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.
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