Bring on the rain and a reception with the Minister of Tourism

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Hello everyone!
Well the rain it came down alright last night. The people who are native to the Caribbean called it a wee storm, for us in Canada it would be a torrential downpour. I am continually amazed by the beauty of the view of the Caribbean Sea from the top of Mt. St. Ervans where we are staying. It is a Catholic retreat centre that is surrounded by mountains in the north, lush green forests, starfruit and cashew fruits (like apples) but more sour. From here you can see all the way to the sea. It has been quite hot actually but luckily there is some wind.

It is amazing that after having only been here for three days so far that we have gotten to know each other well. There is lots of discussion, great food-quite organic in fact and we are getting adjusted to listening to everyone accents. There are 37 delegates here-I think I mentioned some of the places where they were from last time but they are again from St. Kitts, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Curacao, and Guyana.

Tonight we were invited to a reception with three of the parliamentary ministers of tourism, ecclesiastical issues and youth. We feasted on nutmeg meatball, breadfruit salad, bonita (fish) and a wonderful tropical fruit punch to drink made of starfruit and others. The reception was hosted at the Rainbow Inn by a woman who is doing a lot of great work with youth in Grenada. The people were so welcoming and the food was delicious! I am hoping that we will have nutmeg meatballs again, need the recipe-yum yum!

We have been talking a lot about mission and what it means and about the work we are going to be doing in the community next week. We will be rebuilding some churches and doing renovation and running a vacation bible camp.

There is lots of music that is played and sung through the day-no steel drums yet, but lots of dancing and clapping! Caribbean Style!
It is neat that in this small place in the middle of the ocean that we can get to know each other and learn about each others lifestyles, which are totally different!

There are some big bugs here too- I mistakenly picked up what I thought was an elastic in the dark but was really a milipede-those of you who know what I think of bugs will understand that was not a great experience at all.

Tomorrow we are hiking to the beach for some swimming. Got the sunscreen ready! I know 45 is best. Everyone else seems to be getting mosquito bites, I am good so far.

Grenada is a beautiful island and there is still much more exploring to come.

hope you are all well where you are. Wish you were here.

love always,

xoxox
Katy

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Comments

[joy]

thank you, katy!
thanks so much, katy, for your awesome journal entries - i love reading them! they also remind me to keep praying for you every time i saw your blog. God bless you and everyone there! much love and blessings from this side of the world! joy

[Martha]

Praying for you :)
Hey Katy, Katy, So glad to hear about your adventures. Please pass my love along to Verna, Joel, Rueben, etc etc. Is Farida (from Curacau there?) is RevKaren (from PCUSA) there? My prayers are with you my sister as you live in community :) I too am living in world wide community here at the Coady International Institute so we will have stories to share when we get home. May God continue to guide you and fill you with a joyful music!!! Love and blessings, Martha

[Jenny]

FUN!
Sounds like so much fun! I want to go!!! Enjoy every moment! xox