Jesus likes us to share!

Paris and Drew

On our way home from church, Drew was sitting in the van by Paris, a little deaf girl who attends school with him at Knockpatrick. After arriving home, we were walking down the hall to our apartment and Drew was skipping with excitement. He showed us that he had a penny. He was ecstatic about his new found wealth and said that Paris had given him the money. The natural question is then, "did you beg that money off of Paris." I forget if I even got the question out of my mouth and Drew exclaimed, "I didnt even ask her for it." After a couple of seconds, he went on with the story as if he was adding the perfect conclusion. He simply stated, "I just explained to her that Jesus is happy when we share."

Haiti

We have been asked many times, "How has the situation in Haiti affected you in Jamaica." Well, there are multiple levels to the answer for that question.

1. In regards to Jamaica, the situation maybe has a little bit of an added significance to our Jamaican friends as they feel a certain kinship as neighbors. But, other than that, there has not been noticeable differences in everyday life.

2. Personally, Keri has a many close relationships in Haiti. She has taken multiple trips, she speaks the language, and a part of her heart has always been there. So, it has taken a very personal tone with her. Her closest Haitian friend, an adopted sister, has contacted all of her family and they are alive but have no place to live. They are from Leogane, which was close to the epicenter. We have been concerned for their situation.

3. Thirdly, the situation has caused an earthquake that has been tearing down the walls of selfishness and a lack of gratefulness in our lives. As I am sure you have as well, we have caught ourselves in the middle of a complaint with the reminder of the situation in Haiti. We repent of the fact that it takes a natural disaster in which millions of people have to suffer for us to have a paradigm shift. Really, it is no different than any other day at any other time of the year. There are reminders around us at all times, not just after an event like this that has received this level of publicity. Honestly, all over the world, children are still starving, orphans are going unadopted, little girls are still be trafficked, slaves are still working, etc. Lord forgive us of our blindness and Thank You for your mercy!

Truitt James (3 Years)

Daisha Leigh (6 months)

Wow, its not that I wished this day would never come, but lets just say that I have proceeded cautiously. I come from a family of boys. I did want a daughter, but the realities of such and adventure have made my knees shake on more than one occasion. So, here I am. Over the past 6 months and faithful to the old proverb, Daisha has been methodically wrapping me carefully around her finger. I think she fully understands the importance of having me within her full control. There is no doubt that mommy is #1. But, I think she saves a special smile for me and whips it out whenever she senses my weakness. So, here are a couple of her 6 month pics. I guess you can see that she doesnt have to work hard to get me wrapped around that finger.

P.S. - I can say with confidence that there is a time that I would have said that I would loathe the day that I am putting bows in my daughters hair. Well, things change. As you can see, its adorable on her bald head. A friend of ours makes these and does a great job. You can check out "Frills and Flowers" here!

Majority World

The other day I was listening to a message that referenced the "majority world." If you are wondering about the definition of the "majority world," my best guess is that it represents the lives of the majority of the people in the world. That being said, we are not a part of the "majority world." My thoughts began to consider examples and times in which I have seen the minority rule the majority. I know that these terms have become synonymous with other issues, but erase all of that for a moment, I am not referencing "peoples." Consider the consequences of times when the minority ruled the majority. What are the consequences? Then, my thoughts went to areas in my life in which I live as if I am the majority? Lastly, I wondered if I am being complicit in the problems that can be fostered when the minority rules the majority.

CSUN

It's team time. I have been there before, someone returns from a week on a work team and they are so excited to share the wonder of all their experiences. Its hard. Often, if you were not there, its hard to relate. But, at the same time, you have a real desire to affirm them and their exprience. Anyways, I understand that our reporting on workteams may be similar in nature, but they are significant enough that we feel like we need to post something about them.

Last week, we hosted a team from California State University-Northridge. This is the 3rd time we have had the opportunity to host a team from CSUN. Each year with this team, we have been challenged and thoroughly enjoyed the personality of the team. The team is from a deaf studies program. The team always has some deaf people and everyone can sign. They come to work in the classrooms and help the teachers. This year was no different. They did a great job, we learned a ton, and we are thankful for their service here. We are continually learning how little we know about deaf culture. As you know, we have had our fair share of struggles learning and contextualizing to Jamaican culture. At the same time, we have been trying to decipher and determine what cultural issues are Jamaican and which are deaf. This team has helped us immensely in understanding deaf culture. We have more and more been able to know how and what to do with the cultural issues. We are also learning how much more we have to learn. Its can be a struggle, but its a joy!

P.S. - They did give us T-Shirts and forced us to join in the picture. We still look like college kids right?

Approved

Our work permits expire February 17th. So, before Christmas, we made application for new work permits. We were approved. We are now good to stay in Jamaica until February of 2013. That does not mean we are staying until 2013, it just means that we will not need to be messing with visa/passport things for the foreseeable future. We have no idea what lies ahead, but it remains our earnest prayer that we walk in the lamp for our feet and light for our path.

Tashi

It wasnt so long ago that I wrote A POST ABOUT AN INTERVIEW that was held at our sending church of a deaf friend of ours who had just graduated from Taylor university. Tashi was a graduate of CCCD and decided to attend college in the states. A family from our home church, Leo Apostolic Church, hosted Tashi in their home. So, for a couple of years, Tashi was to us a girl who attended our church who we awkwardly waved at as we passed each other in church. Upon our call to come to CCCD, our relationship with Tashi began to change. 1. We began learning sign language 2. She knows everything we want to know about the culture we are working in 3. She is a really great girl. We have obviously since moved to Jamaica, Tashi has since graduated, and now we find ourselves in Jamaica together. This weekend, we traveled with a work team to Tashi's home church. Her family is a stalwart in the community and they are wonderful leaders. I captured a picture of Tashi and her mom. Last Sunday was her mom's 23rd wedding anniversary and that fact alone represents a wonderful testimony of God's faithfulness. Tashi now serves the deaf community in Jamaica. We appreciate Tashi and the work of the Lord through her life.

December Update

Christmas Pics posted here

December Jamaica Update 2009

At the risk of overwriting a summary of the past year or projections for the next, let me share a quick thought that came our way this week. What would it mean for our lives to “live to be forgotten so that Christ may be remembered.” We have found ourselves as full participants in this age of the shameless self-promotion of blogs, updates, and such and are now left checking our intentions. What does “He must increase, but I must decrease” mean for our everyday lives in 2010?

The conviction of the thought above makes us conclude that we have written enough. So, we will leave this update at that. We rejoice! Please hear our hearts, we are thankful upon thankful for your love, support and prayers. We had a nice Christmas and appreciated all the cards, notes, and pictures. Hallelujah!

Love,
Kirk, Keri, Drew, Truitt, and Daisha

New Years Eve Party

Right after I got done writing our "Happy New Years" post, I looked up at the kitchen table to see it laden with food. So, you may be wondering where the pictures are that show all of our friends coming over to enjoy the fruit of all of Keri's work. Well, this party was reserved only for best friends. The beauty of this party is that all of the food was just for us. Beautiful! What a joy! We stuffed ourselves with fruit and dip, homemade chips and salsa, little southwest wraps, shrimp, cheese dip, and some tea to aid in the digestion of it all. What a way to flip the calendar!