Catch up with the Third Church IMPACT team as they PRACTICE and PARTICIPATE in Abaco. Darin and Michelle share reflections on living out values, experiencing gratitude, and connecting with the community after Hurricane Dorian.
Our Third Church theme for the year is PRACTICE… Well, how many of you have gone to football two-a-day practices, volleyball camp, or marching band practice on those hot days in August to immerse yourself in those activities to be ready for the season? Well that is what this trip to Abaco has been so far. We have had intentional time to be in solitude with God, to reflect on God’s creation, to serve others, to pray with others, to share life, to be playful, and of course, some off-roading in a 15 passenger van… some intense PRACTICE.
Today we had the opportunity to be EVERY DAY people living out our VALUES:
MANY OVER ME: We started the day back on some projects at Tammara’s and Antonae’s homes painting together, not for ourselves, not for anyone we know, but for others! The day also included getting the chance to see some of the team jump into action and pull a little car out of the sand that two college-aged kids had driven out on the beach, too close to the water.
REFUGE OVER REJECTION: God allowed us to participate in being a refuge as the team met many Haitian and Bahamian families who needed a hand up with some food, but more importantly, spent time with them to hear their STORIES, share some of our own, laugh together, and pray for them.
PROGRESS OVER PERFECTION: We are seeing this lived out every day of our journey here in Abaco not only in the work God has us doing, but even more so in the stories we have heard… like the ones today. It has been over 5 years since Hurricane Dorian hit Abaco, and right behind it, COVID… from our US perspective, they were forgotten, how could they not have homes rebuilt?… BUT they are thankful for the progress. Drywall is now getting finished, walls are being painted, siding is being put on homes, and finally having electricity after 5 years… all with a thankful heart of GRATITUDE. Wow… do we have that kind of gratitude as we think back to last fall and our journey at Thanksgiving? For me (Darin), I have to honestly answer, “No” I’m afraid.
In Lent we are also PARTICIPATING with God through fasting and almsgiving… Well, we have had delayed meals, missed meals, and were able to distribute food today to families in so much need. One family we visited, Vernie (84) had three generations living in the same house. Not all of them, as she has 18 grandkids and 7 great-grandkids as her daughter Jennifer shared with us. As we prayed, there were many “Amens” from her bed as she laid there with a blood clot in her leg and a broken hip with a “Joy that surpasses all understanding” and a family that has Hope, that we, as Americans, I’m afraid to say, miss.
So, through our time today and this week, we are seeing the Impact Journey God wants us to be on, EVERY ONE, EVERY DAY to PRACTICE and PARTICIPATE in community with others. We can’t wait to see what else He has planned for us the rest of the week.
– Darin and Michelle Wogen
