I don't know where the summer weeks have gone but we have certainly enjoyed each one! The slower pace of life was so refreshing for us and we are taking a look at life and deciding how we can begin a new school year but also have some moments to enjoy a slower paced life style. We are thinking that there will be some activities that we will have to cut back on, or maybe even give up when school starts again as we just can't do everything. We were hoping that we would have some more staff help here by now, but God hasn't provided that and so we will work with what we have! That being said, if any of you or anyone that you know is feeling called to missions, please let us know! We would love to have the help of a young man or even a couple to assist Jared is his many roles.
We just came through the sinful time of carnival here in Grenada. Due to Covid carnival was canceled for the second year in a row but since there was no Covid on the island, locals decided it was ok to party a bit. During this time people will rub used engine oil over their sparsely clothed bodies, some put flour on themselves, and there is lots of dancing and drinking. People will wear and carry around log dragging chains as well as wear evil looking hats with horns. Driving or walking through these parties can be dangerous and certainly not pleasant. Our church from Laborie as well as the church from the Limes drove about a half hour to an area to camp for a few days. We did have to pass through a large party but thankfully the crowd parted a path and the buses were left alone as we drove through the crowd of oiled up, drunk people. The place where we camped had been a church before hurricane Ivan ruined part of the building. Because of this there was a bathroom and also a pipe coming out of the wall for cold showers! Jared and I put quite a bit of time into the weekend, planning games, meals, devotional times and so on. Nothing went wrong but there were small frustrations here and there and being the person in charge, we got to deal with all the little issues that arose. Some of us were sleeping outside under the stars so we were very thankful to be blessed with good weather! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, we had good food and fellowship, so I guess we will mark it down as a success. One young man that has been in and out of the church for years, rededicated his life to Christ one of the evenings. We are hopeful that this will result in a true regenerate heart.
Our little puppy Nutmeg went along with us to camp and all the children tried to play with her but she often ended up laying on our air mattress or sleeping under the bus so the children would let her alone! Finally after 4 weeks we got to the place where it was getting a bit easier. She could sleep outside and wasn't quite so much work. One evening after boys club, Jared was laying on the floor reading and Nutmeg was outside playing with the neighbor puppy. A bus went by and we heard a very unsettling sound. Jared ran down to the road and sure enough, it was our puppy. The two puppies had played and tussled their way down to the road and Nutmeg got hit. Or as they call it here, Nutmeg got bounced or mashed. We were pretty sad the next day as we went into town to pay some bills. And of all people, Jared met the people who we had gotten her from so he wondered how she was. Jared said how much we had loved her but how just last night she had gotten mashed on the road. He was quick to say that he thinks there is one more puppy left and if so, they would give it to us. We weren't sure if we wanted a next puppy but we decided if we were given one, we would try again. A few days later we brought a new puppy home and started all over! This time we named her Ginger. I don't think she is as cute as Nutmeg, but she is much more laid back and has a nicer personality. Jared is still convinced that we can get her ears to lay down instead of sticking out...I'm not so convinced!
As I have written about before, over the years this mission has accumulated so much stuff. It seems that nobody threw anything away as it was here when they got here! Over the past few weeks we have been working hard to go through some of the corners in the Limes. The pastor couple from the house down there moved home and an older couple that lived close by moved into that house before the next pastor family comes in November. We have cleaned and painted that house, as well as gone through each room, the kitchen cupboards, all the stored items and gotten rid of so much stuff! After we had all that behind us we set up for a yard sale and sold almost every single item! We sold over $1,000 so we know it was high time to get rid of some things! As we continue to downsize, it feels like we are moving out in faith. We are doing all of this in hopes of someday handing this over to Grenadian leadership. At times it feels like we are being silly, our churches are very small and there really isn't a whole congregation to hand it over to. But we will keep hoping and praying that our actions will show that we are only here for a time and that eventually this will be their church.
The last few weeks I have spent a bit of time in the kitchen preparing food for the teachers that have spent time in quarantine for a few days. Since the 4 teachers came on three different flights, they had to quarantine in 3 different rooms. So I made a few meals in three small sets so they would have food for their time there. We have been able to interact with them a bit and it has been a change for sure! There are two new teachers in Laborie and two new teachers in the Limes. On of the new teachers in Laborie is my cousin Alana Weaver (Jim and Joyce). We are 7 years apart in age so I really didn't know her that well but knowing her family and knowing that our moms are sisters has been a connection between us! Alana came a few weeks ago before the vaccine mandate so Jared and I have tried to include her on our outings and adventures. Last week Elise Otto arrived and Emily Martin returned for her 4th year of teaching. It had been good to learn to know the new staff in Laborie as well as the Limes.
As we live here longer and longer we see such a need for revival. Grenada is such a hard place to witness in. It seems like people should be excited to hear about Jesus and ready to make a life change. But it isn't that way! In fact, its much the opposite. Most everybody here is saved, they are doing fine and have no need for a closer walk with the Lord. We often fear for the lives of the people we come into contact with. They always feel that they are 'good enough'. Just last week we were going somewhere in the bus and a man asked for a ride. Jared picked him up and typically Jared takes this opportunity to ask about the persons walk with the Lord. Usually he starts with asking if they believe in Jesus and I don't know that anyone has ever told us that they don't, same with this man. This guy went on to say that he does go to church, but couldn't say where exactly. And even added how as a young boy, he went to Sunday school so he should be ok. Jared of course tried to tell him that no amount of Sunday school as a child will be good enough to get you to heaven. But this guy went on to say that he is still a pretty good person, so he should make it into heaven. This conversation still saddens my heart, this guy could not seem to get that living a pretty good life won't get you to heaven. And this is only one of many, many conversations that we have, that go the very same way. Somebody may have a beer in one hand but yet they live a pretty good life and will be able to slip into heaven.
Soon after carnival season, we started hearing talk of some Covid cases. Carnival was supposed to be canceled but the hard partiers still found a way to party. Reports are that this is how Covid got out. Numbers got higher and higher and every time we hear of a press conference, we cringe, not knowing what will happen! About two weeks ago, we heard school will be postponed two weeks. We have decided to start the first two weeks virtually, which of course this is less then ideal for our new teachers, but we are hoping and praying that after two weeks we can resume school like normal. Each night we have a 7pm curfew that lasts until 5am to help cut down on the bar time and parties. The next two weekends we will have a curfew that lasts all weekend so it will feel more like a weekend lockdown. We will not leave our property after 5pm on Friday until Monday morning. Jared is stacking up the books he wants to read and I am thinking up the house projects we could do together! There have been 12 deaths among the 1,000+ cases. Most people report cold symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose and so on. We have heard nothing of the loss of taste or smell. Locals are absolutely paranoid. I'm not sure why you would go get tested to see if you have it after you sneeze but there are places that are doing free testing and vaccinating. We have our fingers crossed that there will be no lockdown but we have been preparing ourselves physically as well as mentally just incase that comes.
This Sunday we were not allowed to hold church services although we were not required to stay home. Jared was preaching so the two of us went to church Sunday morning. It was probably the smallest physical congregation that Jared will ever preach to as it was myself and another local man that were sitting on the benches! Thankfully we were able to set up Zoom so that he could share the message with the church family as well. And even though it was only myself in attendance, I was challenged. The last few weeks Jared has been preaching on the attributes of God. This Sunday was the attribute of God's sovereignty, which can be hard to understand. A way that it hit home for me was my response to this pandemic. If I really believe that God Himself is in complete control of this virus, I will spend no time worrying about it because this is part of His perfect plan for the world He created. I believe this, so I'm not going to worry!
Until next time- Sherie
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