Celebrating a Win

Loud cheers suddenly broke out from downstairs.  There were the echoes of more celebrations in the distance.  I wasn’t watching the game, but I thought to myself, “The islands must have scored. They must have won!”

My assumption seemed supported by the continuing cheers. People started playing music. Cars, trucks and motorcycles passed slowly, honking horns and spilling with people, everyone singing and yelling, rejoicing in the island victory! Impromptu parades took to the streets. It was a happy late afternoon/evening on the islands!

It wasn’t until a little while later that I learned that the islands hadn’t actually won the match. It was a tie, 0-0. My first reaction was, “All this for a tie!” But then I was reminded, this was not any tie— this was a tie that meant the islands could compete in a major international tournament for the first time in history! 

Pretty islands

That’s a big deal for a little nation. Growing up in the US, we got used to the privilege our citizenship includes and the accompanying expectation of victory. Look at our coverage of major events like the Olympics— we cover winners! Sure, there is the occasional underdog story on US coverage, but generally we like the winners and we are privileged to have lots of people from our nation that are contenders in various sports. As a kid, I remember not really understanding the stories of people that were so excited to just have qualified for the games. In my mind, I thought, “They are just saying that to be humble… really they want to be a surprise underdog and win it all! Wouldn’t they really be disappointed to have only qualified?”

Likewise I could think, “Surely islanders were really hoping for a decisive victory to secure their qualification?” But I sense no disappointment among islanders. They talk about it as a “win” even if it was a tie. Sure, a win might have been more exciting, but a tie was enough. It reminds me of the big exams each year that allow island students to go to university. Lots of islanders fail them each year, many fail them multiple years in a row. Most islanders that do pass, just barely pass. They pass by the skin of their teeth, having got less than 50% but getting close enough that they can retake sections. From my privileged background, kids would have been ashamed to have passed exams with such a narrow margin, but on the island that doesn’t seem to diminish their celebration. The important thing is that you passed!

Our son makes a friend

Our personal backgrounds in the US expect success, so simple success is not celebrated, it’s expected. People strive for and only truly celebrate GREAT success. On the islands there is the hope of success, but it is not an expectation. If anything failure is more common. This makes any kind of success so much more exciting. So who cares if the islands only tied, who cares how they do in the actual competition— they have succeeded in something where before there was failure. They qualified, that’s success, that's a win and that is worthy of celebration!  

PRAYERS ANSWERED
Our teammate suffering from long COVID had two nights in a row of good sleep after weeks of insomnia. We pray that this is only the beginning of better sleep for her! Please keep praying! Our friend and former teammate on the French Island was able to have some virtual physiotherapy and was given exercises that will restrengthen her body. We are happy to report that she is able to get up and move around a lot more now. COVID vaccines have arrived on the islands! We’re not sure how many islanders will willingly get them (most are very suspicious), but it’s exciting to know that vaccines are finally reaching some poorer nations. The online translation consultations continued well in spite of one of the participating islanders getting sick and not being able to join the final day. 


PRAYERS REQUESTED
Please pray that this Holy week and the upcoming holiday on Sunday will lead to good conversations and good celebrations among islanders. Please pray for our old teammates who are returning to Africa with their four kids after several years in their home country. Pray for safe travels and a smooth transition. We have a very busy week ahead but it’s also our son’s birthday— pray that we can carve out some good family time and that he would feel loved and appreciated. Now that the COVID surge has passed on the islands, we are trying to organize homestays for our new teammates (a week long stay with an island family). We have some possibilities but pray that the right place and family opens their doors. The month of fasting is quickly approaching. Pray that we would be well prepared, especially as we plan with others how to cover that month in prayer.