We Had No Idea

Our journey as missionaries began in the early days of July 2005 when our family arrived in Kingston, Jamaica. Just a few sleeps in, a hurricane barreled its way toward the island. Stuart and I anticipated a week of training and orientation in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, what we got were hammers and nails to board up the children’s home. A night of 100 mph winds shook more than the palm branches off the trees and the shingles off the roof.

Our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

As mudslides delayed our departure to our children’s home in Christiana, we kept company with the dozens of children, dedicated staff, young missionary associates, as well as veteran cross-cultural servants at the City of Refuge Children’s Home (with the added bonus of no electricity or hot water). Our daily ritual consisted of peering over our mountain vista to measure the progress of the work trucks as they made their way up washed-out roads and nature-made mud barriers.

Finally freed one mid-afternoon, we began our two and ½ hour turned five-hour trek to the center of the island to greet our children at New Vision Children’s Home. Arriving bleary-eyed and a bit shell-shocked, our small staff greeted us surrounded by a smattering of pajama-clad children and teenagers with a battery of inquiries. Our minds whirred from all the recent events and our newfound responsibilities. We desperately needed a good night’s sleep; more than we realized. In just a few days, another hurricane would hit the island.

Seriously, our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

We had no idea that in the next few years we’d face island-wide flooding that would close down schools and businesses, hear heart-rending stories of those we cared for, manage a chicken pox outbreak that would keep us knee-deep in Calamine lotion, and hunker down for a few (a lot) more hurricanes (all with the added bonus of intermittent electricity, water, and internet). And that’s just Jamaica.

But hear me now: that’s not the end of the story. That’s not all we faced. That’s not all we got. We also got an ear-full of laughter and a face-full of smiles. We got stories for days and friends for a lifetime. We got buckets of hope and oceans of love. And we got food, people. We got really good food.

Long ago when our journey began, our little family had no idea what we got ourselves into.

But we’re sure glad we did.

From Whom All Blessings Flow/Shawn Small Stories

I am a guest writer today over at Shawn Small Stories. Stuart and I met Shawn while serving as directors of New Vision Children's Home in Jamaica. Shawn has also written some marvelous books like The Via Crucis and The Via Advent that I personally enjoyed and highly recommend. So click on over to Shawn Small Stories for some adventure and wonder!

Burkesville, KY . . . aka, somewhere without snow

Itineration is a busy time of travel and fundraising for missionaries, but we are thankful for the opportunities to reconnect with friends and partners in ministry.

This weekend we enjoyed the hospitality of Owen and Elise Kieffer at The Old Coe House Bed & Breakfast, while we were in Burkesville, KY for a service at Living Word Ministries.

Stuart and I have known Pastor Dana and Jennifer Coverstone and family (Keilah, Micah, & Hannah) since the dawn of time.

Just kidding.

But we shared some wild and wonderful memories when they ministered at our children's home in Jamaica. 

See the video below on how to really tell the story of the mad-man of the Gaderenes so that your kids never forget it.

Alas, our service yesterday did not feature pigs, but it was wonderful all the same.

After I preached, Pastor Dana asked the children and youth to come around Stuart and I and pray for us.
(I'll post a pic as soon as I get it)
I believe this sends a powerful message to our younger generation that God uses and calls our kids and youth at any age.

If you are ever in Burkesville, KY make sure you stay at The Old Coe House Bed & Breakfast (Stuart says they have the best waffles and blueberries) and visit Living Word Ministries (say hi to Pastor Dana for us).
It'll be a weekend you'll never forget!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Cross-Cultural Christmas

Our family has celebrated Christmas in three foreign cultures since leaving the United States in 2005. Explore our Christmas adventures on Tortilla Press . . .  Posadas, Piñatas, and Noche Buena

A Father's Love

Brianna's engaging smile belied the fact that she trusted no-one, especially adults. A quiet, teen-aged girl her physical scars told a story she never spoke of and her emotional scars hindered her from embracing close friendships. Regardless, Stuart and I cared deeply for Brianna and sought to buff away the hardness that encased her young life . . . Read the rest of the story on Tortilla Press.

Lasting Impressions

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.