DAY 1

After a redeye flight from Seattle to Philadelphia, and then a 2.5 hr jump south, I landed in Nassau, Bahamas. The island of New Providence, where Nassau is located, seemed small from the airplane, -- just a little marshy, sandy, flat, piece of land in the vast aquamarine sea.

The island was used as a hide out for pirates, a stoping place in the slave trade route, and the destination of ex-British loyalists after the Revolutionary War who came to run plantations with their slaves. The dark history of this place is a strange contrast to "run drenched beaches" and the 5 star resorts.

I got through customs and met up with Marleen without any difficulty. She's a kind and warm woman in her late thirties, with plenty of energy. She gave me a brief tour of the 22 mile long island, driving me along almost empty roads with gated communities down long drive ways. I was expecting more people, but apparently everyone lives in Nassau.

Perhaps the most surprising thing for me today was that I didn't see a single bicycle all day. Just cars, and a few people walking here and there. It was like I was in an American suburb somewhere--very different feeling than Africa. But it seems like everyone has a car, even through they are incredible expensive to buy and keep. A strange cultural irony for a country struggling with poverty.

Marleen took me to her parents house, and someone (I couldn't tell if it was a maid or a relative of some kind!) made me a rice curry with lamb and chicken. I met Marleen's mother (who is a life long Anglican and thrilled to hear that I wanted to attend the mid-week Anglican service with her), her aunt (who I had trouble following due to her accent and my blurry jet lagged head, but who laughed all through lunch), and her cousin (who asked me all sorts of questions about myself and was generally a nice fellow). I met her father, but he only appeared for about 30 seconds and disappeared for the rest of the hour I was there.

Then I was taken by my new school: New Providence Classical School. It was like a hurricane had gone through it. Paint buckets in the corners, books stacked against the wall, and school uniforms scattered throughout the rooms. I met Marleen's sister Kelly, who is the other administrator, and she was really nice. She wrote me an email (written in red) later in the day that read:

Welcome to NPCS,

It was an honor to meet you.

As tired as you must be….your face lit up

when you saw the classroom with all the books.

I am sure that God has brought us together at

NPCS to change education in The Bahamas.

Thank you for being willing to come to The Bahamas.

Because of Him,

Kelly

After looking at their syllabus of books we were going to read, I got really excited: The Jungle Book, Kidnapped, Fellowship of the Ring, Around the World in Eighty Days, a Child's History of the World, and Journey Through the Bible. There were beautiful timelines running along the tops of the classrooms. Pictures of Mozart and other 'classical figures' hung on the wall. It is basically the same curriculum that every Classical Christian school is doing back in the States...in other words...this will be great teaching experience!

Plus I found out today that I have not 6 students, but 10! Five girls and five boys. It should be great fun. Tomorrow I will go in from 10am - 4pm and meet the other teachers and start getting the rooms set up for the first day of school on Aug. 23.

Marleen then took me to my new apartment. The studio is about the size of a garage, and is attached to the main house. The place is nestled in beautiful tropical trees, and is about a mile or so from the beach, a mile from the school, and a mile from St. Matthew's Anglican Church. I think the name of my landlord is Clifton but I forgot his kind wife's name. They had a handful of relatives visiting through the afternoon, as it seems is the custom for lazy Sunday afternoons here. As far as I know, they've agreed to have me stay here for the next three months, and then after that I'll see if I want to stay. From what everyone has said, it's a good price for being in a good safe location---plus cable internet, utilities, air conditioner, and a gas stove included.

Marleen loaded me up with a bunch of groceries, tropical fruit, and jugs of water, and told me she'd pick me up in the morning. I got a much needed shower and nap, and will spend the rest of the evening resting up and preparing for my first day of "work" tomorrow!