Time of Transition

Times of transition come for us all. Sometimes they are easy, sometimes more difficult. We are in the midst of a transition in our ministry. We have just moved from New Vision up to the City of Refuge in the Blue Mountains, near Kingston. This was a very difficult decision for us to make, but after much prayer and consideration, we feel it is what God wants for our family. We have been serving at New Vision for 1 year now and will spend the next year at the City of Refuge. This home is twice the size of New Vision...over 60 kids!...with a coffee farm and many more employees. It will be a challenge for sure, but we know God will be with us.

It was very difficult to leave the kids at New Vision. Many of them call us mom and dad, and we feel like they are our own children. But knowing we will still be on the island, able to call and visit, has made this a little easier for all of us. Since the move, we have already visited them 3 times. It has been so good to see them come running when we pull in the driveway...it feels like a family reunion! Please pray for the kids at New Vision as they have gone through this kind of transition many times before. It's hard for them, but Jesus is able to sustain them.

We were able to take them all on a fun trip to the water park before we left...thanx to the generous donation of a team! It was a GREAT time, and everyone had a fabulous day! It's a time we will all never forget! (I'll try to post some pics soon!)

We will be in training for the next month, learning the in's and out's of this home. The Puffpaffs, the directors, will be returning to the States for a year of itineration, and they will need your prayers as well. They have been at this home for almost 9 years, and it will be hard for them to say goodbye and be gone for so long. The kids here have never been through this kind of transition before, so please lift them up in prayer as well.

As for our 4 kids, they are handling this well. They miss their freinds at New Vision but are doing great making new freinds. Sadly, just before our move, our dog Zeke was hit by a car and killed. As you may remember, we lost a dog in January to rat poison, so this has been very hard for us all. (We've decided to wait before getting any kind of pet!) They will be starting up school soon. Levi and Alyssa will go to the school here on the property with the Jamaican kids, and Jaycee & Hannah will attend the same online academy as last year. We are expecting a great year for them all.

We are confident that this is where the Lord wants us for this time in our lives. He has made that abundantly clear. We know the challege ahead is great, but He has promised that He will give us what we need, when we need it. So we find comfort and rest in Him, and trust that He has everything in control. Please continue to pray for us and all the kids at both homes. We all need it very much!