My New "Home"

Its hard to believe its been 6 1/2 weeks since I have arrived in Grenada. This lovely little island that I've been calling "home" for the past while, is finally starting to feel more like "home". Life in Grenada is adventurous, challenging, relaxing, encouraging, busy, and beautiful all tied into one! This place, the people, and the culture are grabbing a little bit more of my heart each day, and I am reminded so many times by different experiences, why God has called me here. One doesn't have enough love to give all these dear hurting children and families. I feel so blessed. 

Here are some things that has happened throughout the month of September. Time has been flying by and we have already completed the 5th week of school. It feels good to have the 1st month behind me...and I feel that my 6 little 1st graders are finally getting the routine and learning whats expected of them. 

Left to Right: Renel, Jamal, David, Rebeka, Darrell, Cyle

Art class is a huge highlight of the week...that is, for the students! 

(not exactly my favorite class to supervise) 

They loved their little elephants faces we made.  

Meet Oscar, our classroom pet! He introduced himself the first time 

i stepped foot in my room and has been there ever since! The kids love 

watching him make circles around the room!

 Some one found this snail on the play ground one day! It was huge, 

and they are definitely cuter as a cartoon than in real life!

One morning I wasn't sure if i was still sleeping, but i was positive I saw

a piece of dirt hopping around my bedroom floor. It turns out it was a tiny, tiny

cute frog. It was only about 1/4 of the size of a penny!

 This beastly, un-welcomed creature made itself know the other night. 

I think it caused more excitement than it intended with 2 screaming 

onlookers standing on the table, and another one violently whacking

it with a dustpan!

We can only hope the rest of his family members have taken responsibility to 

exit our home! =(

 The two children we faithfully babysit every day

 after school for about 2 hours...

 Skyler is in kindergarten, and is quite the little guy!

He makes us laugh so much....this is a famous pose of his!

Summerz is in 4th grade and is very sweet and quiet.

We normally don't hear much out of her, and tend to forget that she is listening!

 ...i think she learns a lot listening to us girls de-stress after a long day and discuss

the worlds problems. =)

 One sunday afternoon we hiked up Mt. Kwa Kwa. We started down 

by Grand e' Tang Lake (shown in picture) and hiked for about 45 minutes 

till we got to the highest peak. 

After getting muddy and cut up with razor grass, we reached the

 top it was well worth it! Beautiful scenery and a nice breeze!

 We have girls club once a month where any girl in LaBorie 14 and older 

can come for a small bible study, singing, craft and snack!

And sometimes a little bit of crazy fun!

Watching Judah and Bethany's wedding! They had it streaming live...so we

made a party out of it and invited Bethany's Grenadian friends over!

I made a Chocolate, Peanut Butter cheesecake to help us celebrate! aaah...

A night at the park...decided to give this merry-go-around a try. Wow!

Couldn't help but just close my eyes and laugh!

Kendall and Ryan decided to enjoy the kids toys too...=)

Caleb showing us his climbing skills...

My wonderful Grenadian sisters...<3

Just a beautiful rainbow after one of our random afternoon down pours! 

Once a month we have Jr. Youth night. All youth from ages 13-? that

are from LaBorie can come. This past month, went to the beach and had

 a sand castle building contest! Much fun, but messy! 

 The other Saturday we had the church picnic with Limes church and Laura.

Kathy brought a bunch of odds-n-ends that she didn't know what to do with

before they move home. People had fun claiming things, and before long, the table was clean!

 And of course a men's game of cricket...

 Relays for the kids....(the water is to be going into the cup!)

It turned out to be more of a water fight than a game!

And we topped the afternoon off with some great food. Thaddeus 

(the man on the right, serving the food) cooked two pots; one of oil down,

and the other was Pileau.

 Our church spent an afternoon out on Fort Judy with Keith and Kathy,

the Sunday before they left! It was so beautiful...

 Roasting Sausages....

 On Pastor Kendall and Miss Ginger's birthday, we babysat the kids

so they could go out for an evening. 

 We are currently adding onto the church here in LaBorie....it is going to be 

two more school rooms. Pastor Dan and his daughter Feliecia are working hard! =)

Renee came by one day and decided it was so hot, he wanted

to bathe in our Garbage bin. So we scrubbed it out with soap and

i filled it up with water for him. He sat in it for 1 hour or more! =)

Last Saturday, we went to the pool! Aaah...such a relaxing Saturday after a 

long week of school.

This past week, Rick Rhodes and his family were here for a week of crusades. It was a busy, yet very challenging/refreshing week! Continue to pray for the people here in Grenada. There seams to be so many with the desire to follow God, but are just not willing to let go of different things that are holding them back from complete surrender! 

Something I was challenged with in my personal devotions as I was reading in Jeremiah:

WHAT is success? Most times we as human would define it as achieving goals and acquiring wealth, prestige, favor and power. "Successful" people enjoy the good life--being financially and emotionally secure, being surrounded by admirers, and enjoying the fruits of their labors. By these standards, Jeremiah was a miserable failure. For 40 years he served as God's spokesman to Judah, but when Jeremiah spoke, nobody listened. Consistently and passionately he urged them to act, but nobody moved. But in God's eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all of history. Success, as measured by God , involves obedience and faithfulness to where God has called you. 

Have a wonderful week! - Janisa