Field trip to Morne Coubaril Estate

Living Water Community Bible Camp campers aged 5-8 (though some were 4 and 9).

As a special treat for the last day of camp Living Water Community took the children (and the helpers!) on a field trip to Morne Coubaril Estate. It’s been nearly a decade since my last field trip, so I thoroughly looked forward to it.

Built by a French family in the late 17th century Morne Coubaril Estate used to be a fully functioning cocoa and sugar cane plantation. The family restored some of the old machinery and slaves’ quarters to create a living museum for tourists and curious locals.

The two girls who held my arms captive on our outing. Beside the slaves' quarters.

I was given charge of the first bus load. There are no yellow school buses in Soufriere, so we divided the group in half and took two 25 seater van-bus-thingys to Morne Coubaril Estate, a quick 10 minute drive up the mountain side. In my group were four of Soufriere’s Young Adults and myself, with 20 children.

When I began this week I spoke Canadian. By the end I’d adopted some key Lucian-Trini-Carib wordage to more effectively communicate with the children. These include “Eh eh eh!” (not the soft “eh” of Canada but a forceful “eh” that has no “a” sound) meaning “Stop!” and “We good?” meaning anything from “Please sit down” to “Behave yourself.”

Mees! You got a lotta meat!

Children helping me at the registration table.

I am two days into Living Water Community children’s bible camp and feeling only slightly the wiser! Like most children aged 5 to 8, the campers are excitable, noisy and full of energy. They are kind to each other and helpful. Yet they are very different from Canadian children who, in general, have experienced the nurturing of parents who can afford to provide and an education system that is well-funded.

The town of Soufriere lives in poverty. Some Lucians are fortunate to live in houses with running water, most are fortunate to have a roof above their heads. Ramshackle houses, no toilet, fowl living in the same place as children… Against the backdrop of the lush Twin Pitons and the Caribbean sea, it is unlike anything I have ever seen. Knowing that this is where some of these children come from is both heartbreaking and deeply moving. With so little, they still smile so big.

The children and I look on as others finish out a game of musical chairs.

On the first day the children were rambunctious. It was a day for all of us to settle into one another and the rhythm of the camp. Today they were a little more subdued though the hot sun helped… We all move a little slower when it’s hot. The kids were less apprehensive around me and I around them, so this morning a few of the older ones helped me with registration, attendance and name tags.

Back in Soufriere

The house I am calling home for the next two weeks in Soufriere, St. Lucia.

Have you ever heard of an ice cream truck that plays Christmas carols all year? The one that passed by the house I am living at does. It’s the familiar jingle of an ice cream truck except to the tune of “Santa Claus is coming to town” and other silly carols.

We were at the end of lunch when the red van turned the corner and slowed to see if we were interested in a cone or two. I chose vanilla and pistachio swirl though it tasted more like marzipan. I am told this particular ice cream vendor gives a good amount of ice cream for the price but not to trust the flavours…

This morning’s mass was Baptism Sunday at the Church of the Assumption, the Catholic Cathedral. I witnessed six baptisms and one first holy communion. Sunday Mass is very important to those who live in Soufriere. They wear their very best – colourful dresses, pressed hats, shiny shoes, dress shirts… And mass itself is long. Two hours. My housemates joked that a priest normally makes one homily. Soufriere’s makes three.

In His perfect humour

My journey at Living Water Community here in Trinidad has been wonderfully fulfilling but not because it was easy. I began this journey knowing it would accomplish a long time aspiration of mine to volunteer overseas. I understood there would be a faith component and was amenable to it. The near two years I spent at L’Arche Greater Vancouver, a faith-based organization close to my heart, inspired a lot in me.

Starting a journey to faith, however, had to be bold. I needed to get out of my comfort zone. To do something meaningful while learning about God. Such were my goals: to find God and to learn about a culture through volunteer work. The journey to God was not all sunshine and beaches as some teased before I left. It was much deeper and much more difficult than I expected.

As I mentioned in an earlier post it can be hard to journey with (and confide in) people who intimidate you, especially if you feel a little out of place. It can also hurt to feel left out, though this wasn’t done intentionally. It can be tough to watch friendships build and not participate in them. It made me feel lonely. There were times I felt less special, less worthy, less…

Praying with the terminally ill

Praying out loud is not an easy task, at least not if you haven’t had much practice. I am new to prayer and haven’t quite gained the confidence to do so out loud when praying with others. The people I live with say the most beautiful prayers, the very words seeming to flow effortlessly from their mouths. I am afraid of stumbling and sounding less reverent.

I think God decided I was ready to try when He sent me to Living Water Community’s Hospice Home for the Dying. The Hospice has been providing care for nearly 30 years and until recently was the only hospice in all of Trinidad & Tobago. The hospice provides palliative and spiritual care for those dying of cancer and other terminal illnesses. The youngest person they’ve cared for was six years old, the oldest in their nineties.

With just over two weeks of quiet prayer, I arrived to learn that my task was to visit and pray with the patients. My first instinct was to go hide. My second was to grab my bible and look to the Psalms for help.

Beaches, swamps and more beauty in Trinidad & Tobago

Two priests, two nuns, an American and a Canadian are sitting on a tropical beach drinking beer. The first priest says to the second priest … sounds like the start of a bad joke but that was my trip to Tobago, the small island north of Trinidad that makes up the other half of this country.

L to R: me, Phil, Fr. Jason, Gussie, Fr. Chris.

Myself and Phil, the other volunteer at Living Water Community, caught the tail-end of the annual summer holiday for the consecrated members of the community. We joined the others at the home of a friend of Living Water who gives it to the community free of charge.

This is the house were we stayed in Tobago. It had a fantastic view of the ocean.

We spent three beautifully sunny days on the beach and snorkeling in the sea. Never thought I’d swim with the fish I see in tanks at the pet store! In the evenings we were invited to dinner at friends’ homes and we ate delicious home cooked meals. Mass was held everyday in the living room. The trip was wonderful.

Fun with Living H2O Youth

Walking tour of Port of Spain with Living H2O Youth camp.

Last week was Living Water Community’s annual youth camp for teenagers aged 13 to 19. I spent a couple of days volunteering with the camp though I must admit I was more of a participant than a helper. That was just the feel of the camp – there were about 20 or so participants, half of whom were no longer teenagers and nearly all of whom were already part of Living H2O Youth Group.

The smaller number of people meant the “leaders” weren’t required to do crowd control. (In earlier years I am told the camp has been much much bigger.) Those who were new to the group were welcomed and those who were already friends were eager to help.

Me beside the Cathedral in Brian Lara Promenade.

We went on a walking tour of Port of Spain. Winding through the streets of downtown with a tour guide, we visited the Catholic Cathedral, Brian Lara Promenade (so named after Brian Lara a famous T&T cricket player) and other historical sites. Some of the participants told me they found this part “boring” and suddenly I realized I was an adult because I thoroughly enjoyed it.