Because so many ask......

When Americans come to the island for missions experiences the first question most ask is, "Renee, what is your Jamaican School like?" She is the only "missionary kid" that is not home-schooled here in Jamaica. I am going to use this blog to give a description of her school where she spends most of her time!

Belair School is located in Mandeville and currently has 600 students. The catalyst for the schools beginning in 1969 was the multinational corporations, Alpart and Alcan. Alcan established its alumina plant in the 1950's, however, because of the strain the new families coming to town put on the existing schools,they invested in the expansion of Manchester Prep School. When Alpart came to Manchester Parish in 1969, there was a big thrust to upgrade the Manchester Prep School even more to facilitate the new families moving in. Alpart also accepted all responsibility for the salary and accomodations for the headmaster from the United States.

The first headmaster was Perry Bendicksen. His greatest concern was the fact that the parents didn't want their children to have to go through a huge shift after being in Jamaica for a few years to then returning back to the states for college. The educational system here was British. So to accommodate that, Alpart funded the construction of a secondary school. It was called Belair Secondary School and was actually planted in the location it is today.

As headmasters changed and shifts began to happen in Alpart, "Jamaicanization" began to happen. It became totally Jamaican in 1984 and Dr. Dudley Stokes became the first Jamaican headmaster.

In 2007 when we were determining if Jamaica was the next step for us as a family, Renee's school availability and access to continued Susuki violin training was at the top of our priority list. Now 3 years later we look back and can only rejoice because of her development. Belair was the right place for Renee. She started 7th grade in 2008 and today she is almost finished with grade 9!

I will never forget our first tour of Belair when we were simply here to investigate. The differences between Belair and Carver Middle School in Springfield, MO are monumental. There were more questions than answers back then for sure. How would she acclimate to the huge changes that were coming? How would she make friends? How would she understand the dialect? How would she continue on this high academic standard she had already set for herself? How would she be able to feel successful rather than punished? How would the teachers react to her being a different race and color? How would her classmates react? How would she MAKE IT, basically was the question.

I don't think I can ever forget the look on her face when we began the tour with the principal leading the way. At times it was a look of terror and at other times a look of adventure. There were moments of sheer fright and other times big smiles. I knew that if any kid could do it, Renee could. When we actually moved here 3 days before her 7th grade began, we had to believe that indeed God had directed our steps but in looking back it was a step of faith to even believe that!

We arrived on the island to actually live here the night before Hurricane Gustav. We found ourselves at the Mandeville Hotel for the first 3 nights. There was a skeletal crew at the hotel with limited food choices of course due to the suddenness of the storm. We thought that the sound of the generator was just a norm! Very quickly we realized that the budget would not maintain hotel living so we went searching for a place to lay our heads. Our home was not going to be available until our shipment arrived by boat. We were in a little bit of a limbo just waiting. The problem was Belair was going to begin school very quickly! We had to get uniforms made and the correct socks found. We knew from the information they sent to us in the States that everything had to be exact. So fortunately we found a seamstress and began the process. I remember it was a really crazy time because the uniforms were not ready and I went pleading.....WE HAVE TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE UNIFORM!!! She has to go to school in the morning!!

Thank God those days are over! It was really crazy along with our living arrangements, getting a car registered, teaching, visas, everything was NUTS! The only thing that was calm was Belair! God orchestrated even her homeroom teacher, the one she would spend time with, the one who understood the most where Renee was at emotionally, the one who gave her time and even her first official lesson speaking Patois....Miss Mead. We will forever be indebted to this most wonderful and gifted teacher.


Here are some photos of the school entrance. As most places in Jamaica there is a security guard on duty and he allows or doesn't allow people onto the campus.








The school building is built around a courtyard,most if not all schools in Jamaica are built that way.The courtyard is in the center and the classrooms are around it. An interesting difference is that the students don't move from class to class. They have one or 2 classes per grade and the teachers go to them. There is a small staff room however a teacher doesn't have their private desk or own classroom, etc. except for art, music and PE.




Here in Jamaica a snack shop is called a Tuck Shop. Belair's "Tuck Shop" is where the students buy lunch, and snacks. Interesting tidbit, this is an area that we tell Renee she may struggle with when we go back to the States for her senior year. The Tuck shop is open all day long. Whenever you have a free moment you can stop in and get what you need. It doesn't close as the American school cafeteria does.It doesn't have tables or even much space to get in a line to order. The students have access to a couple of round cement tables in the courtyard but Renee typically eats her lunch in the art room or the music room where she hangs out with some of her favorite teachers and subjects! Here are some photos, standing in line at the tuck shop,her music teacher Mr. Anderson,eating in her classroom with her friends,and the art room.









A year long event happened in Renee's first year at Belair and that was the 40th year celebration. Renee, even though a brand new student, was asked to play her violin for many occassions. It was a wonderful honor. A student passed away this year and she was asked to play at his funeral. So along with playing in churches where her daddy preaches she has many opportunities to play for special events, even those that have been televised. I am sure that this gift was part of God's plan to help her acclimate as well as she has.




Because of wanting to be sure Renee was in a safe place, worried mommy that I am, I began volunteering at the school right away. I found myself in the library assisting a wonderful teacher that has been employed at Belair for 20 years. I help Ms. Volaitis process the books along with shelving them and assisting her with varied tasks and classes. I love it! It is an honor to bless the school that has invested so much into Renee's life and I will hold dear to the personal memories I will take from the school as well.





Another adjustment that Renee had was PE. I remember the first Parent/teacher conference that took place. Incidently they happen after the term is over. Her grade in PE wasn't a "Renee" kind of grade! We were concerned. Mind you, every sport takes place outside, on the field, in the blazing sun, in the afternoon, without a bubbler nearby, etc. So in speaking to the PE teacher I told him that she is not used to the heat and when we pick her up on PE day, there are some days she can hardly get all her stuff in the car, she is so exhausted.There were a few PE days of tears. He said to us, "Oh don't worry, by next semester she will get it!" I have to say now in her second year of Belair, PE is becoming a favorite! She did get it! Netball, extreme heat, running like Usain Bolt....well almost!, cross country, football (soccer), sprints, she is getting it!






In Literature class Renee portrayed Juliet. Here is a photo of her with her teacher, Mr. Sinclair and Belair's wonderful principal,Ms.McCathy.



I could go on and on about Renee's friends, her achievements, her special awards and her wonderful life. Of course everything is different, but she looks at life through the eyes of wonderment and excitement for what her future holds. Belair is part of God's plan and although different....significantly wonderful...

Sisters......Precious Gifts

My Sister is a forever friend
As we to each other extend
A hand, A hug, A look of love
Serving the Great Lord above
We laugh, We joy, we smile together
Sometimes our love is light as a feather.
But then at other times in life
We cry, We pout, We have our strife
At times we are so hard to please
But God alone gives us His peace.

My sister is like a pearl rare
Together we make quite an interesting pair
We are sharing, loving and full of care
To me you are someone I hold so dear.
When around you, I have no fear
You accept me, faults and all
When in trouble, you I call
Our friendship is a fragile flower
And then again, a tall, strong tower.

My sister is a golden treasure
We thrive on giving each other pleasure
When in the dark, you are a light
Full of direction, used by God's might.
Your life is like a shelter
Peaceful, guarded, not wanting to falter
Sister, accept my deepest devotion
You are precious, You are love in motion.






My sister, Janis, was a guest soloist last Sunday in a Missionary Alliance church. My sister, Janine, leaves tomorrow for a week as a missionary to Nicaragua. I am so blessed. I am honored to have 2 sisters that mean the world to me.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Norwood Hospital 2-2-90 Friday 7 pounds 1 ounce 20 inches long Dr.Prout


It is amazing that today at 12:31 p.m. you turn 20! You are no longer a teenager! I can't believe it. When you were born, we lived in Walpole, Massachusetts. Daddy was on staff at Christian Life Center. We had been married 12 years and were so desirous to have you! You had been prayed for, for many, many years and we had yet to feel your life or see your face. We longed to have you, little man, in our lives.





Ryan, your name dates back to the third century and is derived from a Latin word meaning "the laughing." Although most commonly heard as a surname, from the Irish Rian, "little king," it has gained popularity as a given name in America.





Still today, Ryan is the most beautiful name to my ears. You are a Ryan, when people don't hear your name well and say Bryan, I always think, no Bryan doesn't fit! He is a Ryan. Reading the definition of your name, I am reminded that you have always been a person of laughter and certainly you have always been treated like a king!

You were the most precious baby, toddler, little boy, young man! Everybody would tell me that! From the church nursery workers to your mema, from Mrs. Canterbury to Miss Starla. You had a gentleness about you that was part of your personality. Even today you are a "gentleman."





You went on your first missions trip in 1993 to Puerto Rico, then in 1994 to the Dominican Republic, 1995 to France, 1996 to Mexico, 1997 to Paraguay, 1999 to Russia, 2003 Costa Rica, you were the youngest student to be in language school with daddy and at the graduation even recieved a certificate! 2005 and 2007 you were back in Mexico with daddy. You had a lot of ministry in Jamaica in 2009. You have always been a great travelor! I guess you learned you had to be if you wanted to be with Dad! I wish I had the car and air miles that you logged through these last 20 years!



Ry, you have brought so much joy to our lives and you are your sisters hero, example, idol (in a good sense!) and friend. Thank you for investing so much time and energy into her through the years. You are a terrific big brother!



I remember the first time I allowed Renee to take a spin with you in your first car. I was so nervous to have both of my babies in the same car with a new driver! I stood on the porch interceding for safety until you came around that corner on Leisa and Jonathan! The joy on your faces, the wind blowing through your hair, the smiles so huge, I was put to shame that I would worry so while you both were having so much fun! You have brought so much joy to your sister.....thanks!



The hardest thing we have ever done honey was leaving you, our "little king" at VFCC on August 27, 2008 to fly to Jamaica the next day for a 4 year missions term. It was and is such a struggle to leave you alone. It is absolutely essential for us as parents to let you learn how to fly on your own but it is not something we enjoy! We have watched your development close up and personal for now 20 years and you will never know the depth of how proud we are of you. Your desire to make music, your desire to worship, your desire to please, your desire to keep moving and not get stagnant, your desire to do your best, your desire to keep healthy friends, your desire to be a pastor, your desire to LOVE God and to make HIM known is something that brings your daddy and me, and your grandparents great joy.



When I was in the hospital on February 2, 1990 Pop Pop and MeMa came to the hospital and her devotion that morning was something appropriate to read to me anticipating the delivery of my first~born. I want to share it with you.

Fear not, I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13.. Sunlight glistens on his whiskers as Mr. Groundhog cautiously pokes his head above his earthy burrow. He eases to his haunches, twitches his fuzzy ears and listens for signs of danger. Then...horrors! He sees this big, black, spooky thing looming in front of him. Whoosh! He's gone. His shadow has sent him fleeing back to the safety of his den. This means, according to legend from Great Britain and Germany, that winter will last another six weeks. I, for one, like a sunny day---especially in February. How silly to let a shadow spoil it. But, I wonder, how many times have I retreated from opportunity because I was frightened by a shadow called "uncertainty" or "inadequacy"? Perhaps my fear is as unfounded as the groundhog's. I have an idea. This Groundhog Day, despite the scary shadows in front of me, I'm going to take one small step toward something I want to accomplish. Dear Lord, this Groundhog Day, give me the courage to confront my shadows. (Terry Helwig)

You, my little groundhog, born on Groundhog Day, are now 20 years old. You know how to live uprightly. You know what makes the world tick, you know so much about ministry life. As you follow HIS call, don't be afraid of your shadow!

All we ever do is say Good~Bye

All we ever do is say good~bye is our John Mayer theme song tonight. For a week we have been dreading tonights farewell. Paul, Dulcie, Jaycee, Hannah, Alyssa,and Levi are leaving Jamaica tomorrow and we are not happy. When we arrived in Jamaica August 2008, we found ourselves sleeping in the Bushhorn kids beds for a couple weeks until our shipment caught up with us to settle into our own house. The Bushhorn's were having visa troubles so they were off the island. When we arrived at the children's home where they were the directors everybody kept asking, Renee are you and Hannah Bushhorn sisters?! We hadn't met this wonderful family yet so by the time they returned we were more than ready to meet Renee's twin!

We have had more than tons of fun with the Bushhorns. For our first year here almost to the day, we had a prayer meeting at our house every Saturday night. The Yoders and the Bushhorns and the Selers. We prayed through on many occassion our frustrations, our trials, our joys, everybody elses frustrations, trials and joys as well! Then came a very difficult day when the Yoders having fulfilled their MAPS term left to go home, and then the Bushhorns moved to Kingston to direct another children's home. We were the only missionaries in the middle of the island for awhile!

Sleepovers, get togethers, beach time, clown ministry and lots of laughs kept our families together and now they will be in ministry somewhere else.

This week Renee wrote in her journal a moving piece and even tonight as she read it to the Bushhorns to say goodbye, I was moved by her words.

From Renee's journal, January 18, 2010:

"Being an MK, saying good~bye kind of becomes part of you. Some MK's treat good~bye like "FORGET". As soon as you say good~bye to someone, they are forgotten-out of sight, out of mind.
Other MK's treat good~bye as a "see you later" I mean, they invented Face Book for a reason!
I don't know about you, but I want to say "see you later". If you become like the first group of MK's, eventually you are just going to stop making friends in the first place, just so you won't have to say good~bye.
So here's my question, Are you going to say "forgotten" or "see you later"?"


As difficult as tonight was for Renee, Den and me, we realize that God does have a plan, a purpose for all of our steps. We are so grateful for the time we have spent with our wonderful friends, the Bushhorns. We are placing their steps in to the Master Designer's hands. We know that HE does all things well. Although we are still not happy!

What a difference a day makes.....

One of the reasons I love being at the Jamaican Bible College is because I have a college student in the states. When I take our students brownies, in the back of my mind, I am praying that someone will show kindness to Ryan. When I teach my students, I see my sons reflection in their beautiful faces. When I have the students at my house here in Jamaica I am praying that someone will invite Ryan to their house.

On Tuesday, January 12, the thought occured to me, if something tragic happened in Jamaica, what would Ryan feel and sense if he were not able to reach us because of the phone and internet service being down? Every emotion that a mom could feel hit me all at once when we heard the tragic news of quite possibly the worst earthquake to hit our planet and it hit only 296 miles from me. They tell us that the tremors were felt in Kingston.

Tragically if an earthquake of such magnitude were to hit Jamaica we would be in the same position as the Haitians because of the lack of building codes and the infrastructure of the island is in many ways like that of Haiti.

When this tragedy was made aware to us we immediately thought of our Haitian students, Patrick Collins and Cherley Fabiola. Our last class at the college was December 4, most of our students went home, but 6 students remained. Patrick and Cherley were 2 of them. They were unable to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with their families. Most of our students are not able to do many things because of financial situations.

Immediately we made contact with Patrick and Cherley and of course went over to the college to be sure that they were okay. They were not. The day we arrived, they were both standing on the veranda gazing into the sky. I immediately asked why, they couldn't answer. My guess is that they were envisioning their homeland and yet hadn't heard anything from their families. I can't imagine the turmoil of just longing to hear dad or mom's voice. They waited a couple days. On Thursday Cherley's father was able to cross the DR border for cell service and made contact. He told Cherley to tell Patrick that his dad was fine. This is all Patrick knew until his aunt called on Friday.

Cherley's family survived, the home did not.

Patrick learned from his aunt that his dad made it out "narrowly" but his mom and 17 year old brother did not. Patrick's dad is a pastor and the Church on the Rock has a Bible college. School would have been over at 5:00. The earthquake hit before 5. All 30 students...dead beneath the rubble.




Collins Patrick Jean Jacques is a beautiful student. Here he is on the veranda at our college. His birthday is June 25 and that is a special date. It is my parent's anniversary so it is easy for me to remember Patrick's special day. Patrick came to Jamaica January 2009 with only French in his mouth! I will never forget his first semester. His eyes were like deer eyes in the headlights! He had to grasp English and Patois all at the same time as well as the disciplines of the college. Oh they were tough days for him, but he survived and today speaks beautifully in 3 languages!



Patrick at our house for a cookout. He is a true joy. A special student. A man of God. He and Cherley have become Renee's tutors in French! They have helped her grasp their language and excel in her French studies.




This photo is from Patrick's facebook with this caption. I quote so you can get the full impact of his words, heart and grief. Patrick is on the left with his mom, his cousin and his brother.

"Farewell my mama and my little brother! You play a big role in my life. Alas, an earthquake you leave me, but in my heart you will always be alive...the LORD has given, the Lord has taken. The name of Jehovah be blessed..you'll always be in my memory. Farewell...."





This caption is under this photo of his dad.

"My daddy and me in 2006 Church on the Rock, Haiti"
"Eben Ezer, the Lord help us. It has helped my father the Tuesday 12 janvier 2010 in this terrible earthquake. My soul bless the Lord that everything that is within me bless His holy name. Thanks for the blood of your son Jesus Christ who has been paying on Wood Calvary."

On another photo of his mom, Patrick writes:

"Mom, you were everything to me your angel face I cannot forget because it is engraved in me, my mom once again I love you, my little brother you cannot know how I'll miss you, When I go to bed watching you're not. God give me strength because I need the divine power that comes from you to get there."


On Friday at 5:28, 3 days after the quake, Patrick wrote on his facebook:

"The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, The Alpha and Omega. I say thanks because if you have saved my father narrowly, in this terrible earthquake Haiti, I wish to say thank you, whatever happens you'll always be my God. My soul bless the Lord that all that is within me bless His holy name."


He writes to us:

"Hi Miss, I thank your family and friends to the United States, praying for my country. Once again, thank you very much specially for your family. May God bless the USA and your family abundantly."


As I type this blog tonight my eyes are full of tears. We are spending our lives investing in Bible college students, not knowing that at any moment, their entire life can be turned upside down and forever impacted by a tragedy. Patrick I love so much, to see His faith in the moment of desperation has proven again that our up and coming pastors/ men of God truly know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is not some game they are playing, they will serve Him no matter what comes.

Patrick, I honor you. You have shown faith in the midst of incredible uncertainty. You are walking a life of faith in our God who holds every tomorrow. Your faith has spurred me on to complete the race because one never knows what a difference a day might make.

10 Ways to Survive 2010!

Okay usually I don't copy another person's writings, but I thought you would appreciate another cultures view on how to survive economically in the new year.
From the Jamaica Gleaner (newspaper) Janaury 11, 2010

1. Remember the days when eating out was a once-a-month (payday) treat? Return to them now. Instead go to the market and buy fresh fruits and vegetables to prepare healthy meals at home.

2. Roast the beef or chicken on Sundays, save the breast to make sandwiches for lunch on Monday. Use the bones and carcass to make stock for gravies.

3. Girls in their pre-teen years have no need to go to the hairdresser weekly. Mothers need to stop being so lazy and bond with their girls through shampooing and combing their hair themselves. Your mothers did it! Count up all that money saved, and use it to buy books or go out to dinner.

4. If you used to go to the movies every week, rent DVD's instead and treat yourselves to the cinema less frequently.

5. Do you really need a full-time helper? Get a day's worker once or twice weekly, and start getting the family to help with the chores at home; children can clean their rooms, wash dishes and care for the pets.

6. Invest in a washing machine, do your own laundry and get someone to do the ironing.

7. Stop buying new outfits for every wedding, ball or banquet; recycle the pieces in the wardrobe sensibly. So, if you wore a dress to a function in the city last year, this year wear it to an event out of town or overseas. Better yet, swap with close friends or siblings you trust.

8. Repair shoes, bags and clothes if they can be repaired rather than throwing them out and buying a new one.

9. Get even with the utility companies by consuming less. Turn off lights; get in touch with your romantic side by having candlelight dinners at home; iron all your work clothes and the children's uniforms once a week, watch only one television and unplug equipment that is not in use. Install motion sensitive lights outdoors, and remove features that are not in use on your land line phones.

10. Finally, start telling people who come and solicit for barbecue and every ticket under the sun, a big NO! Stop giving your hard-earned dough to every Tom, Dick and Harry who begs, save it for the next 350-odd days!

It is unusual for the people in our town to see a lot of white folk. We are easy targets for begging. I wonder if the next time they come to me I could just whip out my handy, dandy Gleaner 2010 ways to survive.............naw I think not. I guess I will just keep giving and giving till I have nothing left to give. Best way to live!

Destination: Florida, ETA: ?

Anything can happen on the East Coast in the winter months. Growing up in Pennsylvania you would be used to plans changing when the snow came! And how we would pray that the snow would come on school days! Hundreds of photos have been taken with the snow above my head. One of my favorite memories is skating on the town pond till dark, especially when school was cancelled! Ministry in Massachusetts would quickly change when a nor'easter would be predicted! Most of the time, if it was predicted it really did arrive. I don't remember too many false alarms!
When we booked our flights to Newark NJ a couple of months ago never did we realize that we would be traveling right in the middle of a great nor'easter. We arrived last night and oh what a night it has been!




We landed finally at 12:30 a.m. and the first thing Renee saw at the airport was a bubbler! A small USA treat!



Ry was there to meet us and take us to the hotel. One of the food groups that Renee misses the most is Taco Bell. Ry logs it into the GPS and the closest is only 4 miles away so he dropped us off at Howard Johnsons, Ry and Ney take off for TB. Her mouth watered all day for that dinner!
Boy did those tacos taste good at 2 this morning!

We then drove to Phoenixville to drop off luggage that won't fit in the car for Florida, pick up Ry's guitar and his luggage for the retreat and enjoy a Phillie cheese steak!


The trek to Florida begins! We left Phoenixville at 1:30 this afternoon and arrived in Manasas Virginia at 8:30 tonight. Den drove 35 mph for 7 hours only to go 200 miles! We laughed, we sang, we listened to christmas songs on the radio, we snoozed, we slid, we read, we played with the DS and we slid some more! We drove through PA, DE, MD, DC and settled in VA for the night! They say that maybe the plow trucks will be in operation in the morning! We will see! I think we will have church at Bedside Assembly!





This Christmas is going to be a different kind of holiday for us, spending it in hotels without all the wrappings of the holiday. I treasure the 4 of us being together most of all and am grateful that we are going to WARM country...that is unless this is the Christmas Florida sees snow!