Trinidad rain

Woke up to rain this morning, heavy rain!! Today was our first visit to the project site and it was quite a sight! The entire property was covered in vegetation! It was a jungle in there! We had to trek through the trees and bushes. I was so glad I wore long pants but I only wore a tshirt so I got bites and scratches all over my arms. It was also extremely humid in there. I was soaked in sweat. So gross! It was definitely not what I had imagined. After walking through the site once, Harry drove Michael and I back to the base while the rest of the team stayed to survey the land. After a quick shower (showers have to be quick because there is only cold water and there are bugs everywhere!), Michael and I started doing some schematic designs for the buildings on the site. It was really great working with Michael. He let me work on the dormitories while he worked on the auditorium. He then looked over my stuff and gave me feedback and then talked me through his auditorium designs. I can see that he's a great architect. Just all teh ideas he had and how he rationalized his theories was quite impressive.

When the others came back from the site, Harry took Janice and I to a youth Bible study. But we went to pick up his daughter, Kathy first and then to the 'Hott Shop' for a yummy roti dinner, it was sooo good!! Janice is so funny because she can hardly understand anything Kathy or the Trinidadians say. The bible study didn't quite turn out to be a bible study. To me, it was more of an out-reach event and the place was like a club/house. It was decorated with bright caribbean colours and tapestry and we sat on the ground on a cloth w/ pillows. It started with worship, then a guy named Brenton spoke on love and judging. Brenton was dressed in Jamaican clothing and had dreds except he was a white guy underneath it all with a California accent. After he spoke, two people came up to perform. Everyone in trinidad is so musically gifted! After this whole spiel, kids usually hang out and play pool. Andre and Sabrina were there too! This whole night is called "The Gathering" and it happens every monday. I guess it's like a fellowship except it's not affliated with any churches. On the way back to the base, Harry stopped by a pan yard so that Janice and I could witness a steel band rehearse. It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen and heard! There were at least 50 steel-pan players playing a classical song. I've never heard anything quite like it.

The people here in Trinidad have been so wonderful to us. Harry has been the most giving and hospitable guy. I pray that we can be a blessing to him and his ministry while we're here and not a burden.