The Crossroads Church – Norwalk IMPACT team finished their last full day with food distribution around the island, providing team members with the chance to speak with locals and one another about what they had seen throughout their week. As evidenced by their daily reflections, the Crossroads Church team participants were met with emotions and experiences that challenged them to view themselves and their impact on others differently. It truly was a powerful week for them. Hear more from Peri and John for the final reflection from this team!
Sunday in Abaco. Our last day in Abaco. A week filled with unexpected emotions, problems and abundant grace from our God. We started, as with every day, with devotions and group prayer after breakfast. The breakfast was so kindly made by a few of the Crossroads ladies since Ms. Doreen and Ms. Lula had the morning off. As we got ready to begin devotion time, we were presented with a member who was in tremendous need of prayer. There was no hesitation as we gathered together, laid our hands on this team member, and asked for the Lord’s blessing and comfort. God was very present as He had been the previous times this week that we had prayed and laid hands on the hurting and those in need.
We proceeded to Kirk of the Pines in Abaco for Sunday worship. What a joy it was to sing with fellow believers, raise our hands, watch little Leah sing out, and finish by clapping for the glory of God. The message was from Mark 13: 1-31. It was a tough message but full of hope, just like the people of the island.
We ate lunch next to the water at a restaurant named Colors and then explored a few beautiful locations on the island before returning to the church for food distribution.
At 3:00pm we left in separate groups in two vans to deliver food and water to those in need as identified by the wonderful community leaders who went with us. As we distributed these supplies, we heard amazing stories of survival during Hurricane Dorian (2019) and how recovery and rebuilding has been going since then. All of these were told with smiles and hope, in spite of dire circumstances that still persist. What an amazing group of people who live on this island! Their resilience, perseverance and persistence is an inspiration to all of us. They love the Lord! It has also taught us much about our own attitudes and blessings and how much more we need to trust in Jesus.
So it is with a bit of melancholy that we now face going home. We have wonderful group memories and individual memories to take with us. God has been extremely present with us in a myriad of emotions and activities. Seeing the sights and eating out were fun but will probably be the least memorable in the end. Our group has grown into a family because of this trip and the work we have done together. We pray for those we leave behind and look forward to learning of their lives as they go forward and we return home.
Finally, a word of thanks to Many Hands and their team. The blessing you have provided is beyond measure. We will miss Ms. Doreen, Ms. Lula, Laura, Doug, Carrie and the Mighty Quinn. We will really miss water issues, and electrical issues along with the greatest 3 mile road to camp ever– well, maybe not those things but even then, God used them to enhance the trip. Nothing like devotions in the van!
— Peri and John Halma
