November 2004 - Samaritan's Purse and the island of Grenada

I would first like to give thanks to my Lord and Savior for giving me this wonderful opportunity to serve on my first Mission Trip which was to Grenada, in the Carribean.

As I sit here reflecting on the one week I was given the privledge to help rebuild Grenada, I really didn't know where to start, what people wanted or needed to know so I'm going to share personal experience of how God shows his Grace, if we will just open our eyes and take a look at the bigger picture.

For me it's doing just that and realizing how God multiplies his blessings. It's not about me and my first mission, nor is it about my team's mission. It is all about Jesus and how He called all His people in the world together to further His kingdom right there in Grenada. People from Cuba, Barbados, people from Indonesia and the Philippines (who were on a ship called "Logos Two"), and people from many more countries, near and far. We worked side by side and friendships were developed that will last an eternity.

I would like to share my metaphor of "My Life as a Christian". From the very hour I believed in Jesus and asked him to come into my life and be my personal Lord and Savior, I have had this unshakable, wonderful, comforting feeling that I was "a pea in a pod" and that pod is Jesus' hands and I know He will always protect me and never let me go. It is awesome knowing that that pod is never too crowded for those who come to the Lord.

Although there was so much devastation done by Hurricane Ivan, the people of Grenada never lost their hope and their joy in the Lord was always shining through them. People who lost so much were always giving to us treats, meals, and, I think most importantly, their time. The time that they gave to us was truly a blessing. I was ministered to by people who deeply cared about my spiritual, mental and physical well being. I'm happy knowing that it is not all about building homes but going out of your way to meet someone else's needs.

I would like to dedicate the verse from Nehemiah 8:10 to the people of Grenada.

I would also like to thank, John Miller, Steve Dyke, Laurent Trabadell, and Terence Jellema, for their part in making this mission available to those seeking to deepen their relationship with Jesus.

Your sister in Christ,
Marilyn Roberton.
December 2005

Some of my photos of Grenada
John Miller's Grenada site with links to different team members photos

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copyright: Lena Arkell 2004