I think it was the end of the lunch break that I first realized a pair of pioneers following uncle Bobby (counselor Ganesh Ramsahai) into his office, where I correctly guess the rest of the coordinating staff was waiting. With my curiosity stirring I approached a few other pioneers to ask if any of them had received their assignment yet. A few of the had but they said it would all be announced at once.
In the previous week I had done a really good job of staying detached from the outcome of my assignment, but if I was to be completely honest I felt drawn to somewhere more rural and traditional like Dominica, because it would be in tune with my lifestyle and experiences. This said I really was ready to happily accept anything.
Before I knew it Bobby was next to me asking if I would like to get Philip and come with him. I was filled with exhilaration as I went to where Philip was in conversation, and asked if he wanted to go for a walk. At first he didn't get it, but I think he saw uncle Bobby because he got up and walked with us into the Office. We were greeted by the warm and smiling faces of the counselors. We sat, I offered a prayer, and they told us they would like us to spend our year serving the Kingston cluster of Jamaica.
Well this was the polar opposite of what I was drawn to, and I knew Philip the least out of the guys that didn't have service partners, But as soon as counselor Debbie Kirton told us where our new home was to be something inside me said, very strongly, "that's perfect." The words repeated in my mind, "that's perfect, that's perfect, right, wonderful, amazing... perfect." They briefly gave us more information about the state of the community so we could begin to form ideas of the work to be done. Then we were dismissed.
Later, after rejoining the group of excited pioneers who were all fighting their ardent desires to share the news of their assignment, Uncle Bobby asked for every ones attention. I know that I cant adequately describe the energy or atmosphere of what followed, but I will try. First, it is important to remember that a majority of the seventy some odd people gathered there were dedicated Caribbean Islanders who have been laboring, in some cases with very few numbers, for the betterment of their communities for years, and in a few cases for generations. They were members of National Spiritual Assemblies, cluster agencies and those actively engaged in the process of development in their home clusters. And no one knew who was to receive pioneers.
It is with that sense of anticipation that silence fell. As Bobby prepared us for the unveiling of our assignment I was deeply moved, largely by the reverence I notice spreading from him into everyone there. This was the inauguration of a spiritual conquest. One by one the name of a country was called out followed by the name of the new pioneers that would be joining the ranks of service to that community. The responses were inspirational. With each new announcement, a new level of celebration. Many clapped or cheered, others jumped for joy and gave congratulatory hugs. I recall Watching a mother and daughter leap from their seats and run, tears already beginning to flow, to embrace the souls who would be joining them in their long and lonely efforts. By the time he reached Jamaica, which was one of the first to be announced, being struck by just a glimpse of the true significance of our efforts had reduced me to joyous laughter as Jamaicans swept me into warm embraces and offered gratitude for this great day. This truly was a day to remember.
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