Fall & New Beginnings

  As I sit at the table in the room just above the females’ cells, I listen as women share their stories, worries, and fears. I’m overwhelmed by gratitude that this time things are already different.  

 Last summer, when CRI started inside Her Majesty’s Prison here in St Kitts, I was a nervous wreck. I had never been inside a prison. I didn’t know what to expect. I wondered how the ladies would react and I knew I had a massive amount of work to do in order to understand them. I wanted them to know that this wasn’t just a “church” class. I needed them to know that I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew the One who did. As we started working through the CR 12 Steps, I was met with mostly crossed arms and silence. It took months of prayers and time to start to see their walls break down. 
  Ten months later, as we reached the last step, we were laughing, crying, and sharing every single week. This month we just launched into our second round of 12 steps. I am blown away at how different it is this time! Right away the women were open and honest. They trust me now, and we are digging in so much deeper. The new ladies are still working on figuring me out, but I’m praising God every Wednesday for the progress He is making.

   Our other ministry opportunities are very different from the prison classes. Multicultural, completely voluntary, sometimes big groups and sometimes one on one. Each one - prison, church, bible studies, CR, and discipleship - is a blessing to us. God is moving and working in St Kitts and we are in awe that He allows us to be a part of some of it! It is almost shocking at times to me; that He would choose to use us, with all our mistakes and imperfection, to be able to share hope, it's astounding! 

The kids have had a great first couple months at school! Dean was in the top 5 of his class spelling bee and then competed against the grade 2 & 3 kids. Addalyn was awarded student of the week for working hard and adjusting well!

Addalyn's teacher sends photos and updates throughout the day. This is her class getting cozy in the library!

 

The kids and I participated in a super fun event, a walk to support the St Christopher Children's Home! I haven't been around that much orange in quite a while lol but we did feel right at home in it. I love that the kids' school got the kids and staff together for a sweet group photo. 

Our second mission team came down this month! It's been a blessing to help with other mission teams, but there is something special about people coming to see and help us out specifically. Plus, this group is from our home campus of our home church in our hometown. So, basically, we got a sweet taste of home. The kids help us finish shopping for supplies before the team arrived.

Mike, Alex, Ben, and Tucker were total rockstars (no pun intended, but two of them literally played music multiple times that week). They did everything from leading worship, preaching and teaching, to building basketball and netball goals, installing sound panels at our church, providing materials helping with projects at Lighthouse Baptist Church on the other side of the island. 

Sunday morning church

Sunday evening worship night 

Worshiping and promoting CR on the radio

Building netball and basketball goals for New Horizons Juvenile Rehabilitation Centre

The Centre even wrote them a lovely thank you note to show their appreciation. New Horizons has been the most open to us, and the best at partnering with us to help the program succeed. Getting to do something to bless the centre and the residents was such a joy and delight!

For Celebrate Recovery, Ben and Tucker led worship and all the guys participate in a panel to talk about failure. They did a great job and had wonderful insight!

The plans to serve at Lighthouse were bit derailed, but the guys were able to bless them by helping pastor Dixon set up a huge tent for a church event. It took two days to get it just right, but these guys never complained.

Our weeklong worship team led our Wednesday bible study and taught us about what the Bible says about worship.

We got to go on a date! Thanks to the group, who babysat our kids and paid for our dinner. Our kids may have worn them out a bit lol

We did let the guys have a little bit of fun :) 

We also were blessed by the mission team from New Hope Church! We only got 1 picture, of Steve were shared his testimony with our group at CR. They also ran a VBS, and did some much needed repairs at our church.

Our Wednesday night church gatherings have continued, are we have so many people coming to Bible study for the first time. Aaron got to teach on Biblical fellowship.

Addalyn has been desiring close friendships ever since we moved to St Kitts. Being at SKI has helped her to get to know so many more kids her age! 

My heart is so blessed watching her develop these sweet relationships.

Lastly, for your enjoyment, Clover has become a really great pillow :)

  If you made it through to the end, I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our life this past month! We want you to know that we love you, and we appreciate all your prayers and encouragement! In this season of thankfulness, please know that the privilege of serving in St Kitts is something we do not take for granted. THANK YOU for the part you play in it!