Worlds Collide! A little more than a week back, I mentioned my cousins son received a new heart via a transplant. He is doing well, his body is still adjusting, but they continue to praise the Lord for His faithfulness in bringing healing. This idea of new hearts resonates with me. I know Jesus gives us a new heart. The old one is buried and our new heart leads us into new life. What an awesome picture! But, the realities of life sometimes tears new hearts apart. Oh, it feels like it gets sewn together again, but we also live with the reality that a little piece of it always feels broken. We know its whole, but it feels broken. This is the place for faith and hope. Allen and Susan Stoller wrote another brilliant post and it resonated with this idea. This post took me straight back to that marriage of joy and pain that is Jamaica in our lives.
From Sharing Hope with Hearts:
Our hearts have been ripped open and sewn together again many times. There are haunting images, and beautiful scenes and memories colliding like the traffic of Meganania Round. Never ending blue skies and dust. Beautiful flowers and garbage. The scent of mango and raw sewage in an open ditch. Magnificent architecture of the African Union and shanty-town squalor. Loving, sharing hearts and its total absence found in child trafficking and prostitution. The myriad contrasts are a force in shaping ones acceptance of diversity. If your world has to fit into a box of only one size and one color, Ethiopia will shake you till it hurts. But, if you can stretch your faith to allow God’s sovereign sway full control of yesterday and tomorrow, loving Him with all your heart today, will share hope with hearts.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Our camera is back!
I realize this is not earth shattering news, but we finally got our camera back. Through its warranty, it was sent off to be fixed. After a horrible customer service experience with the repair company and over a month of waiting, we got our camera back. We are used to very poor customer service in Jamaica, but when it happens in the states, it is so frustrating. No language barriers and no cultural barriers, it doesnt seem like it would be that difficult to conduct this transaction of fixing our camera, but so it goes. It seems to be fixed and so we are thankful for that. We will be putting up some more pictures again soon.
Monday, April 18, 2011
The coming King!
Hindsight is 20/20. We can watch the people of Jerusalem welcome a "coming King" with shouts of Hosanna. And, we know how they misunderstood the Kingdom in which Jesus was coming to reign. Lets stop this week and remember the Kingdom which Jesus was announcing. A Kingdom unlike anything the human mind could have conceived. A Kingdom in which:
* Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted.
* The sick are healed, lepers cleansed, the dead are raised, demons are cast out, and those who have freely received, freely give
* He rules in Mercy
* It is like a treasure/pearl worthy of selling everything, full sacrifice
* Debts are forgiven
* Redeemed prostitutes and tax collectors go before self-righteous religious people
And so much more. The list goes on and on. He announced His reign that is good, holy, right, just, merciful, and loving. And, it demands of us, everything!
* Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted.
* The sick are healed, lepers cleansed, the dead are raised, demons are cast out, and those who have freely received, freely give
* He rules in Mercy
* It is like a treasure/pearl worthy of selling everything, full sacrifice
* Debts are forgiven
* Redeemed prostitutes and tax collectors go before self-righteous religious people
And so much more. The list goes on and on. He announced His reign that is good, holy, right, just, merciful, and loving. And, it demands of us, everything!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Thoughts for Sons and Daughters
Allen and Susan Stoller are preparing for a move to Ethiopia to serve with Loving Shepherd Ministries. I have found their journey most interesting. Allen was our family dentist while we lived in Indiana. He and his wife have felt called to serve in Ethiopia. One of the many intriguing aspects of their story is that it is the reverse of many missionary stories, but the feelings are so similar. Typically, a young family leaves family and friends and moves to the mission field. Conversely, they are packing up and leaving their kids and grandchildren, and this struggle is just as evident. They share this through their own words in the very first post on their blog. Below is that post and I think you will be able to see their hearts passions. Wow!
Here is their blog:
Thoughts for Sons and Daughters
We are on the threshold of a new experience. All of us. And it gives us a peace to know you are willing to go there with us in your hearts. There are times when we think it unfair to ask you to make this sacrifice of separation along with us. We have been able to observe from each of your strengths–characteristics that will be points of emulation where we are going: keep it light, diligent duty, steady unshaken perseverance, faithful confidence, creative spark, and passionate loyalty in balance with exploring new horizons. We can only humbly trust that there are points of emulation from our strengths you will keep close to your hearts where you are now staying. There is a passion to pursue God we take with us and leave behind that will be our spiritual legacy. You know that we love God with all our soul, mind and strength so even if our love for you is just a little lower than that it will be alright. And it is right. You too can trust God in your passion for Him and in His leading of your lives. The ministry God has for you to bless His Kingdom may still seem to be around a foggy corner or it may be so visible that it is scary. We know He is an omnipotent God and it is our confidence that you know it too. That faith in you all and that faith in God’s loving provision for you all is sharing hope with our hearts. We love you, but when the times come when that is not enough–God will supply all the rest.
Here is their blog:
Thoughts for Sons and Daughters
We are on the threshold of a new experience. All of us. And it gives us a peace to know you are willing to go there with us in your hearts. There are times when we think it unfair to ask you to make this sacrifice of separation along with us. We have been able to observe from each of your strengths–characteristics that will be points of emulation where we are going: keep it light, diligent duty, steady unshaken perseverance, faithful confidence, creative spark, and passionate loyalty in balance with exploring new horizons. We can only humbly trust that there are points of emulation from our strengths you will keep close to your hearts where you are now staying. There is a passion to pursue God we take with us and leave behind that will be our spiritual legacy. You know that we love God with all our soul, mind and strength so even if our love for you is just a little lower than that it will be alright. And it is right. You too can trust God in your passion for Him and in His leading of your lives. The ministry God has for you to bless His Kingdom may still seem to be around a foggy corner or it may be so visible that it is scary. We know He is an omnipotent God and it is our confidence that you know it too. That faith in you all and that faith in God’s loving provision for you all is sharing hope with our hearts. We love you, but when the times come when that is not enough–God will supply all the rest.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
It is hard to write here
We are not writing in this forum as often as we do in Jamaica and it is hard to know why. We have done some thinking on it, but just cant seem to put our finger on why. It is not a matter of time, because while things are chaotic in the states, we do have the time. It may be a matter of routine, but that should start coming soon. I dont know what it is, but it is a reality. We do still have some posts hanging out there waiting to be written, but I am not sure when they will float to the surface. We did just spend a wonderful weekend with the Plattner family celebrating Dad and Mom Plattner's 40th wedding anniversary. We have moved to Leo, IN. Our kids are still being a huge blessing. A baby is coming. And even more, but, these events are just not turning themselves into blog posts. We will see if they find their way to the screen over the coming weeks. Blessings!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Pray for Kendon
My cousins son, Kendon, had a heart transplant this afternoon. He is through surgery but the next 24 hours are crucial. Please pray with us for this family. Here is a short version of their story:
Kendon was diagnosed with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy in October 2010. After a few months of doctoring, it was decided that we needed to further evaluate him for possible heart transplant. In January 2011, he had a transplant evaluation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. On January 24 he was officially listed on the heart transplant list. His health regained to fairly stable, although continued to live with enlarged heart and progressive disease. Restrictive Cardiomyopathy is where the heart muscle becomes rigid and stiff, not allowing his heart to relax as it pumps. This creates very high pressures within the heart chambers, causing the heart to become enlarged. Sunday evening, April 10 at 9:00 we recieved a phone call from the Mayo Transplant Coordinator, informing us they had a possible heart available. We were on the road to Rochester by 9:35, arriving here at 12:30 a.m. Kendon was escorted to the Operating Room at 11:00 a.m. His transplant journey is just beginning. Kendon is the third born of our six children. His siblings are Riley, age 11, Kary Ann, age 9, Kortlin, age 6, Kyra, age 4 and Rowyn, age 11 months. Kendon is a very loveable and couragous boy. He has handled this new turn in his life with a very brave spirit.
You can visit their care page at http://www.carepages.com/carepages/KendonsBraveHeart
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
March Jamaica update
Plattner Family March 2011 Jamaica Update
The reason we flew back several weeks early from Jamaica was to participate in an informational meeting hosted by our sending organization, Apostolic Christian World Relief. The meeting involved presentations on the various areas of work the organization is supporting. While at the meeting, I was moved and inspired as I listened to the scope of the work being done by the body of Christ. In contrast, just the other day I was almost thrown into a depressive state as I considered the devastation of Japan and the chaos of Libya on top of so much other very real news that isn’t reported. I think it is safe to say that the headline news stories are simply “cherries on top” of a sundae made up of ongoing events such as food shortage, child trafficking, AIDS, water, etc. In light of the depressive state that this concoction can induce, the only prescription is hope in Christ. This hope we need is sometimes hard to translate into the joy that we know it’s supposed to produce. But, the inspiration I received at the informational meeting may just be the prescription I need. Because, on a very small scale, I witnessed a small part of a larger mosaic of work done in His name on behalf of one fraction of the world. In that fraction of the world, the hope of Christ is showing up through the hands and feet of the body of Christ. Prisoners in Central Illinois and Eastern Europe are hearing the gospel, orphans in Mexico are learning about Jesus, the Deaf of Jamaica being reached with the good news, and the poor of Haiti are getting glimpses of His riches. Now, in light of the chaos that sin wreaks in our world, if we were able to step back to the point of being able to view that mosaic and the movement of the body of Christ, I believe we would have the right prescription of hope that produces immediate joy. To God be the Glory and by His grace may we color in our little corner of the mosaic with the Good News of the Gospel.
Our part in the meeting went good with some good discussion following our presentation. Since then, we have been doing the “sabbatical shuffle.” This involves catching up with family and friends, moving every few days, and eating way too much food. The time has been blessed. We get the pleasure of time with our parents and the kids soak up time with grandparents. I wish we could get a perspective on what this time will feel like in hindsight, because I know it would be immensely helpful. But, I guess that is true in so many areas and so we try to make the most of it. We try to focus on relationships and how to make up for lost time in certain areas of life. It’s a chaotic blessing.
We soon plan to move to the area of our sending church in Indiana. The idea of settling for a short time is very welcome and we are excited for opportunities we will have in Indiana. Work for Kirk is coming together as he hopes to continue to work for Apostolic Christian World Relief through supporting their ministry. With prayer, we anxiously await the arrival of baby #4, which has yet to find a name. Being back in the states during the past couple of weeks has really created in us an excitement for baby #4. While we still don’t know how we will manage flying with 4 or living in our little apartment with 4, we are excited for the blessing that we know are given by God through children.
While we wish it weren’t true, there is no denying the feelings and reality of the discouragement that sets in when considering everything that is happening all around us on a global scale and even sometimes in our own hearts. But, when considering the hope of Christ, we find Joy. We are thankful for the time in the states, no matter how chaotic it makes our lives. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of us.
The reason we flew back several weeks early from Jamaica was to participate in an informational meeting hosted by our sending organization, Apostolic Christian World Relief. The meeting involved presentations on the various areas of work the organization is supporting. While at the meeting, I was moved and inspired as I listened to the scope of the work being done by the body of Christ. In contrast, just the other day I was almost thrown into a depressive state as I considered the devastation of Japan and the chaos of Libya on top of so much other very real news that isn’t reported. I think it is safe to say that the headline news stories are simply “cherries on top” of a sundae made up of ongoing events such as food shortage, child trafficking, AIDS, water, etc. In light of the depressive state that this concoction can induce, the only prescription is hope in Christ. This hope we need is sometimes hard to translate into the joy that we know it’s supposed to produce. But, the inspiration I received at the informational meeting may just be the prescription I need. Because, on a very small scale, I witnessed a small part of a larger mosaic of work done in His name on behalf of one fraction of the world. In that fraction of the world, the hope of Christ is showing up through the hands and feet of the body of Christ. Prisoners in Central Illinois and Eastern Europe are hearing the gospel, orphans in Mexico are learning about Jesus, the Deaf of Jamaica being reached with the good news, and the poor of Haiti are getting glimpses of His riches. Now, in light of the chaos that sin wreaks in our world, if we were able to step back to the point of being able to view that mosaic and the movement of the body of Christ, I believe we would have the right prescription of hope that produces immediate joy. To God be the Glory and by His grace may we color in our little corner of the mosaic with the Good News of the Gospel.
Our part in the meeting went good with some good discussion following our presentation. Since then, we have been doing the “sabbatical shuffle.” This involves catching up with family and friends, moving every few days, and eating way too much food. The time has been blessed. We get the pleasure of time with our parents and the kids soak up time with grandparents. I wish we could get a perspective on what this time will feel like in hindsight, because I know it would be immensely helpful. But, I guess that is true in so many areas and so we try to make the most of it. We try to focus on relationships and how to make up for lost time in certain areas of life. It’s a chaotic blessing.
We soon plan to move to the area of our sending church in Indiana. The idea of settling for a short time is very welcome and we are excited for opportunities we will have in Indiana. Work for Kirk is coming together as he hopes to continue to work for Apostolic Christian World Relief through supporting their ministry. With prayer, we anxiously await the arrival of baby #4, which has yet to find a name. Being back in the states during the past couple of weeks has really created in us an excitement for baby #4. While we still don’t know how we will manage flying with 4 or living in our little apartment with 4, we are excited for the blessing that we know are given by God through children.
While we wish it weren’t true, there is no denying the feelings and reality of the discouragement that sets in when considering everything that is happening all around us on a global scale and even sometimes in our own hearts. But, when considering the hope of Christ, we find Joy. We are thankful for the time in the states, no matter how chaotic it makes our lives. Thank you so much for your ongoing support of us.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Hot Dogs and Fire
Peas and Carrots, Batman and Robin, and Hotdogs and fire. The classic wiener roast is so dear to our heart. The other night we got away as a family and had a little cookout. A beautiful night, good food, and good company. The kids loved stuffing their faces. And, I dont know if it is genetic, but our kids have this thing for eating their hotdogs from the top. What is not genetic is the fact that boys love fire. The boys were enamored by the fire and loved lighting sticks on fire.
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