Reflections on my 36th Birthday

I woke up this morning
Giving God thanks and praise
For blessing me with another year
Of life, health and strength
Another year to accomplish His purposes
Another year to build relationships
Another year to advance His Kingdom

He is my reason for living
Without him, my life lacks meaning and purpose
I am so grateful for God
That He loves me unconditionally
That He never disappoints
That He is always with me
That He is forever faithful

And always blessing me;
Loving family and friends who are family
Providing for my every need
Demonstrating His love and care for me

And even though where I am now
Is not where I expected to be
It is where God would have me to be
And for me, that's the best place to be

Estamos listo para Mexico!

Some members of the Grenadian delegation to World Assembly journeyed to St. Lucia to obtain their Mexican visas. God also granted us travelling mercies to and from St. Lucia. In an effort to minimise costs, two members of the team purchased staff tickets, which meant that they were flying standby. God graciously ensured there were at least two free seats to each flight (from Grenada to Barbados to St. Lucia) coming and going, so there were no unnecessary delays. 

Hope excited about her first trip on an airplane

We were greeted at the airport by Josephine Romain who was our most gracious hostess for the duration of our trip. She provided meals, accommodation, transportation and also took us sight-seeing while we were there.

Enjoying a hearty breakfast before setting out for the day

All the necessary documents were scanned and emailed from Grenada long before and had been approved, so the purpose of this trip was to present the original supporting documents and interview the applicants. We were not expecting any difficulties, but we still prayed for favour before going to the Embassy.

Mexican art work inside the Embassy

The workers there were very welcoming and attended to us promptly. After filling out parts of the forms which were missing, all the documents were taken indoors for examination while we waited outside. After a while, they asked if we had the national identification card for Hope’s mother, since she was considered a minor. Although we had a letter and an affidavit from her, giving Hope permission to travel with us, we did not have the ID card. 

The clerks were helpful, suggesting that we could contact her and ask her to scan and email it to us, but we knew she did not have the technical capacity to do so. We were really hoping they would go ahead with the application, but they seemed to be determined that Hope’s application would not be processed without the missing ID card. Then one of them asked if we could get her to take a picture of it and send it to them via whatsapp – this we could do, so we quickly made arrangements for this to be done and sent to the relevant authorities. Within the next hour, all three applicants walked out of the embassy with their newly issued Mexican visas – gracias a Dios! We give God thanks that the authorities were willing to accept an electronic version of the ID card, so we did not have to make another trip to St. Lucia.

Ready for Mexico!!!

This was a clear assurance to us that God is most definitely in control of this trip to Mexico. He has worked out all the details so far, and we know He will take us safely there.

As an added bonus, and just to show that God cares about the 'little things' too, Hope was able to satisfy her passion for Audi cars by visiting the showroom in St. Lucia, where the manager was more than happy to show us around. She even got some magazines to go home with, and he encouraged her to dream big, because you never know when they can come through...

Elated to be in the driver's seat of a brand new Audi

Hope shared this about her experience:

"Being one step closer to our destination is a great feeling. To know that we aren't that far away from our goal. Receiving our visas even though we acquired some difficulties was a blessing. The process was speedy and the attendants were friendly. The whole experience here was amazing. Even when challenges arose out of no where, we always had this feeling, this faith that God will work things out.

Even though being one step closer is a great feeling, I know that without the favour of God, without His mighty help we would not have been here. We owe great thanks to our Father, through Him all things are possible!"

God says yes

There are times
When we pray
We ask God
For what we desire
Something that is good
Something that has purpose
Something that has potential
Of being a blessing

But for reasons we can't understand
God says no
We question our faith
We doubt our motives
We can't understand why

So then we have no choice
But to trust
That His plan is best

The next time we pray
We ask God
For what we desire
Something that is good
Something that has purpose
Something that has potential
Of being a blessing

And this time
God says yes

Happy 0th Birthday to my brand new nephew, Isaiah Obeng

Ode to Others

On this day that the world has set aside to honor Mothers

I would like to consider the Others

Those who want to be mothers but can’t

Those who are mothers but no longer have any evidence to prove it

Those who lost their mothers

Those Others

Who feel pain and sadness on this day when Mothers are being celebrated

Who wish they could sleep through this entire day and wake up when it’s over

Who feel they will scream if one more person says “Happy Mother’s Day”

Who can’t see what is so happy about Mother’s Day

To those Others I have a message

You are not alone

There are Others who share your hurt and your pain

But more than this

There is One who understands your sorrow

And is willing and able to wipe away all your tears

And feelings of unworthiness

He loves you with an everlasting love
And compassion beyond human comprehension

And even though you may not feel it

He is with you

In your darkest moments

In the midst of your storms

Through your loneliest nights

He sees the truth behind the fake smile

And He is ready to surround you with His love and comfort

If you would only let Him

You are worth more to Him than rubies

Your value is found in your identity in Him

You are chosen and dearly loved by Him

His plans are to give you hope and a future

He is able to turn your mourning into dancing

Your trial into a testimony

So fix your focus on Him

And as His love fills your life

Let it overflow into the lives of Others

That single mother who is struggling to make ends meet

That older mother whose children are no longer around

That child who is in dire need of a real Mother

That Other who is experiencing the same pain that you overcame

Isaiah 54:1 – “Sing, barren women, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labour; because more are the children of a desolate woman than of her who has a husband” says the Lord

Psalm 30:5b – “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”

Psalm 42:11 – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”

Meet the ISCF Grenada family

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12

Many people have commended me on the "great job you are doing with ISCF Grenada" but it would be remiss of me to take the credit for all that God has been doing through the ministry here. There is no way I could have accomplished what has been done on my own, so I would like to take the opportunity to recognise and show appreciation to the other parts of the body of ISCF Grenada:

THE BOARD

At our first Annual General Meeting in October 2014, eleven persons made themselves available to serve as Directors and Board members for ISCF Grenada. Under the leadership of Brother Rodney Mc Intyre, the Board has been meeting monthly to provide direction to the ministry. We are in the process of developing a strategic plan for ISCF Grenada, to ensure that we are able to accomplish our mission and see our vision fulfilled. The Board has also appointed a sub-committee which has been working to raise funds to assist the Grenada delegation to World Assembly 2015. We thank God for these men and women who have volunteered of their time and expertise to provide good governance for ISCF Grenada.

Drafting a strategic plan for ISCF Grenada

THE SPONSORS

Christian teachers who are willing to take up the additional responsibilities of investing in the lives of students through the ministry of ISCF are not easy to find. In the midst of their teaching duties and involvement in other extra-curricular activities, these faithful soldiers make time to meet with students to plan meetings, encourage students to attend meetings, and some even take up the challenge to share in meetings when the students are unable to do so. They can be assured that their labour in the Lord is not in vain.

Sponsors sharing in an evening of encouragement earlier this year

THE PRAYER WARRIORS

Once a month these faithful soldiers meet to give God thanks for His faithfulness and to petition His throne on behalf of the ministry of ISCF Grenada. There is great rejoicing when we see prayer answered, and much intercession when requests are presented. Prayer is the foundation on which this work is built, so we are trusting God to raise up even more prayer supporters who will commit to covering the ministry in prayer.

St. George's prayer cell celebrating the birthdays of two
of their faithful members

Two committed intercessors from St. Andrew's
meeting for prayer at Easter time

THE FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS

There are a few loyal supporters who have been unwavering in the financial support of the ministry. They give quietly and cheerfully, without expecting anything in return. We pray that they would receive good measure for all they have given, pressed down, shaken together and running over.

THE VOLUNTEERS

All the ISCF activities which happen outside of the regular school time would not be possible without our hard-working volunteers. They serve on committees to plan events, coming to meetings on evenings after work to ensure that all details are in place. They give up their Saturdays to work with the students, leading small group discussions, bible studies and praying for them. Without their enthusiasm and involvement, the work would surely not be able to go on.

Posing for a pic before Link Up

Judging the team presentations at Link Up

Meeting at 6:30am to put together breakfast boxes
for a camp fundraiser

All of the items for the breakfast were donated
by our dedicated volunteers

Our customers were impressed with the quality and
presentation and can't wait for the next breakfast sale!

At ISCF Grenada, we work hard, and play harder :) A social event was organised earlier this year to show appreciation to our dedicated volunteers. It started with a photoshoot at Quarantine Point, after which we enjoyed a stunning sunset. We ended the evening with a fun time of games with lots of laughter and pizza (one of which was an unexpected gift). God worked it out that we were able to enjoy this time of fellowship at the Radisson after being unable to find a table at the crowded Rick's Cafe. The blessings of the Lord!

Some of the crew

Magnificent display of God's handiwork

Pizza time!

THE STUDENTS

They are at the heart of what we do. They are the ones who attend meetings every week and fellowship with others at national events. They are the ones who have present truths at meetings and ask questions about how to live godly lives. Without their involvement and participation, all our work would have no impact.

Students from seven different schools at a recent hike

Small beginnings at St. Mark's Secondary

On my initial visits to schools in 2013 to meet with principals and share the vision of ISCF, the principal of St. Mark's Secondary was very supportive of the ministry, and recommended a Christian teacher whom we could work with to get the group started. Over the past year however, all attempts to get the group started were unsuccessful.

St. Mark's Secondary School, located in a parish
about 50 minutes away from St. George's

Fast forward to January 2015 where I was sharing with a sponsor from another school my desire to get a group started in St. Mark's Secondary, but the teacher who had originally been identified was now on study leave. The sponsor recommended that I speak to Ms. Lavonne Mitchell, who starting teaching there in September 2014.

Ms. Mitchell,  sponsor at St. Mark's Secondary

 Not only was Ms. Mitchell a past president of ISCF while she was studying at Anglican High School, but she was also involved in the CCCF group at TAMCC, and was thinking about starting an ISCF group at St. Mark's Secondary! We thank God for her willing spirit and her dedication in recruiting students to join the first ISCF group at St. Mark's Secondary.

On the first day everyone received bibles

Five students turned up for the first meeting where they were given an overview of the ministry, including pictures from our activities over the past year. At the next meeting, there were seven students present to discuss what was necessary for salvation according to the Bible. There was one student who was in the classroom at the beginning of the meeting, but he did not want to join even though his friends were encouraging him to. But when they started asking questions, he joined in, and has been attending meetings ever since.

Do you need to go to church in order to be saved?

Other topics which were dealt with include the changes which should be seen in the life of someone who has surrendered their life to Christ, how we know that God is real, overcoming obstacles in prayer and who is God. This past week, we had to use another classroom, and there were a couple new students who sat in the background and listened attentively to the discussions we were having.

Students engaged in an activity

 We thank God for the seeds which are being planted at St. Mark's Secondary. Please pray for the continued growth of the group, that the questions of the students would be adequately addressed, that they would hunger for more of God, and that God would raise up from that group men and women of God who would boldly proclaim Christ and His Kingdom in their school.

Any other day

Any other day I would not have woken up at 5am. Those who know me know that I am not an early morning person...

Any other day I would not have walked into the kitchen as soon as I got up. I normally spend 30-45 minutes connecting with God either in my bedroom or on my porch...

Any other day I could have been out for the entire day and returned to find my apartment burnt down.

But God had other plans last week Friday.

On Friday my cousin Dion came to visit me from Trinidad. He came to relax and do nothing for the weekend, but God used his coming to avert what could have been a disaster.

Promising to visit since 2013...

 His flight was landing at 6am, so I woke up at 5am to get ready so I could meet him on time. I realised he had sent me a message when I was sleeping, so I left my bedroom to get wifi to respond. As I walked into the kitchen, I smelt something burning, but the none of the burners on the stove were on. As I turned, I noticed yellow flames behind my fridge. The first thought that came to mind was: electrical fire, do not throw water. So I turned on the light and switched off the power to the outlet where the fridge was plugged in. Gracias a Dios the flames subsided immediately.

This was what was on fire

Apparently there was some water leaking from some part in the back of the fridge on to this plug so it caught on fire. I believe this happened just before I went outside, and I am deeply grateful to God that He ensured that I was awake and at home to catch this before it become a full scale disaster. I am also indebted to my friend Arlene's husband Ronald, who was able to come later that day to fix it, so I got back the use of my fridge in less than an hour!

He redirected the hose carrying the water so it
will not affect the wires again, and taped up
the wires good and proper.

This whole episode brings to mind Psalm 121:7 - The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life. I thank God that He never slumbers nor sleeps, and that He kept me and the entire household safe from harm.

After this eventful start to Dion's visit to Grenada, the rest of the weekend was quite enjoyable...

Enjoying his first taste of tannia log

Touring the nutmeg factory

Relishing the opportunity to ride in the back of the van instead
of being the driver

Checking out the cocoa beans

Appreciating the beauty of a beach sunset following a two
hour long soak in the salt

Only in Grenada: Calalloo pizza!!!!

I learnt to cook tomato choka for the first time :)

On an entirely different note, I just want to shout out my readers from Russia
Привет , что случилось ?
I was looking at the stats for my blog before writing this post and I noticed that I had 21 views from Russia today. I don't know any Russians personally, so I thought that was pretty cool :)