The World's Greatest Invention...

Well, it is my great pleasure to inform you that we finally have the internet!!!  This means a couple of things: 1) we now feel connected to the rest of existence 2) we are no longer breaking commandments by stealing our neighbor's wireless signal and 3) we can keep in more regular contact with all of you back home! As we have said before we intend to post once a week, and if we get really "wild and crazy" sometimes more. 

Since the Mega-Post we have been getting settled with our duties as best as we can.  The rain typically keeps people in because the temperature drops considerably and sickness abounds when people go out and get wet and catch a chill.  Being that the past couple weeks have been very rainy, many of our weekly meetings/lessons have been canceled.  The meetings and ministries that we have had, though, have gone pretty well, and we praise God. 

2 East Ave (Buff Bay, Portland Jamaica-our proper address if any is interested) definitely feels more like home every day, and the smell of rice and peas simmering is becoming the smell of a proper meal.  I am also getting pretty skilled at making the chicken "boneless" (there is still room for growth).  Kirsten was very encouraged when we had about 12 people from Youth Fellowship over for dinner last Saturday night when all of her curry chicken, rice and peas, mashed potatoes, cabbage salad, and fried plantains were gobbled up!  Many people commented on her fast transition or were stunned that someone definitely not Jamaican could make some legitimate Jamaican food! 

In more serious news, please pray for our work permit.  We are currently listed as extended visitors but are waiting to here if we have been approved for the work permit.  The work permit is not necessarily the problem, but the fee that comes with it is.  The fee is $1200/permit!  We have applied for an exemption, and a government committee met to revue our application about a week ago, but we have still not heard their decision.  We are positive about the exemption and trusting in God's sovereignty.

You can also pray that we continue to adjust well.  We have found that even though days may not be hard physically, our bodies and minds tire quickly.  In trying to get a better understanding of the culture and trying to read people, our energy is zapped at the end of the day (that and the rosters at 3AM!).  Also continue to pray for the various ministries (preaching, Bible studies, music lessons, discipleship, and relationship building).  We are learning that we can do these incredibly well and cleverly, but if God is not at the center or is not the power it is worthless.  Lastly, pray that we will continue to grow in our love for the Lord, our desire to see the Gospel proclaimed, and our trust in Him for all our needs.  

More to come...more regularly! 

Grace and peace,
Jon and Kirsten

PS--We will work on getting some pictures up.  They are hard to get because not all Jamaicans like having their pictures taken.  However, we will certainly work harder to share our views and experiences with you all.