DEO+ on STX # 8
June 7th 2009
TRINITY SUNDAY
St. Croix Ham Radio Club
The local ham radio group has welcomed me; I “check-in” daily at 6:40am on the Virgin Island weather net on 146.630 two meter repeater on St. Johns, chat with a dozen or so including wandering sailing yachts. We swap weather forecasts, giving local weather reports from our micro environments. We learn about the weather transmissions from ocean bouys and radar predictions. I have learned the ocean temperature is a key factor in the East to West prevailing winds coming from Africa, re: hurricane formation and low barometer readings are the danger signs. I have been given entrée into the St. Croix “ham shack” Club Station housed at the Southgate Baptist Church, five miles to the West of our condo. So there is an Episcopal Priest functioning “in residence” daily and in the early evenings from the local Baptist Church! The St. Croix station call sign is NP2VI; my antennae arrangements have not been perfected at the condo; but, I do talk using my hand-held transceiver from the ocean patio reporting my observations at 7:40 each day. The St. Croix ham radio bunch meets for lunch on first Saturdays at the Deep End Restaurant and bar, ocean-side in clear view of the uninhabited Green Key just off shore. The local ham radio club does much community service and volunteerism during major storms passing humanitarian traffic; all this is ministry in the pure sense of the word. “CQ, CQ, this is
‘Whiskey Four Delta Echo Oscar’ : (W4DEO)”.
Cars and Taxi names
Many folks “name” their vehicles, placing the title along top of the windshield in fancy letters. A few paint the “name” on the front hood; taxi Vans usually have religious names or Biblical quotes. Here are just a few we have written down since taking note of the variety of car totems: Dusty, The Lord is Good!, Go Mon, Phat Fades, The Lord is my Shepherd, Psalm 27, Presidential, Blessing, Pisces, The Silent One, Yes I Believe, Life is Good! I’m Gone, Flamboyant, Yield, Catch 22, Black Hawk, Bread Winner, Parrothead, Deep End, Terror, Deep Thrust, Christ is the Answer, Red Apples, The Masterpiece, Mean Green, Rastafari, 007, Jesus Mary and Joseph, Guidance, Pride and Awakening, Rockers, Roll it Gal…Control, Class & Pride, US MALE, Get Down On It!, Pride or Die, Buster, Peace be with You, The Rage, Forget Me Not, Meditation, Lead By Example, Sugar & Spice, EXIT this Way, Follow Me, Bound for Honor, I’ll take you there!, Soccer Warrior, Daddy U, The Crest White, Jazzy, Red Cherry, Cha Chai, Lover Boy, Young Blood, Blacka de Berry Sweeter de Cherry, Back like New, and others; a few not appropriate to publish.
The Virgin “kiss” in the rear
Shortly after arrival the Church purchased a new Nissan. Parked in a shopping lot, “someone” backed into the right rear corner panel leaving without any acknowldgement. Folks have dismissed the hit and run as part of the culture.
So I am no longer a “virgin” driver but got kissed in the rear end! Our Poor Church car. A real Jerk, the other driver! A parishioner owning a car body shop will do his best to refashion the dent making it look acceptable.
No Re-Cycle system on the Island
It has taken a great effort on our part to throw out everything! Like living on a boat where all goes over board, everything goes to the land fill. The island has no system of organized re-cycle! There is some attempt at aluminum recycle but the drop site seems never to be open. This is a terrible condition; all this garbage
pilling up! Most of everything is shipped in, not much leaves!
St. Peter’s like to EAT
When there is food or a reception, St. Peter’s loves to EAT! We look forward to the cultural spread of various island cuisine and flavors.
“The Church that Cares”
The second Priest, Father Belle had a heart for folks and the neighborhood; he reached out and was a pastor for all; under the leadership of Fr. Belle, St. Peter’s
Adopted the motto or mission statement: “The Church that Cares.” This posture continues today!
Creating a web-site
We/I hope we will create a web-site in the near future. We have a resource at the Diocesan office. So wait and watch with me; you will know when our new web-site is up; so get ready, someday check us out on the web.
Radio broadcast at 6pm
WTSX records our 8:30am service live then rebroadcasts the service at 6pm; this this is a great evangelistic method and links our shut-ins with the current music and liturgy; they hear the preaching and know of our prayers.
The Dendtlers are back from Georgia
Bob and Charlotte Dendtler have returned from Georgia; Fr. Bob began as Interim Priest-in-Charge of the historic St. John’s Anglican(Episcopal) Church on June 1st; Fr. Daniels retires after nine years of faithful ministry, returning to
St. Kitts. Honoring, Bob and Charlotte, we invited The Reef permanent summer residents for a low Country Shrimp Boil. The meal was a great hit! We may have started a new “tradition.”
See you Mon! Come See US! La Paz y Buen Camino! DWIGHT OGIER+
