Three months of ministry in one blog post :)

I returned to Trinidad from my vacation on Sunday 18th August and Vacation Bible School for the children in Dow Village and environs started bright and early on Monday morning! A huge amount of gratitude goes out to Mummy and my neighbours who co-ordinated all the planning in my absence so all I had to do was execute. We had over 60 children hearing the gospel message during the course of the week, many of whom do not attend Bible Club so we thank God for the seeds of truth which were planted in their hearts. The teens class had the highest numbers, and while we know most of them came for the lime, we are glad they chose to be in a place where God's Word was being presented. We praise God for those children who decided to make Jesus their Lord and Saviour this week, and for those who were challenged about how they lived their lives. We also thank God that despite a thunderstorm hitting the community that week, we were not adversely affected, and for sufficient volunteers to cover all areas where assistance was needed.

Singing about Jesus being their Best Friend

The following week, I accepted an invitation from Point Fortin Church of the Nazarene to be one of the speakers at their Kids Rally. There were over 70 children from 3 years old up to teenagers who came out to hear God's Word over a 3 day rally. I shared on the topic "Love for God" and we looked at what it meant to love God with all your heart, soul and mind; why we should love God, and the consequences for not loving God. The children were then put into their age groups and each group was given a case study focusing on how do we love God in our various spheres - at home, at school, and in our communities. It was wonderful to see the children's portrayal of how they would demonstrate love for God in each of the scenarios. Our prayer is that they would live out what they learnt as they go through their daily lives.

Prizes were given for those who answered questions

so you know there were lots of answerers!

When school resumed in September, I had an opportunity to put my CELTA training into practise at two venues. ITNAC started The Learning Space on the Western Main Road in St. James with a holiday camp for Venezuelan migrant children over the holidays, but in September we launched the school. At present there are over 60 children enrolled, from pre-school to pre-teens. They are taught by native Spanish speakers from 9am to 12 noon - Grammar, Social Studies, History, Mathematics and English. After lunch, volunteers come in to do different activities with the children which include craft, dance and games. I go on Thursdays to do games with them, and although I can speak to them in Spanish, I only communicate with them using English so they can practise and improve. On Thursday afternoons, we host a medical clinic for migrants. Thanks to our hardworking volunteers doctors and pharmacists, we are able to offer this service free of charge to this vulnerable sector of our society.

Playing a game of Basket Turnover using colors

In South, I started volunteering with the La Romain Migrant Support group (LARMS). This initiative was started by someone from La Romain who was concerned about the plight of the migrants in the area, especially the children who were being left locked in rooms alone while the parents were at work. She gathered some volunteers and with the support of her church, started an informal school for them at the fellowship hall of the church. I teach English there twice a week, and the transformation I have seen in the children from when I started to now is really amazing. Those who were shy and unwilling to engage are now laughing and participating in class. Children who could barely write 2 letters when they started are now copying full words down from the board. When I look at them playing and laughing during the break times my heart is full of gratitude that they have an opportunity to be children, many of them for the first time in their life.

Learning through play

At the beginning of September, Hurricane Dorian dealt a devastating blow to islands in the Bahamas. Due to the distance and cost of shipping items from Trinidad, our initial response involved sending funds to allow for purchasing urgently needed food stuff and toiletries from Miami and Nassau and shipping them directly to distribution centers in the Bahamas. Our local partners were then able to package and distribute these to persons from Abaco and Grand Bahama who had lost everything in the hurricane. A few weeks later, ITNAC sent a team to help with the clean up of homes and they worked tirelessly to complete the task in the limited time they had. Two weeks ago we shipped up a container of building supplies and other items which were donated from Trinidad. It may no longer be in the media spotlight, but the needs are still great and for many families "normal" is still a long way ahead so we continue to assist as we are able to.

Loading the container for the Bahamas

Closer to home, Trinidad was also hit with some heavy rains and flooding later in September. It was not as widespread as last years' floods, and did not get as much media coverage, but to the families who were badly hit, it was just as traumatic. Once again we sprang into action, delivering food items, toiletries and cleaning supplies to households affected. Thanks to a generous donation, we were able to replace one major appliance for approximately ten families who were in need, and we assisted with clean up activities. In Mt. Lambert we distributed cooked meals, clothing, linen and hampers - the recipients were extremely grateful for the assistance. One resident noted, "Allyuh different - it just have something about you that different from the others" We were very eager to share with them the source of this difference - the love of God which compels us to reach out to the needy.

Delivering supplies to family in Aranguez

Apart from these outreaches, ALTA has been keeping me busy this term with the opening of a new center in Fyzabad that I had responsibility for overseeing. One of the tutors there was new so I supported her for the first month until she felt confident enough to teach on her own. I also continue to be involved in our regularly scheduled outreach to the children in our community. Homework Club continues with an average attendance of 5-10 children, and we keep giving God thanks for the teenagers who make up more than 50% of the attendance at Bible Club, and who also stay back for an additional hour to learn how to study the Bible. They make me talk more than the younger ones do, but I do not take for granted the extended opportunities we have to impact them with the truth of God's Word.

Doing a character study on the life of Job

Family time has also been a significant part of my involvement over the past few months. My aunt, who is one of my biggest supporters, visited from the States for two weeks. When we were children, she used to carry us around, so now it was my turn to return the favour! Spending time with her, listening to stories about my grandmother, I recognized that the desire to help others did not just come from my mother, but from an entire generation before. I also spent time supporting my brother and his wife who was very heavily pregnant until 2 weeks ago! Thanks to them I now have another precious nephew to add to my growing brood of picknies :D

On the lookout with Aunty Ruth Ann where she enjoyed her

first snowcone in years

So for those who have been wondering what I've been up to, now you know! Thank you so much for all who have continued to pray and encourage and support despite my silence. I'll try not to make it so long next time ;)

Snuggles with Joseph Seth Dowlath :)