Discover the power of rest and reflection in Abaco! Despite the exhaustion towards the end of their week, Dustin and Matthew share their transformative “Culture Day” experience—finding peace in God’s plan, witnessing the island’s unique beauty, and carrying home a renewed spirit. Read their moving reflection on finding a second wind and seeing “Love in Action.
As we began our day there was clearly an air of exhaustion from everyone, both physically and emotionally. Going into our morning devotionals you could tell everyone was ready for the culture day we were about to have. Our devotions today came from Deuteronomy 31:8 where God tells us He will never leave nor forsake us and with that promise we can put our trust in Him and His logos (plan) for us. From there we started our Culture Day. A culture day is a day on every Impact trip where you are able to go out and have some rest, see different parts of the Bahamian culture, and experience different parts of the island that you maybe hadn’t been able to see during the week.
Throughout the day, we were introduced to some local beaches– each with their own uniqueness and traits such as a pink hue to the sand with an explanation as to why it looks that way. Another beach had sea glass present and we were told how and why it washes up on this beach but not others. All throughout this we had rain showers on and off. This didn’t stop us at all. We were out to have a day of rest and enjoyment, but that didn’t stop our learning of this wonderful place.
We then enjoyed a meal at a local restaurant and got to experience a different side of the island. There were many tourists and locals who had yachts that would anchor down and get a ride in to eat at this restaurant. We had good food and good fellowship while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Throughout our culture day, each one of us was able to take the day in and have fun, but also just look out and see all the beauty God has made. For me (Dustin), it also led to a time of reflection as I looked over the water and watched the waves coming in. I started to think about what I’ve had the privilege of doing both here in Abaco for my second time and also what I have the privilege of doing back home and what I can bring back that I’ve learned from my time here. That was a bitter sweet moment for me as I was reminded that my time here will soon come to an end and that thought brought me to tears. I love this place and all that we do here to the point where I feel like this is more of a Home feeling than than my actual home and once again, it will be very painful to leave.
I (Matthew) went into today kind of in a weird place. I was tired and missing my family. I spent two days quieter than usual because I had so much on my mind. How do I take what I have been seeing God do on this trip and how He has been working through me, and take that back home to my family so they can experience the same joy and love from God that I have been? By the time we had to come back to camp, God had provided a moment of peace for me so I could get my second wind and finish out these next couple days. God uses His creation to speak to us and today He used wind which puts me at peace already, but then He used two of my brothers in Christ to talk with me and bring me back to myself.
Our time here in Abaco has been a blessing to both of us and we hope we have been a blessing to those we have come in contact with. We personally want to thank Many Hands and the Abaco staff for all that they do and provide by being Love in Action. Thank you.
— Dustin and Matthew
