Big Oops!

We had a “combined service” this afternoon, at the Sandy Bay chapel. A combined service is where all the members of the 4 different chapels get together at one location.
We are in the process of putting together a church directory with the details of all the members and adherents, together with their photos. I was given the job of taking the photos of the various couples and families. So, after the service, I went about busily making the various couples stand together to have their photos taken. I saw Mervyn standing near Daphne, and told them to stand together. Shyly, he stood next to her. “Stand closer – look as if you like her”, says Big Mouth. No sooner had I taken the photo, than I get a little tap on my shoulder, and one of the ladies whispers “That is the wrong Daphne…..” Big Oops!

Wrong “couple”

Correct couples :
Daphne and Mervyn Constantine

William and Daphne Peters

Sandy Bay

Good News Club. Once again, there were only a few regulars attending, and the older group simply did not pitch up. I am sad, but will not give up on these little people.

See the row of “transport” parked outside the church – the pastor’s bigger one leading the way.

Graeme took some photos of Sandy Bay on his way back from a prayer meeting this morning. Sandy Bay beach. See the hills void of any vegetative covering. Thus the name “Sandy Bay”. (Not to be confused with the S African beach where the humans are void of any covering)

This is the only beach on St Helena. Black sand.

Kindness upon kindness

Yet another example of how different Island life is: Graeme needs more shelving to accommodate all his books. A few days ago he asked Nick Thorpe where would be the best place to get some timber so that he knock a large book case together. Nick replied that he had a pile of old timber in his garage, and Graeme was welcome to help himself to whatever he needed. Steve Terry is very good at wood work, and he offered to help Graeme (Steve also has a marvellous workshop on his property).
Today, Graeme phoned Nick to ask whether it was ok to come and fetch the timber, and take it to Steve's place. Nick told him not to worry about finding a truck to transport the timber – he could just use his truck that was parked outside the Salvation Army. Graeme asked where he would find the keys. “In the truck” was the reply…

In the evening, Graeme and I sat and looked at old photos that he had transferred to his PC before leaving SA. Here are 2 photos of my dad – one taken on his 80th and Arthur’s 20th birthday, and the other taken on my mom’s 80th birthday. This is how I want to remember him.

Unusual kindness

8.30 am Visited the pugs. Graeme eventually got Cho to settle for a “sit” on his lap – almost like old times. The grass in the enclosure is VERY long now, but the problem is that whatever tool is brought in to cut the grass, must stay there for another 4 months i.e. until the end of the quarantine period. Arthur March found one of the old tools that were used years ago – a genuine scythe. (He handled it like a pro!) Even the cut grass may not be removed - it has to be piled up in one corner until the end of May. They will then send sheep in to the enclosure to take care of the grass.

6.00 pm caught the bus to the lace making class. Experienced another incident of Island caring. The third lady that usually catches the bus to the lace making class, was not waiting at her stop. So, very quietly and calmly, just in case he was a tad early, Stedson (the driver) turned the bus around and went up a VERY narrow windy road, right up to her gate (Everyone knows where everyone lives). He stopped, and the other lady on the bus got out and went to check whether she was coming or not…. Apparently, she had phoned to say that she would not be coming, but the message never reached the driver. Drivers like Stedson are rare people.

I tried to learn the second basic lace making stitch…. Wanda said that I could call in at her rooms on Tues for an additional lesson :)

Deadwood

7.30 pm Deadwood Ladies Bible study. Somehow, we never got around to the study that I had prepared. We each had a turn to share our “life story”. It was such an uplifting time.

Sandy Bay

10.00 am Sandy Bay BWA. On the route to Sandy Bay, there are lots of nasturtiums that grow wild on the side of the road. So pretty.

One new lady joined us, and now we are 6. Had a good time with the ladies. Was very encouraged when Daphne Constantine presented me with a piece of hand made lace edging, to which I must attach to a piece of linen - our first piece of craft work towards our coffee morning in July!

The funds that we raise with this morning will go towards restoring the Jamestown chapel that was damaged in a rock fall more than a year ago. The match box was added to the photo to give an idea of the size of the lace edging. A truly excellent piece of hand crafting.

5.00 pm Cape Villa Bible study. This study used to be held in the home of Charles Thomas, with him as the only attendee. We moved the venue to the Cape Villa sheltered accommodation centre, and today there were 9 people at our meeting. I was told that some of the ladies now consider this time as the highlight of their week. God is good!

7.30 pm Jamestown Bible study at the manse, led by Graeme. He started the second chapter of the 1689 Baptist confession, and did a good job of explaining abstract concepts.

Steve and Maureen stayed behind after the study, and we had a late night watching a comedy DVD. Nice to be able to unwind with friends of "like mind" after a busy day.

Blue Monday

Monday is floor cleaning day :( I drip sweat while I perform this delightful task, and was not in a good mood. I tried to improve my mental attitude by playing happy worship songs to work by… decided to stay miserable. I was a BAD example today. Thank God that Jesus is not self absorbed like me.
3.00 pm Went to visit our dogs. Felt even more sorry for myself. The little dears hardly play with us any more.
5.00pm is time to water the pots that we planted our litchi pips in. A few of them have germinated and have tiny little shoots that have appeared above the soil. When I checked them, I found that 3 of the shoots had had their tops pecked off, and one had shriveled in the hot sun. I decided to move the pots to a spot under an extended piece of roofing where they would be more sheltered. As I was bending down, I suddenly felt wings swooshing over my back, accompanied by shrill screeching!! The resident *#! myna bird was dive bombing me!! He sat on the garden wall just above me, and continued to shriek at me. I told him what I thought of him, and bent down to pick up the next pot. The little so-and-so repeated the performance from a different direction! I am convinced that it was him that pecked the tops off our seedlings, and he was now objecting to having them moved to a spot that is less accessible to him. I know mynas are very territorial, but this is ridiculous. In a strange way, this confrontation with the myna cheered me up…. Perverse human that I am …
In the evening, my son, John, “chatted” with me via the internet. It was good to have contact with him, and be reassured that he is doing well.