This report is excerpted from an article in the August 13 edition of The Freeport News. It tells the story of a mission trip to the Bahamas by several GCI members from the U.S. The trip was organized by Grace Missions, of GCI Generations Ministries.
A group of eight adult and eight teen missionaries traveled from Ohio and West Virginia in partnership with Grace Communion International. The partnership began a few months ago between Pastor Calvin Parker and Pastor Dave [David Botha] out of the United States. Parker also joined up with Victoria Wright, Principal of Hugh Campbell Primary School so that the school can be used as the venue for the Vacation Bible School (VBS).
Every day, 52 children crowded the hallways and classrooms at the school participating in a number of activities such as basketball, singing, drama, craft and storytelling. Then after the free lunch that is provided is served, the kids experienced a special activity known as “soaking.” Parker described soaking as a quiet time set aside for the children to meditate, concentrate and soak in the word of God. “We really want them to learn and be taught about the saving grace of God,” he said.
Robert O’Quinn from the West Virginia Senior Leadership team of Grace Community Church is one of the adult missionaries who said this experience has touched his heart and soul. “This is my first missionary trip and it’s amazing to see God moving through the kids. The joy in them is unbelievable, they jump up and give you a hug and they play, dance and sing with you so freely,” he said. O’Quinn said that each day is exciting for him, as well as the others because its radically different. “We have a team of young and old missionaries and this trip has turned into a multi-generational mission that will kind of unite us all and touch people from a different nation,” he added.
Seventeen-year-old, Brandon Bapst is preparing to enter his senior year come September but said after hearing and praying about the trip, he felt coming on it was the right thing to do. “It’s been an amazing experience, I feel like I’ve been called by God to come here and I’ve met such wonderful kids. It’s uplifting to see that they’re always so ready and willing to learn and everybody here is so nice.”
Michelle Greider, a sixteen-year-old missionary, said that she is enjoying her time here in The Bahamas very much and although at first she was scared, she now considers this to be a second home. “It’s awesome, this is my first mission trip but after my experience it certainly won’t be my last. The little kids are so sweet and I love them,” she added.
All of the missionaries, both young and old agreed with O’Quinn when he said, “It’s very encouraging to see the kindness and hospitality of the locals. They went out of their way to make us feel at home, comfortable and happy.” They would like to possibly visit another island, but if not, they hope to come back to do mission work with other local churches in the community.
