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It seems that with each trip our hearts grow more and more impassioned for the ministry at EBTC and our friends in Eleuthera. But this trip in particular left us feeling more at home on the island, and our friends became more like family.
I find it hard to even begin describing all the experiences that we had during our 4 day visit. But before I get into all the relationships we renewed let me tell you about the main reason why we made the trip.
If you’re going to pick a weekend to visit the Training Center in the midst of work and school, you had better make it a big event. And, nothing could have been bigger than the second graduating class from EBTC. After students spent 2 years giving their time, attention, devotion, and sacrifice to intentionally deepen and strengthen their training in Christian faith and practice, they finally received certification and recognition. The ceremony was wonderful, and Emily and I slipped right back into serving like we did when we were interns.
I doubt there is much else as fulfilling as serving those students and watching the fruition of months of hard work and prayer, and knowing that we got to be a part of their journey and lives. This trip was truly a milestone for us, not simply because of the timing and our acceptance as missionaries, but also because we got to see first hand the result of consistent relationships and how God can knit people together even when they live so far away.
Now, graduation was the reason for returning to the center, but the best joy was seeing so many faces and friends that we hadn’t seen in over a year. We got to stay the first two nights with Eddie and Michelle Rasnake and had some great conversations about ministry. We were so excited so see Paul Voss again, although we wished we could have seen the whole Voss family. Paul has had such an impact in my life, and spending time with him is like being in the company of an old friend: someone you respect and know, and can just sit and talk with. We also got to see Julie Landau again. She has blossomed in the ministry of reaching out to the girls in the community, and they all love and respect her. We got to see the Childers family and of course Ron Stokes, who never misses a step and can still somehow convince you of anything. But some of my favorite times were getting to know missionaries Brad and Alicia Fox better. We had many late night conversations, and our testimonies have so much in common. We just found it so easy to connect and relate with them, much in the same way we fell in love with the Voss family when we first came to Eleuthera.
Though there were many missionaries we got to spend time with, we also got to love, and hug, and eat, and share, and work and play with many of our Bahamian friends. It all started with we got off the plane to be greeted by Julie and Tammy with her new little baby Wayne, and always cute as a button Wadaina. We saw Harry, Horatio, Leah, Rebecca, Billy, Leige, Welle, and to many more to mention. I even got to spend some time catching up and talking with Mono: one of the guys from my old Bible study (please pray for him, he is having a difficult time growing up and understanding the mystery of who God is – life is so fragile and the world is all too eager to hand out deadly painkillers to dull the hurt, when the patience of healing is what people really need).
I think if you asked us we could talk for hours about our visit to our future home. We are so excited to think through the vision and goals which EBTC stands for, and how God is using us to play a part. We left the island feeling closer than ever to our Bahamian friends, and strengthened in our relationship with the Foxes, excited about coming on board and serving as teammates.
Our time in Eleuthera was all too quickly over, but we left with such an encouragement and hope for the future that we know going home leaves a hole that we will, Lord willing, one day be able to fill again.