Worksite: Day 3 June 25, 2009

SO, since it’s been a loooong day, and I have tons of pictures to share (and can’t pick just a couple), here’s some highlights from our day today:

 Today’s color for our VBS was BLUE, for friendship! So of course I have to include our daily picture on the bus with our choir friends. We made friendship bracelets and talked about what it means to be a friend by sharing the story about Jesus and Zacchaeus. The children LOVED the bracelets (and tons of them ended up making at least 2-3). We also taught the kids a number of fun songs, which they LOVED!

 

 

 

 

After our morning VBS, we went back to the H.O. Nash Junior High and painted a second science lab. We got to meet a few more teachers and cleaned up a lot of graffiti as we painted. It was such an incredible blessing to be able to spend our time helping the teachers and administrators clean up those classrooms. One thing that has struck many of us has been the pride the all of the administrators take in the school. They have such pride in the programs, the building and the community that IS their school. When we were about to leave, the Principal, Assistant Principal, security guard and secretary all came out to get pictures with us. Before we left, they passed out small backpacks with the name of the school on the back and polo shirts for everyone in our group. It was such an incredible moment. 

 

 

Then, as we were sitting around singing some songs before the jitney came, the Principal ended up picking up the guitar and the whole group, including the security guard, joined in singing “Lean On Me”. It has been incredible how open the Bahamian people are about their faith with others. I can’t imagine that scenario going the same way if we were anywhere else. 

 

 

 

This evening we had the opportunity to join a Bahamian youth group during their summer Praiseweek - which I believe is a sort of summer camp/programming for the youth at their church. We went, thinking it was going to be a nice little devotional service together. Little did we know, our youth got tossed into a game with a very large ball that was being tossed around, somewhat violently. The good news is that our group had a great time and no one was seriously injured. Woohoo!

 

After the games, everyone went in for a message and a time of worship. It was a truly special experience being  welcomed into their community and worshipping together. We talked about the story of Joshua and what it can for our lives if we don’t let fear get in the way of our faith. What a great lesson for us ALL the meditate on. 

So, tomorrow is our last day with the children and I’ve heard from a number of youth that they hope they can hold the tears back. We’ve already made many lasting connections with the children at the Nazareth Center, but it’s amazing to hear the passion in the hearts of our youth as they describe their daily encounters with these children who want nothing more than to be loved. I know we’ll have a great time tomorrow, but as the thunder is rolling through for the third night in a row…. we  can only hope the weather holds out for our last event. 

 

Blessings!

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