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We weren't just bein' good. We were Caribbean good.
Friday, August 5, 2011 at 05:44AM 
Elizabeth Swann: So that's the story of the infamous Jack Sparrow? You spent three days lying on a beach drinking rum?
Jack Sparrow: Welcome to the Caribbean, luv.
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Being a pirate and all I found it most amusing when, week before last, our church had a special Sunday.
Caribbean Sunday, to be exact.
Aye!
You walked into the auditorium and there were colorful flags stanchioned all across the front.
Eight Caribbean pastors -- and the wife of one -- were our guests.
It was a bit of all right.
Bro. Archibald, Bro. Commodore, and Bro. James meet and greet church members
The men took turns preaching to us. We heard two short messages in the morning service and two in the evening.
The others taught various Sunday School classes.
In case you were wondering, these are the preachers' names and where they minister:
Pastor Samuel Philbert, St. Lucia
Pastor Pramand Marajh, Trinidad
Pastor Nigel Commodore, Dominica
Pastor St. Clair Archibald Sr., St. Kitts
Pastor Earl James, Barbados
Pastor Michael Lambert, Grenada
Pastor Frederick Alexander, Grenada
Pastor and Mrs. Jeremy and Anesta Scott, Grenada
The preachers:
L to R: Michael Lambert, Samuel Philbert, Nigel Commodore, St. Clair Archibald Sr., Earl James, Frederick Alexander, Jeremy Scott, Pramand Marajh
Each of the men serves as pastor of an indigenous Caribbean church sponsored by a mission board.
There was also a lot of singing, some praying, and much all-around rejoicing.
Of course we laughed some and took up an offering.
L to R: Michael Lambert, Jeremy Scott, Anesta Scott
I couldn't get enough of our guests' thousand-watt smiles.
Plus, they wear shirts and ties the color of sherbet!
During the afternoon, while we were all at home taking naps, the preachers cooked.
After evening service at least two hundred of us trooped over to our family life center and got in line to see what they'd fixed.
Turned out to be kebabs of chicken, pineapple, and Vidalia onion, along with a rice-bean mixture that was spicy (but not too) and interesting, and something potato-ey that was also good.
TG with Brother St. Clair Archibald Sr.
People in the front of the line got some gingerbread but I only heard about that.
Well, and I saw it on others' plates.
There was none left by the time I was served. That little hollowed-out section in my Chinet was blank.
I did not sulk but I compelled a friend at my table -- she had gotten some Caribbean gingerbread -- to tell me all about it. Twice.
Postprandial sing
I wanted to be sure I entirely understood the concept.
Of course there was no rum. We're Baptists and as such we do not imbibe.
There was sweet tea and lemonade, which did us just fine, thank you very much. Nobody thought about rum or missed it.
At one point I told the Caribbean brothers I'd like to feature them in an online article or two and they were ALL about that.
Here are three of them busily scribbling my name and where to find me in cyberspace:
L to R: Nigel Commodore, St. Clair Archibald Sr., Earl James
They wanted to know if I'd ever been to the Caribbean, and I said only in my dreams.
I did not say my dreams featured a certain pirate. Because y'all! I was in church!
TG heard and reminded me that we once ended up in the Bahamas.
Oh. Long time ago.
I didn't have fun. Possibly because I did not sail under the command of a pirate.
Also, rude Italians were involved.
It's complicated. Moving on.
May the circle be unbroken
After the meal, our Caribbean friends formed a circle.
Michael Lambert had a guitar and as he played, they sang and sang and sang.When TG and I left for home they were still singing. I don't know when the par-tay broke up.
It always amazes me when the tide brings people from other cultures drifting into our lives for a day, and it turns out to be such fun because for all our differences, we have a great deal in common.
Blest be the tie that binds.
Reader Comments (10)
What a wonderful day! I would have enjoyed being there - even without the gingerbread! And you are so right - when we are family in Christ, our other differences fade away.
I always enjoy hearing missionaries and their families come and share about their experiences. The food you had sounded delicious.
We have been to the Bahamas, Virgin Islands (US and British). Hubby sent me an email yesterday asking if I wanted to go on the Weekly Standard cruise in December. Not sure I do, I get motion sick on boats and not sure I want to spend my vacation listening to politics.
Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a Sunday. They do sing don't they. I remember one of our friends saying he was doing some kind of retreat with a group of caribean's and he happend to say shall we sing a song. He said it was amen for 45 min. Good for the soul.
I went to a Baptist church in Haiti. Boy, could that pastor preach! couldn't understand a word, of course, it was all in Creole, but he got a rhythm going and his arms were waving all around and sometimes it was almost like he was singing. Then, when the congregation did sing, it was magical. Such poor people,with little to hope for, but they sang to their God with great joy.
Then sometimes, at night, we could hear him preaching all the way from our house, and the church was at least a mile away. Hooray for a generator and a mighty sound system!
Mmmm, where did my comment go? :-)))))))))))
@Mari ... you would've loved it and I would've loved having you here!
@Debbie ... I just don't like cruises. It's not likely I'll ever go on another one.
@irene ... mercy I think they could have sung all night. It was great.
@Hobbit ... their joy is palpable. A wonderful thing to behold, so inspiring.
@Auntie A ... I have not seen a comment from you in many days, my friend! I promise you I haven't.
What a great time! I love a church where you can have fun. Most church's are too serious!
thanks for stopping by. You see when I visit you each morning whilst enjoying my coffee, I feel like I'm visiting a friend and a web page just do that. And you do know I'm a natural blonde (my childhood colour) now who knows what's below those roots.
@Vicki ... thank you and it's always nice to have you visit IHATH!
@irene ... well that is just about the nicest thing anyone could say to me about my blog. I am honored. And you know I was just razzin' ya because something about the way you phrase things just cracks me up. I love it. And what's below those roots is my dear friend Irene.
Sorry to be late....(work week from hell...) No pun intended!
Sounds like it was Quite the "Cruise" into other lands! Been to the Caribbean and thought the islands certainly could use a good scrubbing but would truly love to venture forth to St Lucia....sigh~~~
I Truly wish the Whole world would smile like they are!!
hughugs