Inez's Hands

Do you ever sense that sometimes God puts someone in your path, if even for a short time for the purpose of leaving a lasting mark?  While in Trinidad, He brought a few significant persons to my life – and made it clear that our life stories were to overlap, even if only for a few days. Here's a little bit about just one of those special ladies.


On Friday afternoon, our team arrived at Victory Heights
Bible Camp for the Ladies Conference. We quickly started assembling 175 gift bags for the women we would soon meet. While we were filling bags and finalizing the registration process, a few women from KCBC joined us. As I was hurriedly stuffing 5 bags at a time in order to meet the cutoff time, a woman dressed in periwinkle started serving “the Americans” by doing the same. She didn’t fill the bags as quickly. Her mind wasn’t fixed on a deadline. Instead, her attention and her servant’s heart were focused on those of us around her.  This picture to the right is a great reminder of priorities - Inez was calm, peaceful, willing and helpful - to a group of American ladies she'd never met til moments before.  Look at my face - I'm not proud of this picture.  It's a reminder though - I was stressed/hot/concerned about our luggage not having arrived in time for us to be "dressed" and presentable before the women arrived.  This was one of many times in the beginning of our Trinidad Adventure, that God convicted me of a need for "my plans, my comfort, my preferences, my order, systems - etc.  My, Mine, ME!   Our clothes arrrived well after registration began.  You know what else?  It was fine!  (The ladies who got there and saw us in our shorts and tee shirts may have thought we were just slack, or maybe just really, really laid back at first! Still - no biggie!)    

Later that evening, the 8 member American team sat down for dinner with the women God brought to the top of that mountain.  I sat at a table, comprised mainly of my teammates and maybe two Trinidadian ladies.  One of them was Inez.  At the time, it didn’t occur to me that she was the same woman standing shoulder to shoulder with me a few hours earlier.  Now, I alluded in a prior post to being a profoundly picky eater.  When I saw the food, I decided the peanut butter and honey crackers in my bag would better satisfy my hunger.  Anticipating those crackers allowed me to observe the local women. Everyone was talking away – no different than would be the case here at home.   I watched Inez enjoy her dinner – with the use of her hands. Around the room, laughter filled the air, hugs were eagerly shared with friends and the locals continued to eat the gooey and unidentifiable fare with their fingers.  It was at this moment I learned that it’s not customary for many to eat with utensils.  (Granted, our hostesses always graciously pulled out a tray of flatware for the ease and comfort of my Western sisters and me.)   Inez may have thought I was a bit freakish as I continued to observe her enjoying this peculiar looking meal.  What I didn’t expect is that God was surely placing her in my immediate surroundings time and time again – for reasons He saw fit.  (Are you at all like me?  Sometimes, I fail to pick up on those divine appointments and require a more obvious “hit over the head.” )

Saturday, a few hours of free time was built into our conference agenda.  Several fun opportunities were available for the ladies: making bracelets; creating greeting cards; Zumba; a manicure station and more.  Without hesitation, I knew my place was making greeting cards with the women and children.  I enjoy scrapbooking  -  so, fashioning cards from pretty paper, stickers and scrapbook adornments was right up my alley!  As free time commenced, I enjoyed chatting with numerous ladies (and sweet little girls) as we made cards.  Some of the younger visitors even had me help them write special messages to a friend or relative.  There I was – back in my comfort zone again.  Should I have been the least bit surprised when someone from our team called across the room and asked me to join the manicure table? 

So, I walked over to an empty chair at the end of the manicure table in preparation to do the nails of the person next in line.  This was another divine appointment.  Inez took her seat with a smile on her face.  She chose her color and I took her hands.  As I painted the pale pink polish on her nails, we talked.  “Ahh….this is why I’m here.”    (In fact, she was the only person who’s nails were painted by me.)

Inez shared her life story.  She shared of heartbreaks that had befallen her through a series of events in which most would feel crushed, depleted and alone.   She rested those same hands that enabled her to enjoy the local cuisine - in mine.  Inez, with her resilient, grateful servant’s heart and her willing servant hands shared an incredible testimony.  My greatest struggle was painting her nails through random tears, and not getting polish all over her pretty brown skin!  I have described this to friends as one of the most Holy experiences of my life.  It may sound corny to some, but it was truly a God moment. 

Saturday evening brought “formal night”, a message from the Word, a testimony and a talent show.   Sunday morning began with a devotional,  then another message, and a  team member’s testimony.  These sessions were followed by cardboard testimonies from many of our new friends, including Inez.  There my friend with cotton candy colored nails, held up her cardboard with the words “Accepted by Jesus and got the love of a Family that God Gave to me.  Never alone again.”   

Throughout those remaining sessions and events, whenever I saw Inez, I looked at her hands and asked how her polish was holding up.  She always held up her hands with a smile and would say something complimentary.  When I looked at her weathered hands and polished nails all I could do was smile – not because of a stellar manicure by any means, but because of what her hands would always signify in my heart and mind.   God used her in ways I cannot fully put to words.

On Monday night, the day after the conference concluded, our team was given the opportunity of sitting in at the Trinidad Bible Institute.  I opted to sit in a class led by Pastor Sam.  Of course, I had no clue that Inez would be sitting in that same classroom.  From across several rows of seats, with those hands of hers – she waved excitedly with a huge smile on her beautiful face.  If I didn’t stay any longer than that moment – the class would’ve been a blessing of God sized proportion.

In closing, before this experience, I wouldn’t have volunteered to paint another woman’s nails – EVER.  I now know that I’ll not pass up the opportunity.  Most of all, I hope that on a return visit to Caroni Village, my resilient, strong, and beautiful friend will let me hold her hands again, while I paint her nails and hear how God has continued to comfort, mold and use her. (Maybe I’ll even do her toes to allow for more of the story.) 

In closing, Inez gave me her mailing address since she’s not online.  In a few days, she’ll receive a printed copy of this post, along with several pictures.  I would be remiss not to tell her that she, along with her hands – were literal instruments in the Hands of God that weekend.  That failure to communicate and encourage my new friend -  along with forgetting the lessons learned and miracles witnessed would be the worst things this amateur manicurist could do.  It's amazing how  God can  quickly give you a love for another human being - but He does....and He did. 

"Sista T."