First Sunday of the month: It's time to head for the keys to preach and serve the sacrament of The Lord's Supper. I had company today. A mission team that has been serving near Helene on the island of Roatan is on Utila for a few days. They wanted to attend the variety of churches on Utila this morning and four decided to accompany me to the keys. I met them at the dock where Swen (which may be "Sven," I don't know) was readying his dory. My heart sank just a bit as I noted white caps already on the water and that Swen's boat was the smallest of the ones I'd taken.
I haven't ever needed my rainsuit on the way out... Until today. Dr. Eric and I were on the front seat and quite a bit of spray was hitting me so I slipped on the rainsuit. The waters weren't particularly rough but I noticed that Swen took it pretty slow going over. We arrived safe and sound and went directly to the home of Miss Jeanie the pianist. I introduced Eric, Margie, Brian and Amazine (who is native to Roatan and accompanied the team for her first visit to Utila). The foursome toured the two keys (which are joined by a bridge) while Miss Jeanie and I compared notes on my hymn picks.
Church was very good. More folks than usual in attendance plus our four visitors. Dogs Scrappy and Blakey were back (they were being punished two weeks ago and not allowed to come to church that Sunday); I was happy for our guests to meet them along with the rest of the congregation. We sang, I preached, and we celebrated Holy Communion, finishing the one hour service at 11:00am, on the dot. (I am still a United Methodist!)
After a quick stop at Miss Jeanie's we hit the dock and boarded the dory. Swen appeared and we were ready to cast off. Almost. Swen suggested we load our Bibles up in the bow and then turn around and face him. (Not that he was all that good looking, he said, but it would make for a better ride.) And we were off.
And what a ride it was. Did we ever get wet! The waves crashed against the bow as we headed into the strong east wind. I had my rainsuit on and still my clothes got wet. But not as soaked as Swen's other four passengers. Amazine had found a raincoat so she was spared (somewhat) but Eric, who was seated in the bow next to me, and Margie and Brian were drenched as wave after wave broke over us.
When we finally reached the dock I thanked Swen for his
good piloting, and commented that any ride that ends where it begins is a
good one. Truthfully, the waves were not as bad as two weeks ago but
with the smaller dory they were plenty big enough. I changed clothes
and laid the contents of my wallet out to dry. On to Miss Iris's for
lunch; excitement at sea really builds my appetite. ¡Buen
Provecho!