined with fun. Being a child at Mustard Seed gave us so many opportunities and life learned lessons. For that, I am truly grateful for all their hard work and true compassion to do something that they believed in. I was able to enjoy my childhood and flourish into an independent, educated, and strong woman in this world. And to think that I am only one of the hearts that they have touched….

Gracias por todo,
Brenda
25 years old
(1st grade bilingual school teacher)

I was eight years-old, but I can still remember the feeling of unhappiness when I was told that we (my family and I) would no longer be migrating to the state of New York. My sadness was a direct result of detachment from two women that I had come to grow and love in Goshen, New York.

Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry had for four years played a stable, positive, and fun role in my life. It was a place where I could simply smile and share my youthful energy with other children. I was grateful to have Da Nuns in my upbringing, even if it was temporarily, and for providing a location for migrant children to be just that—children.

Clearly, as any migratory lifestyle would entail, we moved, and lost touch (we were also children, what do you expect?). It was, therefore, not until my years as an undergraduate at NYU when my sister and I went on a search to find these nuns, which had previously touched our lives in numerous ways. Once we found the ministry again, we were not surprised to know that MSMM still exists and continues to flourish.

Catching up ten years worth of stories was not hard to do, because it seemed as though we had never left. Sister Fran and Sister Pam still display the same charismatic and compassionate characteristics that I have always been inspired by. That is why it is crucial for me to thank them AND the numerous people that have helped out Mustard Seed behind the scenes. Without your work and effort, the migrant children that have across the ministry would not be nearly as hopeful, confident, and ambitious.

Thank you again for your many words of wisdom and innumerable acts of kindness.

-Edith Xóchitl, 22 years of age

I decided to look at your Web Site after reading Edith's letter. Now I am a bit misty eyed after reading these beautiful letters. Mustard Seed is a blessing to so many people and I, too,am lucky to be able to call DaNuns my friends…My prayers and wishes for a great summer for all of you-especially the blessings of water-refreshing and life-giving, in your new pool. Love, Mary Jane, RDC

Oh do I remember this wonderful group of NUNS. I was with them when they first started and was the Nurse Practitioner in the Goshen Clinic. Faith, humor, "belief" in the impossible all fell into place. Why? Because this was a faith filled ministry of joy and GOOD FOOD. Oh how pleased I am to see these notes from "dakids" You are part of the fabric of my life…..always. Marilyn

I love the nuns they make it so fun and when we sleepover we have so much. I love the pool because we have a nice time and our theme is WE ARE THE ONE FAMILY.