Highlights

Rather than trying to write about everything, I will try to cover some highlights from the past few weeks.

Someone dropped off some puppies one afternoon, but the guys working on the addition took them home, much to our girls disappointment.

 

While we were in Ohio, one of the children went to the hospital to have adenoids removed and tubes put in the ears. Going to the hospital here is not quite the same as in the states. After we had the surgery scheduled we needed to visit the hospital to get registered and do some bloodwork. This meant getting to the hospital around 9am. At the door, you were searched and your bags were checked before you were let inside. Then it was like stepping back in time. The nurses all wore little caps pinned in their hair, and I didn't see any computers anywhere (notice the stack of files on the desk in the picture below). The floor we were on consisted of a large waiting area/courtyard surrounded by "clinics."

The clinics were things like ENT, orthopedic, radiology, ob/gyn, etc. The first step was to go to the registration area where they would review your paperwork and give you a number. When your number was called, you gave them your information/paperwork and they would create a paper file and give you a little slip of paper. You would take the slip of paper back to your clinic and wait there. Then, when it was your turn, you were called into the clinic, where of course, you sat in the waiting area until it was your turn to see the doctor. After the blood draw was done, we had to take it to the lab ourselves. There they told us that it was wrong and they had missed one sample. We went back up to the clinic where they proceeded to stick the child again. We took the sample back to the lab, and they said the doctor put the sample in the wrong color tube and they couldn't use it. They agreed it would be cruel to take another draw and said they would just do two tests instead of three. We finally left the hospital around 12:30pm having our registration completed. We were in Ohio over the time of the surgery and hospital stay, but the reports were that things went well. The surgery has been a tremendous blessing for the child. Hearing and speech are noticeably improved, which leads to more overall happiness.

We recently said goodbye to Andrea Troyer. She served at JRM for 19 months and will be missed. Her parents, Wayne and Betty, were here for several days and traveled home with her.

Someone dropped off some puppies one afternoon, but the guys working on the addition took them home, much to our girls disappointment.

 

We welcomed two new aunties to our team as well. Nicki Beachy of Circleville, OH and Becca Graber of Sugarcreek, OH joined us (picture coming soon). We are slowly moving the Buckeye State to Jamaica. :)

This past weekend, Sierra came down with what we think was chikungunya. It is a virus that is spread by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, nausea, achy joints, and rash. Since it is a virus, there is not much to do until it has run its course. There are recommended medicines to help deal with the fever and pain, but nothing to stop the virus. She had fever for only several days, but she has remained weakened and sore for almost a week. Those who have had it say they don't wish it on their worst enemies.

Unfortunately, Sierra missed a birthday party some of our family attended on Saturday. It was for a child of one of our missionary friends. We have really enjoyed connecting with several other missionary families who are serving with other organizations here in Jamaica. Since this family will be in the USA for Christmas, their daughter wanted to have a Christmas themed birthday party.

One of these mothers has started a ballet class for this group of girls on Tuesday evenings. Our girls have absolutely loved it, and also enjoy being with their new friends.

Chloe enjoys finding and playing with slugs, snails, frogs, lizards, or any other creature she can catch.

Sign of the week:

 These signs were posted all over our porch one day. We were all on edge...

Thank you so much for the notes, cards, and prayers you have sent our way over the past few weeks. It has been such an encouragement for us to know that so many people care.

Some things to pray for:
-Teamwork as we complete the staff changeover
-Helping the children feel secure during all the staff changes
-Our family as we continue to grieve the loss of a Dad and Grandpa

Thanks for caring!
Kevin