Friday we had sports day here at Montego Bay for the students from Mobay, Kingston, Knockpatrick, Maranatha and Jamaica Christian School for the Deaf.

This morning I was talking with Mom and Dad and then Dad asked me what God had been teaching me lately... I think the best way to summarize it would be perspective. More specifically, having an eternal perspective while living out life every day. As today unfolded much like a typical Jamaica day does... nothing going according to what I originally planned, I was brought to my knees before the Lord as I wondered how many Divine appointments I have missed because of my lack of patience. Too many times I take my eyes off of having an eternal perspective and get caught up on channel #1-the past, Channel #3 the future, Channel #4 the What if's when I really need to be focusing on channel #5 Eternity with channel #2- the present in the small screen within the screen.
Today God showed up in a big way illustrating the point Dad and I talked about this morning... I took Dayne to the airport and had several students with me when we went. I was expecting to 'drop and go' but the students and Yvonne wanted to go in and wait in line and say good bye (for all MTI'ers, say good bye the right way). I parked the bus not overly happy with the change in plans. After they all came out, we started driving up top road heading back to school. Kishaun was in the front seat and was signing to me while I was driving something about watching airplanes. Catching glances at him while driving took me until reaching KFC to figure out they wanted to go to free beach and watch until they could wave goodbye to Dayne just before takeoff. But that's like 1.5 hours from now, is what I was thinking! Turned around and headed there anyway. Watched planes for a while and then did get to wave to Dayne and see him waving back(we were closer than we were supposed to be :). After that we headed to the store and my heart had changed seeing their love for Dayne and wanting to show him how special he is to them. After shopping, I took them all to Wendy's(just opened here!!) and told them I would buy them all dinner. While in line a man turned around and recognised the kids. He manages a cable station here in Jamaica and had been up to school to video them last year when they won the national awards in Kingston for the Deaf dance competition! He was sooo excited to see them and said he would stop over to our table after we got our food. He came over and I interpreted for him as he shared with Kishaun, Mario, Neru and Alecia that he recently had to go in for a hearing test and is rapidly loosing his hearing. Through tears he told them that it was a Divine appointment that we saw him there today... He had been thinking about those specific kids for the last couple of weeks and specifically that morning! He told them how much he respects them, admires them and has been encouraged thinking about them and all they can do in light of his situation now. With tears streaming down his face he told them about how he now understands the feeling of being looked at differently because of having hearing aids and can now relate to them in a much deeper way. I was touched by what he shared, but what got me... 'my' kids telling him they would pray for him!!!! Couldn't have been more touched especially realizing how easily that meeting could have been missed because so many times my eyes are on the past, the what if's, worrying about the future instead of doing something today that affects eternity by focusing on souls instead of schedules.

Last week was a great week of relaxing and enjoying company down here. For a day we got to experience the other Jamaica... a guy I met recently in Montego Bay is the manager of the spa at the Half Moon Resort and let us in for a day for free. Incredible place!
This week the students came back to school after holiday break. It is so good to see them here!!! They were all excited to be back at school to be able to chat with all their friends. I am thankful to have them back but at the same time it is hard as I sit and listen to the hurt they went through while on break. So glad to be able to sit and listen... encourage... and sometime just simply hold them and cry right along with them...

Yesterday at church we learned a new song... In Patouis.
An di one prayer mi pray,
mi pray inna night and mi pray inna day
an evry time mi go pan mi knees
Di devil haffi run Weh

Then they worship leader asked the team only to sing it, and then the Jamaicans alone to sing and then all of us again. Great cultural experience!

It has been a long time since I posted something on here...
So I went down to Freeport this afternoon to say hi to the Driver family... Robert has been down with Grace Church(TX) many times to JDV and he had contacted me that they would be in and would like to at least say hi.
I got down to the cruise dock and as I was waiting for them to come I was just observing the taxis and people coming back. One taxi pulled right up close to where I was standing and as the couple was paying, voices started raising and the tourism cops came over to see what was up. The woman turns to me as if asking for help and so I asked what was the problem. Here they had hired this taxi to take them into town to a grocery store, then after spending close to $100 they then asked to be taken to an orphanage(Blossom Garden) to hand out goodies and things to the kids to bless them and the staff. The whole 'excursion' was about an hour and a half from the time they left the boat until they got back. The taxi, after already having agreed to a price before leaving, was demanding they pay him $100 US for his 'service'. The couple was outraged, and rightly so, since he more than doubled the 'original' cost, especially since all they were trying to do was bring some happiness into some orphans lives. Thankfully the cops sided with the couple even as the taxi man cursed them for being cheap. I talked with them for a little after that and that is something they do at most of their ports of call and they were so upset about it they won't be coming back to Jamaica ever again. And people here wonder why tourism is bad and the economy is bad?!?! Treat people that are not sight seeing, but actually trying to help the less fortunate in your country like this?? The 2 tourism cops were so embarrassed and upset at this man's behavior they called in his cab to report it.
Unfortunately, never did actually meet up with the Driver family.

On Wednesday night I was chatting with Javel, Raquel and Patrice and in the course of conversation the question they asked was..."Is divorce wrong?" "Should Christians get divorced?" That was just one of many topics that was brought up just before it was time for them to head down to the dorm. Things came up both Thursday and Friday nights and so I didn't get to talk with them, but tonight when I went over just before 7 they asked me if we could talk now. I went and got my Bible and for the next 2 1/2 hours we sat in the gym with the Bible open as they asked question after question. It was so awesome to experience and to be able to share God's word. They asked questions about marriage, divorce, salvation, forgiveness, Christianity vs. Muslim, so many questions my head is still spinning. I am excited to see where this goes and how the study time can continue in the future! Your prayers for wisdom and clear communication are greatly appreciated!!

I have had several people ask me recently... "How long are you planning to stay in Jamaica? Isn't it hard to be away from family for so long?

I think this is the best way to answer those questions.

We have a new student this year. Her name is Ruccell Salmon. She is 12 years old and is attending school for the first time. The lady who brought her to us is no relative of hers, but saw that she was treated badly by her parents and spoke to them about it. Ruccell's mother just carried her over and told the lady to take her if she is so concerned because she doesn't want her.

The lady took Ruccell into her home, got her hearing assesment done and brought her to us. She is so malnourished that she looks like one of our 7 year olds here.

Yes I do miss me Nephew and Nieces a ton, but one thing I take comfort in is that they have parents that care for them and love on them daily! Every morning when I go out to start work I get the opportunity to hug Ruccell and tell her I love her. Tonight I went over to the gym where all the kids were playing and since I was tired, I grabbed a chair and sat down to watch. Within minutes 'my little girl' came running over for a hug. I signed with her for a few minutes and then she crawled up on my lap and laid her head on my shoulder and just let me hold her. It isn't the first time she has done this, but it melts my heart every time!

Why am I here??? I guess my question would be... Why would I leave?