Countdown

Today, in 14 weeks we shall be setting our feet on Jamaican soil! Lord willing and if the creek don't rise. Yes, we have officially set July 15^th as our moving day. It feels good to have a day set for our move. I find this really exciting....today! But tomorrow it may find me shaking in my boots. :-) I kinda have this hunch that these next 14 weeks will go by real quickly. Last night as I was tucking in my oldest, she said in a very hyper, excited whisper "I can't wait til we move to Jamaica! I wish we were going tomorrow....3 months is a really long time yet." I love how excited the girls are about this move. There excitement really is contagious and an affirmation of us going. 

The last couple weeks we have really hit the "sorting, going thru, throw that in the trash, store, take along, moving sale pile" stage. One corner of our bedroom kinda took a hit and is looking seriously like a piece of art right now. I hate it, but somehow stuff, unwanted stuff lands there. I'm not fond of it at all, and there's nothing super romantic about having a cluttered bedroom. But, hey, that's just how it's gonna be for awhile. And I am super thankful for this dusty old attic. It makes for super handy storage, for the time being.

We will be having a large moving sale sometime the end of June so stay posted on that. I am sure we will have some kind of treasure for you.

Thank you for the interest you have been taking in our lives, your encouragement and prayers mean so very much!

Carrie

Updated Departure Date

Our paperwork is ready to send to Jamaica! All 78 pages of it.

We are now planning our departure for sometime between July 7-14 instead of the end of July.

Prayer items:

• Pray for the paperwork to go smoothly and quickly through the proper departments of the Jamaican government.
• Pray for organization and planning skills for us as we plan and prepare to go.

The Great Adventure

We are excited about the upcoming changes in our lives. We have committed to move to Montego Bay, Jamaica this summer (probably end of July) to serve a two year term with Jamaica Relief Ministries. JRM is a foster home/orphanage for children ages 0-8 in custody of the Child Development Agency (CDA). JRM is also involved in helping Jamaican children through other programs in the local community. More information about the mission can be found at jamaicarm.org. Our role will be as house parents/field director which will include responsibilities such as spiritual leadership for the staff and children, maintaining JRM’s relationship with CDA, bookkeeping/legal work, and grounds keeping/maintenance.

While we are excited about this move, we are also aware of our own shortcomings and limitations as we take on this responsibility. We are inviting you to be a part of this work by partnering with us.

The first and foremost way you can partner with us is through prayer. We will be posting updates on this blog so you stay current on how to pray for us.  The web address is stutzfamjam.blogspot.com, so make it one of your favorites today. :-)

The second way to partner with us is through financial support. This is a volunteer position with no salary or income. We will be provided with a place to live, basic groceries, and a vehicle. All other expenses will be our responsibility. We foresee these expenses to be for things like passports, work permits/visas, health insurance, travel to and from Jamaica, homeschool materials, family activities, as well as personal items/living expenses. We invite any support you can give, whether it be a one time donation or an ongoing monthly gift. Mark Beachy and Dave Yoder have consented to oversee this support fund for us.

Contributions can be sent to:

Stutzman Jamaica fund

c/o Mark Beachy

PO Box 298

Plain City, OH 43064

We would also welcome visitors, so keep Jamaica in mind as you think about future travel plans. We would love to be your hosts.

Thanks for the input you have in our lives. We value your friendship.

Kevin & Carrie Stutzman

Sierra, Chloe, Jasmine, Olivia, & Emma