This page describes the transportation ministry of WBC (Windward Bible Church).
Here we present an overview of the vehicles that we are using in the ministry.
Up until recently, no one who attends our services had a vehicle to use to drive
to services. Of the individuals and family that attend WBC, most live over one
mile away. Thus, we must transport them all ourselves, as is still the case most
of the time. During a typical service, we will have 25 people and more that
come. Sometimes we have as many as in the mid forties who come. In those cases
both buses are stuffed so tight that mosquitoes cannot even find room to get in!
Currently and over the years we
have people attending services from all of the following villages or communities on
Carriacou:
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Dover
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Limlair
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Belvedere
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Belair
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Bogles
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Experiment
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Hillsborough
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Beausejour
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Brunswick
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Six Roads
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Harvey Vale
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Mount Pleasant
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Many of the above areas are depicted on a map
posted on LCM in the section entitled "Carriacou Points of
Interest." The transportation for our congregation is a major need when one
considers the size (~3 X 7 miles) and topography (very hilly and mountainous) of
Carriacou. The need is even more intense when one considers that we have many
small children and some adults above 80 years of attending our services.
In the past we have hired drivers to run their 'transports' or 12 to 18 passenger 'buses'
(or minivans) to transport our people to and from services. But, we had many problems with promptness and
dependability. Moreover, the cost is prohibitive because of the
increase fuel costs (about $4.00 US$ per imperial gallon) that has to be passed on to those who pay
for the service. Some of the roads were so bad in places that some drivers would not even
consider running for us. And, the evening services require the drivers to run at night, to
which most are understandably reluctant to commit.
The good news is that many of the roads on Carriacou are currently in much
better shape! There are several sections that need replacing or repair. Thus,
our vehicle are easier and less expensive to maintain. Using each bus enable us
to pick up and return our folks back home in 40 to 50 minutes each way. Using
one vehicle increases the pickup time to one to about one and half hours. The
driving alone often leaves us weary after each service.
There are also times that we use the vehicles to transport people to and from the
doctor, clinics, and hospital. Sometimes we also use them for real emergencies. For
example, several years back a friend was visiting us from the US and we were out in the
Vista one evening returning from a store. We were flagged down to pick up a woman who was
on her way to the hospital, to have a baby. After I picked her up I soon discovered that
her birth pangs were only one minute apart! Needless to say, I popped the Vista into 4
wheel drive and shoved the accelerator down to get her to the hospital before we had to
deliver her baby!
The vehicles we currently have in use are described in the following links:
Click on the thumbnails of each
images to enlarge them.
1999 Toyota
HiAce 'Bus'
(Japanese right hand drive vehicle)
It is powered by a 2000 cc engine that has about 170,000 mile on it, which
is not bad for this model. It gets 15 to 17 mpg, which is also not bad when
you consider the loads we carry.
Thanks again for those that helped us get it. We praise and thanks the Lord
for it!
It has been a marvelous tool for ministry since we received it in June of
2005
It is designed to carry 18 passengers plus the driver comfortably. The
chassis is heavily constructed and does not sage under the heavy loads. We hope to get many years of
good service from this vehicle.
1991 Toyota
HiAce 18 Passenger 'Bus'
(Japanese right hand drive vehicle)
 Toyota HiAce |
 Front seat and
right-hand drive steering |
 Main passenger compartment |
This photos shows the damage to the right front
corner sustained during an accident in November. |
(340,000+ mile on chassis)
2 Liter engine replaced with newer type in 1999 (mileage unknown)
This vehicle was acquired the early part of October 2000. It is designed
to carry 18 passengers plus the driver comfortably. The chassis is heavily constructed and
does not sage under the heavy loads. We are thankful that it became available when it did
because the Vista had developed serious suspension and drive train problems that would
take some time to repair. Getting the Toyota when we did enables me to take my time on the
Vista, even though it is still needed at times.
The chassis seems to be still strong, but the suspension needs some
work. Recently, in March of 2006, a front brake line burst while we were using
it. I have replaced both lines on the front and we are using it once more. (On
the same side as the accident damage.) I do have a few electrical problems to repair, and I need to have axle bearings
and seals replaced.
The engine was replaced with a newer type in 1999 by a man who runs a pretty
good vehicle repair shop here on Carriacou. I consider this man my personal friend and we
sometimes consult with and help each other if we encounter a troublesome vehicle problem.
(He helps me with the Japanese vehicles typically imported into the Caribbean, while I
sometimes help him if he encounters electronic problems with vehicles that have been
imported from the US.) The engine does not smoke, use oil, or leak oil, and it seems to
easily pull the heaviest of loads on the steepest of hills when necessary.
The interior is now very rough. It has been a good and dependable
vehicle for six years, but it now needs much work or replacement.
1987
Dodge Colt Vista
four-wheel drive station wagon
(Approx. 140,000+ miles and all original)
2 Liter multi-port fuel injected Mitsubishi imported by Chrysler
Since WBC began in 1992 we have been using our seven passenger, four-wheel drive,
1987 Dodge Colt Vista station wagon to transport some of our people for services. It has
often had many more than its stated capacity crammed into it. Sometimes we have had up to
14 adults and children stuffed into it. We have logged some 50,000 on it since bringing it
to Carriacou in 1991. The heavy loads and the rough roads have taken a toll on it.
Over the last couple of years I have replaced valve seals, brake master cylinder
and wheel cylinder seals and cups, front McPherson Strut assemblies, rear shocks, both
front half shaft assemblies, inner and outer tie rod ends, ball joints, strut rods and
bushings, the battery, and two motor mounts. We had the seats recovered in 2000
and in 2003, I replaced the generator and the rack and pinion power steering
steering gearbox. In 2005 I removed the drive train to replace engine and
transmissions seals, the timing belt, clutch, pressure place, and throughout
bearing.
1979 Honda
CX-500 Custom Motorcycle
1979 Honda CX-500 Motorcycle |
(27,000 miles and still original equipment)
Water cooled 500cc twin cylinders with dual carburetors and closed drive-shaft
Riding a motorcycle on Carriacou is indeed enjoyable at times, but it
is more of an economical necessity. When you consider the rough roads that assault vehicle
suspensions, the high fuel costs, cost of insurance and maintenance, riding a motorcycle
makes good sense.
Many trips require only me or only me and one other person. The
motorcycle works fine in such cases. I can also make much better time on the bike due to
its increased suspension range and low mass making it much more agile on the rough roads.
The engine of this bike is still original. I currently
need to rebuild the front forks and the carburetors (I have parts on hand
already). A couple of years back when I ran it last, it did smoke, burn oil, and ran like a rocket is
exploding
behind it when pushed (which is not very often)! It also uses a closed drive shaft as
opposed to a chain to deliver drive to the rear wheel. It is basically maintenance free
and requires that I merely get on, hit the starter, and take off. Yet, a couple of seals
(clutch control shaft, etc.) have slow leaks that I also plan to replace with
the parts I have on hand..
The salty sea blast here has tarnished the chrome parts and paint
terribly. It would be nice to have chrome parts re-chromed while in the US on
furlough in 2006.
I also plan to have the chassis repainted. I already have the necessary parts and I plan
to dismantle the bike down to the frame as soon as I get some more work done on our rented
meeting place at our new location in Windward.
I estimate the cost for restoration of the bike at around $2,000.00.
To bring another bike like this to Carriacou in good condition (some six years old for
example) could cost as much as $5,000.00 to $7,000.00 (US$). One man here has a 1984
Harley for which he is asking nearly $7,000.00! The
Honda has a real wide seat that makes it comfortable to ride.
This bike is not only fun to drive, but also a real asset and money
saver to us here on Carriacou. It is fairly heavy (450-500 pounds) and rides pretty good,
especially when the front forks are working properly.
Right now I am thinking of selling it as is with all parts I
have on hand. I really need it to save on trips to town to the post office and
other little errands. This is especially important since gas is now a little
over $4.00 US an imperial gallon! If I sell it before going on furlough, I will
look to the Lord to supply another when we return in 2007, Lord willing.
Summation
Vehicles are a necessary and integral part of life here on Carriacou.
But doing small repairs only when needed to keep them going not only cost money, it also
consumes precious time that is needed for ministering to more spiritual needs. Thus, I
believe it is prudent to invest funds to properly improve the dependability, performance,
and visual appeal of the these vehicle so that we may focus more on the spiritual needs
and ministry of WBC.
Walter Robinson II
March 2006
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Revised: May 02, 2006.
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