Read about the Haven Christian Reformed Church IMPACT Team’s final day in the Bahamas, and their reflections on a week packed with hard work, laughter, and moments of faith. They made substantial progress on Tracey’s home, blessed a community member, and celebrated the faithfulness of God together on their last day.
Wow, it’s Friday night, and tomorrow we’re headed home. It’s amazing the things we’ve seen here. These people really love God, but life has been so hard for them. This morning, we divided and conquered. We had so much to do with the rain yesterday, and we needed more time to get it done, but our God is good. He gave all of our people the ability to get many things done today.
A few of us started the day hoping to follow up and love on Carl. Carl is someone we met on Sunday through food distribution who is in need. He lives in a wood shack which he built himself while being handicapped and not much mobility in his arms. He is rejected by neighbors, and he feels that rejection. Sunday, at food distribution, Nancy felt God’s voice tell her to give Carl her shoes and socks because he didn’t have any and it was very cold.
Today, we wanted to gift him with a blanket, pillow, and some additional shoes from Many Hands. He unfortunately was not home, but we still left the goods at his home. Please continue to pray for Carl, that he can feel God’s love and feel valued, and that people will continue to come around him and help him.
We wrapped up the siding, insulation, plumbing, electrical, most painting, and hung some drywall at Tracey’s home. It felt chaotic with so many people on one job site, but it ended up working well because we got so much done. A small group of people worked on a gate for Pastor Knowles for an entrance to his sweet farm. God orchestrated the day, and it went so well. We are so thankful that God kept us safe today and throughout the week.
To end the day, we talked about all of our Impact stories and how this trip has impacted all of our lives for the future. We shared about how God’s story has impacted our story and how we will take that story home and live it out for Christ. Most of us were in some way impacted by Pastor Knowles’ story of survival from the hurricane and God’s faithfulness to him. The people who were impacted by him all took something different away from his story. People were also impacted by God’s faithfulness in the lives of Tamara, Hank, and Tracey. We are all so grateful for the work that God and Many Hands are doing for Abaco and in our own hearts.
This week has been a week of hard work, making memories, lots of fun and laughter, many prayers, and leaning into God’s promises and seeking His will in Abaco and each of our lives. To God be the Glory!!!
– Levi, Jack, Steve & Marian
