Islands

Three years ago, I went to Corn Island. That was just a vacation, but it was a time I could never forget. It stayed with me over these last few years and now with my wife we are happily relocated and serving on the very same Island that captured me years ago.

this is the post I made three years ago
http://pioneerabroad.blogspot.com/2013/05/corn-islands.html


A highlight of that trip for me, was seeing one of the first meetings of a new group starting out on the smaller of the two Corn Islands. At that time most of Little Corn's inhabitants had never received a witness before. Unfortunately the brother who was boldly taking the lead with the pre-group and living on the island had to leave and the meetings ceased for a time.

That is changing now. The Spanish congregation here on the Big Island has been making visits to the little island for the sake of the preaching work, and also holding meetings at one of the homes. Only a few have taken place and it was my privilege once again to take part in extending the good news to this little jewel in the Caribbean. I was asked to conduct the watchtower study in Spanish (which i still barely speak). I can't express how exciting it was to come back and pick up where we left off years ago.

Preparing for the meeting

Our group left from Big Corn in the morning by panga, with plans to return on a cargo ship in the night. The sea was calm that day which meant a smooth ride where everyone stayed dry. After we arrived we went and dropped out bags off at a house where one of our sisters is living. She is the only witness on the little Island and is unable to travel to the Big Island for the meetings, so she is very appreciative when the congregation can come and hold the meeting at her house.

There isn't a lot of territory to cover on Little Island, but that really isn't a problem, because you can spend a whole day doing one block. Everyone wants to have a bible study right on the spot, even if they're working. In most cases that is just what we do. Though it is small in relation to Big Corn its actually a sizable community, possibly even larger than Pearl Lagoon itself (not including haulover, raitipura etc).

The interior of Little Corn is reminiscent of Orinoco in the way its laid out. There are no cars or motorized vehicles, so instead of streets there are only foot paths, with modest but colorful homes tightly packed around them. Thought the houses are very close to the street, there is no shortage of land space, behind the houses there are open fields, hills covered with fruit trees, and even a few farms. Its a very, very relaxing environment. Little Corn only has electricity during the night and afternoon, so in the morning your ears "ring" from the silence. No blasting music, no traffic noise, no planes landing or taking off, only the occasional creole mother shouting at her child "NO PLAY WIT DAT KOM MAKE I TOMP YOU"

We had some good experiences before the meeting while working one path in the territory. I spoke to a woman who had been studying the bible with the witnesses in Bluefields that relocated to Little Corn a year ago, she was quite excited to see us there. I also had a long conversation with a police man about world conditions, and the cause of today's problems.

The cargo ships came in at 2:00 PM, which admittedly drew a lot of people away from the meeting, as when the ship comes everyone has either something to receive or something to ship out. We had to make the meeting this day though, because we were depending on that same ship to get back to Big Corn. They spent the afternoon unloading and after the meeting we had time for a quick swim and some pizza.

The wharf

Tranquilo

We also ate at Tranquilo Cafe earlier in the day. I went very reluctantly, as I don't like to support businesses that charge excessive prices just because they can. I'll admit though it was nice, the food was good. What bothers me is that they sell it to tourists by advertising their "locally baked coconut bread" that for some reason makes a sandwich worth $8. I guess the tourists don't know you can buy a loaf of coconut bread for about 17 cents anywhere you go. Everything included, the plate of food I ordered would cost them less than a dollar to make, and they sell it for 8. Most restaurants make about 50% profit on food items, they're probably getting about 800%... I think I need to get into the restaurant business.

There was also an unexpected surprise at the end of the day. We didn't just see the stars in the sky, but in the water as well! As we walked into the water in the evening, just after sunset we could see tiny lights like fireflies in the water swirling around our feet. Bio-luminescent plankton was shining as it was stirred up. We could even see it from the boat on our trip back, as the water splashed away from the bow it sparkled in the night.

Only Jehovah knows what future there is for the meetings and the preaching work on Little Corn, but I wait eagerly to see what happens.