Morning run view at sunrise.
It is our second day of our missions trip with Champs Missions in The Bahamas – April 3-9, 2016. While yesterday was rainy, today was gorgeous – sunny with a warm, tropical breeze. I was able to take a run along the beach today. I could do this everyday.
Our team ready for the races.
We started the day helping a Track & Field Competition for smaller private schools. Since we worked with Telios Christian School on Monday, we knew some of the students and coaches. The event was held in the
Bahamas National Stadium. This was home to the World Relays. It was a lot of fun. Perry Cisco was the ‘official’ starter. Kindergarten through high school competed in running events such as 100 meter dash, 400 meter run, etc.
Perry starting the 100 meter dash.
In the afternoon we went door-to-door visiting in one of the poor neighborhoods. We met many people and invited them to a nearby church, Freedom Baptist Church. We also had the opportunity to share the gospel. People in the Bahamas are very religious. Even in the public school, the Bible is taught as a subject. However, most do no have a personal relationship with Jesus. I talked with a woman 82 years old who cannot attend church because of her age. But she knows Jesus as her personal Savior. Perry talked a long time with a man who had lots of questions but didn’t make the decision to trust Christ as Savior. We left some material and pray that he and others continue to search for the truth. Religion isn’t enough. You must have a relationship.
Rick & Traci handing out chalk.
In the evening we went to a neighborhood park that is near New Maranatha Baptist Church. This is a new restart of a Haitian group of believers. We will be meeting with the men on Wednesday night. Thanks to Vicki Schmucker we were able to give the children sidewalk chalk to draw on the blacktop. Then we gave them candy suckers left-over from our Easter egg hunt at Faith Baptist in Adrian. The kids were loving it. Even the older teen boys quit playing basketball so they could draw pictures on the court. It is a way of building friendships with the neighborhood. We might come back and visit a second time. But even if we don’t, we have helped the future outreach of this new church by making positive connections with families and children. So many Christians forget that friendship is an important part of evangelism.
This playground is the area that I had my iPhone stolen (read about it here). New Maranatha Baptist Church is by the alley the man ran away from me. So, this area has a special place to me. People down here still remember that event. They simply say it was a miracle I got it back. The pictures you see in my Bahamas blogs were taken by the same iPhone.
We ended our day with a snack – frozen daiquiris. These have no alcohol and are delicious. My favorite is Miami Vice – strawberry and pina colada (coconut) mixed. Three nights in Bahamas and we have eaten these two times. You have to try them.
You can read my other blogs about our missions trip to The Bahamas: Bahamas Missions Trip 2016.