Friday May 1, 2009
Today was another full day. I’m assuming everyday will be the same way! We got up early this morning to spend some time in prayer and reading the Bible. After breakfast Jennifer Bachew led us in 2 orientation sessions. Jennifer and her husband Javed run the Trinidad and Tobago Urban Ministries (TTUM) compound. Javed’s father founded TTUM.
In orientation we learned all about Trinidad ? its history, culture, and religious background. The island is named for its three large hills with reminded early explorers of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). The island itself is only 50 miles long and 30 miles wide. The dominating religion is Hinduism, with Catholicism a distant second, Islam third, Christianity fourth, and Obeah (African voodoo) fifth.
After lunch we departed to learn more about Hinduism and Trinidad’s culture. We visited two Hindu temples, which were ornately decorated with images and statues of various Hindu gods. The larger temple we visited had an 85 foot monkey god statue at its entrance (see picture). Hindu followers often lay offerings at the feet of these statues (fruit, vegetables, milk, etc.) in hopes of pleasing the gods. There are several pictures in the gallery of these temples and statues.
After visiting the temples we were taken to several villages and dropped off. Talk about door to door evangelism! We walked up and down the streets in small groups and told everyone about our vacation bible school, which starts tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. Our conversation might sound something like this:
“Good afternoon! Do you have any kids? We are having vacation bible school starting tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the field down the block. Tell all your friends.”
The friendliness of the people is amazing and most open up to you easily by simply taking time to get to know them and learn their names. I met a 19 year old young man named Gary who loves “American football.” I learned today that soccer is number one in Trinidad, with cricket and basketball being a close second.
Tonight we are going to explore downtown St. Helena a bit and have a time of devotionals and prayer. Keep us in your thoughts as we begin the bulk of our work tomorrow.
Go Broncos!
- Tim
