Tuesday this week Kirsten and I spent all afternoon in downtown Kingston. We were trying to get our work permit situation worked out, but before we could actually re-apply we had to get a criminal background check done. If the fruit were never eaten, we could just put on the form "I am not a criminal, seriously," and all would be great, but, alas!, this is not the case. We had to spend 3 1/2 hours in an line of no less than 200 people in order to ink up some paper like kindergartner during craft time. (A mental picture for New Jerseyans: The DMV in the mid-90s at the end of the month in an understaffed office.) As miserable as the process sounds, it actually was not bad. We talked to people, ate really juicy pineapple and watermelon, and enjoyed the warmth of the sun while being periodically cooled by a refreshing breeze. With 100% certainty, we will be cleared for "take-off" from the Ministry of National Security on Tuesday, and we will be able to apply for the renewal officially. In terms of the permits, the fees, and any deportation updates, we have none. We ask you to keep praying for us and the process (we will be sure to keep you posted). God has shown his faithfulness to prepare us, the people, and the work at every step of this journey; why would he stop now? Answer: He won't!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Wages of Sin: Fingerprinting!
Tuesday this week Kirsten and I spent all afternoon in downtown Kingston. We were trying to get our work permit situation worked out, but before we could actually re-apply we had to get a criminal background check done. If the fruit were never eaten, we could just put on the form "I am not a criminal, seriously," and all would be great, but, alas!, this is not the case. We had to spend 3 1/2 hours in an line of no less than 200 people in order to ink up some paper like kindergartner during craft time. (A mental picture for New Jerseyans: The DMV in the mid-90s at the end of the month in an understaffed office.) As miserable as the process sounds, it actually was not bad. We talked to people, ate really juicy pineapple and watermelon, and enjoyed the warmth of the sun while being periodically cooled by a refreshing breeze. With 100% certainty, we will be cleared for "take-off" from the Ministry of National Security on Tuesday, and we will be able to apply for the renewal officially. In terms of the permits, the fees, and any deportation updates, we have none. We ask you to keep praying for us and the process (we will be sure to keep you posted). God has shown his faithfulness to prepare us, the people, and the work at every step of this journey; why would he stop now? Answer: He won't!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Pipeline
We try each week to get you some sweet blog love about what life is like in the land that reggae built. This, as you know, tends to be a backwards operation because we tell you what has already happened, but not this week. We wanted to update you on some upcoming issues and items for prayer (the pipeline).
1. Work Permits. The time has come (actually, the time has past) to renew our work permits. For those who may not remember, we went through quite an ordeal last year to get our permits without having to pay a rather hefty fee (see the old post). We have been hoping that we would not have to pay the fee because the church was changing their status from an LLC to a non-profit status. This process we thought would be the "hocus pocus" we needed, but not so much. There is still a decent chance that we will have to pay the permit fee. Please pray that we can get our permits renewed, quickly and without much delay (or deportation), and with minimal costs!
2. Splendid. Last night we received news that our dear friend Splendid, one of our Youth Fellowship students (and also one of Kirsten's Bible study members), was taken to the hospital for what they believed was appendicitis. As of this morning, she is being treated for something else and may even be discharged from the hospital today! Please pray for healing and peace from God as it is no doubt a scary experience for a 15-year old.
3. Multi-site. It is all the rage in evangelical church models to go "multi-site" (an interesting but non-essential video as case-in-point). As such, we do not want to be left out in the cold. Therefore, we are launching Bible study, Montego Bay edition. This is significant because Mo-Bay is 3 hours away! However, thanks to Skype, we are able to do it via the Internet. The idea is a brain child of one of my Bible study guys who is currently in medical school at the University of the West Indies, Mo-Bay. There is a group of students that he has been sharing Christ with and wants to start a Bible study but is looking for some assistance. So the plan is for a group meeting on Mondays where I will teach from our house through the computer. Please pray that this very experimental opportunity will bear much fruit. Also pray for me because, if you know me, sitting in a chair to teach in front of a small camera is going to be rather challenging.
4. Teams. We are just weeks away from Buff Bay becoming a booming epicenter of diversity. Okay, not so much, but starting in February there will be teams here almost straight through June! There are weeks in between some of the teams but not many. Please pray for the teams as they prepare, the town that their hearts will be open to the gospel, and for the members of the churches of the circuit that they will play an active role alongside the teams in evangelism/outreach.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Our Month in Pictures
The last month has been busy but not the normal kind of busy. Several events, special church services, and trips have kept us on the move. To be honest, the change of pace has been refreshing and a good time for us to recharge our batteries and also our hearts! In the daily grind, it is easy to lose focus of what is significant and meaningful. God, over the past few weeks, has proven (over and over again) his faithfulness in restoring and renewing the joy of our salvation! Thank you for your prayers, Christmas cards, emails, messages of congrats for us and the new "likkle one" (as they say here), and tireless support of the ministry!
For your pleasure and delight here are some pictures of the past month; enjoy!
For your pleasure and delight here are some pictures of the past month; enjoy!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Today's guest blogger... (drum roll)...Kirsten Anzardo!
Reading has always been one of my favorite ways to spend time. I am sure I nearly drove my parents crazy with re-reading books multiple times and, consequently, frequent trips to the library. So when I discovered how poorly many Jamaicans read, it burdened my heart. Not only can they not enjoy a good Dickens novel, but more importantly, many are unable to read the Bible or understand the little they can read. This inability weighed upon me, so when a mother asked me to help her 11-year old son learn to read, I jumped at the opportunity.
Every Wednesday evening I drive up to Mt. Vernon, a small “bush” community, to teach a reading program for students in grades 2-7. RAD (Reading Advancement and Development) is intended to supplement their learning particularly in reading, writing and speaking in proper English with the goal that they will be able to read Scripture on their own. Each evening includes review games, a phonics lesson, a spelling competition, reading aloud in groups and alone, listening and reading comprehension, a Bible lesson, a craft, and a Bible memory verse. With so much packed into a few hours, the time flies, which leaves little room for picture-taking! (I'll work on it.)
Please pray for these students. They are so eager to learn and are starving for attention. God has been gracious in providing Christian grandmothers for many of these kids, but few if any worship Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pray that God will guide me as I share the good news with them and endeavor to teach them to read. It is an uphill battle in many respects, but God has proven Himself faithful, and we trust He will continue to do so in 2011.
Every Wednesday evening I drive up to Mt. Vernon, a small “bush” community, to teach a reading program for students in grades 2-7. RAD (Reading Advancement and Development) is intended to supplement their learning particularly in reading, writing and speaking in proper English with the goal that they will be able to read Scripture on their own. Each evening includes review games, a phonics lesson, a spelling competition, reading aloud in groups and alone, listening and reading comprehension, a Bible lesson, a craft, and a Bible memory verse. With so much packed into a few hours, the time flies, which leaves little room for picture-taking! (I'll work on it.)
Please pray for these students. They are so eager to learn and are starving for attention. God has been gracious in providing Christian grandmothers for many of these kids, but few if any worship Jesus as Lord and Savior. Pray that God will guide me as I share the good news with them and endeavor to teach them to read. It is an uphill battle in many respects, but God has proven Himself faithful, and we trust He will continue to do so in 2011.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Newsletter: Holiday Edition
HO! HO! HO! Merry Christmas!!! Enjoy our latest newsletter sent with a digital double portion of holiday cheer.
Winter Newsletter 2010
Winter Newsletter 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
God's Perfect Rest
We received sad news this week: a church brother and friend died. The news was a shock. Our friend, Mr. Gutsmore, had recently undergone surgery in order to treat a long time illness that doctors were unable to pinpoint and address effectively. From all accounts, the surgery went well, and his strength seemed to be returning quickly. However, Tuesday night he felt ill and was short of breath. Not long after the troubles arose that night, Brother Gutsmore was with his Savior.
Kirsten and I met Bro. Gutsmore on our exploratory visit in November 2008 when we came as a members of an 18-person team to serve in Buff Bay. He drove me to my first preaching engagement. That would not be the last time he would give me a lift to teach. When we landed last year to begin ministering, Bro. Gutsmore was a great encouragement to us. His faithfulness and delight in the Lord was evident and through it was a blessing to many.
Brother Gutsmore was Buff Bay's tailor. There may be others, but everyone knows Bro. G. His shop is on the main road, so Kirsten and I would often make a point to stop in and chat. Gutsmore's health had been on the decline for many months. The illness he faced left him unable to eat and keep food down. Therefore, he was often depleted of energy and very weak and could not keep up his weight. A thin man to begin with, he lost decent poundage since we arrived. Despite the nagging persistence of sickness and fatigue, I never heard him complain once! His testimony and faith in Christ strengthened instead of decreased through his sickness. He trusted in the goodness in God even when the evidence said he should not.
Gutsmore was one of the few male voices in the choir, a deacon of the church, a husband, father, community bulwark, and friend. More importantly he was a child of God and has gone before us to be with Him, for which celebrate and praise the Lord!
Kirsten and I met Bro. Gutsmore on our exploratory visit in November 2008 when we came as a members of an 18-person team to serve in Buff Bay. He drove me to my first preaching engagement. That would not be the last time he would give me a lift to teach. When we landed last year to begin ministering, Bro. Gutsmore was a great encouragement to us. His faithfulness and delight in the Lord was evident and through it was a blessing to many.
Brother Gutsmore was Buff Bay's tailor. There may be others, but everyone knows Bro. G. His shop is on the main road, so Kirsten and I would often make a point to stop in and chat. Gutsmore's health had been on the decline for many months. The illness he faced left him unable to eat and keep food down. Therefore, he was often depleted of energy and very weak and could not keep up his weight. A thin man to begin with, he lost decent poundage since we arrived. Despite the nagging persistence of sickness and fatigue, I never heard him complain once! His testimony and faith in Christ strengthened instead of decreased through his sickness. He trusted in the goodness in God even when the evidence said he should not.
Gutsmore was one of the few male voices in the choir, a deacon of the church, a husband, father, community bulwark, and friend. More importantly he was a child of God and has gone before us to be with Him, for which celebrate and praise the Lord!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
It is Finished!...Almost
It is official. We are competent drivers according to the Jamaican government! We have both officially passed our driving tests with only a few scratches and bruises. Most of the bruising was to our egos, but we are thankful for the lesson in humility! All that is left is to wait for our actual licenses to come in the mail (hence the "almost").Throughout the time of going and taking tests (note the "s"), we were able to get to know one of the driving officials pretty well. After discovering that we are Christians and work with Pastor Allen, he asked us to keep him in our prayers, which we have been. He is a pleasant man who seems to be misunderstood (as you can imagine if your job was to be a task-master and make sure people are not cutting the corners or breaking the standards). We were even invited to a cook-out on his farm next time he slaughters a pig to jerk!
This week has been a tough writing week. As we keep plugging away, the spontaneous and unexpected relationships are great reminders of what God cares about most - people. Jesus came to seek and save the lost - you and me. Kirsten and I often rack our brains over how best to meet address this issue and need (which is necessary and good), but we are ashamed to say that it sometimes leads us to being disconnected from the people of Buff Bay whom God loved so much He gave Jesus to save. When this disconnection occurs, we forget to see and love others the way Jesus does. The agendas, meetings, and Bible studies are great, but if we have not love, specifically the love of Christ (in us and offered to others), then we are forgetting the "royal law," which is to love as we have been loved. Pray with us that we will continue to build on these relationships and earn the privilege and the right to share God's good news of Jesus Christ and that he came to say, "it is finished!"
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