What Would an Islander Think About This?

 As we walk into the supermarket, I notice the middle-aged woman in front of us.  It’s a hot day—100ºF.  She is wearing something between a bikini and a summer dress.  She grabs a cart and heads in, we are right behind her with our own cart.  As we enter the supermarket, the air-conditioning hits us with a cold blast that makes us shiver.  The woman, wearing far less clothing than either of us, seems not to notice and gets down to her shopping.  We look out on a produce section that is bigger than the biggest shop on Clove Island—and that’s just the produce section, and I stop and think: What would an Islander think about this?

In Boston for free concert!

Of course, it is very hard to generalize what islanders think.  Some islanders have traveled—seen the world—and have no problem with exposed flesh, large stores, and extravagant air conditioning.  On the other hand, some have only seen women dressed like that on internet and would probably gawk and stare, put on a heavy jacket, winter hat and mittens to navigate the cold grocery store, and take several pictures to post on their facebook page standing next to fruit and cereal boxes.  (I joke, but it’s not far from the reality.)

This week we were able to do something very Boston—we went for a free orchestral concert at the Hatch Shell.  There, next to the Charles River, we picnicked on our picnic blankets, while listening to the sounds of a full-piece orchestra playing live classical music—all completely free.  I can remember doing this with my family when I was a kid, and here I was, able to repeat it with my children—joining in a Boston summer tradition which I am told dates back to the 1910’s!  And as I lounged on the blanket eating grapes and listening to Berlioz, I couldn’t help asking myself, What would an Islander think about this?

On pedestrian bridge on way to Hatch shell

Orchestral music is almost completely foreign to the islands.  Many have never seen a violin or a cello, a bassoon or a tympani.  The way it takes 40 people or more to create the sound is also amazing.  Few islanders know how to play instruments.  Where can you find so many who play so well and such diverse ones?  The music itself is strange—not relying on drum beats to keep rhythm but rather a funny little man waving his arms.  There are no words, no repeated rhythms, and a sound that may only be familiar as the stuff you hear in movie backgrounds.  

Meanwhile, everyone is picnicking—but there is not a fire among the whole group.  In fact, people hardly even talk to each other, and no one is sharing their food.  The only one’s breaking across the social barriers are dogs!  And dogs are dangerous, dirty and scary—(even the bizarre looking little one with a bow tie!).  Astoundingly, there are portable bathrooms nearby and free, clean drinkable water is readily available.  There is even a playground—another thing islanders have only ever seen from the internet.  

Sons enjoying playground

The setting itself is astounding.  Everyone is sitting on well maintained, short clipped grass (what does that cost to maintain???). They sit in front of a grand structure specifically built for free concerts.  It is a beautiful structure, made of only the best materials with an aesthetic beauty that must need maintaining (what does that cost?).  Meanwhile, the city of Boston sits to your right, with its skyscrapers, highways and historical grandeur.  There is even a large concrete footbridge that crosses the road.  Imagine a bridge just so people can cross a road!

So I sit, and listen and let my mind wander, imagining an islander sitting next to me, taking in all the sights and sounds of a free summer concert at the Hatch.  And I recall to mind that some of our teammates have had family visiting the islands for the first time.  I think about some of the island wedding events that they are attending, which includes free music, free food, and people dressed in ways they can hardly imagine.  I smile and think, What would an American think about that?

PRAYERS ANSWERED
We got to check in and talk with a few teammates this past week! It has been good to hear their voices and hear firsthand stories from on the ground on the islands. Our colleagues received their newborn’s passport and can now travel back to the islands! We were able to reconnect with a couple friends from college this past weekend after several years and were blessed by the time sharing about our respective life and work. We had some of our plans fall through this week (mainly because of people we know testing positive for COVID), but in the scrambling to change plans, we found new opportunities that would have been missed presented themselves and the new plans have turned out better than the original ones— God provides!


PRAYERS REQUESTED
There are constant weddings happening on the island— pray for our teammates’ stamina and for wisdom about which invitations to accept. Continue to pray for the islands— the global economic situation continues to mean horrible inflation and shortages. They are coming off a period with no rice and no cooking fuel. Lots of people are struggling to find the money to get by. Pray for Tom’s parents who both came down with COVID this week, that they would make quick and full recoveries. Pray for us as we have a trip to Maine later this week and opportunities to speak and share the coming weekend— that we would be used to share truth and shine brightly.