Our God is truly an awesome God!
Alarms went off at 4:45/5:00 am this morning in order for us to grab a quick breakfast sandwich, piece of fruit, juice, and some Dramamine before we headed off to the harbors of Spanish Waters to catch our boat for Klein Curacao. Lucas dropped us off at the harbor at 6:15 and we boarded the Mermaid. Shortly after onboarding, we were able to watch a beautiful, pink sunrise filled with fluffy clouds as the crew prepared for our departure. The cruise to Klein Curacao took about an hour and forty-five minutes and the ocean was not calm but it was not terrible either. There was some chop and several people were seasick but no one on our team got sick. Praise the Lord!
When we got to the island, Ethan, Bryan, and Sam jumped off and swam to the Mermaid facility and saved two nice palapas for us so we would have shade as the day went on. The rest of us waited on the boat to be ferried to the beach in smaller, Zodiac style boats. Once everyone had been ferried to the island, we were given our instructions for the day and then we had breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and juice. While it was still early, about half of the team went to explore the lighthouse in the middle of the island as well as the shipwrecks on the north side of the island. The other half stayed by the palapas and started tanning or taking a quick doze. Other activities prior to lunch included walking the beach, swimming, and snorkeling. The Mermaid team blessed all of us with passion fruit, pina colada, or mango smoothies and they were extremely refreshing! At 12:30 the all you can eat buffet lunch was served and we all feasted on ribs, barbecue chicken, hamburgers, potato salad, green salad, cheese, assorted vegetables, rice, garlic bread, watermelon and pineapple. It was fantastic and we all needed a nap when we were done because we were so stuffed! After a brief rest, everyone returned to exploration, swimming, snorkeling, and taking in the sunshine. While snorkeling there were dozens of different fish and sea life observed, including eels. A lot of sunscreen was applied but we have a few sunburns. The Mermaid crew rang a large bell at 3:15 signaling the day was over and it was time to clean up and get back on the boat to head home. The ride home was quite a bit smoother than the ride out. Everyone is now well tanned or a bit pink and absolutely wiped out! The sun is intense here!
Jerseley had dinner ready for us when we got back to the Youth Center. Tonight’s dinner was fried chicken, coleslaw, French fries, pork belly, and white chocolate or milk chocolate ice cream bars for dessert. It was so savory! When dinner cleanup was complete, Kaity led our devotions over Romans 7:13 reminding us how when we first come to Christ we are zealous for Him and eager not to sin or offend our relationship with Him in any way. However, as we grow older in the Lord, sin can slip in by degrees and we have a tendency to become callous to those sins we may deem “little” or “not a big deal really”. It was an excellent reminder to be cautious and not “throw a cloak “ over our sins.
I think everyone will be asleep early tonight and they need the rest so they have energy for working with the older students at Marnix school tomorrow.
So thankful for our creative Lord and Savior who reveals Himself so clearly through His creation. As Romans says, “All men are without excuse”!
In Him,
Lisa
Alarms went off at 4:45/5:00 am this morning in order for us to grab a quick breakfast sandwich, piece of fruit, juice, and some Dramamine before we headed off to the harbors of Spanish Waters to catch our boat for Klein Curacao. Lucas dropped us off at the harbor at 6:15 and we boarded the Mermaid. Shortly after onboarding, we were able to watch a beautiful, pink sunrise filled with fluffy clouds as the crew prepared for our departure. The cruise to Klein Curacao took about an hour and forty-five minutes and the ocean was not calm but it was not terrible either. There was some chop and several people were seasick but no one on our team got sick. Praise the Lord!
When we got to the island, Ethan, Bryan, and Sam jumped off and swam to the Mermaid facility and saved two nice palapas for us so we would have shade as the day went on. The rest of us waited on the boat to be ferried to the beach in smaller, Zodiac style boats. Once everyone had been ferried to the island, we were given our instructions for the day and then we had breakfast sandwiches, coffee, and juice. While it was still early, about half of the team went to explore the lighthouse in the middle of the island as well as the shipwrecks on the north side of the island. The other half stayed by the palapas and started tanning or taking a quick doze. Other activities prior to lunch included walking the beach, swimming, and snorkeling. The Mermaid team blessed all of us with passion fruit, pina colada, or mango smoothies and they were extremely refreshing! At 12:30 the all you can eat buffet lunch was served and we all feasted on ribs, barbecue chicken, hamburgers, potato salad, green salad, cheese, assorted vegetables, rice, garlic bread, watermelon and pineapple. It was fantastic and we all needed a nap when we were done because we were so stuffed! After a brief rest, everyone returned to exploration, swimming, snorkeling, and taking in the sunshine. While snorkeling there were dozens of different fish and sea life observed, including eels. A lot of sunscreen was applied but we have a few sunburns. The Mermaid crew rang a large bell at 3:15 signaling the day was over and it was time to clean up and get back on the boat to head home. The ride home was quite a bit smoother than the ride out. Everyone is now well tanned or a bit pink and absolutely wiped out! The sun is intense here!
Jerseley had dinner ready for us when we got back to the Youth Center. Tonight’s dinner was fried chicken, coleslaw, French fries, pork belly, and white chocolate or milk chocolate ice cream bars for dessert. It was so savory! When dinner cleanup was complete, Kaity led our devotions over Romans 7:13 reminding us how when we first come to Christ we are zealous for Him and eager not to sin or offend our relationship with Him in any way. However, as we grow older in the Lord, sin can slip in by degrees and we have a tendency to become callous to those sins we may deem “little” or “not a big deal really”. It was an excellent reminder to be cautious and not “throw a cloak “ over our sins.
I think everyone will be asleep early tonight and they need the rest so they have energy for working with the older students at Marnix school tomorrow.
So thankful for our creative Lord and Savior who reveals Himself so clearly through His creation. As Romans says, “All men are without excuse”!
In Him,
Lisa