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This was Brookwood’s first trip to Eleuthera, although it was led by some veterans (who did a fantastic job). We have been so blessed by our wonderful new friends. Not only did they leave an indelible impression on the island, but they’ve left an imprint in our lives that causes us to long to see them return, and next year seems too far away.
Their mission this past week was an energetic and fun filled VBS in our settlement and another sports-camp-type-outreach in Rock Sound, and construction on our summer shed project.
The shed couldn’t have gone better. Last weekend I had to make the decision if we were going to go with mixing the cement by hand or calling in the truck. After factoring that our most valuable resource was the many-hands we had to work, we spent the extra $300 and ordered the truck – and I was thrilled with that decision.
Pouring the belt could take up to 4 days when your mixing by hand. I’ve seen teams barely finish a 20×30 belt in 1 week. However, since we called in the truck we had the entire thing finished in under 4 hours. Everyone worked hard and I developed a good routine with a few of the guys as they were handing me buckets. Everyone had minor cuts and scrapes after working with all that cement, but the job was finished.
Then because we called in the truck, the guys spent the rest of the week fixing up the school and working on all kinds of odds and ends, from painting rooftops to framing up doors – it was an immensely productive week.
But VBS was really a huge highlight. The team just fell in love with the children. Emily had Micah going to “BBS” (as he calls it), and there was one moment when he was singing and dancing with all the other kids, following the motions to the song, and Emily just lost it. Micah was singing about Jesus’ resurrection and looking so grown up with all the other kids, she had to go outside because she was sobbing so much. That’s a loving mother for you.
Other team members spoke on how much they were affected by seeing the love in the eyes of these children. There is truly something about seeing the love of Christ in the eyes of a child that stays with you. Even as I write this Emily and Micah are in the living room singing and dancing to the VBS songs.
Micah was just spoiled this week – the team was so kind to him and he LOVED THEM. They gave him his new favorite shirts and he keeps talking about how he loved playing in his sandbox with them. He made me promise that we would build Ms. Laura a sandbox for herself when she comes back! He just really loved them all. He even got to make his first hand-print in the new poured cement (thank you Mr. Mark).
Having just dropped the team off to the airport this morning their absence is uniquely felt. As each one was stepping off the bus, they each gave hugs and spoke on how appreciative they were. It caused me to think on how the church flourishes when she lives missionally. When each one serves one another, everyone wins. When everyone gives, everyone receives. It was just a very special week with the folks from Brookwood and we look with anticipation for their frequent return to the island and our ministry and the mutual blessing they will be to Windermere.
My special thanks to Tim and Sarah for staying the extra week and carrying the load of leadership – you guys are awesome; and to Drake and Ashley, thank you for setting the example and leading by serving.