We parted ways that hot summer night, anticipating a few weeks down the road when our paths would cross again. We had met with Shannon & Janelle Martin during our visit home this past summer to spend some time with them and answer any questions they had regarding their upcoming move to Grenada. Bags were packed and many of the last minute details were already taken care of in anticipation of their joining the Olive Branch Mennonite Mission team on this island.
However, there was one little detail that needed taken care of yet. There is no top-notch medical care on the island and they wanted to confirm that the lump in her abdomen was nothing to worry about. Appointments were made, tests were done, biopsy taken...and then, two weeks before their projected departure date, they received the devastating news. Liver cancer.
She fought hard. Her husband stood by her, faithfully fighting with her. In the end, the cancer won. Or shall we say, "God won." Since that was His original plan in the first place. It seems to us poor mortals that the cancer intruded on some well-laid plans, plans to leave their comfort zone and spread the Gospel in far off places. Cancer ruined all that. Or did it? Monday evening, at our weekly ladies Bible study, we discussed their incredible testimony in the middle of suffering and the thought came to me, "They are touching people in Grenada without ever having stepped a foot on the island." And not only this island, but many other places. I have a feeling they have touched people in ways never possible if their original plans were not altered by the Master's hand. God had a plan for their lives that far exceeded whatever we imagined.
And even though it is with sadness that I think back to that hot summer evening, when we said our goodbyes, which were more like "see-ya later", I realize that, for the Christian, goodbyes are never final. Yes, I said my final good-bye to Janelle here on earth, but someday I will see her again. And I look forward to that day.
The children keep very close track of whose turn it is to go with Chris when
he drives ambulance. Collin was the lucky one to get to go along to the airport.
The men have been working at building a house for a community family.
No more seeing the road whiz by underfoot through the rusted out patches on the floor
and no more whipping out that trusty screwdriver to get it started! The framed sitting
area was cut down and made smaller to accommodate a smaller sized truck.
Through it all there was always one of the households that had alittle water. Shortly after Scott's ran completely out of water, the water truck arrived at our house, after we had waited 3 days for them to come. We send them to Scott's and what a good feeling to have full tanks of water again!! Our tanks are big enough that they can last for 2 days if we are careful. One thing that weighed on our mind is that rainy season typically doesn't start till July and we had a group of high-school seniors coming the next week. God heard our prayers though and send a few days of rain!!!!
gather some friends and get the orange picker thingy out of the shed to knock the oranges down.....
Try to be at least alittle careful that you don't sit in the puddle of juice that you slopped on the counter...
and not feeling like we need to have lots of talents to serve God in a "big" way,
but using what we have to serve Him whenever opportunity arises...
ordered from a menu that had song titles that gave hints to what they were getting.
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for school chapel. These kids are so hyper and sometimes you wonder if they are
hearing anything you're saying but I think they are catching more than we realize.
(updated to add...not the last time after all, we have one more in July:))
the fly hanger. He insisted he wouldn't fall, so I said, "Ok, I'm going to let you do it,
but on your way down, just remember what I told you!" (he didn't fall):(
Picnicking with Arlen & Sharon's daughter Phoebe & husband Lyndon. They came to visit for a week.
A beautiful eucalyptus tree
address an envelope like this and it would get to where it needs to go:)
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came with a heart to serve and energy to work! We appreciated them so much!
Duane & Suzette Weber were also in LaBorie and Bryan & Margaret Martin
were at Limes. We enjoyed our week with them very much!
Lillian was tickled pink and couldn't get done thanking them!
2 years ago he drowned at this area of Grand Anses Beach
a different location...or at least that was the plan. Until some extended family of
the man that wanted the house moved, got upset and stopped the process. So the one
day they spend tearing it down and the next day they spend putting it right back up at
the same spot! I hope these guys know we didn't do this just to keep them busy!:)
It made me kinda nervous to be making it for 70 people but it turned out alright.
May has been a whirl-wind month with alot happening. Last evening we welcomed Josh and Barb High and their 5 children to Grenada. Please pray for them as they adjust...so much to learn in those first few weeks! It was a good feeling to hand over "our" house to them. We moved Monday of this week and it was a busy few days trying to clean out one place and set up the next one. There is also a board member here for deputation so that always means more meetings/events. I'd rather it this way though, than have nothing to do! We are adjusting to a smaller house/closer neighbors but are thankful our "new" house is within walking distance for the church/school. Although the children don't think so:) They still have energy till they get home though, so I'm not too worried that it's too far for them to walk.
We now have about 6 weeks left in Grenada which definitely brings some mixed feelings! So hard to believe that 2 1/2 years could go so fast. Although there were times when I didn't feel that way:) Anyway, enough of rambling, we have prayer meeting tonight so I need to keep moving. Thank-you for taking an interest in our lives and the work on Grenada.
