First trip home

This was my first visit home since I left at the end of September. Needless to say, I don't think I've ever received so many hugs and heard so many screams over a 6-day period before :) It was great re-connecting with friends and spending time with family while reminding myself of all the things I love about home...

Enjoying my lunch of curry duck with mango and pumpkin lovingly prepared by my aunt

Out to dinner with my family

Spending time with my pumpkin

Sunday school young adults class

My first baby, all grown up now

The one thing I did not enjoy was the traffic. My entire schedule was built around me trying to avoid wasting time in bumper to bumper traffic on the roadway. I left a lot of things undone, visits not made because of the traffic situation. On Thursday I went into town, spent half an hour driving around looking for a place to park, got frustrated and left. I think I am spoilt from living in traffic-free Grenada...

Officially I came home for Alistair and Shena's wedding. God smiled on them as He ensured that the rain stopped in time for them to take pictures outdoors after the ceremony. It was a beautiful ceremony with nuff kicks as the minister had an interesting sense of humor, and the groomsmen had no behavior. That, combined with Alistair and Shena's unique personalities ensured that the wedding day was a tremendously enjoyable day. 

The newly weds - praying for a purpose-driven marriage for you two!

I also had the pleasure of reconnecting with some friends I haven't seen in two years.

As an added bonus, I was able to witness the dedication of my latest god-daughter, D'neve. It will be difficult figuring out how to be a part of her life when I can't spend so much time with her physically, but the love is certainly there.

She always responds when she hears my voice

I am overjoyed to report that I am now able to pay off for my car!!!!! Over the past two months, I have received financial gifts from persons, that I have been saving until I had enough to pay off the outstanding balance. I am extremely grateful to all who gave. I see all as expressions of love - those who committed to giving on a regular basis, those who gave a one-time gift, those who gave in spite of not having an abundance of personal finances, those who emptied their wallet when they saw me - may God richly bless you all as you have helped to supply this need. Now on to the next project - a laptop for the Ministry :)

I had mixed feelings on returning to Grenada. I was happy to in Trinidad and see my loved ones, but I now have persons here who I consider to be my Grenadian family, and I know that God has 'assignments' here for me to do. I just wish there was someway we could all be together in one place... wait, that is what heaven is for! And it is forever! My prayer is that all my friends and family would surrender their lives to Christ so we would never have to say goodbye.

Embracing Grenadian culture

The past couple days I have been indulging in much of Grenadian culture, specifically the food...

It all started with a 'Potluck and Social' held at Wildwood Park on BBC Beach. God provided us with a lovely sunny day, after it had been raining all week.We had a great time playing games, liming, swimming, and of course, eating good food!

Beautiful beach weather

My friend Colleen who has got my back!

Johnell trying to block my path in Chinese Checkers but he was defeated :)

Just in case we planned a dancing session on the tables....

Bringing back the ole time days with hop skotch

Having a good rope swing

Had to wait in line for a turn at the tyre swing dem chirren was having too much fun

Oil down in Grenada is a little different from Trinidad - it is full of all kinds of meat (chicken, pork, crab, fish) and callaloo

Having my full after waiting 3 hours... dem does grate de coconut for this by hand!

Lambie for the after lime. It had some kinda octopus thing in here too

Then last night Sister Wilma decided to introduce me to another local delight - tittery. It's a pretty sad story how they get these fish - at a certain time of the year the fish come to a point in a river in order to spawn and that is when people spread out their bags to catch them. 

Curried tittery with beans

Last night I also got indoctrinated into the "Tanya Log" night lime. This is a traditional drink that is prepared especially for limes that occur in the night.

Colleen grating the nutmeg

Darius bubbling the pot - grated tanya, condensed milk, coconut milk and lots of spice

I helped by eating it afterwards - it was delicious! It was also the first time I had Grenadian guests at my apartment so that was a lot of fun.

Before I end this post, just wanted to share two more roundabouts from the lovely Spice Isle:

Consisting of three large truck tyres painted white, this one can take you into Woodlands or Lance Aux Epines (pronounced Lans-ee-peen) or back to Grand Anse

This was in Wildwood Park's car park - I guess they wanted it to blend in with the scenery

In case you haven't realised it, I am really enjoyed exploring and experiencing Grenada - I highly recommend it!

Such a time as this

The past two weeks have been a time of establishment and building of relationships. It continues to amaze me how God's hand has been clearly evident in bringing together the people and resources needed for the relaunch of the ministry of ISCF in Grenada. For example, after doing a promotional at a church couple weeks ago, a lady walked up to me and told me that she is a reporter with the Grenada Informer and she wanted to do an article about the relaunch of ISCF here, so I sent her the information and the article was out the next week.

Sister Joan Purcell, the chairperson of the Interim Committee of ISCF, used to be involved in politics up to a couple years ago. She still has her contacts in government, so she organised for us to be interviewed on the Government Information Services' morning show. The hostess was really nice and seemed genuinely interested about the ministry. She even invited us to come back when we start meetings in the schools, and to bring some students with us!

On the set with Tahira Somebody

I have also met with many different ministries locally that have a similar vision to reach young people with the Good News and to help them to live victorious Christian lives: Youth With A Mission, Repairer of the Broken Ministries, Raise Praise, Christian Students Association, Cross Connect Ministries, Inheritors of the Earth. We look forward to seeing how God will use strategic alliances with these ministries to advance the work of the ISCF ministry in Grenada.

Meeting with President of Christian Students Association

On Saturday 2nd November we had the official service to relaunch ISCF Grenada. Those who flew in for the service had quite an adventure getting here, but they eventually arrived safely. When people asked me before the service how many persons were expected, I told them I had no clue because all the communication I was getting from people were saying that they couldn't come so I couldn't say for sure who was coming. However on the day of the launch there were approximately 60 persons in attendance, and I was very happy that we didn't have to eat all the refreshments ourselves :)

Supporters of ISCF Grenada

From all reports, the service was well received by those who attended. I give thanks to God for bringing all the pieces together and for the great testimonies that were shared. For me, the highlight was the testimony of Kelvin Dottin who is the Co-ordinator of Ecclesiastic Affairs in the Ministry of Youth. When he assumed office in May this year, he wrote a list of projects that he would like to accomplish. The first item on his list? Restart ISCF in Grenada! He had no clue how to go about doing this, but he knew the impact that the ministry had on his life as a student, so he knew that this generation of students needed to be exposed to ISCF. So when Sister Joan approached him in an effort to get the support of the Ministry as we restarted ISCF in the schools, it was really confirmation to him that God had placed him in office for such a time as this.

Meeting with Mr. Dottin to discuss the reintroduction of ISCF in schools in Grenada

I also give God thanks for laying it on my sister Dyann's heart to come to Grenada last weekend. 

So happy that she brought my Pumpkin with her!

God knows the tremendous support and encouragement she was to me during the time she was here, not only on the day of the launch, but also in sharing her experiences as an ISCF sponsor at our first meeting with sponsors. Four teachers from four different schools attended, so we are grateful to God for the start that we are now able to make.

Participants at the first orientation session

Over this past weekend I was also able to build some relationships that are clearly God-orchestrated. I didn't go looking for them, but God opened the doorways and connections have been made. It has been a blessing to see how God just intervenes and provides support exactly when you need Him to. One opportunity that has arisen is the privilege of sharing a Bible Study with someone, so please pray that the study of God's Word would bring freedom.

Preparing for a study in the book of Ruth

Conquering Mount Qua Qua

Today I got to cross one item off my "Things to do" list in Grenada - go on a hike! (Thanks Coleen)

Destination - Mount Qua Qua, one of the mountains surrounding Lake Grand Etang

 Lake Grand Etang, which wasn't as grand as it was last time I visited due to the overgrowth of vegetation

Here are some of my reflections from this journey up all 2730 feet of God's craftsmanship, which interestingly had a lot to do with the Christian journey of faith.

1. In the Christian life, you need to be clothed with the armour of God - helmet of salvation, belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, sword of the Spirit, shield of faith. Without these, you will get a lot more licks from the enemy than is necessary.

My jacket kept me warm and dry (thanks Lydia and Daniel!) and ensured that my arms were free from scrapes inflicted by razor grass

2. It helps to share your journey of faith with other Christians through fellowship. Even though you feel you can make it by yourself as a Christian, there are times when you may fall and need the encouragement and support of others to keep you going. You are also there to help others who may not be as strong.

Big props to my 'guardians' - they did a good job

3. Sometimes you get discouraged in your Christian life when you see the size of the obstacles in your path and you may feel there is no way you can get past it. But if you just keep trusting God for the strength to make the next step, and the one after that, before you know it, you would have climbed the mountain.

Making our way uphill

4. When you look back at where you have come from, you realise that you have come too far to turn back, and that gives you the encouragement to go on.

View of Lake Grand Etang in the distance

5. Be prepared for difficulties along the path. If you know that there are going to be trials, and make up your mind to go through them instead of complaining in the midst of them, your journey would be a lot smoother.

The hike was easier for those of us who didn't try to avoid the mud

6. Rest is crucial for you to be able to endure to the end. Don't feel discouraged by those who are passing you by - it is not a race. The important thing is that you finish, and finish well. In order to do this, there is need for rest so you can re-charge your spiritual batteries because the journey could get overwhelming at times.

Taking a breather

7. Take time to enjoy the view. Enjoy whatever stage of life you are in at present, because you don't  know how long it will last for. Make the most of the opportunities you have. Don't be so busy 'doing' that you miss out on what is going on around you.

Soaking in the beauty of God's creation

8. The reward at the end of the Christian life is so worth it - when you get to spend the rest of eternity with God, all that you went through to get there pales in comparison.

The view at the top was so worth the climb!

The only difference between this hike and the Christian life is that we had to come down afterwards, but that wasn't so bad because there was a reward at the bottom.

My  first taste of Grenadian oil down - DELICIOUS!

The favor of God

I really have experienced the favor of God this past week.

On Monday I sent an email to the person in charge of Foreign Affairs to enquire as to the status of my CSME certificate, which would allow me to work in Grenada. I was told that although it was approved, it still had to be signed, and there was no telling when the Minister of Foreign Affairs would 1. Be in the country and 2. Actually have time to sign it. I really wanted the certificate by Friday, because I had been invited to share about ISCF at Boca Secondary, and I wanted to be able to do it without hiding lest the 'powers that be' find out that I was working before they gave me permission to (for the record, Grenada is VERY SMALL and word gets around so I was not being paranoid).

At prayer meeting on Wednesday night I shared the request, and I know that there were others who were praying for me. On Thursday at 1pm I received an email telling me that I could collect my certificate anytime on Friday between the hours of 8am and 4pm - talk about Just In Time Answer to Prayer!!!!!

Apparently it was signed since Wednesday but they made some mistake so they had to destroy it and do it over

After receiving my certificate I went to the Immigration department to have my passport stamped. While waiting for it I got a phone call from Joan so I was telling her about how things went and my plans for the rest of the day. When I finished the call, a lady who was also waiting on her passport who had overheard the conversation started talking to me. She is a Christian from Guyana who is working in Grenada doing training of young people, and she was familiar with ISCF through her university in Guyana.When I asked her if she would be willing to help with training when we start ISCF in the schools she agreed, and asked me if I would be interested in working with a mentorship program she wants to start here. Talk about Divine Connection!

Didn't get her picture but she has the most adorable children!

On Friday IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, the parent body of ISCF) celebrated World Student Day, where they encouraged students from member countries to pray for student needs all over the world. Each movement had their requests posted online, and national movements were encouraged to mobilise their students to pray for the needs of students from another country. At Boca Secondary I visited four RI groups and shared about ISCF. After this, I invited them to pray for a country whose prayer requests I had printed out. Three boys volunteered to pray after I had read out the requests. Their prayers for the students in Nicaragua, though short, were certainly heard by the Most High.

Students at Boca showing reverence while their classmate prayed for the needs of students in Nicaragua, which they could barely pronounce :)

Being introduced to RI students. Many of them indicated they would be interested in joining ISCF

Later that evening I visited St. George's Baptist church where they were having a joint youth meeting with three other churches. The event? - a Prayer Fest! So of course I asked if I would be allowed to do a segment on ISCF and they agreed. The result? - approximately 20 Grenadian students praying for students from countries in the Middle East where Christians are persecuted for their faith.

Praying for courage and boldness for students in persecuted countries

The adults present joined in as well

Two weeks ago I started looking at insurance companies since my car's insurance expires on October 23rd. Last Thursday I went with the previous owner to transfer the ownership to my name, and he asked if I had checked out Netherlands Insurance. I hadn't, so we paid them a visit, and they turned out to be offering the greatest service compared to all the other insurance companies - free windscreen coverage, free 14-day loaner car in the event of theft or accident and free 24-hour roadside assistance :)

On Saturday I got the opportunity to view my first local play, Redemption Time. It was a dramatic piece set during the Revolutionary era of 1979-1983. The play was excellently done - from the storyline to the execution, I was thoroughly entertained and enlightened about this dark period in Grenada's history. I attended as the guest of an ex-Senate President so I received the VIP treatment ;)

Finally, I have been visiting churches on Sundays to get support for the ministry of ISCF in Grenada. Although the response has not been fantastic in terms of numbers, the contacts that are being made are very strategic and will be instrumental in the establishment of the ministry here. One individual has agreed to co-ordinate a monthly prayer meeting in the St. George's area, and another has agreed to host this meeting.

Joan Purcell, Chairperson of the Interim Committee, has been introducing me to the different congregations

I'm looking forward to exciting times ahead as God is clearly in charge of this show.

A time for everything

Before I left for Grenada, I had the privilege of meeting with Bing, an IFES staffwork from the Phillipines who went to work with ISCF in St. Lucia. Now this was a much longer distance to cover than from Trinidad to Grenada, not just geographically but culturally and psychologically as well. One of the gems of wisdom she gave me was that I should include in my posts how things are going with me personally, because people are not just interested in hearing about the work, but about me as well, so here goes...

Anyone who knew me in Trinidad would know that if you wanted to get me to attend an activity on a Saturday, be it a wedding or a casual lime, you had to let me know at least 2 months in advance. Chances were that if you waited until the month before, I would already have something (or things) to do on that day. This was not so much because of my popularity (although over the past year I have really began to understand how many people appreciate having me in their life) but because of the amount of different ministries I was involved in.

Now I'm in Grenada, and I know things will pick up once I get started, but for now, I have no social life. Imagine this Saturday I spent the entire morning cooking and cleaning. Yes, I know... I too am shocked. Many of you would know that cooking is not on the top of 'things I love to do' but if I don't cook, I will starve because the food prices here are ridiculous...

Potato and corned beef balls

Fry bake

French toast

Macaroni pie, red beans, stew chicken and cole slaw

It's not so bad because I make sure to cook enough for a few days. Now I just have to figure out how to make the food taste good...

This is also a time for me to really make Jesus my center. Although Pops and Sister Wilma are just a walk through a door away, and I keep in touch with family and friends almost daily through skype, whatsapp and facebook, Jesus is the only One who is always available whenever I need someone to talk to. I don't have to wait for Him to have internet access, or to get home from work so He could talk to me. This is a different experience because for all my life I have lived with people - this is the first time I am truly on my own. And it is one thing when big people from home say that they are missing me; it is a totally different thing when my pumpkin calls and says with a sad voice, Aunty Debbie I just wish you was here.

However, I have been making a couple friends across here. Sister Dale spent Wednesday driving around St. George's with me so I could get used to their unsigned network of roads (and I thought Trinidad was bad... not only are these one way streets not labelled as such, they are not laid out in any grid so there is no discernable pattern) Danielle invited me to a Talent Night last week Friday which was quite entertaining, and Coleen promised to take me on a hike soon.

Sister Dale ensuring that I walk on the right hand side going through Sendall Tunnel so as not to get run over by the vehicles coming down on the left

Enjoying the view at Fort George, St. George's

Getting ready to share about ISCF at Calivigny Gospel Hall

Oh yeah and for those who couldn't understand what I was talking about in the last post with reference to the roundabouts in Grenada, I took a couple pictures:

Specimen 1 just outside of St. George's

It is not an uncommon sight to see telephone/electricity poles in the middle of the roundabout

I have also had the opportunity to take in some more breathtaking scenery from various parts of the island:

Mountainside lined with ferns on the way to Grenville

Sea view on the way to Gouvaye

View from a cafe in Sauteurs

Enjoying a taste of the local cuisine

While this is a whole different season for me, I am doing my best of make the most of it, because I know that Grenada is also for a time. So when next you think about me, you know how to pray. 

P.S. my bmobile phone works across here, and it costs the same to talk to me as it did when I was in Trinidad ;)