 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
This last week’s team was completely different from the previous. This team was a family/youth team with junior-highers, whereas last week was only adults. Its a good thing that God keeps things new and fresh on the mission field, and “unity within diversity” was the name of the game for this past week.
My home church, FBC Frisco, split their summer team into two different weeks, and half of them came down this past week, which was essentially the Yates, Lindigs, Bressons, and Jenny and Barbara. But they didn’t know that they’d be with a host of other families from a church in Jacksonville, FL.
At the end of the week, everyone on the Frisco team said that one of their favorite parts of serving this week was getting to experience Eleuthera with another team from another church. Sometimes it can be a delicate weave to unite two different teams, sometimes it can be a mess. This time it was a symphony.
The Frisco team brought the VBS crafts and supplies and the CFC team brought the manpower and energy to lead and contain the children at VBS, not to mention the discipleship training that was top notch and really hit a chord with many of the youth on the island.
Each year we try to focus one Vacation Bible School week to the southern most part of the island. Its over an hour drive but its worth it to see the children come out and have fun mixing with members of another culture and learning about the Lord. This year we broke all previous year’s records with over 100+ kids!!! Thank the Lord that He gave us such a dynamic and well prepared team in the CFC leaders and FBC Frisco volunteers.
It was a blessing to see the children bond with the team and how their affections were reaching out for love and attention, VBS was really a huge part of the week’s work. By the end of the week, the juniors could recite many of the stories and the seniors were going deep through the book of John, learning what it means to “feed my sheep.” I was so thankful for CFC’s leadership with VBS; they had such great training that many of their youth even led the lessons during VBS.
As successful as VBS was in terms of turn-out, instruction, and connection, the team accomplished a enormous amount of work here at the school too. We had all of our buildings painted and touched-up, and all the storm shutters given a fresh new coat of paint (I know it doesn’t sound like much until you see all the shutters lined up… it is a gigantic task).
The Lindig family and Bernie worked on the roof of the shed to lay down the felt and then shingle the entire roof! With none of them operating in their careers as roofers, the week’s work began a little challenging, but they all ended the week as “pros” and you should see their handiwork – I couldn’t be happier – they did an superb job.
What a diverse week we had! Two different church, with a combination of youth and adults, working in and outside our settlement. Although there were plans that fell through, there were moments of unexpected ministry and the greatest of which is I believe the unity surrounding the diversity of the whole week.
We had such a large team and by God’s grace for no injuries or bad weather, so very much was accomplished for the school and ultimately for God’s kingdom. Not least of which was the family devotional time where parents would read scripture with their children and serve together overseas. It was really a special week. I dropped them off at the airport this morning saying my goodbyes to many new friends and already planning for next year. A family missions trip has been a great way to spend a week!