As long as we’re talking about characters (see my post below entitled The Simpsons) – especially animated characters – we should not leave out talking about Adam and James Jones. OK, first of all, go figure why two of the funniest people on Earth are individually working in a) a college Admissions Department; and b) the health care industry. Neither of which is funny in the least.

James and Adam Jones

Adam and James were part of our medical mission team. The more I got to know them, the more I found myself wondering just why they weren’t writing for Saturday Night Live. They might as well have been, because they knew nearly every line of nearly every show from memory. All one of them had to do was drop a line, and the other chimed in the next, and off they would go – doing the whole script, and without ever cracking up – which they left to all those whole were listening. But without a doubt their impromptu, original one-liners and comic dialogs were just as good as anything SNL has ever done!

Quit elbowing, Adam!

How good to see two brothers who grew up pounding each other into the turf (or through the living room window in one instance – just ask James how that felt), now getting along famously.  Yet what a contrast in personalities and interests.

Well maybe that wasn’t always the case, as Adam insists to this day that James was a copycat. But then somewhere along the way James also became the record holder for 3 point shooting at his High School (dang, if only I’d known this when picking basketball teams!); and Adam has become a musician.

Adam singing Hotel California

But they still have a lot in common. They’re both sons of a Southern Baptist preacher. Southern Baptist and SNL … hmmmm. They both have hearts of gold, which they give away freely. They both worked tirelessly day after day in our clinics in Guatemala. They both love Jesus, and work to know him better every day – though first born Adam claims to work harder at it than James ever can!

On the other hand, James points out that Adam doesn’t remember the exact day and place of his conversion experience, whereas James does – in front of the kitchen sink. That’s different. But certainly better in front of the kitchen sink than under it, or behind it, in it!

Awwwwww

Finally, to dispel the mystery that I’m sure has had you all hanging on the edge of your seats throughout this post, Adam is the brother in the college admissions department – the very prestigious Belmont University in Nashville, TN. If you have a prayer of getting into that institution, you’re gonna have to go through Adam to do it!

Copycat James has finally found his own unique path in the medical field – currently as a nurse, but soon to start med school.

Buddies

Bless you Jones Brothers – the trip wouldn’t have been the same without you – and not nearly as fun either.

Beat ya, James!