August Update

Plattner Family August 2011 Update

Why should I care? What should motivate me? In our last update, I mentioned my cold heart towards the famine in the horn of Africa. Maybe it opened a can of worms, but the question still lingers regarding our responsibility to act in love to the suffering world. It was an abrupt introduction to an update and I feel some need to tie up a few of the loose ends regarding this issue. What is our obligation as ambassadors in showing the world the reconciliation found in our Father’s kingdom? I am sticking with the same premise, we should care. Why? Because He says so! Not because those pictures break our heart, although they should. Not because we have so much and they have so little, although this may make us liable. Not to be seen by others, although good works being seen will bring Him glory. But, because He says so! This does not just apply to the famine in Africa, it applies to the people and places in your life in which an ambassador is needed to show the world the blessing of His rule. His rule brings reconciliation, His kingdom brings peace, and His reign attacks the real problem, sin. It isn’t about guilt, although you should probably feel guilty, it is about obedience. Or, maybe it’s about worship, which is delighting in obedience. May God grant grace for eyes to see the places He has chosen us to represent His kingdom to this world, from the Horn of Africa to our living rooms.

We are trying to ask these questions in Jamaica. Sometimes the answers make sense; sometimes our glass is extra cloudy. August started out with us moving our family over to the Jamaica Deaf Village (approx. 30 minutes from our house) for a couple of workteams. The Huber family is currently in the states and we were filling in for 2 weeks. The kids loved it. It was like a 2 week vacation in which they had all new toys, friends next door, and work teams who are always interested in playing catch. We also enjoyed the change of scenery as our school can feel like a ghost town with no students. The teams were a blessing and we enjoyed our time at the Jamaica Deaf Village.

The week after the workteams brought two very unexpected blessings. Our hearts have beat strongly for two issues in Jamaica; the deaf church and the residential care of the students at our schools. First, we were able to attend a leadership retreat for the deaf churches in Jamaica. This was an opportunity to cast vision and take the pulse of the Deaf churches in Jamaica. It was encouraging. Then, the next week, our school gathered together all of the houseparents from all three schools. They gathered for training. I was able to attend a few of the sessions and was blessed to see investments being made in the residential care of our students. It was cool to be able to be a part of both of these events as they so closely relate to the way our heart beats for this work.

The majority of our downtime through August has been spent doing “the little things.” Dealing with auto insurance, getting vehicles serviced, working on little projects, writing updates etc. This may sound insignificant, but the smallest tasks can take a full day. One day, I took our van out to get the oil changed. I dropped it off at around 9:30am. I was told to come back and pick it up about 2pm. I arrived a little before that because that was my only ride into town. I then sat there until after 5 because it was raining off and on and the mechanic didn’t really have a garage to stay out of the rain. Frustrating, yes a little, but also encouraging as 3 years ago this may have ruined my day. I know now that this is life. Pack a book and make the best of it. Ahh, the wisdom of experience. Anyways, that has been our August.

Our family continues to experience rich blessing. Drew is starting 1st grade, Truitt is starting pre-school, Daisha already has her Masters degree in creating chaos, and Danae is trying to figure out how to make her hands go where she wants. Pretty exciting stuff. Kirk continues classes in the school of hard knocks and Keri holds us all together. The students should be arriving in the coming week and we will be ready to get back into the swing of a new school year. Praise the Lord! Thanks again for your love, support, and prayers.