One Year Later

Just over one year ago, I left Grenada after having spent two years working to re-establish the ministry of Inter School Christian Fellowship in that country. I didn't want to leave, they didn't want me to leave, but we had to accept that my season there was over, and it was time to pass on the baton to those who would be carrying the movement forward.

Commissioning of new staff workers

Arlene and Cheryl bravely took over the role of staffworker, both on a part-time basis. They were both instrumental members of the Board while I was staffworker, and both had experience being involved with the ministry as students, Arlene in Guyana and Cheryl in Grenada. They divided up the schools between themselves and set to work ensuring that the student ministry was sustained in the groups where we already established groups, and started exploring new options.

Student executive at Happy Hill Secondary

They experienced many triumphs and challenges over the past year. New board members were added, while others had to leave. New sponsors were sourced, but some of the faithful ones were no longer available. New schools were added, but some existing groups are struggling. Praise God for the new volunteers who have made themselves available to help with the staff work in the Eastern part of Grenada, which would ease the burden on Cheryl and Arlene. In the midst of it, God is still working in His time to accomplish His purposes through ISCF Grenada.

ISCF Grenada 2016 graduates!

Cheryl was able to attend the Caribbean Area Staff Education and Training conference in April 2016 and left very much encouraged and equipped to continue the staff work. Regional Secretary Marc Pulvar journeyed to Grenada in June 2016 and was able to provide governance training to the Board of Directors. Later on Board Chairman Rodney Mc Intyre attended the Regional Boards Conference in Suriname.

Board members pose with their certificates of participation

National activities continued with the support of many willing and dedicated volunteers. Some have been faithful in prayer, some in giving of finances, and  some investing their time and energy in building relationships with the students. Late in 2015 there was a Link Up in the form of a hike to Mt. Carmel waterfall. A very successful camp was held in July 2016 under the theme of "Fast Forward, no place left".

ISCF camp 2016

One of my greatest joys, however, were the updates from Mae Patterson, sponsor at the T. A. Marryshow Community College. From September 2016, I started receiving pictures from her showing students at the CCCF meetings, and I was so thankful to God to see faces I recognised who were involved with ISCF over the 2 years that I served there. Through her efforts, students from Grenada were able to link with students for Martinique during IFES' World Student Day of Prayer in October 2016.

Grenada and Martinique skyping for World Student Day of Prayer

Some of you would remember Hope Mitchell, the youngest delegate to World Assembly last year. She has grown tremendously from the shy form 3 student that I met in 2013 when we first started ISCF in Boca Secondary. She has since graduated, and is now serving as the President of CCCF. She writes:
"I want to make CCCF meetings more interesting and outgoing, especially to non believers. I have a lot of great ideas that I can't wait to start working on"
She was also working with the group at Boca Secondary to help them get meetings started for this term, since the main sponsor had to migrate for study at the beginning of this term.

I am truly indebted to those in Grenada who continue to water the seeds which were planted, and am eternally grateful to God for bringing the increase.