Abby’s Report
from the Bahamas Mission Trip
March 2009

While ministering for the second year in a row at an AIDS camp in Nassau, Bahamas, she wrote this in her journal.

“Then I did something that no other life experience could have prepared me for. I was humbled and honored. I was scared, but confident. Jen from the Adventure Learning Center and her friend Jess asked me to help bathe a resident named Natasha. I agreed but had no idea what I was getting myself into. I helped support her as we took off her clothes and gently rested her in a chair. It must be so hard to be in utter dependence on another person, trusting in them completely for your well being. Then we had to change her Pamper (adult diaper). I prepared myself with gloves and the mental note not to make any faces at her. We removed the Pamper and there she was in her own excrement, totally exposed, totally humble. We finished bathing her but as I left I couldn't help but think about God and how he wants us to be totally empty and naked before him, and like Natasha, willing to let someone else clean the darkest and dirtiest places. That’s what life is about, becoming humble to the point of total reliance and trust in God so he can clean us, even in the dirtiest parts.”

If you'd like to read comments from Abby and fellow church team members who participated in this week-long outreach effort, check out her church blog (immediately below that page's slideshow window).

Here are houses needing significant repairs

This is the right-hand side of the All Saints AIDS Camp, in Nassau, Bahamas, where Abby and her high school team from church (Trinity Evangelical Free Church) worked for a week. This first home is about to get a much-needed new deck.

 

Abby and her friend Barrett repair screen doors

Abby along with her friend Barrett helped to replace and fix about 20 screen doors for the residents at the camp.

 

An AIDS camp resident gives Abby a gigantic hug

Showing her appreciation for all she received from Abby's church team, Barbara gives Abby a grateful, loving hug.

 

Isaiah tells us that Jesus was compelled to touch and transform the lives of the poor, broken, sick, and captive. His desire was to reach out, redeem, and restore. He met their needs and captured their hearts for the glory of His Father. He calls us (you and me) to be His disciples and, while we are transformed into His likeness, we gain the humility and the heart to do as He did. Read Isaiah's inspiring words.

1The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3and provide for those who grieve in Zion — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor (Isaiah 61:1–3).

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