Children's Church



Sunday, September 11, 2011 was our first day of Children's Church at The Way of The Cross Baptist Church here on St. Croix. It was an exciting day for us as well as the children. Fifteen eager and energetic children ages 5-9 made their way to our classroom where we began in Genesis with the Creation story. Our puppets also sang a couple of songs, they did some coloring sheets and finally played "Hot Frog" a game that originated from our sending church in Tennessee. The children were sent home with their memory verse and information about the "Mailbox Club." There were smiles all around, from the children's faces as well as the parents. Our two helpers did a great job and needless to say we were exhausted but already planning the lesson for next week! We are sorry we have no pictures but we were so busy getting ready we forgot the camera. We will have pictures soon! Thanks for all your prayers.

Drivers License

$90.00 and two hours later we both have US Virgin Island Driver's Licenses. Both of us were a little sad to leave our Tennessee licenses behind. We had them about 17 years and a lot of our life together was spent in Tennessee. But it is a good thing because it is under God's leading hand that we are here and making the Virgin Islands our home.

July ~ August Newsletter

We Made It Safely Back!

In July we found ourselves busy visiting churches, sharing the ministry here on St. Croix and making plans and preparations to return to the island. After saying our good byes we drove from Maine to Miami where we shipped our car. Thanks to those who helped with the shipping expenses! The Lord blessed us with a safe trip and the fellowship of some very sweet people!

Tropical Storms

Tropical storms Emily and Irene welcomed us back in August. Irene left us without power for 5 1/2 days. Billy made us a window seat in our apartment. Underneath it is filled with hurricane supplies and non perishable food in the event of a major storm.

Irene

Emily

Repairs Before It Will Work!



 

 

Clean Up!







And More Clean Up!
















Before & After

Billy and Pastor Harrigan pressure washed, made some repairs, and painted a church members house. She was delighted!

                                                  

AWANA Training

We spent a Saturday in an AWANA training program at The Way of The Cross Baptist Church. We will be helping in that ministry on Friday evenings when it starts up in early September.

We are working on getting everything ready for Children's Church which begins September 11th. The little ones are excited and can't wait...neither can we! Our mother bird sits upon her nest of colored eggs full of goodies for those who memorize verses from God's Word.

"Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street." Lamentations 2:19

Nurse Notes

School is back in session. Cecilia continues to work three days a week as the school nurse at Free Will Baptist Christian School. Each new day provides opportunities to show Christ's love to students. Attendance is down a little this year because of the economy. Several families moved back to the states to find jobs and government workers had to take a big reduction in pay.

TWIC

In August Billy applied for and received his TWIC Card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential.) This allows him to access security areas and opens more doors of job opportunities. He has his application in at two companies. We are trusting the Lord to open doors that He wants opened and close doors He wants closed. Since we are new on the mission field we realize that we will need to work. Both of us desire jobs that allow us the time and energy to work in church ministries as well as meet our financial needs.

Our New Grandbaby Will Be A Girl!

www.CaribbeanMission.blogspot.com

A lot happens in our daily lives which is next to impossible to put in a newsletter. That's why we have our own blogspot. Save us under your favorites list and come back often. Our desire is to be good listeners to God's voice and obey when He tells us to do something. Thanks for your prayers!

FYI

It costs 11.2 cents per kilowatt hour in the states for electricity. Here it costs about 42 cents. It has been a challenge to adjust to not having air conditioning! There are power outages quite often here.

Praises & Prayer Requests

Praises

Our car shipped to the island

Safety during tropical storms

God's faithfulness daily

Wonderful church family

Prayer Requests

Children's Church

Continued spiritual growth

Safe hurricane season

Ministry opportunities

Thank you so much for your prayer and financial support for the work here in St. Croix.

Blessings your Way,

Billy & Cecilia Stone

Tax deductible contributions may be sent to

YES Ministry

P.O. Box 700697

St. Cloud, FL  34770

or online at

www.YEServants.org

The "Jolt"

If you have been on this island any time at all you know you can't live without the "Jolt." We had two which we took to Maine this summer and decided to leave them there. There is a need for them there but no stores carry them. We planned to buy two more when we returned to the island...but it seemed food was a higher priority so we waited til payday and hurried to Gallows Bay Hardware store. WHAT??? No "Jolts!" They were all sold out! But one kind gentleman told me where I might find them and sure enough he was right. I bought two and came home and started using them right away.

You ask "What is a Jolt?" It is better than butter on toast, jelly on a peanut butter sandwich, or a tall glass of iced tea. You can hold it in one hand and keep on doing something else with the other hand. And when those buzzing mosquitoes take aim at you, just twist your wrist as if playing tennis and ZAP, he is gone. Sometimes you can take two or three at the same time, if you are really quick. The noise can make you jump if you don't expect it...but it sure is a lot of fun to see the end of that little guy! No, I am not crazy, but we spent almost a week without power and night and day they tormented us while we tried to sleep and live in our house. There is just no other way to catch them. The "Jolt" is a required tool for survival on this island.

"Irene"

This has been one of the most challenging weeks we've experienced in awhile. Tropical storm "Irene" came slowly across the island of St. Croix on Sunday, August 21st. There were some broken branches, downed power lines and no power. We survived the first night without fans. Although it was very windy it never came in our windows...so mosquitoes had their snacks on us!

No work or school on Monday so Billy hooked up a generator so our fridge would run. He also had placed two large barrels under the eve of the roof so we had water to flush toilets...and cold showers that night. Power began to come on all around us and Tuesday still no power. Another generator was hooked up to the water pump so at least warm showers for all. Still sleepless nights with no fan. The air was hot and no breeze! Mosquitoes again had their way with us.

By Wednesday morning it was getting a little old. Both of us felt like we were going in slow motion as we were lacking in sleep! But God kept us focused on our jobs and we had hope it would soon be on.

Thursday morning...no power! By now were getting pretty good at shifting food from the fridge to the freezer so things would not spoil. During this time we could not imagine what it would be like without power for weeks or months. We have been through some tough living conditions before, having spent some time in Homestead, Florida after Hurricane Andrew devastated the area. Bit it doesn't matter what you have gone through before it is still TOUGH when you are in the middle of it.

Thursday night Billy got up every four hours to fill the generator so we could at least have the fans on so we could sleep. Both of us had to work so we needed the sleep.

Friday morning while at work the power came back on! What a joy to once again experience lights, fans, and getting back to normal.

We know that God is in control of all things and He had the power to give us electrical power. But His power was more precious. We found ourselves praying more and saw God answer some prayers that were dear and near to our hearts. So although it was a hard week, I would go through it again for what the outcome was.

"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10

It's a Fight For The Mangos!

We were told that if we wanted mangos to eat we better get them before the bats get them, or they fall to the ground. Little did I know we would have to compete with a horse!!! This guy had orange mango on his face and legs!

Star Fruit

This sweet delicious fruit is grown here on the island of St. Croix. The star shape makes it quite a unique looking fruit. Some call it the "Carombola" fruit but I call it good!

It tastes best when it is cold. Just slice it, peel off the outer layer and enjoy!