January Jamaica Update

“Thou shall not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.” While this might seem like a slightly odd inspirational verse for our January update, give me a chance to explain. Growing up, I was aptly taught the ten commandments as God’s moral standard for all people. Rightly so, I was taught that I should not use the name of God inappropriately or without purpose. And, by the grace of God it was never something that I really struggled with and this is why the inspiration of this verse feels odd. Anyways, it was couple of years ago that I was introduced to another understanding of this verse. Whether rightly interpreted or not, I don’t know and for the sake of this letter I don’t care because the point holds true. The idea goes like this. What does the word “take” mean? Generally, it does not mean “use” but rather means “to obtain, accept, or claim,” you know what “take” means. So, with our more common understanding of the word, “take God’s name in vain” would read something more like “Thou shalt not claim to be God’s without purpose” or “claim to be a Christian without being hidden in Christ.” Now, that verse takes on a new meaning and challenge to my life. It becomes more than just a list of phrases and words that I should not say, but becomes a reminder of the standard to which I am called considering “whose” I am. I am a Christian, and I cannot claim that lightly or in vain. Since arriving in Jamaica, I have been confounded by the Christian culture. I would consider the country more Christian than America. Most public schools hold regular devotions, the national anthem is a prayer, and there are Christian things everywhere. But, the country remains embattled by dominating sins. Daily, the people who have taken the name of Christ are living outside of His high calling. They live a life that is supposed to bear His name but by all apparent evidences is vain. So, this calling to “not take the name of the Lord in vain” has become both a “high mark to press towards” for me personally as well as a prayer for this country that I love. I do not want this to come off as broad stroked stereotype of all Jamaicans, the faith that I have seen evidenced in the lives of some Jamaicans is humbling and God honoring. But, I want to call everyone to this prayer that the Lord’s name is not taken in vain in my life, your life, Jamaica, America, etc. For reasons that my mind cannot understand, God has orchestrated that we be His body on the Earth, as His body we bear His name. May we live a life of purpose such that our lives give His name glory.
We have had a blessed January. On our most recent work team there was a man who had a standard answer that he gave in response to “How ya doin?” He would respond quickly, “I have more blessings than for which I can say grace.” This rings true for our first month back from our Christmas holiday. We hosted two teams at Knockpatrick and then moved to Montego Bay for one team. The teams will continue through April and life will remain busy. Hosting teams remains a joy and is very encouraging.
We rejoice in answers to prayer. Early in our time in Jamaica, our hearts were quickly drawn towards assisting deaf graduates in going to college. It is not possible for the deaf to go to college in Jamaica. As you may remember, we sent out a prayer request months ago looking for families who would be willing to host deaf students to attend college in the states. We are ecstatic to report that we have had a family step up in Central Illinois to host a girl from the Knockpatrick campus to attend Illinois Central College. The student has been accepted by ICC. There is one obstacle remaining as the student must apply for a student visa at the US Embassy. Lord Willing, all will go through and the student will be able to move to the States in July to begin school in August. Remember this situation in prayer and we remain hopeful for more families to step forward as hosts.
Just the other day, Keri commented that we have only been in Jamaica for one month. We both simultaneously agreed that it has felt like 3 months, but not in a bad way. The days have not been long in bad ways and we have been busy, but it feels like a long time since we arrived back in Jamaica. In the midst of our joy, we continue to wrestle with the struggles of working cross culturally. We pray for grace and wisdom so that we can fulfill God’s desires for our work in Jamaica. Our heart remains that we bear His name faithfully and model that name as adopted children to all in Jamaica.