Hello and welcome to the September blog! September held many more "tropical disturbances" which left us feeling cool, wet and quite miserable at times. On the other hand we continue to miss (thank you, Lord!) the "big" winds and rain of the hurricane season. Fresh fruit and vegetables are being harvested all around us as we too approach the autumn of the year in Grenada. Many of the trees around us are in the process of losing their foliage as we move "downhill" into winter. While the difference in the warmth around us may vary only by a very few degrees centigrade over the next six months, we will see the strange phenomenon of school children wearing warm wraps as a method of counteracting the cooler time they are moving through. It's true that Ann and I could wear shorts and light tee shirts and continue to feel more than a little hot but then our temperature gauges are still tuned to the norms of Ontario!
September also saw the resumption of our work at Belair Primary School with the children involved in the CALS programme. Ann had bought some "sweets" at the bulk store in Barrie in July together with some fancy little bags to put the candy in. What a successful idea that was! Two of the class were missing on the day she distributed them and it amazed us how very quickly the class asked permission to go and bring them so that they could all have a bag. Will the children have the same desire to share in ten years time? Jesus teaches much about sharing with and caring for each other. Will the words of all the choruses they learn to sing to him each morning as their class gathers and the role is called bring the reality of him into their everyday living. (The same practice will follow them through secondary school). Unfortunately the institutional church will have disappeared from their lives if, in fact, it was ever a part of them. Sadly Leonson did not return to the class as he has been placed full time in a remedial class for his dyslexia. We are both thankful it has been recognized just how great a constraint it will place on his life. Belair P.S. continued to celebrate its 60th Anniversary in September. A health fair was organized by the Principal at which eye sight, blood pressure and blood sugar were measured for those of the community around the school that wished it. There were also first aid demonstrations and the Royal Grenadian Police Force brought along a variety of very nasty weapons and many kilos of assorted drugs. We were told how they came into the possession of the police. Both of us shuddered over the images that were created. On a much more positive note some of Grenada's more prominent citizens spoke very well about the time they spent at Belair. Their stories were extremely affirming for the present teachers in their day to day work. Ann and I were also thanked for our work with the children and the CALS programme. And that was affirming for us too!
My work at MacDonald is now at an end. Unfortunately the pain and discomfort of the osteoarthritis in my knee does not permit me to undertake teaching responsibilities. MacDonald has been somewhat disappointing for us both. Perhaps we were looking forward to the work we might do there too much. Anyway the quality of our relationships with the other children in our lives has been truly amazing and extremely rewarding. They are this small Nations greatest asset and it has been a joy to work with them.
Over riding all this is the finality of our return to Ontario in November. We have experienced a time of joy, love and care in Grenada. We have memories that are full and overflowing; full of warmth, overflowing with colour and energy; each one framed by the people who have taught us about life here and in doing so have forever changed our values. As we head into our last full month on the Island I thought about what more God might teach us before we leave, only to realise in that very thought I was limiting him. One of the passages offered to me this week for reflection are the words found in Luke 11: 37-41 which reflect one of Jesus' many encounters with Pharisees. As we prepare for a time of parting I hear Jesus telling us that holiness lies in wholeness and integrity; we are invited by him to be "of one piece" without deep contradictions. When life is brought before God fully and openly, asking that any divisions and anxiety in it be healed and that we are made whole it's time for us to remember that God sees us from the inside. When I contemplate God can I learn to see everyone as "great as God made them"? Help us Lord, to hear the prompting of your Spirit. Grant us a measure of your grace.
