Week One...

After a week in Grand Turk we are finally online from home!  That means no more snitching the internet from the inn next door in the darkness of night.  We can keep in touch with our family and friends much easier and more frequently.  It takes patience to deal with the people and services on the island, but it is a quality I need to cultivate so I'm learning.  The slower pace is more often appreciated.  A quieter, more relaxed way of life is a welcome change.


Chad arrived on the 7th and was able to attend the meeting that night.  The congregation warmly greeted him, but naturally wondered what had happened to me.  I arrived the next day via the grand Ruby Princess.  Though cruising down with my mom and aunt was enjoyable and relaxing, I was thrilled to disembark the ship and find my sweet Chad along with four of our brothers and sisters there waiting on me after a morning in service.  An added bonus was the help I found to carry our many bags off the boat.  Oddly enough, two Witness couples from south Georgia happened to be on the same cruise ship the same week and in rooms just a few doors down from us on the same deck!  We crossed paths about a day or two into the trip and they kindly offered to help upon our arrival.  We got many strange and puzzled looks as we rolled all the luggage off the ship and beyond the crowded cruise center.  All with us were able to check out our home before heading out back to the beach to catch some sun and snorkel.  We proudly walked them over to our new Kingdom Hall before a tearful goodbye.  Chad and I sat on the shore that evening as they sailed away off into the horizon and eventually out of sight.  How bittersweet

St. Maarten

St. Thomas

Mom and I at dinner on the cruise

Sunset 

On the beach behind our house watching the ship sail away

!

 

Sea glass

We jumped right into the ministry together Saturday and have been in the work each day since with exception to Sunday and Monday, our new days off for personal activities such as cleaning, grocery shopping, and recreation.  The preaching has been so refreshing as we find a listening ear at nearly every door.  We are able to use our Bibles extensively and enjoy the hospitality of most householders.  The association with the friends is an additional source of joy.  We are especially impressed with the diligence of the young ones in the congregation who are so well prepared for the meetings and the ministry.  They actively contribute by way of their comments and a number conduct their own Bible studies.  Chad has already started a Bible study himself as of Wednesday.  We are both rapidly acquiring calls that show much potential.

Donkeys, horses, and cows roam free on the island.

In service

Our shipment from home was made available to us on Tuesday afternoon.  We stayed up late in the evening unloading every box, 30 total, eager to settle into our new home completely.  It is very comfortable now--small and quaint with many reminders of home.  We permanently have dirty grocery store feet from walking the dusty roads each day, but its visible proof of our efforts.  In addition to setting up our home and taking part in the ministry, we have found recreation in snorkeling, fishing, and stand-up paddle boarding.  Chad combined the later two this evening in the beautiful turquoise waters behind our house.  He caught two small groupers less than a quarter mile off shore near the wall.  This venture was more successful than the first yesterday when he waded out in the mouth North Creek and only hooked a barracuda. I can't believe I did it, but I filleted the fish myself right on the beach.  I will perfect it in time as my little fisherman increases his catch.


So, to sum it up thus far, this Georgia girl and her new pioneer partner are adjusting just fine to the island life.  We are being immediately useful in the English field and acquiring Creole and Spanish phrases that hopefully in time will increase our value here.  We are soaking up the sun and becoming quiet brown which aides to our blending in with the locals.  Please feel free to call us now using our U.S. number.  If we are unavailable, you can leave a message and we will call you back as soon as possible.  Just hearing your voices will make us so happy.  We send our love and greetings to all and will post more updates and pictures in the coming days and weeks.