Ants & Vans

Christmas morning!

As our final blog of 2018 we thought it would be appropriate to appreciate something about our island home that is pretty astounding.  This very week, there were two things in particular that have stuck us by their particular power and resilience.  One is rather large and the other is rather small.

A few days ago we went on a tour of the islands with one of the English programs.  This was a chance to have fun, promote the English program, and bond with students.  To do an island tour (or really to get anywhere on the island, assuming you don’t have your own vehicle) you will be going in a van or minibus.  To be more specific, a 1987 Toyota HiAce.  These are the type of van found all over Clove Island.  These vehicles are nothing fancy on the outside, but they’ve got it where it counts. 

A van on the tour

A high suspension, strong but efficient motor, and an ability to carry far more than the 15 capacity suggestion—these vans keep the island moving.  It’s amazing enough to see one of these beauties loaded down with 22 people, plus a load of cargo on top that makes you wonder how they balance it all up there, then throw a couple of young guys hanging on the back. You can see how resilient these things are. 

But we were especially impressed by these Toyota minibuses when on our island tour this week we took the new road that has just been “completed” which crosses straight across the island over a high mountain pass.  Completed is a relative term and based upon the guy in the big bulldozer we passed we were clearly passing at our own risk, but our van driver seemed unfazed, and proved himself to be so no matter what we saw on the “road” ahead.  At many points it seemed to be no road at all, merely a muddy slice out of the side of a mountain.  Yet, despite the ruts, gullies and mud our driver drove without the least concern and took us over the mountain in that Toyota HiAce as if it were no more than leisurely drive.  Yes, they may not look like much, but these vans are something.

The "new" road

Which leads us to another equally resilient, mighty, and nearly unstoppable force we’ve experienced this week.  Though in size it is tiny, it is a force to be reckoned with.  I am talking about island ants!  At most times of the year we are in an everlasting battle with ants.  They come from all directions, take any route, and have an ability to find food that must rival a bloodhound.  They can even work their way into some types of packaging. Their trails can lead for yards across walls and floors, and once they have infested a food source, driving them away is nearly impossible.  Bread is particularly bad as the yeasty air bubbles allow for long and complicated passages like their own colonies so even after you brush ants off the outside, ants continue to crawl out of the loaves with astounding regularity.  This time of year, you leave any food on the counter for any length of time at your own risk.

There are ways to hold them off.  Toxic spray is most effective.  It will wipe out the entire line in moments and seems to have a lasting effect that keeps them from following that same path.  But as already mentioned, they are resilient.  And when they can pass through floors, walls and ceilings, and distance is not an issue, the sprayed area merely becomes a detour.    Before long, they have found a way over under, over, around or through and have returned to your kitchen counter as if they owned the place.

Ant trail from roof, past bookshelf, under map

So as we reflect on the creatures and machines that keep going despite great odds, we see a lesson in all this.  May we too be like the ant and the mini-bus this year.  Undaunted, resilient, never giving up and finding a way through.

Happy New Year!

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We had a very nice Christmas and were blessed by some neighbors and friends remembering that it was a holiday for us and giving us treats and their holiday greetings. There was a gathering with some local brothers and sisters (a belated holiday gathering). It came together last minute so there weren’t lots of people but it was encouraging to hear different stories of sharing good news with friends and neighbors. We currently have a house guest from Australia (who works in Kenya)— the kids love visitors and it has been fun to have her.  2018 was an eventful year with lots of difficult situations, but at the same time we saw God’s provision throughout, so we thank God for this year and look forward to the one to come.

PRAYERS REQUESTED
Our kids go back to school on Jan 2nd but they were in the middle of exams when they unexpectedly went on break. Pray that they would remember what they need to in order to get through exams without stress or anxiety. We’ve heard that the debated island elections will happen in March (the constitution says the next presidential vote shouldn’t be for a couple more years, the president pushed through a new constitution that most islanders don’t accept). While it is possible that we won’t see any unrest until March, it is also possible that the lingering tensions could bubble up before then. Keep the stability of the islands in your prayers. A good friend is preparing to have a hard conversation with her family, pray for her relationship with her parents as she tries to be honest with them.