Nassau to home

Yesterday was a VERY long day. We left Eleuthera at 8:10 (woke up at 5:30 AM). We spent the day in Nassau. Most of us made it to downtown Nassau. We ate good food, shopped a bit, and some even toured the Pirate Museum. Robert Bedwell stayed at the airport and sat with our luggage. Thanks Robert.

Our flight out of Nassau was delayed twice, but we finally landed in Atlanta at 9:10 PM Friday evening. We were making great time back to Knoxville...and then there was traffic. The was road construction going in south of Chattanooga. It took us nearly two hours to go six miles. Yuck! We made it back to Knoxville at 3 AM and I was in my bed by 4 AM. It was great to be back in my own bed and not to have to sleep with a layer of bug spray on.

Over all it was an amazing trip. We hope to go again in the future. We'd love to take some adults back in the fall to install a water filtration system. Anyone interested?

Peace, Marc

Excursion Day!

While a few of our group continued to work today, most of us went sight seeing. It was a blast! The highlight of my day was seeing a eagle ray with about a five foot wing span jump out of the water and then swim off. It was amazing! Another highlight was spending time on the glass window bridge. Here is a photo of our group spanning from one side of the island to the other. Enjoy!

Here's a good word for the day

http://www.rachelremen.com/service.html

Busy busy day

Whew, today was definitely hump day. Several sites are on their way to wrapping up their projects. I led my first ever roofing crew and completed our roof! I've been on MANY roofs, but never led that kind of crew myself. I was very proud of our group as they worked very hard! Most of our other projects will be finished up by lunch tomorrow, just in time for our excursion 1/2 day. Tomorrow we will visit the glass bottom bridge, Gregory Town, and another beach we haven't seen yet. We're excited.

Part of our crew made it back from Grand Bahamas. It was a good trip and great to see a system work. The Bahama's Conference of the Methodist Church called and asked Bahamas Methodist Habitat to come, and within 24 hours they were there. Amazing.

Sorry no photos tonight, I'm just too tired. It's been a great week. Please continue to pray for us as we have a two more days and one is a VERY long day of travel.

Peace, Marc

Tuesday

Another great day! The tornado relief crew left early this morning on two tiny planes headed for Grand Bahamas. I got a text from Pastor Darryll and he said they made it safely and would let us know more later.

All of our crews continued their work and several are beginning to wrap up smaller projects. Several crews have BIG projects and they extra help will be much appreciated. Here are a few more photos, enjoy.

Morning high-five

Kristin & Ashley, sisters from Concord UMC

Water cistern crew

David Maulick is a BEAST!

Concrete Crew

Team to Grand Bahama

Believe it or not, part of our team is leaving in the morning to go help those effected by the tornado damage Grand Bahama Island. Please remember them in your prayers. They will return to Eleuthera on Thursday. Those going are Darryll Rasnake, Robert Bedwell, Linda Nachtrab, Logan McNeil, Derek Ehrnschwender, William Tugwell, Laura Tugwell, Chris McCabe, and Zach Shaw. Just so you know, most parents are on the trip and approved. We have been in communication with other parents and everyone is up to speed and glad to help out.

Snorkeling Video

Thanks to William Tugwell for this amazing snorkeling video.

Monday!

First of all, there were tornadoes on Grand Bahamas...NOT on Eleuthera. Several people died during the storm, please keep them in your prayers. Methodist Habitat is leaving here and visiting the damage to see what they might do. I love this organization!

Today was our first full work day. It was a great day. Several crews are working on roofs, some are working on the community medical clinic, some are working on a youth center, and I'm not sure what else. It was hot today, but breezy...so not to bad. We have some sun burns, but are demanding that everyone slather up regularly. We ended our work day with some time at the beach. Many went snorkeling and it was great. Hopefully you can join us in the future.

Robert's roofing crew, who'd a thunk it?

Marc on a roof. HA!

William teaching Will.

Pastor Darryll at work

A little beach time

Palm Sunday - Worship & Parade

Palm Sunday has been a busy day. We went to worship this morning at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church. Wesley Memorial is in "James Cistern" settlement. That is also where our camp is located. After worship a group hiked to the Atlantic side of the island, and others sat and read in the breezeway. About 2:30 in the afternoon we took part in the community parade. The parade consited of every church in James Cistern marching through town with each other and ending up at the center of the settlement for a combined worship time. See the video posted below. It was LOTS of fun. Enjoy the photos and the video.

Children and youth choir at Wesley Memorial

Palm Sunday Donkey Ride

Wesley Memorial joins the parade

HOSANNA!

Travel Day

Saturday was our travel day. We started at 1:30 AM in Knoxville, TN and finally arrived in Eleuthera about 5:30 PM. One group had to fly into the southern air strip and catch a taxi to the camp. The first taxi driver wanted $1000.00 to give the group a ride. HA! Finally they found a driver who was much more reasonably priced; however, there was no place in the can for all the luggage. So it had to go in top. Next problem, no rope or tie-downs. So, all the guys removed their belts and used them to secure the luggage. Now that ingenuity.

Here are a few shots of our travel day, more photos can be found on Marc's facebook site.

Card game in Atlanta

Welcoming band in Nassau

Really LONG lay-over in Nassau

Fruit of Eleuthera after a long day

We made it to Atlanta with hours to spare.

Post shift

Just so you know, all the post before this one are "pre-trip" posts and were to inform the team of important information. From here on the posts are about our actual trip, what we're doing, and hopefully photos for you to enjoy. If the internet service at our camp cooperates, we will try to post every night. So check back often and share the site with others.

Forms for the Trip

Here is a link to all of the forms for the trip. They are divided into and "adult" folder and a "youth" folder. You'll find the appropriate forms there.

http://tinyurl.com/bahamasforms

Methodist Habitat's efforts in Haiti

The video loads slowly, but if worth it.

BahamasHabitat.org - Haiti Earthquake Relief from andrew hudson on Vimeo.

Check Lists

Our trip is quickly approaching. I hope that you are getting excited and preparing for the trip by praying for what God might do through us and in us with we are in Eleuthera. There are many things that need to be accomplished in the next months. Here is a check list to help you plan and respond.

Forms - Due February 28

There are several forms that must be completed or you will not be able to participate in the trip. They are:

• UMVIM International Missioner Profile & Release of Claim
• UMVIM Parental Release for those under 18
• Church Street UMC annual release form (many of you have already filled this out)

Shots - You need to have the following immunizations:

• Hepatitis A & B
• Typhoid
• Tetanus

Copies - Due February 28

• A copy of your US Passport (certified birth certificates will NOT work)

• A copy of your immunization record

Payment – Your cost for the trip is $600.00 per person, the actual cost is closer to $1,250.00. Many of you have already paid a $100.00 deposit. Many of you have a credit for selling wrapping paper also. All of that will be taken into consideration. The following is a payment schedule for your portion of the cost.

• $100.00 deposit due immediately (you may have already paid this)
• $250.00 due February 14
• $250.00 due March 14

I would like to have a team meeting with parents on March 14 from 6-7 PM in the college Sunday school classroom across from the gym. Please make every attempt to attend. We will talk about trip specifics, flight information, packing lists, etc.

Finally, at the end of our work days in Eleuthera we will have some beach time. The snorkeling is amazing. Please consider bringing some inexpensive snorkeling gear that you might be willing to leave there. Other groups will enjoy it very much.

Peace,