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| It was one of those dresses that drag on the ground so it really needed a good cleaning before being used |
We had already planned to send up toys for the children in Dominica, especially those who lost their homes due to hurricane Maria. We decided to accept the offer of a pilot to use his single engine plane to transport the toys, along with the photographer for the wedding. It was a tight fit, but we were able to get 200lbs worth of toys on board, along with the centerpieces for the wedding which were specially made in Trinidad (thanks again Aunty Carol!)
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| Plane was packed to the ceiling |
Our pilot, Kerry, was very candid about the challenges of making this flight. God had orchestrated for him to fly the Grenadian Ambassador to Dominica 3 days before our flight, so he experienced the difficulty of landing at Canefield airport for the first time. Due to its geographic position between the sea and a mountain range, the cross winds and short landing strip caused two planes to abort their attempts to land on that day and divert to the larger Melville Hall airport on the other coast of the island. We were trusting God that we would be able to land in Canefield, because Melville Hall was a 1 hour drive through mountains, and we would be landing the day before the wedding. To make matters worse, our generator stopped working the day before the wedding, so Brent (who was picking us up) was working feverishly to get it fixed in time for the wedding, since both the ceremony and the reception were to be held at the parish hall where we stayed.
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| View of the landing strip from the air |
Because of the weight, the plane took a while to climb when leaving Piarco. It was only as we built up speed we were able to get enough lift to clear the mountains of the Northern Range. When we stopped to refuel in Grenada, the winds were strong, making the plane dance as we landed. We continued praying that the winds would be calm as we made the approach to Dominica. Kerry checked with the local MET office at Canefield and they assured us that winds were calm. However as as lined up for the landing, the plane started dancing again, as it did in Grenada. We said that if those were calm winds, we didn't want to experience strong winds. Kerry decided to make one attempt to land, but if he felt it was too risky due to the weight of the plane, the strength of the winds and the shortness of the runway, he would abort and head to Melville Hall. I prayed all the way down and we were able to land and stop just before we ran out of runway! Kerry said this was his most technically difficult landing in all his 21 years of flying experience, but with the help of God we made it safely.
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| Uncle Anton and Kerry parking the plane after a successful landing |
We thanked God for a safe landing and then proceeded to Customs to retrieve our luggage. Previous conversations with the Canefield airport manager had assured us that we would not have to pay any fees, since our flight was classified as "relief". However the Customs guy was not in agreement. He said no one told him that we were coming, so we would have to pay landing fees and parking fees and other fees that amounted to over $500EC. Kerry made a call to the Ambassador, who was now his friend after his flight earlier that week, and the Ambassador let the Customs guy know who was really in charge, so we didn't pay a cent. Talk about the favor of the Lord!
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| Team members Crystal and Allison sorting the toys we brought up |
When we arrived at the parish hall, cleaning for the wedding was still in progress. The boat which was supposed to bring up the majority of the toys for our distribution had to return to Trinidad due to technical difficulties, so the only toys we had to give out were the ones we were able to bring up with us on the flight. Crystal and Allison got to work sorting the toys according to gender and age group while we gathered children from the neighbourhood around the parish hall for our first distribution. When they came, we shared with them about the importance of Christ's coming to earth in the form of man, so He could pay the penalty for our sins by His death. We sang a few Christmas songs but didn't have time for any games as it was getting dark. Imara helped to give out the gifts that were put together, and it was such a joy to see the excitement on their faces as they examined the presents they had received.
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| Imara making sure everyone got the right gift |
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| Showing off their presents |
After the distribution, we started helping the crew from Dalton's church who came to decorate the parish hall. It was a challenge, because we only had solar lamps to provide light. In addition to this, the main person who was to co-ordinate the decor did not show up, so the ladies who were there had to come up with ideas on their own. I think they did an excellent job in spite of the challenges, but it took us a while so they didn't leave there until after midnight. Thank God for the faithful souls who laboured on the generator until they got it working at 2am on the day of the wedding, so we were able to have music, lights and AC on the wedding day.
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| Imara helping to assemble the center pieces |
The day of the wedding was bright and sunny. We knew the wedding would not be on time due to the late hour the couple would have gotten home after dropping home the decorators so we took our time. There were some issues with the cake that needed to be resolved, but a quick call to my cake decorating Mother in Trinidad helped to remedy that situation so it was rescued. Jasmine looked stunning in her wedding dress which made it back to Dominica in time thank you Jesus! Dalton was so grateful for the blessing the team was in ensuring he had a memorable wedding day. The food was excellent, and everyone enjoyed being able to share Dalton and Jasmine's special day with them.
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| Kudos to these non-professional decorators who did a very professional job! |
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| So glad we were able to make their special day so exceptional! |
Kerry said that we would have to leave at 6am the day after the wedding because of bad weather that was approaching so although we were tired from all the festivities, we dragged ourselves out of bed at 4:43am to ensure we were ready for our flight out. When we got to the airport, it was still closed and the rain was drizzling. Normally the airport is closed on Sundays, but Kerry's ambassador friend ensured that Customs and Immigration came out, at no cost to us, so we would be able to leave. By the time they arrived, the rain had eased up so we quickly loaded the plane. We waited until the skies were clear and then we took a hasty departure. As soon as we took off, we saw another set of rain coming over the mountains and towards Canefield, so we left just in time.
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| First Officer Imara with all our important documents ready to board |
We landed in Martinique for what was supposed to be a quick refueling before continuing to Trinidad. However, when we got to the terminal for small aircrafts, there were no personnel there to stamp our documents, without which we would not be allowed to land in Trinidad. The security officer did not speak a word of English, and my French from 20 years ago wasn't sufficient. Thankfully there was a lady in the terminal who lives in the States so she was able to serve as a translator for us. When she realised we had to go across to the main terminal, which was a little over a 5 minute drive away, she offered to take us. We got the stamp from Immigration, but Customs told us that they couldn't stamp our documents unless they inspected the plane, which they were not able to do since it was at the other terminal. Thankfully they were able to propose a solution - the put us on to the police who were willing to give us the required stamps, and also a ride back to our terminal!
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| which is how I ended up getting my first ride in the back of a police vehicle! |
While we were waiting for our ride, we decided to get something to eat for breakfast, and also get some shopping done. Just before the police driver came, Uncle Anton realised his camera was missing. It wasn't the big fancy one he used to take pictures at the wedding, but it was still rather expensive, so he went to work retracing his steps while we prayed. It wasn't in Immigration. It wasn't in Customs. When he went back to the cafe where we bought breakfast, the cashier waved him over and handed him his camera. We thank God there are still honest people in Martinique!
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| Enjoying an authentic French quiche :) |
During our flight to Trinidad, we had to fly almost 20 minutes off course in order to avoid clouds. Apparently flying through clouds can disorient the pilot, as it is difficult to determine which way is up, and it obscures your visibility. As we got closer to Trinidad, there was an opening in the clouds above the Diego Martin valley so we were able to get over the northern range safely instead of having to divert to Tobago and fly over from the East, which would have been more time consuming. As a result, Kerry was able to make it back to work in time. I really want to salute our pilot Kerry for his skills in taking us safely to and from Dominica. The decisions he had to make while flying, and the skills required for a safe landing were very difficult, and he handled them with grace.
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| He even took me on a test flight prior to the actual flight so I could get a feel for flying in a small plane |
When we landed in Piarco, he said that it was clear that God was with us from the beginning of this journey, straight until the end. I told him if that was not the case, I would not have gone. Thanks to all who prayed for us, and who gave so generously to make this trip a possibility.
If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. Psalm 94:17
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