First Weekend

The beach we wandered into on our excursion of the island.

Our unreliable car that was hissing water during this picture.

Just when we were thrilled to have our own car, we found out on our way back from our little excursion to town and the beach that there is a leak in the hose.  Driving back up the hill full of pot holes, I just kept on praying "please let us get home...please let us get home...".  We didn't say much to each other, but I know that both of us were staring at the silver needle of the temperature gage as it kept on rising little by little to the "red zone".  We make it to our apartment just as the needle hits the "red zone" and Mike quickly turns off the car.  We sit there for a moment staring at the hood of the car where smoke is coming out.  But it stops.  "Thank God we made it" Mike sighs in relief and we both start laughing.  There's never a dull moment here in St. Kitts.

Down town Basseterre - the "tourist hot spot".

The dock for the cruise ships.

One of the places we buy our groceries.

We take that back.  Now all we have is time.  After our little adventure with the car, we are too afraid to drive.  We don't want to do anything to damage the car permanently and the new hose is not available for couple days.  We try to get things done from the apartment like look for a place to live but no body else seems to be in a hurry.  It's hard to get the information we need and to get anything accomplished.  "Island time" - that's our new time zone.  Just like any other time we traveled, it's going to take a little while to get used to it.

After feeling pretty lonely hanging out just the three of us, we are excited to check out the new church in town on Sabbath.  A friend of the old dentist came by to 'fix' the leaking water hose in the car as a patch job to buy time.  However, by the time we park the car, the silver needle is again dangerously close to the "red zone" but we make it to church.  As we enter into the small building, the place is already packed with people and we are immediately surrounded by praise songs and we soon join in.  It feels so nice to be with people and quickly our hearts are encouraged by the powerful lyrics.  Worship service is led by the small group of pathfinder kids.  It's nothing like the big group of pathfinders at Azure Hills church but it makes me smile because it reminds me of my little Pathfinder friends back in the States.  The sermon is powerful and passionate.  Just as I think to myself that Megumi is not going to last a minute longer sitting still, the worship service ends.

Our first Sabbath in St. Kitts

These are the words that accompany the friendly faces the come to greet us: "Doc, welcome to St. Kitts!", "Mrs. Dentist, glad you guys are here!", "Doc, I'll see you over at the clinic!"  Of course, Megumi is quickly making friends reaching out and going into the arms of strangers without hesitation.

We stay for potluck and the food is excellent.  However, I don't have the time to enjoy the food because we are on the verge of overheating, just like our car.  Although the sanctuary was somewhat air conditioned, the adjacent room where we are eating is not.  Sweat is dripping down on to our plates and Megumi is starting to get fussy because she is so hot.  I look around and wonder in amazement of all the people who are in suits and dressses with jackets.  Our hope for venturing out around the island is cancelled due to the condition of our car.  However, we are just thankful that we made it home safely from church and that we have a cold shower we can jump into.

On Sunday, after being cooped up in our apartment we are thrilled to get an invitation to the home of the former dentist of the clinic.  We enjoy a lovely lunch out on the porch where there's just enough breeze to keep us cool.  The view of the ocean is spectacular.  To top off this lovely afternoon at their home, they have a lady that has come to do pedicures!  She is a single mother and they often invite her to their home on Sundays to do pedicures on them and their friends so that she can have enough income for the week to provide for her family.  We convince Mike that it is something he needs to experience and I can't help but giggle as I watch Mike enjoy his first pedicure ever.  We come back home from their house with high spirits.  It's amazing what social interaction can do to human beings and of course, pedicures are always such a treat.

This week St. Kitts has two holidays: Monday and Wednesday.  We were told, "When there's a holiday in St. Kitts expect things to delay for 1 week.  When there are two holidays in one week, expect things to delay for 2 weeks."  Our container is suppose to arrive this week but who knows what is going to happen with TWO holidays.  Ideally, we'd like to have a permanent place to live BEFORE the container arrives but I don't know how realistic that is either.  Instead of getting stressed, I will do what I can and will choose to trust in God's timing.  Then I will choose to relax and focus on getting used to our new time zone - the "Island time".  I don't think it will be that hard, especially when you can sit out on your porch and enjoy a spectacular sunset like this one.