Tag Archives: Caribbean

God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Change

We returned to Jamaica last week, the first time since 2019. Some things were the same, others very different. Sunrise the morning of this photo was really the only day we saw sunrise. Between cloudy days and the dust cloud from Africa, there wasn’t much to see most mornings. But this photo was certainly a familiar site.

The Ministry of Health has not given permission to have our usual clinics, but we were able to spend a couple of days doing children’s check ups. And another day getting the Wellness Center ready for clinics. ACE, the NGO we work with, has grown significantly and now owns a several hundred acre farm.

It is quite inspiring to see God’s hand at work.

Standard
God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

The Path

This photo was taken during a hike in the Virgin Islands National Park last year. if you look closely you can see the path going forward; notice how it passes close to the edge of a sharp drop off (near the middle right in the photo).

I often write about hiking on a path as a metaphor for the paths that we follow in our lives. This photo certainly illustrates the dangers that we encounter in life, particularly if we do not keep our eyes properly focused on the path ahead.

Standard
God in all things, Photography, Scenery, Travel

Getting There

I remember this day very well (unlike many vacation days which become a blur with time). Our cruise ship arrived at port in St Thomas before we were up. We took a taxi from the Cruise ship port to the ferry port on the other side of the island. We then took the ferry over to Cruz Bay, on St. John Island. This is a photo overlooking Cruz Bay. Our travels were far from over as we had to take a taxi to the other side of St. John where we were planning to hike in the National Park. At the end of the day, we did the reverse- taxi/ferry/taxi. I think we spent a total of about five hours traveling back-and-forth and about three hours hiking. However, I can truthfully say that getting there (and back) was half the fun.

And so should our walk with God be!

Standard
God in all things, Scenery

The Small and the Mighty



This photo was taken at the Virgin Islands National Park early this year. What draws your attention? For me, it’s the short cactus right beside the path. It is known as the Turks Head Cactus, due to the resemblance to a Turkish Fez. As an aside, Turks and Caicos is named after this plant or a similar looking plant.

For me, this image is a reminder that God uses the small the humble the mighty.

Standard
God in all things, Scenery

The Deep

This photo was taken a year ago in Jamaica. I’ve seen sun rays coming through the clouds many times before, but never such a focused beam in the distance.

The ocean can seem overwhelming in its vastness. Full of mystery. A reminder of how small and fragile we are. Yet some see only challenges to be overcome.

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail

And there I find You in the mystery

In oceans deep

My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name

For I am Yours and You are mine

(Hillsong United, Oceans)

Standard
God in all things, Scenery

Unseen Damage

This is the view overlooking Coral Bay, Saint John VI. It looks amazing from this spot. But when you drive down to the town, you can still see significant damage from Hurricane Irma one and a half years later. Damage to buildings, abandoned cars, dead trees.

How comforting that God not only sees the big picture, God is with us in each moment and knows whatever we may be suffering.

Standard
Scenery

The Wind

This photo was taken on our last morning in Jamaica. This spot is one of my favorites at Galina Breeze, especially to watch the sunrise. We had a couple of days with beautiful sunrises, then 3 or 4 in a row that were very cloudy (ie, you couldn’t even see the sun rise). On our last day, I remember looking out our window and commenting to my wife that it should be a good sunrise because there were no clouds overhead. When we got down to the “beach”, there was this dense haze on the horizon. I can’t remember ever seeing so much haze there before.

After we got home, I began wondering if the haziness had anything to do with the winds. Every morning, it had been unusually windy. So much, that it was actually comfortable (whereas I usually sweat through breakfast). A quick internet search found that the source of the haze was …(dramatic pause)… dust from Africa. Blowing across the Atlantic sea into the Caribbean.

I certainly didn’t need a reminder of the power of the wind, but it was a nice reminder of the positive effects of the wind. God’s spirit is described as wind many times in the Bible. I like to think of the Holy Spirit as a cooling breeze. Refreshing.

Standard