this is Sandy good –  I have been blessed to get to know your students on this trip – Diane and I are enjoying the interaction –     today ( monday )  was a nice HOT day – plenty of sunshine for keep us HOT and sweating all day –   we helped move LOTS of stuff from a large building that is underconstruction -loading stuff onto two trucks and then riding on the trucks to another part of the camp where they were unloading into big storage containers.   They need to get all the stuff out of the gym because they have ordered a floor which is arriving in a couple weeks and the floor needs to be ready for that to be installed.

Some of us men, got to haul a few truck loads of stuff to the local dump, which was quite the cultural experience.  we even got to go to a number of little gas stations looking for diesel fuel for the truck before we found one that had fuel available .    we dont usually experience that in USA.

after lunch, it was more hauling and storing – some of the girls painted the platform at the Zip Lline and it does look alot better with the bright colors.  It seems that they also painted themselves – but – what do I know?

we then all went into town in the bus and played basketball, soccer, volleyball and other games with Bahamian children that were gathered and came once they saw people playing games –  again – it was a HOT time.

I must tell you –  the students are doing great –    on our flights down here, we had a very LONG day –  and, once we got to Nassau, we had many delays until we got on our flight to our camp Island –   I did not hear one complaint ( you need to know that is rare – after 62 trips , I have had very very few trips without complaints about a day like that ) God has been very gracious in protecting us and getting us on every flght and all our bags arrived.  

Thank you for “taking a risk” and providing an experience like this for your seniors –    lives are being changed.  We have all experienced much.     Please keep praying for strength and energy.  The sun and heat has a way of draining.  we are all drinking lots of water, and getting good rest each night and plenty of good food – God is taking such good care of us.   Thank You.  

Sandy Good

Today we jumped into the work at the camp. We set out to clean a gym they are preparing, and organize the stuff down at their storage units. There was also some trash which required trips to the dump, and that was an experience. Nothing is cooler than blazing down roads on the back of a truck full of glass panes to be destroyed. The dump didn’t really smell that much different than Ephrata. – Jordan Strepko

Editor’s Note:  I disagree with his assessment of what Ephrata smells like!  – E.L.   =)

Good morning! They just put wireless internet on the grounds, but it wasn’t working last night.  Jen will make another attempt to update some of the blog posts with photos today.  Yesterday was a wonderful first full day.  We woke up to cloudy weather, but that didn’t deter some of the team from playing in the water before breakfast.  The water is so warm here that you can swim any time of day, although Richard scared some of them by saying some man-eating sharks and a vicious stingray prowl around the waters at night, so night-swimming isn’t a good idea… well played, Mr. Albury!  =)

We had the wonderful privilege of fellowshipping with some brothers and sisters at a local Haitian church.  A few of them spoke English, but for the most part, we were the only white, English-speaking people in the church of about 80 or so.  Sandy asked them to observe the differences in worship – not to make assessments of whether they were good or bad differences, but just different.  We tend to think that God speaks English and that our worship in heaven will look just like ours in America.  The first part of the service was in Creole with no translation, but you could not help but see and hear the passion in their prayers and singing and the genuine smiles of joy.  We did recognize some of the worship songs, but with a jazzy/Caribbean style – it was pretty sweet.  Alex said that their drummer was “boss”, which we had to translate to Sandy that was a very good thing.  I will admit that it was a stretching experience for me, because I had the privilege of preaching the main message and had to sit up on stage for the entire service.  So, when the worshp team was swaying and clapping and doing the “higher higher” song, I swayed and clapped with them.  I made eye-contact with Madelyn at one point during the worship time and she had a “I’m SO GLAD it’s you and not me up on stage” look on her face.  Drew shared a testimony about what God taught him through Betsy’s sickness four years ago and how God has strengthened him.  He did well using Pastor Luther as his translator.  His story resonated with the Haitians as there were numerous “Amens” as Drew spoke of working through anger and disillusionment in the midst of trial.  There was a resounding “Amen” when they heard of Betsy’s healing.  (So, Betsy, little did you know that your story would touch people around the world)

The senior choir members sang two songs and did well with the a capella arrangement.  It was fun to see the Haitians taking pictures with their cell phones while we sang!  Then, I was able to teach the lesson about a vineyard from John 15 with Pastor Luther translating.  It was a challenge at first to speak in short sentences and then wait, but it did allow you to collect your thoughts. 

After church, we stopped by a local gas station (their version of Sheetz) and we raided their snacks and drinks.  Richard may or may not have taken off part of their roof with the bus.  The differences between America and the Bahamas is that no police were called, no insurance cards were exchanged and after $50 (from Richard) and a hand-shake, we were on our way and the gas station owner was happy.  I love this place!  A number of students tried local drinks – one of which was Ting.  Ting is actually grapefruit soda made in Jamaica… very good!  Goombay Punch is my favorite soda (they have pineapple soda and tropical fruit).

Upon returning to Camp, we ate lunch and went to play in the ocean.  Zach and RJ saw two baby sharks and two small stingrays while kayaking and snorkelling.  Our beach is actually a protected bay (Windmere Island is east of us.  Supposedly the private island that Mariah Carey was married and some important Britiish prince came… blah blah blah).  So, we had some basic snorkeling and kayaking instruction and off we went.  Everyone had a blast.  We didn’t see many fish, but it was fun nonetheless.  The bay doesn’t get any deeper than five foot deep most of the way out, which is nice.  Yes, Brandon and I rolled our kayak about 10 times only to realize that the plug was missing and we were taking on water.  We were, essentially, a rolling log.  We swam our way back to shore about 20 minutes behind everyone else.  Good workout and we both kept our cool.  I was proud of Brandon for his problem-solving composure in this one. 

Today, we work on the Camp.  I’ll detail our duties tonight.  We are also spending time in the town of Palmetto Point (same town as the Haitian church) to hang out with the local children and play some sports.  Pray that we connect with many and have an opportunity to share Christ’s love and hope.

Thanks for your prayers!  They are definitely evident!

Today

Eric called to let us know they have safely arrived at  Camp Bahamas.  Once he Has the students settled and is able to get internet access, he will personally update the blog.

-Betsy Echternach

Nassau has given us a new appreciation for our airport. Our boredom left us to do things we haven’t done in a long time such as:

paint the fingernails of male team mates

finding matt’s most flattering eye shadow color

sleeping in positions we never thought were possible

playing every card game imaginable, signing Mr. Lewis’ yearbook

taking random pictures of even more random people and things

eating “patties” (strange, spicy meat wrapped in a pastry crust-we think this may start the diarrhea epidemic), and writing strange posts that no one probably cares about.

 Don’t worry, we are safe. Not sane, but safe. Love you and appreciate your prayers 🙂

-Elyse and Rachel P.

Boarding time 6:15 p.m.

Found a hotspot in Nassau International Airport.  Landed safely around noon and worked out way through customs and check in at the Bahamas Air gate with relative ease.  Unfortunately, it is in the Bahamas Air terminal that we still sit five hours later.  Mechanical delays and rainy conditions have pushed back a number of flights, so the “dominoe” effect has finally reached us.  As of right now, we are scheduled to fly out of Nassau at 5:30 and arrive in Eleuthera around 6:00 p.m. 

Also, our cell phones have not been able to make the international calls or texts that we were assured we could make while here.  (Evidently, another couple overhead my story and said they used the same company and couldn’t call either).  We used a local pay phone to connect with Richard Albury to inform him of our delays.  So, until our cell phone issues are cleared up, parents (with an emergency) may call him at (242) 557-7574.  This is his cell number.  We’ll let you know when we get in touch with our cell phone company to clear this up.

The seniors are entertaining themselves, which proves that it CAN be done without technology!  We are definitely tired, but attitudes have been excellent thus far.  I shouldn’t have to coax too much to get everyone in bed at a decent hour tonight.  =)

Thanks for your prayers and I hope to update again tonight when we are settled in at the Camp.

Eric texted the following at 6:43am:

“Landed safely in Charlotte!  Nate and Casey’s first flight a success!  I need COFFEE!”

– Betsy Echternach

Sandy Good went through our flight itinerary and gave out some responsibilities for the students for our trip – the “do’s and don’ts of international travel and some specific details for us to remember.  We worked through some plans for Sunday morning.  So, we are ready with three songs (one of which is Amazing Grace and the entire class is ready!).  Alex, Beth and Drew are prepared to share a testimony of something that God is teaching them and Sandy and I are prepared with mini-sermons, just in case.  The ministry team and choir members went to the Music Room to practice Hallelujah, What a Savior and How Can I Keep from Singing. 

The seniors then got to work on three sessions each for the soccer and volleyball clinics.  Ross will be proud to know that a couple of the guys who played for The Originals were involved in the planning!  It’s been a fun night so far.  We have a few more details to prepare for and then we should be off!  

Sleep well, because we will not.  =)