August 16, 2011 - Is a Picture Really Worth 1,000 Words?

We have literally tens of thousands of photographs from our 20 years of mission work. Our entry into full-time service (11 years ago) was accompanied by the advent of digital camera's that were affordable and easy to use. Now, not only is it easy to take digital still photographs, it is easy to take video, often with the same camera. The internet, personal computers and inexpensive (or free) software make it easy to share our memories on sites such as YouTube and social networking sites.

Gina D's YouTube Video

One of our summer missionaries created a great video of her experience in Nicaragua. Better than 1,000 words, this video summarizes a 10 day mission into a couple of minutes. Watch the video and you will see what we mean.

June 11, 2011 - One-Two-Three, What Are We Fightin' For...

The opening line of this oldie reminds me of my youth in Commerce, Texas during the 60's and early 70's when the hippies were doing their thing, college students protested the war and those of the so-called "enlightened generation" were ruining their minds with anything they could set on fire and suck through a pipe. Commerce was somewhat insulated from a lot of that, yet the small campus of East Texas Teacher's College (later East Texas State University and now Texas A&M at Commerce) had its share of civil disobedience and hippies.

The song goes on to answer the question with "I don't know and I don't give a (care)" (expletive omitted).

Does this have anything at all to do with today? As Christians, we should be asking this question of ourselves - "What are we fighting for?" Another way to phrase it might be, "What are we striving for? We should know the answer, yet so many of our Christian brothers and sisters (bound for Heaven for sure) can't answer the question and what's more, don't really care.

Can you answer? You should know for what you are striving.

Want a hint? Click here.

May 29, 2011 - Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day weekend, we were privileged to visit the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery with our son, Lt. Arron Burch (USN). While I viewed the rows upon rows of graves I realized that many of these were killed in action while most served with honor and returned to live out their days in the freedom that they themselves had fought for. I don't know the story of YN1 Higginbotham, but from his young age, it could be that he lost his life while on duty for us. As we reflected on the ultimate sacrifices made by those killed in action, we could see at the mouth of the bay a United States nuclear submarine returning from duty somewhere in the world. The crew of that submarine are voluntarily and intentionally serving us and the freedoms we love. We mourn for the lost and the families that miss them. We pray for those families that will live day to day thinking about a loved one lost to war. We pray for those that are still serving. Jody and Trisha Kennedy

March 13, 2011 - A Great and Dear Soldier Goes Home

Went home today - March 13, 2011 (click on the photo above) Benjamin Quant began working with us as translator in 2005 during our first years in Nicaragua. We quickly fell in love with this dear man who served his Lord with all his might. He loved unconditionally and served without reservation. He has been part of virtually every one of the more than 50 ministries we have conducted in Nicaragua. God only knows how many people came to Christ through this man's consistent witness and bold testimony. He held the Word in his heart and was ready with wit and wisdom that was completely shaped by the Word of God. Our hearts are broken because we will miss him immensely, but at the same time we are celebrating because he is now celebrating. He was ready to be with Jesus in Heaven and he has now finished the course. We can be absolutely sure that Ben is in Heaven. How can we be sure? Because the Bible, the perfect word of God tells us so. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13 Jody and Trisha Kennedy

March 5, 2011 - M*A*S*H Nica Style

From 1972 until 1983, M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) was an iconic and often controversial weekly television sitcom with quite a bit of political commentary, satire and immorality mixed in. The fact is that my generation was greatly influenced by this show and the many other so-called ground breaking television shows of the 1970's. Sadly, the underlying themes of counter-culture and immorality were usually veiled by really funny situations, one-liners and tear-jerking tragedy. While we laughed and cried with the characters, the underlying messages helped my generation along a path of acceptance of immoral behavior and attitudes as "normal".

In 1988, Jesus Christ changed my outlook on everything. I can still laugh at some of those M*A*S*H episodes, but I cringe at the immorality and lost condition that the show represents among my generation.

The world is in need of a totally new M+A+S+H. So, Jody Kennedy International will field our own M+A+S+H (Medical Assistance for Spiritual Health) in Masatepe, Nicaragua. While we will not be doing any surgeries we have no doubt that many heart transplants will take place.

Won't you pray for us right now? Will you consider how you can help us during 2011 by going, giving, sending and praying?

Thank you for 10+ years and thanking Him in advance for the next 10.

Jody