My second option is getting Chris to take me where I need to go. That is all fine and dandy IF....
1. It fits his schedule
2. You don't mind languishing in the hot truck while he stops here to drop a check off and there to pick up a part. My simple errand may end up taking all morning. (A good book in the vehicle is a must) Or he may drop me off at the grocery store and run to do "a few quick errands"....(which somehow never happens to be quick)
I always loved driving and the independence it gave me, and going from being able to go somewhere on a whim, to being dependent on someone else, has taken some getting used to. It does help though that my options are limited on things to do and places to go around here.
My third option is public bus. This is a vehicle similar in size to a van back home, but down here we call it a bus and it can hold over 20 people or on a few record breaking instances, 30 or more.
So how do you catch a public bus in Grenada? Well, you don't really catch the bus, the bus catches you. Similar to bidding at an auction, all you need to do is wiggle your ears, raise your eyebrow or twitch your nose and the bus will stop. Nothing will make you look more like a tourist than putting on a big show, jumping, waving and shouting, trying to get the bus to stop. Save your breathe. Save your energy. The conductor, who rides along with the bus driver, has eyes like a hawk and will spot you from a mile away. To them you look like money, and they want you bad. At the bus terminal in town, be prepared to be "fought" over. They all want you in their bus. Don't let it be an ego boost, they just want your $2.50. If the bus is full, get in anyway. They will find room to squeeze you in somewhere. If it looks like you will be sitting on someone's lap, slowly make your descent and the microscopic crack you were supposed to sit in will miraculously part like the Red Sea. However, there was one time that my faith was just not strong enough. Headed to town one morning, I flagged down a bus and worked my way to the back seat where I was instructed to sit and slowly began my careful descent. This time though, there was no miracle. Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, but apparently it doesn't move two stubborn men sitting on the back seat of the bus. Halfway down I realized I have two options. Ride to town sitting on the laps of an Indian man and a Grenadian man, or refuse to sit there. I have nothing against either culture, I just felt the latter option would be more appropriate and awkwardly backed out of the packed bus and informed the conductor, "I don't fit there." Slightly embarrassing.
There is an unspoken rule that you don't talk in a public bus and most communication is through nods, gestures or whispers. A wrap with your knuckles on the bus window is all it takes to get the bus to stop. If the music is blaring too loudly (which it usually is) and the driver doesn't hear the knock, a snap of the fingers by the conductor will the get the bus driver's attention.
And now, since I described what it's like to bus in Grenada, come along for a ride with me! Enjoy the scenery!
Most buses are privately owned, and are
embellished with a
name, and sometimes with slogans, front, rear, or
both.
Buses lined up at the bus terminal in town. Depends where you want to go, you have
to bus to town first and then get on another bus that is headed to your destination
St. Georges...capital town in Grenada
you are usually either going right or left or up and down.
you back up till you find a spot to pull off the road or the other driver does.
move so fast and left her in the dust as he made haste to the microphone to say his part
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we couldn't be there for all the classes but really enjoyed the ones we did get to sit in on!
Packing up for GBI...It is a 45 minute drive over bumpy roads that lead you up into the mountains to the camp facilities. It takes alot planning, packing & preparation to feedover 30 people for a week! Scott & Yvonne did a wonderful job at figuring out all the little details!
We enjoyed getting to know this friendly couple!
his love for God was evident in the enthusiastic and passionate way he taught his classes.
work of the Holy Spirit and various aspects of worship.
The one evening the week of GBI the youth held a one night crusade in Willis. A crusade is basically a service held out in the open somewhere, consisting of singing, testimonies and
a message. Chris was in charge of the sound system this evening.
Collin "helping" Elaine Weaver make popcorn at GBI. Eugene and Elaine Weaver
spend 3 weeks in Grenada filling in wherever needed. Was so good to have them around!
Our boys found these neighbor boys to play with while we
were in class at GBI. They loved all the space to ride bike!
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long if the cat had time to crawl on her and fall asleep
for Skype, but it can't replace real life interaction
and fun, food and games at our house in between:)
That concludes our month of December. Thank you for taking an interest in the work here in Grenada.
Prayer Requests & Praise
Thankfulness for a pastor couple that committed to serving in Grenada...Dervin & Lydia Seibel from South Carolina. Pray for them as they make all the necessary preparations needed for a cross-country move.
Pray for Shannon & Janelle Martin as they continue her cancer treatments in Mexico.
Pray for peace and unity in the church. The devil would love to tear down what God has build up.
Pray for our family.... December has been a challenging month in various aspects, but God is faithful and has shown Himself real in many ways!
