weddings: island or royal?

You tell me which would you prefer:  an island wedding or a royal wedding?

On Thursday, April 21, 2010 amidst the massive crowds from Semana Santa on West Bay Beach a small group of family and friends gathered at Henry Morgan Resort to witness the wedding of Patricia and Ron LaBarre.

We were honoured when they asked Bob to officiate the wedding and asked me to photograph it.  For those of you who don't know Patricia and Ron were the ones who the Lord put in our path as neighbors when we first moved here to Roatan.  They were more then helpful!!  They went with us to markets, translated for us, showed us the best place to get shrimp, the best place to buy fish, we spent many a day exploring the island with them.   They were invaluable to us and made our transition here so smooth!

So for us to be able to help with their wedding was such a blessing!   We gathered on the sandy beach around 5:00 pm as the sun was just sitting low in the sky, and waited with anticipation for Patricia to make her way down the bougainvillea lined isle towards the floral covered canopy where Ron, her love, was waiting for her.   She made her way to the refrains of the "Firecracker" by Josh Turner which was Ron's choice since she is indeed:  a beautiful red haired firecracker

The guests, all dressed in white, turned and watched her slowly make her way to the front on the arm of her brother in law, Carlos.   If I could use one word to describe the wedding it would be JOYFILLED!   It was simple elegance and in my opinion one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever witnessed.

Does it compare with the royal wedding which millions and millions are watching today??   It didn't have the pomp, the press, the elegance,or the fancy hats. It didn't have a homily from the archbishop of England (which by the way, is worth reading)

But it did have this:

a simple elegance borne out of true love

which is a gift from God above in these trying times

it had the support of friends and family

it had many warm embraces and congratulations,

the sound of the sea: the greatest symphony

the onlookers of semana santa holidayers

it had the best coconut shrimp

it had cool evening breezes

and the subtle palette of His hand in the night sky

so to Ron and Patti

many blessings to you both

if i had to pick:

i would pick an island wedding anyday!

Faint not

sometimes it gets so exhausting emotionally and spiritually to live amongst the poor and love them as we ought to. I thank God for the many of you who give to us, either monetarily or actually give us toys or clothes but truth be told, that each time I head off down the dusty road with my arms full of gifts my heart almost breaks because someone will go without.

 

the needs here are endless.  I hate to have to say 'sorry i have nothing for you'.  It isn't easy to see the look in their eyes as I walk away back to my nice car. 

Just this week I know of two women who are deeply suffering.  One woman's brother was shot in La Ceiba and another mother hasn't heard from her son in 26 days:  she is presuming him dead somewhere on the Mainland.  I spoke to her yesterday and as her tears ran down her face my heart threatened to break.

  Please pray for them.

It isn't easy to give reaching out and hearing their stories and believing the Lord with them and for them.

The Lord is teaching me afresh that He is the giver all all good things and although they have practical needs like food or clothing they need Him the most.  I am finding these days that I am praying more and believing more that the One who never gets tired and who has a bountiful supply for ALL will encourage and refresh the poor among us.   this song really encouraged me greatly to keep sharing His love even when my strength is weak 

here are the lyrics:

 Faint Not

the problem's not a gun, not a color, not a hundred dollar bill
we think the struggle can be won with simple thoughts like
'come together be good willed'
the gap between the rich and poor is spreading all the more or so they say
we ignore the claim

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not, o my soul, keep up, keep up
in love

it's not that we don't know or we're not shown the proof of poverty
it's not that we don't have the tools to go to break this yoke of slavery
we quit because it's not an easy fix and then forget that they are even there
we forget to care

where there is hatred, let me show love
where there is injury, let me pardon
where there is darkness, let the Light come, come

o my soul, faint not, no
faint not, oh my soul, keep up, keep up
in love
faint not, faint not

This is by no means another plea for you to partner with me in helping these dear and precious people here but it is an honest cry of my heart to be sustained to continue to LOVE them as I ought to.

Just a few minutes ago Carlos came to the door and he was listening to the MP3 player that I got for him and told me about a song he liked about when Jesus rose the girl from the dead.  I told him this:

"Carlos, we all need to be brought to life!

Not physically 

but emotionally and spiritually we need Him to wake us up each day, 

breathe on us,

and bring us back to life.

everyday."

I am grateful for His daily help and for the fresh filling of love that He gives

us and today I will faint not but I will applaud Him (literally)

for giving me eyes to see others and His love to do something about it.

will you join me right where you are?

"where there is hatred, let me show love

where there is injury, let me pardon

where there is darkness, let the Light come, come"

say yes.

comings and goings

the last night for the finnemores

One of the most bittersweet things about Roatan is that the people who come eventually go.  This past few months I have been thinking about the people who have come and gone:  since February we have had  20 people here!!  We appreciate their help and support.  Some stayed for months serving in the community medically, some helped to build homes, some taught in schools, some helped out in the shop, some helped with worship, some met with us weekly for prayer, some provided to the needy, some took us out for meals, some made us laugh, some came for the day on a cruise ship, some embraced the culture and left their mark of love on the hearts of people here.

from the bottom of our hearts we say THANKS!

Lord bless you: 

Paul and Kathryne, 

Emily G., David, 

Dusty and Mel, 

Bev and Jake and friends, 

Ruth and Liard and friends

Beverly.

Eric and Heidi,

Diana, Deidre, and Derek

We hope that you will continue to pray for the people on this island and believe that He can do great and mighty things!