News from Grenada April 2024

I hope you had a good reflective Easter Season.

It felt like I had had two or more Easters as I tried early this year to get the account of Easter told in Schools, Youth group and Childrens group before all the young people disappears for their Easter break. In past years I have missed it in part as although the school may in theory have a last week not much takes place and so students don’t all come to school. I also found that if you do a bit of the story, they miss out on the resurrection.

At the Primary school I did a walk around 6 bases on the Pasture telling the story with the whole school for the entry to Jerusalem to the resurrection. It was a challenge, but I saw many attentive faces of both teachers and students.

I had hoped to give opportunity for each class to visit the church for a follow-on interactive activity after the walk around assembly, but then Easter egg hunt and a school walk squeezed it out.

At MacDonald college I had the chance to do a few RE classes and that is a challenge as the subject is not examined so they don’t rate it. I was not aware until the last minute that the teacher was not there and I had to come up with something quick. I told them the story of Palm Sunday to the Resurrection Sunday. Sat them in a circle at the back of the class (the quietist place) people coming in and out of room, noise outside the window. I picked my bag up and walked out after trying many times to get through. A boy who had been a pain the last lesson came put his arm around me and said ‘Come back sir we want to hear the story’ I went back and we got through. I thanked him after.

I do feel sorry for many of the students as the structures that should be in school are not upheld and they miss out on so much.

Sports
It has been the sports term and the national inter-school sports have been big events here. Students have been taken out of lessons to practice and compete and for the Secondary sports. All the secondary schools seemed to be closed. Later we had the Caribbean games here and I was due to help as a Pastor but in the end they needed commitment for 3 days and I could only do one.

Staff reflections
This last term I have been doing a reflection and song with staff at MDC. Sometime 4 out of about 40 are there at 7.45am and a few more by the end. I was not too sure about starting knowing how many are around at that time. But God has been good and those who come seem to find useful and some use for their class registration. Had about 14 the first day back.

Parents Group
I have just been planning a group for parents after discussion with the Vice Principle and will report if it starts next time. Do pray for this.

Holiday in Barbados
I had a week in Barbados which I enjoyed. Lots of walking and sightseeing. Some very beautiful places. Staying just outside of Bridgetown I met up with a friend of a Methodist minister from here and she showed me around a bit and fed me twice. The country has some wide road and less hills. I did take part in a Scout renewing of promise service.

Conference of Churches
I am not aware of any follow up from our meeting wit the Prime Minister, but Easter has been in the way and many ministers have been busy. I did write to the chief education officer again but have not yet got a response.

Family who stayed
They are still staying down at Concord and I have visited a couple of times. It is a long way and no work has yet started on their house build, but they do now have a family plot.

Last week a fire took hold in Chantemill and 5 Household got burnt down. The community are coming together to help them. I don’t know them personally. Many wooden houses built close together and I think a fire service with old appliances.

Youth group
I am enjoying this. Still a challenge, but we have a nice group. It has been a bit hit and miss with sporting events getting in the way. On Easter day we had about 10 children at Church and one came for the first time from the youth group.

Open Space
Our Children group Fridays is going well. It would be great to have some help, but older young people are helping.

Hall
The Church in St Georges kindly bought some materials for us and with some money the Congregational Federation sent from last year’s annual assembly we have started work. We now have a room structure in the hall and have put netting to stop the bats. Rene has worked hard and I was the labourer. We hope to use this for Sunday school and games in the larger part, which may engage the community.

What next?
We have decided I will be finishing here at the end of August. The end of my 3 years agreement. We are exploring what’s next and I welcome your prayers for discernment.

There is still opportunity to come out before I go. I am aware the travel cost is high, but I can accommodate you. I am always keen to arrange a Zoom meet up with individuals or groups. Just make contact.

God Bless your Month

Nigel Lindsay

pastornigel19@ yahoo.co.uk or what app +1 473 458 1932 or +142 7917 222 304