“Why are you traveling to St. Lucia now on a buddy pass?” the lady at the baggage counter demanded, her tone laced with suspicion. She rattled off a list of concerns, each one more disheartening than the last.
It seemed like she was trying her best to discourage us—to make us go back home.
She then chided, “You’re going to have to wait!
You won’t get your stuff until tonight!”
“Well, I’ll trust God,” I said, meeting her spite with unwavering faith.
She continued to rant until I asked her if she was a believer. To my surprise, this seemed to pique her interest.
“Yes, I try to go to mass as often as I can,” she admitted, a hint of softness in her voice. Our conversation turned to The Lord, and for a moment, we were no longer a disgruntled employee and a desperate traveler but two believers finding common ground.
After our little conversation, she directed us to another counter, where we found a couple who had been waiting since 6 am. The clerk told us we were 37th in line, but I didn’t mind because I still had hope …
Just ten minutes later, I was called back up. “Who’d you call?” the clerk asked, sounding curious.
“God,” I replied, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.
“No, you must have called someone,” he insisted.
“Jesus,” I said …
And just like that, our bags and cooler appeared ahead of the couple who had been waiting for over seven hours. It showed the power of faith and reminded us that anything is possible with God.
Arriving at St. Lucia
In the heart of St Lucia, with its lush green hills and golden sun, we were ready to start our mission.
Not just any mission, but one that would change the Wilsons’ lives forever.
Obar Wilson, a hardworking banana farmer and his family, has been living without the luxury of a bathroom or a proper septic system for 37 years.
He and his family are all about survival. Never giving up. A story of tough times and fighting through.
As a farmer, Obar has endured a lot, including a recent industry disaster that left him and other farmers in a tough spot. Yet, despite the setbacks, he holds on to his dream of providing a better life for his family.
His wife, Sherwene, a beacon of strength, raised their three children, Marlan, Jesse, and Anita, to be survivors, teaching them the values of perseverance and gratitude and trust in God.
The Project
“We’ll never forget our experience in Saint Lucia. Although the project started off with a few hiccups, it ended up being a journey of growth, learning, and grace.”
When my wife and I arrived, I was eager to get started. I had a plan and a schedule, and I was ready to roll. But Saint Lucia had other plans.
The excavator I had scheduled didn’t show up. And I soon realized that the locals had their own way of doing things.
I’ll be honest; it was frustrating. But the Lucians, as they often call themselves, have their own rhythm. They work with what they have, and they don’t rush.
We ended up tying rebar for several days until we could find another excavator. When we did, he charged more than we had agreed upon. But what could we do? We were in their territory, so we had to adapt.
Despite the challenges, we pushed on …
Getting the Job Done
The Lucians are incredible builders. They’re resourceful and have a unique way of working with concrete that I’d never seen before. They amazed me with their skills and their resilience.
With their help, we built the room, installed the toilet, and even tested it.
A relative, a nun, provided funds to finish the rest of the addition.
Looking back, the project was a roller coaster ride. But it was also a valuable lesson in adaptability, patience, and respect for different ways of doing things. I’m grateful for the experience.
Moreover, it’s a testament to the power of God, perseverance, and the beauty of cultural diversity …
In the end, the Wilsons had their brand-new bathroom.
And as we watched them standing together, taking in the sight of their new bathroom, we couldn’t help but thank God for the opportunity to better their lives.
Our Mission
Our purpose was not only to bring some comfort into the Wilsons’ lives, but also to show them God’s love through our ministry.
The project was not just about building a bathroom and a septic system. It was about hope, about breaking the cycle of poverty, about giving a Lucian family a chance to live better.
We wanted to let them know that even in tough times, there are folk who care and are ready to help.
It was also about reminding ourselves of the power of compassion, the power of God, the importance of standing up for those in need, and the joy of making a difference in someone’s life.
The Wilsons are among many who need help.
If you can, please help us meet the needs of St. Lucian families like the Wilsons by contributing to The Project Septic System fund. Thank you for your help and prayers.
