Catch up with the Kamerman IMPACT team as they share two different stories of service with very similar goals in mind. The people of Abaco and the people on this trip are being equally blessed.
Today was a day full of IMPACT. Our team split into two groups and headed into Marsh Harbor and Murphy Town to continue one project of service and to begin another. The sun was warm, the breeze was welcome, and the team had a rejuvenated energy coming into day two.
“Group 1” consisted of a mighty force of ladies set out to tango with t-shirts!!! Many Hands has been blessed with the beginnings of a fabulous distribution center to store and sort donations to better serve the community. With pallets of goods and piles of home decor items came the endless gaylords of t-shirts– yes, thousands of pounds of t-shirts that needed to be sorted and organized to be serviceable for future endeavors.
Under normal circumstances, this feat of determination would have overpowered the masses, but this fine group of ladies being inspired by the “I” in Impact, “IMMERSE,” were all-in!! They were powered by compassion and dedication, fueled by camaraderie and laughter, and ultimately covered by the grace of God to keep from the evil distractions that surely would have led to defeat. Although the mission was not as physical as some, it was a mission of challenges from all angles. I was proud of the work the ladies did, and I know the communities of Abaco will greatly benefit from the hours of sorting, discovering treasures, and leaving with dirty hands!!
Meanwhile, across town, “Group 2” was faced with a different project for the day. A team assembled of energized men took on a task that was not one of mental fortitude, but rather a physical challenge of stealth and skill. “Boxing in” a house involves covering those final entry points on a newly roofed house that previously were used by frogs, lizards, and the obnoxious noseeums that we all have grown to despise…sorry, God…we know they are part of your creation.
Equipped with tall ladders, screws that were somehow very difficult to get started, and a few power tools new to some of the team, we marched ahead and conquered the project. Arriving at the home of Zhivargo Sr. and Jr. was a joyous start to the day. Meeting a wonderful father working as hard as he was physically able to provide for his son and ensure that his well-being was provided for, brought joy and motivation to the team. The sun was hot, the measurements were a challenge, and low and behold, every screw did not always line up just right or even want to go into the wood, but the team persisted. We spent the day joking and bonding, sharing stories of vacations, chatting with the host family and all the while realizing we were getting some tricky carpentry knocked out. But the real accomplishment was the fact that this young father and his son were one step closer to being able to call this house home. Boxing in the house was necessary to limit the humidity and critters into the house, prior to completing the interior walls. The hope in Zhivargo’s eyes showed us that we were in fact moving this project forward in a much bigger way than we really knew.
All in all, the teams worked in different environments but with a similar goal: To serve the communities of Abaco, be the hands and feet of Christ, and be “all-in” where our feet were. This island, these communities, and most of all these people are resilIEnt and committed to bringing back the Abaco that they know and love. Many Hands is an unbelievable organization that is partnering with and empowering people to accomplish that goal. I am thankful for Many Hands, I am thankful for our team, and I am thankful for a Saturday of service.
— Kyle Whalley with Erin Whalley’s support
