A December to Remember

This month has given us many memorable experiences, and there are still a few days before Christmas.

A 40' shipping container was packed in Minnesota in early November and shipped to Kingston, Jamaica. This container was being sent through JRM since all the items were for charitable causes, and some of the items were specifically for us here. The customs broker had told me that it would be good if we were at the port when the container was "stripped." This is where they unload everything and inspect the items to verify what is coming in. 

So, one morning I got a call saying that the container is being stripped that morning. We quickly re-arranged our schedule, and I started for Kingston along with a fellow missionary friend Paul Barton, who also had items on the container. We arrived at the wharf after noon and met the broker's clerk, but our container was not at the dock. They had trouble locating it, and by the time they found it, the dock was full. When a spot opened up, they brought the container up and parked it, but it was 4pm by then, and time to close for the day.

So we had to decide whether to stay in Kingston, or travel back to Montego Bay, and return to Kingston in the morning. The clerk offered us a place to stay with him, so we ended up doing that. He was a gracious host, preparing us dinner and breakfast. He gave us a tour of the neighborhood, and we felt like we were among friends. Thanks Rodney for the hospitality!

The container was unpacked throughout the day, and the inspector finished up in the late afternoon. They just started re-loading the container when it was time to close again. Inspection was over, and we decided two days of sitting in a warehouse in Kingston was enough.

Over the same time, we had a group of retirees arrive from Wellman Mennonite Church in Wellman, Iowa. Joe's brother, Dean Shetler had arranged for a group of friends to spend some time in Jamaica. They did quite a bit of hard work during their time at JRM. The re-sided a building at Mt. Pelier, replaced some rotten wood above the main entrance at JRM, and filled holes in the road outside the gate.

I still think about how much smoother the road is every time I drive over it. Thank you!

We also had several other guests this month. Daniel & June Pollard spent a night at JRM. We got to know them when I spent some time in New York 15 years ago with Choice Books. It was wonderful to connect with them again.

JD & Julia Miller also spent a week here. They served at JRM for 3 years (I think 2005-2008), so they enjoyed re-connecting with old friends all over the island. We enjoyed getting to know them, and hearing about their experiences.

We were surprised to see David & Melanie Graybill last week when they stopped in to visit one day. They were also in New York when I lived there. It was wonderful to see them again.

Former auntie Becca Graber came to visit for several days, along with her boyfriend Kyle Quill. They blessed us in many ways, including Kyle replacing a torn belt in the bus.

December means lots of Christmas dinners.

The Child Development Agency held a dinner in Kingston for all the residential children's homes. Carrie & I made another trip to Kingston to attend this event. We stayed overnight again, but this time we made prior arrangements for lodging. :)  It was a very nice event, and we felt honored to represent JRM, and all the people who have made it the success it is today.

It was great to get away for a bit. We calculated that it must have been 3 1/2 years since just the two of us spent a night away.

We hosted a Christmas dinner at JRM for the Child Development Agency workers in our region, and for the workers at Blossom Gardens. We had an enjoyable evening. The children sang several songs for everyone.

 The aunties were all able to attend the Christmas dinner at Blossom Gardens this year.

We had a potluck style church Christmas dinner at Baylife Baptist. It was nice to interact with church people in a different setting than the Sunday morning service.

This past Sunday after church, we joined others from Baylife Baptist at the St. James Infirmary. We passed out bags with practical items for the residents, food, toiletries, etc. It was a good opportunity for the children to give to others instead of just receiving.

Then, the container again. After taking 2+ weeks going through the customs process, it was finally released. It was trucked from Kingston to Negril, where its final resting place would be. We took a truck to Negril to load our things. In the container were 300 bikes to be given away to children across the island. Word had spread, and when we got there, there were at least 30 children lined up, expecting a free bike. We had to explain many times that we were only there to load some things, and the bike distribution was being done by someone else. We waited to start loading until the police arrived to help us keep order.

We had to keep order at JRM too when we were unloading. :)

We were blessed with many items that we needed. Thank you to all who contributed to the cause, and made it happen. Many of the children's Christmas gifts came with this as well, so thanks to all who sponsored them.

We wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Kevin

Sign of the month:

This advertisement speaks well of the quality of the product, but no so well of the quality of the Jamaican roads.

Happy Thanksgiving!

While not a Jamaican holiday, we celebrate Thanksgiving each year at JRM. This year Chris & Megan Glaub generously provided a turkey and a ham for our meal. It was quite a treat!

The aunties planned special activities and crafts to keep the children entertained.

In the beginning of November we said goodbye to Loretta Fisher. She had served at JRM for 20 months, and we were all sad to see her go.

A few weeks later we welcomed Abbi Yoder to the JRM team. Abbi is from Michigan, and will be serving as an auntie.

We also hosted a group from the Way of Jesus church in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania in early November. They spent several days building a house, and also spent a day doing ministry in Montego Bay and Mt. Pelier.

We enjoyed having them here and making new friends.

Last weekend, our family was able to spend a few days away from JRM. We enjoyed getting to spend one afternoon with some children that had been at JRM previously. It was so good to see them, and to see that they are doing well.

We were also excited to welcome the Barton family back to Jamaica. They are doing a skills training program through the church we attend, Baylife Baptist. Our girls were especially glad to have their friends and playmates back again.

We also had some changes in children coming and going at JRM. Pray for all of as we face adjustments and transitions seemingly all the time. We have lots of guests and groups planning to visit in the next several months. It is a beautiful time of the year to be in Jamaica. Those of us who live here get cool at night with temperatures in the upper 60s and lower 70s.

Pray too that we could focus on being a family here at JRM as we go through the holiday season, and are missing our families back home.

Thank you for your support and prayers!
Kevin

I have a couple of signs in Patois again this time:

A restaurant named Belli Buss (Belly Bust, no thanks!)

Matthew was a no-show

We were fortunate that Hurricane Matthew steered clear of Jamaica. Here in western Jamaica our weather seemed "normal." We had a few rain showers, but nothing heavy, and no wind. The only hurricane effects we had were preparing for the storm, and then a day off waiting for the storm that never came. We were thankful to have the resources to make preparation, and thankful that we were spared, but our hearts were heavy for those who suffered so much from this storm.

We did see some neat cloud formations.

We had some staff changes recently. Cinda Hochstetler returned to Indiana after serving at JRM for one year. She put herself fully into her work here, and she is missed. Thank you Cinda for serving well! This picture reminds me of your determination to accomplish what you set out to do. :) This was one of many attempts to take the perfect sparkler picture.

Julianne Kuepfer from Ontario arrived in late September to serve as an auntie. She has done a good job fitting into the team here.

Joe & Ellen Shetler are spending a short time in the USA, attending a family wedding.

We also recently took in two more children, and now we are caring for 11 children. Both the staff and children have done a great job in adjusting to all the changes. Currently our staff consists of 6 aunties, 1 teacher, Joe & Ellen, and our family. There are 27 of us all together; quite a large family!

This past week, some of us made a trip to Kingston to take care of some business items. We left early in the morning, and drove on the new highway. There are areas of this highway that have heavy fog every morning. As you come down the mountain into a large valley, it looks like you are going to drive into a large fluffy blanket. It is a majestic sight! The picture does not do a good job of representing the scene.

We have more staff changes coming in the next several weeks, as well as a work group.  Keep JRM in your prayers as we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us, especially the children in our care. Thank you for supporting us, and making it possible to serve here in Jamaica.

Kevin Stutzman

My sign picture was too blurry to read, so I will leave you with this picture of a taxi. I think they could have tied some people on top yet.