Not the Usual Farewell

Andy, Erin, Ben

Usually it's the kids who move away, but we changed things up a bit!  Ever since we began the application process, over two years ago, our kids have been encouraging and enthused about us following God's call to Robin's Nest.  Even so, leaving them isn't something we took lightly.  They're witty, thoughtful, interesting, kind, and fun, and I will miss each one of them.  I'm thankful for email and Skype, but  not having the option of actually being with them will be a challenge.  I'm looking forward to having them come visit, I want them to watch out for and stay close with each other, and I entrust them to God's perfect care.         

Thank Goodness for the Snake Game!

So, I tripped on the steps Sunday afternoon.  Had hoped my foot was only sprained, but by Monday morning, we figured I needed to have it checked at the clinic/hospital in Montego Bay.
Checked in at 9:45am.
Turns out, one doctor was sick, which left only one doctor to see all of the patients.
Also turns out that Monday was the day the clinic was changing over to a new computer system.
St. Patrick's Day was my lucky day!
At 5:00pm, I was rolled out to the truck by the porter, with my foot in a splint.

What does one do while waiting at the clinic for seven hours, you might ask?
First of all, you must know that the waiting area was a narrow hallway with two restrooms and some offices.  So, in that amount of space, and with time on your hands, you start to get to know the other dozen people waiting with you.

We had an interesting conversation with a postal worker from Kingston.
Listened to a man take his eyesight test at the end of the hallway.  (He passed.)
Learned a lot from a man who was raised in Cuba.
And our favorite incident:  A few hours into the day, a man stepped into the restroom.  Sure enough, just then the nurse came looking for him.  Several people pointed to the restroom.  She quickly knocked on the door and called, "Stop, Mr. Frank!  Stop!"  She needed a urine sample from him.  Alas, too late; he needed to drink some water and try again later.  (Privacy may be overrated.)

As time went on, I counted the vowels and syllables on all of the signage, then tried to make other words using the letters on the signs.  Then it was time to take out Bruce's iPad and play the Snake game; high score:  51.

 

In the end, I got great health care.  I'm thankful that I only needed a splint, not a cast, and it will be removed in only three weeks. 

Navigating the uneven terrain here at the Nest will be a challenge, and there are probably some things I just won't be able to do.  (Can I get down the hill and collect eggs in the coop while using crutches?)

Comic relief at the end of the day:  the orthopedic surgeon asked if I needed him to authorize sick leave from my job...That won't happen, but I have been told that the Lord is allowing this time of recuperation as a Sabbath and to remember that our time here is a marathon, not a sprint. 



I'll have to let myself be on "island time" for a while!

The Prime Minister

The Honourable Portia Simpson Miller



 

One of the children, the 8-year-old, got in trouble the other day (poured a bucket of sand on another child's head!) and I needed to put her in a time-out.  Needless to say, she wasn't happy with me (and not particularly remorseful, I must add.)

She told me I should never have moved to Jamaica, and she was going to talk with the Prime Minister about it.  I told her to give it a try.  (Might as well go straight to the top.)

So I'm waiting for a certified letter or a phone call from Kingston; meanwhile, to acknowledge the British influence here, I'm going to "Keep Calm and Carry On"!