Inagua - Letter Two

As promised:

Good morning from Inagua!

What an incredible weekend!!!!!!!!!!

Looking back on the trip, it is amazing to me that we have almost completed 6 roofs. This is indeed a miracle, as none of us are roofers by trade. We also had the opportunity to do a neighborhood sweep/clean up. That also opened doors to share the gospel with people who were curious about the Americans picking up trash on their streets. God's favor has been upon us despite the heat and our inexperience. One of the families went all out to bless us as we worked on their home. From cakes to curry chicken to pleasant conversation, we have been lovingly "adopted in" to different families on the island.

Yesterday certainly was a day of needed rest and re-fueling. In the morning, we split up to attend two churches. I visited Zion Baptist, which is the church that is allowing us to sleep in their large fellowship hall. Reverend Bain exhorted the congregation to continue to celebrate, despite their situation, because God is worthy of our praise all the time and has indeed spared the people from a lot over the past couple of weeks. Another group headed to the Methodist church where many of the locals we have met attend. In the afternoon we were invited to a BBQ with John Nixon's family (he's here assisting with the government's disaster relief organization, called NEMA). He's from Inagua and his whole family came out to serve us with food and FUN. I believe some of the guys speared fish, while others played volleyball with the children or just enjoyed great company and the aqua waters of the Caribbean.

This morning, the door opened for us to go back into the schools to present a high school assembly on sexual abstinence. The message of purity and God's heart for relationship through the book of Song of Solomon was very well received by the students and teachers alike. We are also back on the roofs beginning the 7th and 8th homes, and we are eager, Lord willing, to accomplish the goal of 10 before Friday. Please continue to pray for protection, favor, and a move of God's spirit among the people here. Some are still in "shell shock" and others are just trying to make it a day at a time, rebuilding their lives. Thank you for co-laboring with us!

The last night in Inagua left us speechless...sincerely.

We had gone to simply work hard...that was our focus. We climbed on top of many elderly, widowed and disabled people’s roofs to rip up shingles or rotted wood and replace them, so that their homes would no longer leak or be vulnerable to rain damage. We accomplished our goal, but didn't realize the greater goal God was accomplishing through us, until the very last night.

The representative head of social services in Inagua, along with other community leaders, reverends and locals stopped by last night to say "thank you." Although that in and of itself was unexpected and would have been greatly appreciated, they went "over the top." Bringing homemade gifts, their own Boys Brigade band as well as delicious baked goods and sandwiches, we were in awe of their hearts to bless us before we packed up to head home.
Several of the leaders gave speeches that shared how they experienced the Lord through our unity, sacrificial love and hard work. We were welcomed back as family at any time and enjoyed the sweet time of fellowship together with all the Inaguans, young and old.

We're back home safe and sound, filled up to overflowing in our hearts with the memories of God's grace, faithfulness and protection during our time away. For those who held us up in prayer, God did above and beyond all for which we could have asked and hoped. From the inception of the trip to its fulfillment, I believe we've realized more how we serve a "miracle God" who loves the world passionately and wants us to be His tools of love for the lost and hurting around the globe. The rewards FAR outweigh the "sacrifice" of being filled with and led by the Holy Spirit of God.