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!

The Flamboyant Tree

There are several of these trees on the Youth With A Mission Base where we live as well as all around the island. When we left in early June to go to the states most of the leaves were gone from the trees. When we came back we were treated with a beautiful sight. Pictures can not capture the details but to say the least, God has such an awesome way of showing His creativity!
Many prayers were prayed and answered under this tree at YWAM.

 

Gardening

 

Billy has made us some planting boxes and yesterday we filled them with potting soil and some seeds. We planted Cherry and Beefsteak tomatoes, cantaloupe, cucumbers, corn and green beans! We can not wait to see the first seedling pop up through the ground. It will be a challenge to see who gets the fruit of the plants first...us or some of the interesting critters here on the island.

The seeds we plant next are of a different kind. Those will be the ones that will last forever! Children's Church begins on September 11th and our desire is to plant seeds from the Word of God into the hearts and minds of the children. We will need to nurture those little ones just as we do our new seedlings in our plant boxes. Each child is unique and made in the image of God. These little ones need to know of God's love, forgiveness, and plan of salvation so they can spend eternity with Him. They also need to learn what special gifts and talents the Lord has given them and how He wants them to serve Him.

Gardening can be a lot of hard work but the rewards are awesome! I can almost taste the sweet cantaloupe. But sweeter it will be when we see a child accept the Lord and seek to follow Him!

We pray our crop is bountiful this season!

"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty."

Matthew 13:23

Tropical Storm Emily

This is the satellite view of "Emily" as she goes just below St. Croix. You probably can't see that our island is just below Puerto Rico. There are very gusty winds today and it feels good. There have been some bands of rain come through. Thankfully it is forecast to go west of us. Hope we never have to find out what a real hurricane is like!

Hurricane Preparation VS Winter Storm Preparation

We didn't expect to be thinking about this so soon after we arrived on the island. Though the tropical depression is a ways off, they are recommending people to prepare just in case. So this morning we went grocery shopping and everyone else was thinking the same thing. There were just a few loaves of bread left and people were buying lots of drinking water. We have enough food for a week or two so not too concerned. We have an oil lamp for lights and our apartment walls are about 16-20 inches thick. This building survived Hurricane Hugo 22 years ago so we feel safe.

Probably the biggest difference in cold weather preparation vs warm weather preparation is storage of refrigerated items. Up north you can always put your milk in a snowbank...none to be seen here. So keeping a bottle of frozen water in the freezer will help keep things cold for a while.

Trusting in the Lord is the most important part of any storm in life. You can't always avoid storms but you have a friend in Jesus who will walk through the storm with you.