Oh The Changes

Hey everyone! This summer has looked beyond different than what I ever thought it would be. From what has been happening with our country, a hurricane, to having camp being cancelled…

One thing that I have learned this year is that you can make all the plans you want, but it’s the Lord’s purpose that prevails! (Proverbs 19:21)

“WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE BAHAMAS?” 

Almost weekly since the summer began I have had people messaging me asking, “What is going on with the Bahamas?”  Honestly, it has been a little confusing for EVERY Bahamian to keep up with the changes.  Our country has had many lockdowns and curfews. It happens out of the blue with little warning. Some of the islands have more strict rules set in place and others are allowed to go back to normal. Currently we are under a two-week lockdown and it was just extended for another week.  We are learning to be patient and navigate each and every turn of events until the Pandemic is behind us all. We look forward to the day we can be reunited with campers, counselors and friends! 

  JULY @ CAMP: OH THE CHANGES! 

Walking into July, we had everything planned out, or so we thought!. Some friends of CB were flying in to help serve in the ministry and projects taking place just as soon as the borders opened on July 1st.  As soon as restrictions were lifted, new ones were set in place.  Most of our friends were unable to come at the last minute. It was so sad for all of us, but the bright side is one of our board members, Rod Straw, was able to be here for a week and one of my closest friends to my family and to the ministry was able to serve here for 4 weeks!  

Anna usually spends her summers serving with our team.  Her heart for the Bahamas and CB is beautiful!  Even though our summer camp had to be cancelled, she knew God was sending her back for the summer.   She brought energy, encouragement and passion that helped us through all the unexpected changes!  We worked together to accomplish some big projects and had fun while doing it all. Anyone who knows Anna knows what a breath of fresh air she is, and we were so blessed God sent her our way after already enduring 3 months of quarantine! 

HURRICANE ISAIAS

Around the middle of July a tropical storm starting forming near the Caribbean. As it was getting closer to us in the Bahamas, it was categorized as a hurricane: Hurricane Isaias. With a few days to make preparations for it, we secured the property the best we could. We were ready for what was to come.

Some of you might be saying, "It was only a category 1, it isn't that bad" , but the people of the Bahamas experienced something truly terrifying less than one year ago with Hurricane Dorian and are still struggling to this day from the loss and trauma. It always is stressful and a bit scary at times because hurricanes can change drastically in just a few hours, so we never know what will actually happen until it reaches our island.

The night the hurricane arrived, the winds were picking up and the rain was insane. We didn't sleep that night because of the strength of the wind, the crazy gusts and the raining pounding all around us. It was non-stop for hours.

The next day we decided to go assess the damage on the island and around camp. I am beyond thankful to be able to say there wasn't too much damage! Trees and power lines were down, most of the CB Beach sand was washed away, along with some minor damage. God protected us!

BLUE SKIES AHEAD

For me, this summer has looked and felt very different, but I was NOT going to let that get me down. I keep looking up knowing that with God, there are blue skies ahead! This year for all our campers and counselors, summer has been hard. For most, Camp is their escape from the life they have back home. Many of them face struggles you could never imagine. I have been staying in touch with all of our campers and counselors in this time that we are apart. My relationship with them fuels me and I just love everything about it! 

Our Summer Series has been going so good!  We have a series on IGTV called The Best Is Yet To Come.  We involved many of our own counselors in this series to help our campers not feel forgotten.  The feedback and responses we have been getting from everyone is helping us get through.  Seeing God work in their lives this summer in spite of not being here is incredible! I will link my video in the Summer Series down below!

Thank you all for your prayers, support and encouragement this summer! It means the world to me. 

If you feel the call to support me financially on my journey, the link to is on my main page in the “Partner with me” section! 

See ya soon :)

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Camp Bahamas - Pray that all of the needs of the ministry and us as a team will be continue to be met. Whether that be financially, physically, mentally or spiritually. Also, that we will continue to push through keep our hope in God!

2. Our Campers and Counselors - Continue to pray for them as they are entering the new school year and that they will continue to remember that The Best Is Yet To Come for them!

COVID-19 in The Bahamas

CB weekend sale with the best team!

This is Anna!

A short video of the MANY HOURS put into these designs!

One of the biggest projects we were working on! It was so great to see them come together!

Some of the hurricane preparations!

Hurricane Isaias over The Bahamas

Hurricane damage along the road on one part of the island

A view that never gets old

Here is the video I did for our Summer Series: BLUE SKIES AHEAD!

THE BEST IS YET TO COME!