I spent seven days with friends on the island of St. Kitts and expected a wonderful time on a beautiful island filled with most things you would expect on a vacation, but was amazed to find myself changed by the trip.
A few days after arriving on the island, we were invited to a primary school in the village where we stayed. They were having a ribbon cutting for the school's new library. After two hours the ceremony was complete and it was time to tour the library. I enter a room not much bigger than my walk in closet at home. There were about five bookshelves around the room with a handful of childrens books on the shelves. I thought to myself, my grandchildren have more books than this. I didn't say anything, they were so proud that the library had been completed after two years of raising money for it and having a book drive to put the handful of books that were on the shelves.
I can only tell you how my heart ached for their need and our abundance. We are a blessed people. I am hoping that Dennis and I will be able to gather a lot of books to ship to the little school when we get back home and am also hoping each of you will go through your children's books to see if there are any they have out grown. Or, maybe you have a women's ministry that would like to do a book drive to stock this little library. They are in such need and anything you could do would be greatly appreciated.
The post office charges $200 to mail 50 pounds of books and as you know, it doesn't take many books to weigh 50 pounds. Once all the books have been gathered, Dennis and I will take them in our camper to one of the ports that ship to St. Kitts. We found out that we can purchase a barrel, fill it with the books, and send it out for around $60. By doing this rather than trying to send through the Post Office we can send many more books for a lot less money.
Let us know if you are going to have books so we can plan on how many barrels we will be shipping. We will be glad to come to you to pick up any books you might have.
I have been forever touched by this little island.
