Welcoming New Faces

Other friends here in the congregation have often related how many times in the past, the brothers and sisters traveling by cruise ship to Grand Turk have stopped by the Kingdom Hall.  This has afforded them the opportunity to meet a number of new faces over the years.  However, in the more than five months since we have been here, we have not had this privilege until this past week.  We were very excited to welcome two sisters traveling together from New Jersey at the cruise center Friday morning.  We found out about their visit from a friend in Provo who had recently met one of the sisters at pioneer school in the States.  We arranged in advance to borrow a car from a family in our hall so that we could act as tour guides, showing them around our little island.  Our first stop was, of course, the Kingdom Hall.  We, then, took them down historic Front Street where they were able to get out and do a little shopping.  In route, they also got to see where we live.  Next, we drove up to the north end of the island to see the lighthouse.  They enjoyed taking photos and sharing experiences throughout the morning.  We returned them to the cruise center around lunchtime, but before parting ways, introduced them to two of our sisters who work at the restaurants there.  They were so kind and pleasant and we enjoyed their company very much.  We hope that they enjoyed their day in Grand Turk as well as the rest of their cruise.  

At the lighthouse

At the cruise center

I realized after taking the above picture with the sisters at the cruise center that I had a similar photo from about four years ago in the same location.  As I think back to the time this photo was taken and the things that were going on in my life, I can't believe where I am now.  Obviously, I would have never imagined I would be living in Grand Turk, much less in such a good place otherwise--happy, married to Chad, serving Jehovah together with so much joy.  It is amazing how Jehovah works things out even when you can't see how they ever could.  Like the Watchtower today said, such memories give us confidence to face whatever lies ahead in the future.  Remembering how Jehovah has acted in my behalf through the most difficult times and how enduring to success strengthened my personal relationship with him leads me to trust him all the more now.  

At the Grand Turk cruise center in 2008

I hope that articles like the one this week will also have a profound effect on Bible students attending meetings like Paola.  The examples mentioned show how Bible students around the world have benefited from trusting in Jehovah when obstacles inevitably arise.  However, nothing has as powerful an effect as experiencing Jehovah's help firsthand.  We have our Special Assembly Day coming up on October 27th in Provo.  This week, after our study, I invited Paola to attend explaining that the program is also translated in Spanish in the back room for the growing Spanish group there.  There is an expense involved as we have to travel by plane to attend.  Even though this is the case, Paola immediately said, "I want to go."  She has acquired some small cleaning jobs here and there and is going to try to save the money for the ticket.  We told her to make it a serious matter of prayer and that we would do the same.  We will help her as needed, but we are hopeful she will see Jehovah act in her behalf, answering her prayers, and thus strengthening her reliance on him.  We will see what happens as the assembly approaches, but her sincere desire to be present as soon as she heard about it was extremely encouraging.  She is making great progress!

From left to right: Jenny, her student Yamalie, me, Paola, and Alice

While I help 14 year old Tamia learn more about the Bible using the "Listen To God and Live Forever" brochure, she is schooling me on island slang.  This lesson came about after a discussion about my accent.  "Mrs. Candice, are you from Kentucky?" she first asked.  Hilarious!  I, in turn, asked her why she said Kentucky and she answered that she had seen someone on TV from Kentucky who sounded like me.  After a little geography lesson and correcting her about my roots, I assured her that she too has an accent and her own way of communicating.  She now defines her island lingo and chooses phrases for me to learn.  We are doing the same with some American phrases, but with a TV in her house, she has heard most.  We enjoy her company, expressions, and questions beneath the shade of a tree in her front yard on Saturday afternoons.

This week we started meeting in new service groups.  We now have three groups at three different locations.  We are in group C and meet at the home of a single sister in our congregation.  We are happy to report that we had great support.  The arrangement went really well.  We were in the ministry sooner and, despite the extreme heat, enjoyed our time with the friends.

One family in our congregation, as well as our service group, has the responsibility of looking after a rental property just down the beach from us through the month of September.  We enjoyed associating with them yesterday evening at the location.  It is beach front with a nice patio.  Though only a five minute walk from my house, I felt I had left the island for a couple of hours.  Just that little change brought about a different feeling.  It was very enjoyable.  Next weekend, same time, same place?  Absolutely!

Just relaxing

Jenny and Sammy

Chad enjoying a dinner Jenny prepared

As a part of our routine, Chad and I have been taking evening walks for quite some time.  A sister in our hall requested that we walk together during the week recently so I have been walking down the beach in the evenings with her.  Chad comes along some days, especially when she brings her boys.  Walking in the sand is the best!  We enjoy the sunset and get in some good exercise.  The company is encouraging as well.

On one last note, we were kind of excited to finally see April's report in the Kingdom Ministry this month.  We arrived in April so the numbers reflect our presence in the Turks and Caicos.  It is a good feeling to be a part of the increase.  We hope that we can contribute to the growth here in other ways throughout the coming months.