My Friend Matthew

Last March Chad & I took a cruise.  We went to 6 different Islands which were all beautiful and fun! But one island in particular really left its mark on us.  The day we docked in Dominica (not to be confused with the dominican republic) it was rainy, humid and gross.  We walked out onto the top deck to take a look at the island.  It wasnt the most attractive of islands.  That and the fact that the cruise workers said that its one of the more dangerous of islands and to stay only with the carnival groups, made us want to just stay on the ship for the day.  As we were hanging out Chad decided it would be a waste if we at least didnt get off the boat and look around.  So we got off the ship and right on the dock were some flea market type shops, we were just going to walk around those then get right back on board.  As we were wondering around a woman came up to us asking if we wanted a discounted tour of the water falls.  We kept saying thanks but no thanks because she wasnt with carnival, and there was nooo way we were going in a random taxi into the middle of this island.  She came up to us a few times and Chad being the risk taker out of the two of us said, "why not? it would be awesome to see and we may never be here again".  So after arguing Chad won.  I was sooo nervous and praying to God that He would protect us. The woman walked us to where the taxi's were and called to a man named Matthew.  She introduced us and said that Matthew would be our tour guide/ taxi driver for the day.  The beat up little car with a ripped up ceiling made me even more nervous.  I noticed a Bible in the passenger seat of the car..(wierd)  Then i saw a cross hanging from the rear view mirror.  And for some unknown reason, my nerves went completely away.  Not normal for myself. 

Matthew was very quiet, and chad started asking questions about the island and what not.  Matthew started talking our ear off about how the first Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed there and that he was Johnny Depp's taxi driver for the few months of filming (totally awesome). After talking about how down to earth Mr. Depp was (as he called him)  , Matthew asked if we were married.  We told him that we were JUST engaged and were in the process of wedding planning.  A huge happy smile crossed his face.  He began to tell us his love story with the woman he was with now.  How every smile and every touch of the hand was an electric shock to him, after 8 years of being together.  How they find so much love together by just taking in the Lords creation. The way he talked about his girl was unlike any love I have ever witnessed.  He had tears running down his face talking about how much he loved her. Truly touching! 

As we drove through the island we saw the places people lived, literally homes with no walls just a covering from weather.  People living on cement slabs, under trees, small tents made out of old clothes. Matthew was so proud to show us the island he called home.  Saying how close he feels to his Creator every day waking up and just watching the sunset, swimming in the ocean, and sitting and being.  His passion for life and the Lord made my own look so small and almost ungrateful.  Matthew lives in one of the poorest places i've ever seen (in person) and he was sooo unbelievably in love with life.  He said he'd never travelled off his island and hasnt seen any where besides this island.  He said he knew he wasnt missing anything, that people over the world were greedy and unhappy, even though they have everything.  That hit hard!  We live in a country that has EVERYTHING, and we have bad moods and bad days because things dont go our way some days.  I've never seen the passion for ANYTHING from ANYONE , like i saw from the few hours i spent with Matthew.  

When our trip was over Matthew pulled up to where our boat was docked.  Before we got out of the car he turned around in the seat and looked at us.  He said, " No matter what happens in life, the good the bad , always remember to love each other with your whole hearts. Never take each other for granted. Don't let the sun or moon or mountians or sky separate your love.  Don't let little things get in the way. And always give the Creator glory for He gave us this wonderful gift of life.  If i don't meet you two in this life again, i know i will meet you in the life after where we can worship the Creator forever and i look forward to that." ....I was so indescribably touched by his words and his passion i had tears running from eyes.  

We judged the outer appearance of the small island. But no other experience so far in my life has touched me that way.  I've see gorgeous places that didnt have the same depth that i saw in the people of Dominica.  Chad and I grew closer on that day after those words from Matthew.  We realized that we found each other and want to spend forever with each other.  And we also realize that not everyone finds that one person they can journey through life with.  And we do not want to take that gift lightly.  We also realize we want our passion for the Lord deeper in our lives , because only then can we really love each other with no conditions, to see love how God meant it to be.  I thank God everyday for the blessing of meeting Matthew.  It has really changed my life. 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
tell of all His wondrous works! Psalm 105:1-2