Operation Overboard

When God calls us to be out from our comfort zone, He doesn’t want us to only walk on the water with Him, but to know Him deeper. Don’t just swim but DIVE IN!

Last week, the Gouyave Methodist Church had its Vacation Bible School (VBS) with the theme “Operation Overboard”. A week before, Anna and I did our preparation, printing out leaflets and posters, contacted volunteers, shopped for materials needed, practice the songs and prepare for the set up of the church to be our classrooms.

We were briefed that the maximum number of students per day was 30. At 8:30 we arrived at the church and some kids were already waiting for us. Slowly, kids were coming in. And when we started, the small church was full packed.

Depend on God – Day 1

 “Miss…can I get a page to color?” “Miss, can I have some water?” “Can I go to the toilet?” “He hit me!” and so on…

Chaos started. After the general orientation we divided the group into two based on their age range. I handled kids of age 8 and above while Anna took care of ages below 8.

Looking at the crowd, I braced myself and prayed for God’s strength. Some people think that Gouyave children are difficult to manage and they have attitude. I needed extra of everything for the journey with the children. I had overwhelming moments before the VBS week. There are so many things lined up to be done for the summer and my strength is wavering.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own intelligence.” Proverbs 3:5 – our verse for the day.

Noah depended on God even He didn’t see rain coming. God met me. When I was weak, He became my strength.

Dare to Care – Day 2

71 kids. 6 volunteers. 1 classroom (church). Somehow it was beyond control like the leprosy of Naaman. But the servant girl dared to care and suggested to her mistress to send her husband to Elisha. Because she cared, Naaman was healed.

The groups were too big. One woman from the church said that we should send home the kids who are misbehaving and do not allow them to come back again. I answered “If the church will refuse to care for the kids who need more understanding, who would?”

Isn’t it the church is the hospital for the sick? A refuge for the lost. A home to the homeless. A channel of God’s love…loving the unlovely as Jesus does.

 Claim Jesus – Day 3

 Early in the morning inside the car, as we head to the church, the volunteers discussed of limiting the number of kids coming to manage them properly. One of the frustrations is that volunteers cannot connect with the kids personally since the effort goes to crowd control.

The level of understanding is not the same and those who want to listen were distracted by the ones who are so energetic and playful. Some became overwhelmed of the number they are with in the class that they became silent or difficult to encourage participating in the activities.

Discussing which matters most: order or not forbidding children in coming to Christ. In our silence, the Holy Spirit moved. We arrived and called all the volunteers and lobbied our concern to the Almighty. We claimed Jesus to lead us in our decision.

After prayer, we found peace. We decided to put cut off in our time since some of them come later than 10:00am even we start at 9:00am. We did not put a border for number but we followed order to meet the need of those who come on time and teach discipline to the late comers.

It was like our “Exploration Activity” where we have a glass full of water and we dropped lots of coins. The glass did not overflow as we thought of. There’s a room for each coin even the glass in already full of water. There’s also room for each one of us in the kingdom of Jesus – those who claim Him to be Lord and Savior.

Choose to Follow – Day 4

“You should not allow new children anymore” she strongly said. But Anna replied, “No Sister. Whoever comes we will accept.” Anna shared to me the conversation and said “it’s up to you whom you will follow”.

As the days passed God is allowing us to experience the themes of VBS per day, the more that we can relate to what we are teaching the kids. Like Peter who left his boat, his net, his family – He chose to follow Jesus.

Jade – one of the kids nudged me and said “let’s sing and dance”. Altogether we joined in chorus:

          I’m gonna choose!

          I’m gonna follow!

          Forevermore, I’ll serve the Lord.

I’m gonna choose!

I’m gonna follow!

I say it once more

I’m gonna serve the Lord.

 

 

Change the World – Day 5

Me: Change the World!

Children: Dive In!!!!

Each ocean insight for the day, when they hear it, the kids would reply “Dive In!”. With all energy and voice out loud “Dive In” filled the room.

We were not in the water but kids dove in to our floor. Crayons, scissors, glue and colored paper scattered as children swam in their creativity. Craft time is one of the kids’ favorites in our VBS.  I enjoyed seeing kids create and explore with their tiny hands and big minds. We have used paper plate in so many ways but Day 5 craft was different. We made invitation cards for those who do not attend church – hoping that we can change the world in our own little way by inviting people to know Christ.

It was the last day of our VBS. I don’t know whom God has touched throughout the week among the kids we taught, played with, shared stories and meals, sang and danced with, hugged and prayed with. We may not see the fruits but one thing I am sure of, God loves them and He will continue to work with them. He is able to change these kids, the volunteers like me, the church, the community and the world.

DIVE IN!

Following Jesus is not a smooth boat ride. As one pastor I know calls it HOLY CHAOS. When He called people to follow Him, followers are taken away from their comfort zones and brought them to a dive beyond comprehension. The beauty is only experienced by those who are not afraid to put in gears of faith, obedience, love, and grace to swim deeper in the love of the Father.

Storms may come. At times He will not calm it as He did when disciples faced a storm but He assures that we can hide in Him. His grace is sufficient. We can depend on Him. Only when we have Him, we can dare to care. Claim Jesus when rough times come. Choose to follow the expert – the Holy Spirit. And through Jesus – we can change the world.

Sink or swim, I’m diving in! How about you?

Tasting Grenada

Some people say “a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”. It works with women too! It worked with me one fateful Friday. We had a raffle for our Student Assistance Program and we did it during Gouyave Fish Friday.

Gouyave Fish Friday is a night where fisherfolks of the fish capital of Grenada, Gouyave, gather to exhibit the best of seafoods and other local food they can offer and make a livelihood out of it.

When we arrived in the venue, I was impressed with the people who offer sumptuous dinner. With the white apron, white hat, and white robe, they made me feel I’m in a restaurant served with the best chef in town. The inviting smiles of the people who man the booths made it more enticing.

Fried, steamed, roasted, grilled, baked… name it, they have it done with fishes.  They even have fish cake! I was so delighted to see the art of cooking of sea’s gifts. And the choices are vast that I can’t decide where to pick what I want or what I really want to consume that night.

On the side, they also have fried breadfruit, fried plantain, garlic bread, baked potatoes, and the like. You can pick whatever you like and they will charge you for the variety of what you’ve got. You can also jump from one booth to another and pick what lured you for that moment.

The aroma of the grilled lobster.. Hmmmmm! I’m starting to salivate while I was walking on the street checking other booths. They also have steamed lobster and shrimp that makes the moment smell like the freshness of the sea. Crab backs are waiting for grabs. (My stomach is growling while I’m writing this.. grrr). The smell of fish Friday is not stinky…it’s YUMMY!

The atmosphere was filled with authentic Caribbean melody that you can’t help but dance or even sway your head as you listen. If you prefer the live sound, you can also join the drummers in one corner of the event where you can tap, groove, laugh, and be lost in Grenadian music.

After the raffle, I and Anna automatically rushed to the booth where we want to have our food.  There were benches and table around to fully enjoy the moment. I have my bounty in my hand, sat on a chair, enjoyed the music, savouring the taste of my lobster kabob…and in that moment, I know I am in love of Grenada.

The coolness of my sorrel juice, a local juice which I preferred more than softdrinks available, soothed my throat and carried my anxieties away. I love that moment. No wonder why foreigners and local people would come and visit. It’s a party beyond compare where kids can dance, eat and play while adults fall for taste, smell, embrace, sound and beauty of Gouyave Fish Friday.

After the tasting, you might want to grab a souvenir that would remind you how lovely was the experience in this blue-green country. But for me, while I’m here, for sure I am going back and taste some more!

Tasting Grenada is tasting God’s goodness! 🙂 He makes ways for you and me to enjoy serving Him. Making you fall in love with Him deeper and sweeter…everyday. God is indeed good, ALL THE TIME!

Psalm 34:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.