Goin' Home

It has been a week to remember. It is impossible to put all that God has done in and through our students into words. The best way for one to hear and understand all that God has done would be to hear it from those that experienced it first hand. So be prepared for some long conversations, much laughter and some tears of joy.

On behalf of the entire leadership team, I would like to thank all of the parents, family members, and friends that have supported this mission experience in prayer, as well as financially. Our missionary journey is now complete, but our discipleship journey has just begun.

Smooth Transitions

Both teams experienced smooth and safe travel today. Mr. Fanning's travel team arrived in Eleuthera on time and actually was able to exchange hugs and words of encouragement to their classmates as they disembarked the Fast Ferry. Mr. Fagin's travel team arrived back in Nassau and enjoyed a great pizza feast when they arrived at the ALC. Our night concluded with Bible study around the camp fire. I was blessed to hear what the Lord had taught these student missionaries while they served in Eleuthera. School outreach, beach evangelism, All Saints camp and work projects are on our agenda for Friday. Looking forward to seeing what the Lord will do as we strive to Know Him and Make Him Known.

Amazing Day

The 8th grade student missionaries went to Adelaide Primary school today. This school is located in one of the poorest villages on the island, but has some of the dearest children in the world. Our students led an assembly that included worship, dance and a students testimony. After the assembly, our students had the opportunity to face paint and do balloon animals while they shared the Gospel. We spent a few hours there, but it only seemed like a few minutes. Our students were reluctant to leave because they wanted to continue to love on these young children that needed so much attention.

I received word from the Eleuthera camp today. Unfortunately, their Internet connection is not reliable. As a result, they have not been able to make any blog postings. They will be arriving back in Nassau tomorrow night, so I will get you caught up on them at that time.

The evening came to a close in Nassau once again around the camp fire. During the worship time, the students began to answer the challenge that was given to them on Monday evening. The challenge w to throw off the sin that so easily entangled them. They would do this by confessing that sin to the Lord and then placing it in the fire. The object that represented that sin was a simple pine cone. One by one, students tossed their sin into the fire, never to be picked up again.

Our time concluded after a great Bible study. Josiah Graves shared on God's grace and taught on the two prodigal sons in Luke 15. It was powerful and had a profound effect on all of us.

As I write the happenings of this week, I am filled with encouragement in my heart. I know that many of our student missionaries have been forever changed. As always, I am blessed to witness the transformation of these students, as they begin to practice the faith that they have been taught most of their lives.

Winds of Change

The sea breeze has picked up considerably here in the Bahamas. As the wind blew east ward, it took half our team to the island of Eleuthera. They arrived there safely and had a full afternoon of ministry opportunities.

Ministry continued at the ALC and All Saints this morning, however, a new ministry connection was presented to the student missionaries in the afternoon. The ministry teams were separated by gender and taken to centers for boys and girls. The residents of theses centers are here due to some poor choices on their parts. While at these centers, the student missionaries shared their faith through personal testimonies and activities. (the girls shared a dance at the girls center and made salvation bracelets with them) Our adult leaders were blessed to see the students take the lead in in praying with the residents.

In the evening, the students shared in an illustration that helped them have a greater understanding of the blessings that each of them share: their faith, families, and homes. Mr. Fanning led a great study of God's word around the fire.

Tomorrow looks to be a promising day of ministry and growth for our student missionaries. Please continue to pray that the Lord will continue to prepare the hearts of those we will share the Gospel with this week.

We are on our way!

Our team arrived in Nassau safe and sound. The first group to arrive hit the ground running. A ministry team of about 23 prepared lunch for the residence of All Saints Camp. As they fed the residence, the students took the oppotunity to share the love of Christ with a smile and attentive ear.

The travel teams were reunited for dinner. The students and leaders had a wonderful time of

fellowship as they shared a Bahamian feast for dinner. After dinner, the teams enjoyed a time of worship, followed by a charge and challenge for the week.

We are excited to see what God has in store for us each day, as we seek to Know Him and Make Him Known during our time of ministry in the Bahamas.

An Early Start For Next Year

Fund raising has begun! Even though the Bahamas Mission trip is 8 months away, our student missionaries partnered with the student missionaries of the high school and the Daily Grill to provide coffee, water, and breakfast pastries to those that attended the Easter services held at Lockhart Stadium. All proceeds will go to the students that served at the sun rise service and the 9:30 AM service. Each student served with a smile on their face as early risers worship the Lord together while the sun broke the eastern sky. Thanks to all of the students and parents that served this day.

Our students have also hosted a car wash in recent weeks at the Chick-fil-a in Coral Springs. If your student has not had the opportunity to serve (and raise funds), do not lose heart. Fund raisers for the coming school year are being prepared and our student missionaries will have multiple opportunities to serve together and raise funds for their missions experience. Students will also be provided a list of ideas they can do to raise funds on their own this summer. They will also work on a support letter in Bible class this August.

Our leadership team is excited to see the enthusiasm and teamwork the students are expressing at this early date. I am confident that they will do amazing things for His Kingdom as they prepare for their journey begins to become student missionaries. Please continue to pray for the students and the leadership team, as we plan and prepare this trip.

This is Life Changing

Many challenges can come when sharing the Gospel because there is a very real enemy that is fighting for the souls we are trying to reach. Wednesday had a few challenges, but the Lord was faithful and He opened doors to share that we did not know were even there.

One of our teams was scheduled to go to a children's home. When they arrived, the administrators acted surprised to see them, but did give them some things to do around the property. These projects only lasted an hour and our team was left with several hours before the children would arrive from school. The team leader heard the ringing of school bells near by so he went for a walk to see where it was at. When he found the school, he walked in and met the principal and noticed a large Bible on her desk. He told her what our students were doing and asked if there was anything they could do to help them. She said they had no projects, but she would call an all school assembly and our students could share with them. The students planned on ministering to 22 children that day, they ended up sharing their faith with 700 children! They were also allowed to go into the classrooms 2 at a time to give their testimonies. Many children prayed to received Christ. Making Him known.

So many God stories took place yesterday that I can not do justice to. One team shared at 2 other schools, others served their fellow classmates by moving their luggage from the camp to the hotel, others served the people of All Saints lunch. Each opportunity to serve has a story, each student has a perspective. Only God knows the eternal impact. And that was just during the day. The Lord poured back into our students last night during our fire time. Many came away with a greater understanding of who they are in Christ. Knowing Him.

Our teams switched locations last night so they will have new experiences today. Please continue to pray for the harvest and that our many workers will be ready.