Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression. ~Dr. Haim Ginott
I remember a field trip as a child to
Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The park offered us the opportunity to take home an impression of a dinosaur track providing we brought the Plaster of Paris for the mold. I recall the final mold being absurdly huge; then again, I was a scrawny little kid so my recollections may be tainted. How interesting though, that such a relatively insignificant act could leave such a lasting impression after so many years.
Stuart and I had the wonderful privilege of directing New Vision Children’s Home in Christiana, Jamaica for three years. During that relatively short amount of time, we hosted dozens of missions and medical teams, painted every building on our compound, finished the first floor of the new boys dorm (including a new kitchen and dining hall) and updated a few rooms in the old dorms. We built more than our fair share of retaining walls, a chicken coop, and a playground.
As wonderful and necessary as those projects were what really left an impression upon our hearts and minds were the children and staff at New Vision and the students at the Assemblies of God Bible College. We laughed at the birthday parties, shared the delight of Christmas, beamed with pride at graduations, cried with joy at salvations and baptisms, and grieved with those suffering from loss, rejection, and disappointment.
Life is short and I suppose all of us desire to leave a lasting impression to validate our existence and make a difference in our world. Some wish to build monuments or a name for themselves, but such things hold no importance for us. In the years to come, it will not be the buildings that we remember fondly but rather the people we shared life with in Jamaica: the teams that we connected with in ministry, the students that we taught, the children that we cared for, and the staff that we loved.
My dinosaur mold lasted for a few years until eventually it was broken and tossed away. That physical impression may be gone, but the memories of that day remain.
In Jamaica, we left no footprints so to speak; no lasting physical impression as a reminder of our time there. However, every smile, every tear, every peal of laughter, prayer of thanks, and loving embrace we shared and received has left an indelible impression upon our hearts and minds.
Thank you for your continued support during this time of transition. We trust that the Lord guides our steps and we appreciate your partnership in spreading the gospel.
Please continue to pray for us as we learn Spanish, adjust to a new culture, and eagerly anticipate ministering to the orphans and students of Mexico.
