Well the anticipation is over. I've moved to the Allen's and I've got a new motor scooter. I feel like I'm living in the lap of luxury. No more toiling away on the side of the road on my bicycle as the cars zoom past. No more lonesome nights in a little apartment.
On Wednesday I went down to the Yamaha dealership near Paradise Island and talked to a salesman about a scooter. It looked good. I went back on Thursday and bought it and got insurance. Then on Friday, Kari and I went over on our lunch break and I drove it off the lot. I was somewhat nervous that I wouldn't know how to ride it, but within a few miles I was feeling relaxed.
I drove it into the parking lot at the school and started honking the horn. My students had been very excited that I was getting a scooter, and they all came pouring out the door - awe and wonder written all over their faces. As I walked in the class after I parked the scooter, all the kids gave me admiring looks and a few gave me high fives.
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| The sunlight is shining through |
Later in the afternoon we all filed outside. "Someone go get my water bottle from inside." I shouted over the excited chatter. We all gathered around the scooter to pray, and spontaneously some of the kids started praying the Lord's Prayer in Latin. It sounded so beautiful. I then sprinkled water on the scooter and blessed it and prayed that God would protect me on it and that it would be a 'vehicle' for life and blessing.
So now I'm riding along in style out in the sun under the palm trees everyday. Having a scooter feels so liberating...being able to get around anywhere on the island whenever I want...not be dependent on other people to give me rides. It's great. "Oh boy," David said when he saw if for the first time, "it's like a pretty little toy you get for Christmas sitting there under the Christmas tree!"
And now I am a resident of the "Bahamian Riveria"! The Allen's house is located right across the street from the grocery store so I can walk to get groceries. And I can go for runs through quiet private residential roads. Cable Beach is a more
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| The outside of the Allen's house |
wealthy community and it's much more relaxed than my previous location. Even I never felt really threatened in my old house, there was an underlying sense of danger all the time that never let one really relax: the dogs, the fireworks at night, the loud rap music blaring from distant neighbors. I must admit I will miss the sound of the roosters and the cooing of the doves in the morning. Those doves always reminded me that the Holy Spirit was everywhere surrounding me. But in any case I will enjoy feeling entirely safe and at ease now when I'm home.
My commute will take me past a few big hotels, through downtown Nassau where the cruise ships stop, past my church (St. Matthew's Anglican), past the library, and onto the school. I haven't done it yet, but I'm anticipating that it will take about 30 minutes with the traffic. But the hour commute is well worth it!
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| The "upstairs" balcony |
I feel that I'm in a much more sustainable situation now and looking forward to the new lifestyle. I was struck this morning in church by the passage, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." In some ways I think that I'm entering into a new season of comfort that I pray will be fruitful and a time to flourish.
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| My huge over sized bed |
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| A nice little sofa in my room |
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| The Allen's Coy pond right outside my room |
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| My little license plate |
On Wednesday I went down to the Yamaha dealership near Paradise Island and talked to a salesman about a scooter. It looked good. I went back on Thursday and bought it and got insurance. Then on Friday, Kari and I went over on our lunch break and I drove it off the lot. I was somewhat nervous that I wouldn't know how to ride it, but within a few miles I was feeling relaxed.
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