The St. Mary’s Church IMPACT team enjoyed their Cultural Experience day. Beyond the beauty, they found vulnerability and connection in shared stories and experiences. They did more than see the sights—they built bridges. Learn more from Liz and Kate’s perspectives!
Today was our “culture day,” a welcome pause in our week filled with work projects, school visits, and food distributions. We spent most of our day on the part of the island that wasn’t affected by Hurricane Dorian. If you were unaware of the tragedy that struck a few miles north in 2019, you might not fully grasp the strength and courage of the people who endured so much. The beauty that surrounded us today masked a deeper story. As we reflect on our day, we are grateful for the opportunity to appreciate the island’s beauty and the relationships we’re building, which go far beyond what meets the eye.
Our day began at a farmers market, where local vendors shared their talents and goods. While the foods offered unique flavors, we found familiar treats like lattes, donuts, and jellies—similar to what we might find back home. Engaging in conversation with the woman next to us in line allowed us to hear her story, one she openly shared. It was in this environment of natural, vulnerable conversations that one of our team members discovered a shared family health condition with a food vendor, fostering immediate empathy. Throughout the week, we’ve had numerous experiences where Americans and Bahamians alike have discovered shared life experiences, creating connections between cultures, one conversation at a time.
We then visited the Blue Hole, where the Haven Team and St. Mary’s Team cheered each other on as people of all ages dove and cannonballed into the 400-foot freshwater hole. The laughter and stories shared highlighted the relationships we’ve built over the past five days and celebrated the strength of God’s children supporting and encouraging each other in our shared work and individual pursuits.
We went to a sand-in-your-toes beach restaurant that afforded us time for meaningful conversation while we patiently waited for the fresh catch of the day (and some burgers for those Iowa kids)! We reflected on the relationships formed throughout the week and brainstormed future Impact Trips with St. Mary’s. We openly discussed our families’ unique faith journeys and our appreciation for our home church. Each morning, our team’s spiritual leader, Janet, led us in reflections on scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit. These moments, along with our shared experiences, allowed us to see and know each other in ways that hadn’t been revealed in our usual church environment.
We returned to Driftwood, perhaps a bit surprised by Glenn and Tracy’s generous hospitality for the second day in a row. They opened their home to 30+ people they didn’t know, and we enjoyed a time of food and fun on the sand volleyball court. Shoes left on the deck, food on the counter, and the sound of the screen door slamming reminded us of what Jesus meant by loving God and loving others.
This week, we’ve discussed with our Impact leader, Quinn, how some Bahamians are “bandaging” their hurts, trauma, and needs. In this culture, outward appearances—someone’s attire or the appearance of a home—don’t always reveal the full picture, the true needs and vulnerabilities that are waiting to be shared with a compassionate listener. The people of Abaco have willingly shared their stories and vulnerabilities with us this week, reminding us to embrace that same vulnerable spirit with each other and to return home with hearts and minds ready to be curious, not judgmental.
— Liz Vermeer and Kate Guess
