Impact Team: Abaco

A Day of Bahamian Culture

By January 10, 2025August 4th, 2026No Comments

The Pella Christian IMPACT team wrapped up their Abaco trip with a culture day and time to share their individual IMPACT stories. Read all about the famous Blue Hole, Pete’s Restaurant, and more in today’s blog written by John and Scott. 

While many service trips are focused on how we can be God’s servants in different parts of His creation, today we were given the opportunity to simply observe His creation on the island of Abaco.  It started with a trip to the Marsh Harbor farmers market held in the community center.  We were able to purchase local items such as pastries and  jams, as well as fresh produce from Driftwood Farms where we served the day before. The hit for most of our team was the lady brewing coffee. It was rewarding to see how previous Many Hands’ IMPACT student groups had worked on the community center, providing a location to now benefit many local businesses.  

 

From Marsh Harbor we went south to spend time at a Blue Hole. A Blue Hole is a wonder of God’s creation that takes fresh water found in the middle of the ocean, through caves and caverns, onto a place on land. Known locally as Sawmill Sink, this fresh water hole is several hundred feet deep, and has been featured in National Geographic. The students enjoyed time jumping in,swimming, and playing in the crystal clear water.  

Pictured Above: The Pella Christian IMPACT team in front of the Blue Hole

After spending time in the water it was time to enjoy lunch as a unique spot located between the ocean and Little Harbor Bay. Pete’s Restaurant provided the students to sample local cuisine as well as an old fashioned hamburger. After eating, the students witnessed the raw power of the sea on one side of the peninsula, and the calm waters of the protected bay.  

Pictured Above: The Pella Christian IMPACT team at Pete’s Resturant

Just before dinner, every participant shared their Impact story. We shared our reasons for coming on this trip, the theme we each chose for our time, how we were transformed, as well as a commitment for who we will be post-Abaco. God’s power and plan for each member was shown as we recapped our Abaco experience.  

–John De Berg and Scott Roose

This profile represents the collective voice of our Many Hands Impact teams. The reflections shared here are written by everyday individuals, from students and parents to local community members, who have traveled to Haiti and Abaco to experience the mission firsthand. They are not full-time staff. They are volunteers stepping out in faith to be love in action. In these posts, you will read raw, unpolished stories of personal transformation. Our guest writers document the shared humanity discovered while working alongside local leaders on safe structures, education initiatives, and community development. Impact trips are designed to change the participant as much as the community they serve. Through their words, you get a front row seat to the exact moments people discover their purpose and learn to live with intention.

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