Room for one more!

We have debated the reason and purpose of our return trips to the states. In one sense it is supposed to be a time to relax, reframe, and recharge. In another sense, our relationships here are so critical that we really want to spend time with people and try to reconnect in spite of our time and mile apart. So, we pray that we are able to get the best of both worlds. Find time to recalibrate as well as reconnecting in relationships in such a way that it too helps us reframe and recharge. The challenge of trying to do both is that there is not enough time. So, this involves relaxing while at the same time being proactive in making time for relationships. Our calendar is quickly losing its flexibility as it fills up. Unfortunately, this means that many of you that we would love to have time connecting with, it will just not be possible during this visit. As we have had the opportunity to be in the states more than expected, we have tried to balance our time and use these opportunities to connect with different people. Anyways, please shoot us an email if you would like to have lunch, coffee, or just a quick chat.
Princeville - Through Easter
Roanoke - Through the 10th
Leo - 10th-12th
Princeville - 12-14
Roanoke - 15-16
Fly on the 16th.

We appreciate your love and support!

Arrived Safe!

We had a great day flying. Of course, flying with 3 little ones has its challenges, but all in all, it went well. Our first thing we did in the states after a good nights sleep was to take a trip to Walmart. Ugh. I don't even know what to think, but it is just so easy.

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

The kids at the school have an unbelievable knack for asking the same question over and over. Take that unique gift and times that by 50-100 and you get close to the number of times we have been asked about our "holiday." Ultimately, Drew could hold it in no longer. Maybe last Thursday or Friday, Drew explained to his class that he is flying to Illinois. That day, we had about 10 little kids asking 10x if we are flying to America. Well, that news got around and we affirmed our plans many more times. Then, every Monday morning they have an all school assembly at the flag pole for announcements and the national anthem. I happened to be watching the assembly this morning and as the announcements were finished, someone mentioned our trip. Drew had his opportunity and proceeded to explain to the vice-principal so she could explain to all the kids that "we are leaving on March 23 and flying back April 16." So, we had a few dozen more inquiries into our travel plans today. Anyways, Lord Willing we will be flying tomorrow. Please pray with us for a good day for the kids which means a good day for us!

Anticipation!

We are excited for our return trip to the states. Lord Willing, we will be flying to Chicago on the 23rd of March. Its coming fast and our kids have been talking about it since around Christmas. We told them about it way too early. We thought it would help with the pain of staying here for Christmas if we could tell them we were going home for Easter. Well, maybe it helped, but we haven't stopped hearing about it. And, to tell you the truth, we are excited as well. In December 2008, we were able to fly to Switzerland to visit Keri's sister. We had a great week with them, but we have not seen them since we left December 10th, 2008. We look forward to catching up. They have since had a baby and been transferred back to Chicago. So, we will be meeting our 1 year old niece for the first time and trying to make up for some lost time. We are praying for quality in the face of our lack of quantity.

Old Macdonald had a farm!

The story of the CCCD school farm.

As you may know, we have begun working on our school's farm with the students. We have not updated about it very much and so we thought we would tell the story.

Confession: We must confess some shame that many of our conversations revolve around pounds of cabbage harvested or piglets being saved rather than people being saved. But, right now it is what we believe we are supposed to be doing and so we press on.

In the beginning was a patch of brush. Along came some classes of kids and a tractor. This is our farm before it became a farm. I showed the kids what we are going to do and had the tractor come in with the plow. Here is the beginning of the hard work of clearing the land.

Here is the tractor clearing the land and the work progressing.

We wanted to put a fence in to protect it from the cows. We put the fence in and continued to clean the area.

The vegetables beginning to be planted. This is callaloo. It is like the equivalence of spinach in the states. It grows fast and gives good returns. A good place to start.

Here is a better picture of alot of the vegetables and a more mature picture of the farm.

A little better picture of some Callaloo.

Jamaicans love cabbage.

Because our farm just wasnt enough, we decided to expand. We got a call from the local agricultural extension office and they offered us 3lbs of carrot seeds. So, we then proceeded to plant an acre of carrots. We have been in the midst of a horrid drought and so our carrots have yet to germinate.

We are not only about the vegetables. After the vegetable farm got up and running, we turned our attention to the chickens. This project is well on its way. We are getting some new "pullets" soon and hope this project begins paying for itself.

Chickens are fun, but pigs are a blast. We have had a piglet mortality problem in our operation. So, after the chickens were rolling, the attention shifted to the pigs. In December, we had 2 full litters (23 piglets) die. As I am sure you agree, this is wrong. So, we did a little research and started improving some practices. Here is one of the sows (moms) posing for a picture.

This is her litter. She has 13 piglets. Here they are chilling out in a heated box. This is one of our improvements to the operation. All 13 piglets are living and now weaned. We have not lost one piglet from the last 3 litters after the first day. We have had 2 that were born sick, but after the first day we have improved our mortality rate 100%. Who doesnt love happy pigs?

In review, here is the before picture.

After

Thanks for checking out the story!

9 Months Old!

Daisha is 9 months old today. Some of it feels very fresh, some of it feels like an eternity ago, but none the less she is a constant reminder for us of His faithfulness. Here are some recent PICS!

Save the Daylight

I like Daylight Savings Time, but the Lord keeps calling me to its absence. After growing up in Illinois, I was sent to Indiana which was one of 3 states without DST. In 2005, Indiana adopted DST and we enjoyed 2 wonderful summers in which it didnt get dark until 9pm. But, alas, I was sent to Jamaica, which does not observe DST. So, here I am again, its 6:30pm and dark. I wonder what lesson I am supposed to be learning that I just cant get through my head. Enjoy springing forward! I guess that means those of you on EST will be passing us, and those of you in CST will be catching us. Off to the races!

Fancy Footwork

The deaf kids love to dance. I dont necessarily understand it, but God has built into them a rhythm and coordination that I have never known. It seems as if they are always dancing. Well, as influence has its way, dancing around our house has also become a regular activity. It comes in many different forms and generally involves slightly less grace than we witness in the deaf kids. But, it is just as enthusiastic and can sometimes make up for its lack of style in its dramatic, emotive overtones. Here is an example. This is Truitt doing his thing. It is a pretty mellow dance for a mellow song but has his signature conclusion for dramatic effect.

Cedarville University

Last week, we had a team visit from Cedarville University. I was impressed. We get lots of teams, but when it comes to college aged teams, they were above average. So, I went on their website to check out what they were all about. They had several characteristics that they highlighted, but "Christ-centered" was the first and I like their approach. The first line is particularly telling on an organizational level and a challenge on a personal level.

Cedarville is Christ-Centered

Our faith is not a label or a surface treatment, it is our lifeblood and permeates all aspects of the university, its programs and its people. Missions and ministry are integrated into every facet of the Cedarville experience.

• Unwavering commitment to the inerrancy and authority of Scripture
• Creationist approach to scientific research and study
• Required Bible minor a part of all academic programs
• Daily chapels with relevant biblical teaching and authentic praise
• Discipleship groups that provide opportunities for Bible study, mentoring, accountability, prayer, and open discussion
• Missions and study abroad opportunities that reach nearly every corner of the world

National Anthem

Check out the Jamaican National Anthem!

Eternal Father bless our land,
Guard us with Thy Mighty Hand,
Keep us free from evil powers,
Be our light through countless hours.
To our Leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

Teach us true respect for all,
Stir response to duty’s call, strengthen us the weak to cherish,
Give us vision lest we perish.
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father,
Grant true wisdom from above.
Justice, Truth be ours forever,
Jamaica, land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica land we love.

Is that not a beautiful prayer for a nation?

Sometimes as I look around and see the chasm between that prayer and reality I get confused. But, it doesnt take long to think of the prayers that I can speak beautifully one second and how my heart can pull out something wicked the next. It is not for lack of grace. So, maybe the answer for Jamaica and us is to accept the grace given and continually pursue repentance. To put action to the prayer and seek Him in the God honoring ways the anthem calls us to live.