St. Croix - Missionary Field

St. Croix is a territory of the United States, in the U.S. Virgin Islands.The population is predominately black, and English is the main language. St. Croix has a population of over 50,000, while the U.S. Virgin Islands has over 100,00 people. All of these are within reach of WIVH. The island is 21 miles long and 7 miles wide. The climate is warm to hot with low humidity. The lowest recorded temperature is 64 degrees. St. Croix is known as the quiet virgin and was once an agricultural haven with sugar cane the main crop. When Columbus discovered the Virgin Islands on his second voyage to the new World in 1493, it was on St. Croix he landed, calling it "Santa Cruz". The island remained almost forgotten to the outside world for almost a century. After a series of different owners, Denmark bought the island from the French in 1733, and held it until 1917, at which time it was sold to the United States. There are two distinct towns, Christiansted and Frederiksted. Automobile driving is on the left side of the road as in Great Britain. Streets and highways are generally good, and the island is served with a jet airport facility. Modern stores have found their way to St. Croix as well as the fast food chains. There is a hospital, and a number of doctors. St. Croix in many ways is a little world unto itself. Through WIVH, God has provided a wonderful tool to proclaim the gospel to the people in the West Indies.