Replaced the first net today!

     I wish I would have had a camera ready! I walked down to the basketball court for some of our afternoon, before supper basketball and found James Franke on the the shoulders of Joseph Summers who was balancing himself with one are on the shoulder of Marlan Monero(one of our local boys that regularly comes over). James is replacing the net! We actually wore one out already. It seems like just the other day when I posted to see if anyone would sponsor the basketball project.  For those of you who contributed,  specifically to the revival of the basketball court here in St. Lucia you would be proud and we thank you so much! Local boys and girls from those barely able to walk to 17 year olds have been coming regularly and playing basketball with us. Before our trip to Vieux Fort in the South of the Island we had as many as 10 extra kids eating supper with us after shooting some hoops. Not only did we have to replace the net but also a ball, Yep! we have worn out a Basketball already. It is almost smooth and no longer holds enough air, though Isaac still enjoys it immensely.
     I have been teaching the kids the basics of basketball as Cricket and Football(soccer) are much more popular here. We went from playing an almost no rules game to the boys knowing the rules, actually acquiring a good shot, and understanding most of the fundamentals of the game. One day I decided to teach them the game knock out. Knock out has become the game of choice and is probably played almost everyday, with or with out me there. Even Rachel, who is 8, has a method to shoot free throws for the game. She shoots a granny style shot as far as she can then get the rebound and quickly shoots another, much closer shot. She even manages to make the second shot and stay in a round or two.

     Basketball is one of the ways which we have created camaraderie and an appetite, which leads to some house rules which we instituted.

1. If you have never seen the food we are serving don’t take a full plate. Take a little, if you like it you can go back for more. (The Eckstine kids eat everything on their plates)
2. If you eat with us and it is okay with your parents,please stay for night prayers. They start between 7 and 7:30 and are over about 8pm
3. If you decide to become a regular guest for meal, you will be assigned to a chore team and help with the after dinner and nightly clean up.

    Not that it has been all smooth sailing with the basketball at the Marian Home compound. We found out that there are certain places and times where dribbling really bothers Sisters, especially during their prayer times. The Sisters are great and only once have the ball been taken away. But it was a learning experience and I made them apologize directly to the Sisters.
     Another thing that has resulted from our friendships is a weekly Bible study for both girls and boys. It has been going surprisingly well and the kids really seem to look forward to it.

Here are some photos of the project:

First attempt to put the hoop together, later we had to move it to where the cord on the drill would actually reach.

Marlan, working on the back board

coming together, Peter is not really on break.....

carrying it to the Court!

One of the first
SHOTS!

Special Thanks!

Especially since we have been able give away so much of it! More than a few of you have sent boxes. They have been full of books, chocolate, religious items, a coffee maker, spatulas, Tony's Cajun Seasoning, cookie cutters, and many other amazing things. Easter has presented us with special opportunities to give away so much. The books have been great. Staff here at the nursing home come to us to see if we have a book, like on the subject of prayer. I gave a copy to a staff member then a few days later she tells me she gave it to her daughter who really enjoyed it and wonders if we have another copy. Still looking.... which is one of the reasons I wanted to give this quick update to say "Thank you!" and that your support is being put to good use! I really need to update what our needs are but books are so great and people seem to really appreciate them. Here is the link to what we can use: http://rooftopmissions.blogspot.com/p/supporting-us-in-missions.html and I will update it soon! Paper products seem to be hard to get items here.

New wheel barrow we were able to buy because of donors sending money for specific needs!

Here we are working on the back board for the Basketball hoop! One is now up and we have visitors to play very often!

    Some of you sent money for the Basketball project, which we are still working on. (I am going to do a big post with lots of pictures on the progress). Some of you sent money for tools and stuff for the Marian Home. This has allowed me to fix and repair things for the Sisters without charging them for materials. I now even have a book with little projects the Sisters and staff at the Marian Home write things that need fixed. If someone feels the Lord is leading them to fund this ministry regularly that would be great. We are praying about how to maybe start a ministry to teach the young people practical skills, like how to repair a faucet (the pipe as it is called here) or how to make bread. 

Please continue to pray and make sacrifices for our ministry here. 

God Bless you all!