Flexible Ministry

We've learn in mission work you need to expect to be flexible. I think God sort of leads us into the unexpected so we always need to be prepared to live out the grace we are called to give other.

As we were going about our week at Camp Symonette, I was off on a mission with Miss Pauline (head chef) to shop for groceries north in the settlement called The Bluff. David was at camp doing some repair work when two vans drove up.

Class from the College of the Bahamas

You must remember, it's a small island, not many people, so when two vans loaded with visitors arrive unannounced and unexpected it really is a surprise.

Abe is there to welcome the leader however, he's a bit perplexed. Conversation ensues and it turns out this group was under the impression they had made confirmed plans to stay at the camp for a couple of days.

The group was from Nassau. A class of students from the College of Bahamas with their professor. The class is an astronomy class who was planning this trip to see the night sky from Eleuthera.  Most all of these students are from Nassau where they have the same troubles we have in Lancaster in looking at the night sky, light pollution. Many of them have never been to this island before and have never been to a camp like Symonette. They are "city kids" - not like the local "island kids". This trip for them is like traveling to the country or the mountain. Their professor not only want to share with them a lesson about the stars and planets, he wants to show them their island heritage. Of course, not all are kids or youth. The student group ranges in age from 20 to 30 or so.

I would also say almost all of them grew up attending private schools. This is another discovery we've learned about the islands. Those who have the means will send their children to private schools where they will emerge with a better education and societal advantages over those who go to public schools. We haven't learned all of the reasons and problems behind the public school issues. We know it is a problem for this small country, much like other countries around the world. It is the reason BMH does it's best to help support the local primary school in James Cistern.

Of course, the camp was not prepared to welcome this additional group, however, we also know they are limited in their options of where to stay now that they have arrived. So, what to do? There are rooms not being used in the dorms so at this point David and Tori spring into action to be sure they are clean and also they re-install the air conditioning units in the windows.

If you didn't know, yes, we are thankful to have air-conditioning in the dorm rooms for sleeping. However, because of the cost of electric they are only used from 9:00 pm to about 6:30 am. In the summer months it is very necessary to help with the humidity. This time of year, it's still needed.

The group is told they can stay and they will be required to work with the current groups of volunteers to do the chores. We are also going to share a few meals together. Also the following day the group would be joining us for the excursion trip around the island. Now the challenge is how do you blend this group of college young adults from Nassau with the volunteers from Georgia and Colorado.
Answer: you make them mingle!

As the team assembled for the evening meal and prayer, the group was informed each person needed to sit next to someone who did not share the same area code. It worked and mingling began.  The groups began to not just know each other from the places they lived, they also learned each other's name.

Knowing each other by name is one of the most important ways to build peace and it is key to community. It is so easy to group people as "them" or "they" and put individuals in categories if you don't know them by name.

This group of people who had been gathered at this place for different purposes (one to work as volunteers and the other to gaze at the stars) could begin to form a community.

At first reaction to a new or unexpected situation we have the opportunity to draw a conclusion to think the best of people or we can think the worst. I think this is what we are meant to do according to 1 Corinthians 13. In three different versions of the Bible it is stated in different ways:
        Common English Bible
Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.
                NRSV
It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
                Living Bible
You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.

I want to be one who welcomes the best in everyone. I know our new experience with BMH will need us to.