Last night we we’re supposed to go to Pine Wood Park and have games for the kids, a couple of drama skits, music, basketball, and of course The Word. But God had other plans. 

When we got on the bus at the hotel at 6:45pm the weather was beautiful. Not to hot, a nice breeze, no sweaty clothes…it was great! But after an 8 minute drive to the park, things changed. As soon as we pulled into the park, the rain started. We tried to wait it out, but after 25 minutes it was obvious that this storm wasn’t passing anytime soon. 

So instead we took a little bit of a tour around some of the parts of the island that we wouldn’t have been able to see other wise. It was actually Emancipation Day in the Bahamas, which is a holiday that celebrates the country’s independence. This happened only 35 years ago in 1973! We saw a few more historic places (through the windows of the bus), some new residential housing & the Pepsi factory, which couldn’t have been any bigger then ABT!

When we got back to the hotel, we all got together and spent a few minutes reflecting on what God was showing us. It was great to hear the students talk about boldly sharing their faith and how God was able to move in the different circumstances that they ran into. The Bahamian people are so nice, welcoming and easy to talk to. But they are lost and need Christ as much as any one else. 

God allowed a lot of seeds to be planted last night. Because of that, we all were a bit disappointed that the park event didn’t happen, but Rick said that we will be going back to that same park today since the rain cancelled it last night. So hopefully we will have an even bigger turnout tonight then we would have had if the park event would have happened. God has a reason for everything, even when we can’t see it.

We will be going door-to-door again today and inviting people to the same park for our outreach event tonight. Please pray that weather will stay nice and we can use this time to reach more souls for eternity.

Ed and Jenean will be heading back to the States this morning. Please pray for safety for them and that Ed will have no issues during the flight.

More later…

Ed, Jenean and Joe Orlando will be on a plane back to Ohio tomorrow. As you can see from the photo (taken this afternoon), Ed is doing better. He was released from the hospital this morning and was welcomed back at the hotel by 56 prayer warriors. God is good!

This morning we divided into 3 groups and went into what is considered middle class neighborhoods and shared the gospel with the local people. We invited them to a service that we are having in a park this evening where we’re going to have games for the kids, basketball for the older ones and hopefully some more sharing of Christ. 

A few of our groups lead some people to the Lord and the rest of us planted seeds that we hope will be able to grow. I know of at least 4 Bahamian young people that are coming tonight specifically to beat me in basketball! They already beat me in dominos, so I’m sure they will destroy me in b-ball. But I pray God will use us through that to talk more about salvation with them. A lot of the locals told us they knew God or knew of God and many of them go to church. But a lot of them didn’t know for sure that they would go to heaven. I pray that after tonight, they will know.

After lunch, we walked about a half mile down the road to Fort Charlotte. It was built in the 1800′s and was very interesting…and very HOT! I’m actually getting used to having sweaty clothes on all the time. Is that gross? 

We had a good time there for about an hour, then we headed back to the hotel for some R & R before we head out tonight for our park ministry.

More photos here – more blogging later.

Ed had another seizure last night at about 9:15pm. As of now, the plan is to get Ed stable and then on a plane back to Ohio. Right now, we don’t know when that will happen.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”
Rom. 8:28

God is still good and He has a purpose and plan for Ed. We know He will use this situation for His glory. 

Please also pray for God’s peace for Jenean. She is holding up well, but this can not be easy for her. Lift her up as much as Ed. 

We’ll know more later today and I will post an update as soon as I can.
 

Missions work update…

We will be going out on visitation today. We’ll be going door to door sharing the Gospel with the local people. I pray God will use us in a mighty way to change lives for eternity for Him.
More later

God is good! Ed Gabbert is doing much better and will be coming back from the hospital later this evening. According to everyone that has seen him (Jenean, John Stahl, Bryan Vaudrin and Rick), he is doing great and is just waiting to get discharged. He was pretty dehydrated and is on an IV, so once the doctors are sure he is ok they will send him back to us. Thank you for your prayers. Even though he is coming back to the hotel and seems to be doing alright, please continue to lift him up in prayer.

 

Now for a trip update…

 

This morning we went to Freedom Baptist Church for their Sunday morning services. It was about an 8 minute bus ride from the hotel. The building was small and very humbling, but God’s spirit was there. 

 

Some of our students helped out with Jr. Church. There were kids as young as 3 and as old 9 or 10. It was amazing to see these kids just show up to church by themselves. No adults or parents brought them. They just got ready and walk to church.

 

During Jr. Church we helped with games and crafts. They seemed to have a great time.

 

During Jr. Church, the rest of us stayed in the building for the main service. A few of us helped lead praise and worship. And one of the local guys here that helps Rick (named Onasmis) lead a few songs as well. He is a great guy and has such a passion for winning people to Christ.

 

Unfortunately John Stahl was not feeling to good, so Rick spoke for the main service and delivered a great message off the top of his head! Please pray for John that he starts feeling better. Seems like a flu bug or something similar.

 

After church was lunch, then we went down to the beach to do a little clean-up service project. We picked up the trash and invited some of the local people to our church service that evening on the beach.

 

At 7pm we met on the beach across from the hotel. Some of the locals joined us, including the congregation and pastor from Freedom Baptist.

 

We started with a little praise and worship, then our students performed a skit. After a few minutes of testimonies, Darren (one of Rick’s assistants) delivered a message about spiritual growth and service.

 

I posted a few photos here from our day. 

 

You can take us out of Ohio, but you can’t take our O-H-I-O away! Check out the photos to see what I mean.

 

More updates as time permits.

Ed Gabbert had a seizure about an hour ago in the hotel. He has been taken to the hospital. He was awake when I saw him last, but was very groggy. Please lift him up in prayer as often as you can. We serve and awesome God who is faithful and I know He will use this situation for His glory.

I will post another update with photos from the church service this morning as soon as I can. For now, please just lift up Ed and Jenean. I’ll post updates on Ed as soon as I can.

Well we’re all here. We had few minor issues flying down, but we all got here. We got into the hotel, ate dinner and went down to a local festival to get a taste of the culture here in the Bahamas.

Tomorrow we will be helping with a Jr. Church as well as helping with music and anything else Rick needs us to do. Then in the evening we’ll be having a service on the beach.

Also, the internet signal in the hotel now costs $10 per half hour! So needless to say, I’m not paying that. But there is a McD’s about a half-mile walk from the hotel that has free wi-fi, which is where I am now. So unfortunately the updates may not come as often as I would have liked. I will try my best to get some kind of update at least every other day. Hopefully I’ll have time walk down here every day, but who knows.

For now, there are a few photos posted here from the airport and the festival tonight.

May God use us tomorrow to reach people for Him. Please continue to pray for us.

At 5:45am tomorrow morning we will be off to Nassau, Bahamas for the Missions Trip! Be sure to check connect316.com everyday to see what we’re up to and how things are going. I’ll be posting photos and possibly a video or two. Ya never know.

Please keep our team in your prayers this week as we go share the love of Christ beyond the borders of our country.

 

We will be going to Nassau, Bahamas to help Rick Shussler as part of Champs Missions.

Meeting Dates: 
• Sunday, June 22
• Sunday, July 27