Harvesting produce, building community, and confronting the realities of life in Abaco: Join the Skutt (Omaha, NE) IMPACT team as they share a day of joy, reflection, and impactful encounters.
Today was a day that filled our hearts and hands. We started at Driftwood Farms, where Tracy Kelly welcomed us with open arms. We joined her in harvesting fresh produce – vibrant green beans, crisp lettuce, juicy cucumbers, colorful peppers, and sun-ripened tomatoes.
It was a true farm-to-table experience, capped off with the simple joy of collecting eggs from the chickens and tasting guava and starfruit straight from the trees.
Tracy even opened her home for a delicious lunch and let us play on her sand volleyball court!
Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any better, Laura and Quinn surprised us with ice cream – the perfect treat before we headed back to camp for a refreshing swim and some sun. A few of us even ventured out to a nearby island, spotting countless starfish along the way.
As the sun began to set, we joined the local youth group, G2 (Growth Group), at Kirk of the Pines, which meets every Wednesday night. It was amazing to reconnect with friends from volleyball camp and meet even more kids of the Abaco community. We started with a lively volleyball game before diving into a thought-provoking scripture lesson on Genesis.
Carrie Hendricks kicked things off with a hilarious Dr. Seuss rap competition, which even the pastor joined in on! It was a fun way to introduce the concept of God’s rhythm and how sin disrupts it. We explored the creation story and the impact of Adam and Eve’s choices, then broke into small groups for deeper discussion. It was truly moving to see the girls and boys open up and connect the lesson to their own lives.
After prayers and cleanup, we had a powerful conversation with Carrie, the pastor’s wife, about the realities of life in Abaco. We learned about the challenges faced by young people here, and it was eye-opening and heart-wrenching to hear about the struggles many of our new friends face. It gave us a deeper understanding of the community and a real sense of purpose.
The ride home was filled with laughter and camaraderie. We had a blast playing “guess the song,” with Samantha’s hilarious “laugh-song” interpretations providing endless entertainment. It was a day packed with meaningful experiences, and we’re already excited for what tomorrow holds.
— Anya and Norah
