What is normal?

I was going to say that we had a normal week, but I am not sure what normal is. We had more coming and going which is normal for JRM. Sam & Lydia Kanagy (from South Carolina) came on Monday. They will be here for several weeks while Floyd & Ellen Yoder spend Thanksgiving with their family. Floyd & Ellen flew out on Wednesday.

Tammie was scheduled to return on Monday as well, but after a canceled flight, she came back on Tuesday instead. So, just like many schools in Ohio, we had no school on Monday. We didn't have any snow accumulation though. :)

We had two birthdays to celebrate last week, and even the dog got in on the party!

The rest of the week was filled with normal activities. My normal activities are driving the school children, running errands, office work, miscellaneous maintenance, and anything else that needs attention. It seems that rat catcher may need to be added to the list as well. We just had our field chopped and the rats need a new place to call home. They have not yet discovered that we are not welcoming hosts.

We enjoyed a relaxing day at home on Saturday. We did lots of nothing, and it felt good to relax. In the evening we went to get some Chinese food. Olivia made sure she brought everything along that she needed.

After church on Sunday, the aunties and children did a photo shoot.

Emma continues to climb on everything in sight.

It's not every day that you see a dead pig in the middle of the road, but some days you do.

We will be celebrating Thanksgiving this week, although it is not an official Jamaican holiday. Our minds will be with our families elsewhere, but we are looking forward to having a fun day here. There are so many reasons to be thankful, and one does not need to look far to see how blessed we are. I am not just thinking of physical or financial blessings, but of family, friends, and loved ones. We are blessed to have community.

We are thankful for your prayers and gifts to us. You make it possible for us to be serving here in Jamaica. Thank you!

Have a happy Thanksgiving!
Kevin

Sign of the week: Is it summer? or Christmas?

Family Time

First of all, my apologies for re-using a sign of the week. I will give you a bonus one this week. In fact, let's get that out of the way.

I have heard of the Popemobile, but I guess if you are a Nun, you only get a Nissan.

We thoroughly enjoyed having Zach & Allison here for two weeks, and we were sad when they left us on Sunday. It was great to connect with family again!

We made a trip to the country on Monday to see Mr. Ramford and his farm. As usual, he gave us several different kinds of herbs and fruit, and told us of all the health benefits and medicinal uses for everything he grows. It is always an educational experience to visit him.

His legs end just below the knees, and he wears his gum boots backwards as he walks around.

Allison did a wonderful job of teaching. The girls really enjoyed it, except when they didn't behave. :)

Zach did several projects around here, including painting a room. Of course, he had some help.

We also went to the craft market one day.

Zach gained some points in the "favorite uncle" department when he treated the girls to their own frozen chocolate drink.

The bay was busy on Wednesday. There were three cruise ships that day. One parked out in the water and ferried the passengers to shore.

One morning we woke up to brilliant rainbow.

Saturday evening we enjoyed a nice dinner by the water. It was a short two weeks, and we hated to see it end.

Sign of the week:
I wonder if you get a discount for buying used Christmas lights?
I'm sure they are fine, they were only used indoor.

Have a blessed week!
Kevin

Visitors

We have been blessed with visitors this past week. I mentioned last week that (Carrie's brother) Zach & Allison Gingerich came to help us out for two weeks while Tammie (the teacher for our girls) is in Ohio. We have thoroughly enjoyed having family around! While Allison is teaching, Zach has been working on all the projects on my "to do" list. He is making me look good! :)

We also welcomed a group of five former aunties last week. The children were excited to see old friends who had invested so much into their lives. Of course, they also brought goodies for everyone to enjoy. We have enjoyed having them here, and getting to know them.

Another new thing we did last week was a visit for one of the children. We spent an hour or so at the CDA office during the visit. This is exciting, since this is a step in having a forever family for a child. We love these children in our care, but we realize that a permanent family for each one would be best.

On Thursday and Friday Chloe spent her time on the couch or in bed. She came down with chikungunya. By Friday evening she started to feel a little bit better. It seems that even after a person gets over the fever, etc. and is up and around, it can take a week or more to get their strength back. Some people have the joint pain continue for months. We feel blessed that the JRM children have been spared so far. One day when Chloe was in bed, this is how I found her (that's her feet that you see where her head should be).

Zach and Allison volunteered to babysit for us, so Carrie & I enjoyed a night out on Friday evening. The weather had been about perfect most of the week, and Friday was no exception. It was so nice to sit, relax, talk, and enjoy a good meal! The setting was beautiful!

We enjoyed our day off at the beach on Saturday, then went to the Pork Pit for some fantastic jerk chicken & pork (some of the best that I have had).

Sunday evening was a highlight. Brian & Kim Burke came to JRM, as well as some of our friends from Baylife Baptist Church (where we attend). Pastor Andrew and Brian led us in worship, and we had a wonderful time. Everyone was disappointed when it was time to get the children to bed.

After some delays in the schedule, the addition is finished, and Floyd and Ellen have officially moved into it.

Emma thinks it is big stuff to eat by herself.

Some things to pray for:
Continue to pray for health and protection from chikungunya.

Also pray for our safety and protection. It seems that crime is more prevalent between now and Christmas.

With the holidays coming up, our minds tend to think of our families who are elsewhere. Pray that we could lead the staff in making this a special and fun time with our "JRM family" without focusing on what we are missing with our families.

Thank you for the cards, letters, and emails of encouragement! It means so much to know that you care!
Have a blessed week!
Kevin

Sign of the week:

Jamaican Christmas Lights. What would you do?

Airport week

The common theme last week was going to the airport. On Monday, we said farewell to Jessica Kuhns who had served JRM for 17 months. Her sister Janell had been here over the weekend to accompany her home. Arthur, Illinois is home for them.

We went to the airport again on Friday. Tammie Weaver will be spending 2 weeks in Ohio. We made her promise to come back before we let her leave. We hear that since she is there, she has chikungunya. The other airport run was on Sunday to pick up Carrie's brother Zach Gingerich and his wife Allison. She will be teaching the girls these next two weeks in Tammie's absence. We are so excited to have family here. It was like Christmas when they came with their bags full of goodies, cards, etc. for us. Thank you to all who sent things along!

Floyd also battled chikungunya most of the week. We are praying that it will bypass the rest of us. Carrie and Sheri seemed to have mild symptoms, but only for a very short time, so we feel blessed with that.

We have been eating a lot of "pears" recently. Our tree was loaded this year with huge ones. In the states these "pears" are know as avocados. They are ripe once they turn black.

We recently took some group pictures. After we take pictures, we realize how hard it is to have everyone smiling and looking at the camera.

Sign of the week:

Have a wonderful week!

Kevin