My island has 9 children living here with me. I teach them to cook, clean and to be kind. My island has poisionous snakes around it. They remind me of the dangers the islanders face off the island. The island can be lonely with 11 of us here most of the time. Much of my time is spent encouraging the islanders to do what is right.
These islanders have come from 4 very different places with very different baggage. Yes, baggage not luggage. Our islanders came with little if anything. The baggage they carry is from their past experiences that weighs on them in their present life. Luggage is a different story. We will be seeking luggage for two of the islanders will be leaving soon. They will return to their sandy place with the big cold buildings and no parents. We hope they take something they have learned with them. We pray God watches over them.
We occasionally venture off the island. Usually it us just the 10 of us that visit other places. Our unusual language gets us noticed off the island. But rarely do others try to communicate with the islanders. We are at times, on an island in public. Nothing is the world matters but the islanders. There is little time to communicate with the outside world. Usually communications received are wanting us to buy something we don't need.
Sometimes we manage to visit refreshing pools. I enjoy these trips as much as the islanders. A time of refreshing is needed after doing the work on the island. Sometimes the trips are costly and we choose to stay on our island instead of paying the price. Other times there are pools opened to us at no charge and include communication and outlets.
I wonder how many islands there are around. How many others have their own island.
I ventured to another island the other day. It was a hard place to go. I knew God wanted me to go. Once I arrived it was God lead. He had some things he needed this neighboring island to hear. After counseling and praying for the islanders I returned to my island.
Another day God brought someone to te edge of the island. They needed a time of refreshing and comfort. It was good to share with the neighboring islander.
One of the islanders leaves every morning to provide for the islanders. He enjoys staying up late to spend time with the islanders. He misses so much being gone to provide for us.
Our island serves many purposes, some are unknown.
Many places do not open doors for island groups of 10 or 11. They feel the tribe is too much trouble. I feel sorry for their loss. Many feel the islanders would be too much to feed. We feed them daily. Yes that's 11 a meal, 3 meals a day, 7 days a week (231 a week) and 4 or so weeks a month (over 924 meals a month). These new islanders are hard to fill. They eat about 2 or so snacks a day in addition to the meals. But the God of the island supplies our needs and stretches His dollars.
Refreshing comes from time spent learning the ways of God, seeking His will and learning his Word. Times without the Word are dry and leave islanders parched and dry and well grumpy. The Word and prayer are needed to make the islanders obedient and joyful.
My island, well it's not perfect. But it is where God has us for now.
