September Update

September Update
On plattnerfamily.com we started a special segment called “A Piece of Paradise.” I had noticed on other blogs that many people had started these special segments with witty, alliterated titles. Not wanting our blog to be a step behind, we recently started documenting various “Jamaican” things that accentuated our lives in this tropical paradise. When brainstorming about potential topics to write about, my thoughts went to the truly beautiful things about Jamaica such as unique foods, rich culture, or the beauty. At the same time, my mind also went to the “funny” things about Jamaica that occasionally cause us to laugh, but can also push us to edge of tears. There are days that we stop and are shocked that we are being given the opportunity to experience a life here in Jamaica and sometimes the next day we ask why we are being asked to endure this tribulation. This tension is very real and presents us with a very similar comparison to our interaction with the real Paradise. Understanding that our eye has not seen nor has entered into the heart of man, there are times in which we sense those glimpses of paradise. It is those times that we realize that we are looking through a glass darkly, but we are making out an image on the other side and it is beautiful. These times present themselves as one of our kids expresses one of their first prayers, we experience the beauty of marriage as God designed it, or we feel the blessing of God on a ministry opportunity. It is in these times that we get a glimpse and celebrate. But, the converse is that there are times in which we can only see the darkness of the glass. Unfortunately, this darkness is just as real and also often rears its ugly head. This darkness is revealed through the lust of our flesh, the lust of our eye, and the pride of our lives. In this, we may laugh at our stupidity and failure to understand His Holiness, but it should push us to very necessary tears. Praise the Lord that we do not have to face the realities of these contrasting scenarios in the cyclical fashion in which they seem to readily present themselves, but we have an advocate. We have been given the opportunity to live life more abundantly and it is certainly His desire to reveal to us the beauty of His kingdom. So, as we each walk through our “paradise,” let us remember to be on the lookout for His blessing through the revelation of the beauty of the true Paradise.
We are ecstatic to announce that this past month in “paradise” has been the first “normal” month since our arrival. The month of September was filled with the boring life that we find so exciting. We didn’t have any teams, we stayed in our home for the whole month, and we didn’t get kicked off the island. While we did have a couple of months when we first arrived that had no teams, we are certainly not able to claim those months as normal. Life is not normal when life is not settled. We feel as settled as we want to feel and we have been just living life. I have been helping around the school being a driver, a teacher, a maintenance man, a consultant, etc. It has been very refreshing to feel a bit of normalcy and less anxiety about the weeks. Keri has been busy at home as well as helping out more regularly in the school. The “boring” nature of this month has been a piece of paradise that we cherish.
As previously mentioned, Keri came into this school year with a bit more experience and understanding of how to balance her ministries. She continues to be the best at ministering at home with Tweedle De and Tweedle Dum. Understanding that this is her primary ministry, Keri has also had a desire to get more involved with the kids at the school. The door opened up for her to begin working daily with a boy with severe autism. Erin has been blessing us again by watching our kids as Keri daily works on teaching this boy his colors, numbers, and sign language. She has also been busy taking her rotation in Sunday school and helping facilitate the deaf to take responsibility for teaching. This is a whole other story, but Keri and Pam Huber have done an excellent job leading in ways that the deaf are wanting to follow. As if all that isn’t enough, she is also balancing a new bible study that she has started with Erin and Pam for ladies at Knocpatrick and the Deaf village. This project is in its infancy but it is exciting to see the plans come to fruition. Please continue to remember Keri in prayer as she continues to balance life by His grace.
As we look to the future, life in paradise is not going to remain so “boring.” The month of October will return us back to our normal mode of transition. In a couple of weeks we will move back to Montego Bay for a week, then back to Knockpatrick for a week, then back to Montego Bay for 2 weeks, and then back to Knockpatrick. And, during that time we are anxiously awaiting visits from Keri’s mom, Keri’s sister and brother in law, as well as my brother Chad and his family. I guess we were not promised a “boring” life nor would we have it any other way as we continue to pursue the Joy in the Journey. Thank you for your support and prayers and remember that the invitation is open for your trip to Jamaica. We would love to show you around our paradise.

Keep on Keeping On,
Kirk, Keri, Drew, and Truitt.

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