Check out what the Des Moines Christian IMPACT team has been up to in Abaco! After a smooth travel day, they quickly settled into Camp Abaco, enjoying the ocean. The evening was filled with worship and sharing stories around the bonfire. Their first service day involved painting Tamera’s home, where she lives with her two children, followed by a driving tour to understand island life and its challenges. What a jam-packed first day!

Happy Tuesday! It has been a short couple of days with many things packed into them. We had a very exciting day traveling yesterday. A few of us even had the opportunity to meet a boy scouts’ group that was headed to Abaco to sail. We think that in retrospect that was a good reminder of the different perspectives people have of this beautiful country; while there is a lot of hurt here it is still an island in the Bahamas and there are people who come here to sail– there were even people back home who believed this to be a vacation. When we hear someone say Bahamas we seem to automatically think of rest and relaxation.

Regardless of this, we are beyond excited to be here primarily to serve and there is already so much joy and positivity radiating from our group. We know God has called us here for many different reasons, and one of those reasons is Tamera.

Today we served at a house in Murphy Town where a very kind woman named Tamera lived. We were talking to Mari about their conversation, and she was expressing how amazing it was that despite everything she’s endured her joy outweighs the hurt. Tamera told us she believes God didn’t send the storm, but he did allow it to happen because the island was turning away from Him.

As our trip continues, I hope that we find it in ourselves to turn towards God and focus on him in everything we do. Everyone on this island lost everything but they were and are still praising God through the storm. We pray we find that kind of faith and resolve.

– Cora, Maya, and Taylor