All Saints Community

Monday 11July 2008
We visited All Saints for the first time. Rev Eddie gave us an introductory talk in the small chapel there and then took us all across to the huts to visit the residents. He introduced us in small groups of 3-4. We were all moved. The faith we found there was amazing. They live in such poor conditions, many of them (about 80%) are HIV positive and yet they all praise God. 'We must love one another' said one lady with her arms around Mandy & Al 'it doesn't matter if we are black or white'. 'Look up to God, not down. Give God the glory'. We were all touched. Everyone we visited had found God in their lives and were keen to share him with everyone they met. The group is keen to do something of value for the community and has decided to put on some children's activities for Tuesday.
In the afternoon half the group went to the Thrift shop ( a charity shop run by the church for the benefit of the local community which is very poor). We swept the shop, tidied books and dusted all around. Rae tried the various hat on - there was a great yellow number! We bought a Bahamas island shirt for Al, we all thought it would look great with his dog collar.
Evening meals have been at the locl churches and we are being treated to good home cooking. We have had rice and peas, snapper (with the heads on!), macaroni cheese, potato salad, colelaw and for pudding Guava Duff. When Rev eddie first told us of this, his favourite pudding, many of us misheard and thought he said 'Guava Duck', Ruth, however thought he said 'Half a Duck!'
Sarah

Sunday 10th Aug

Well the team has been all churched out today I think!! We have all been to min of 3 services and some have been to maximum of 5! Everything went really well and the group was involved in different ways in different services. We still have the last group service to do which is open air and which we are leading with local youths. Al did FAB job preaching this morning at 2 services one of which was meant to be recorded but due to technical hitch it didnt work. We were in the Tribune (Bahamas paper) the other day with the photo of Govenor General think the leaders have a copy of the paper. Tom is presently getting his hair braided-properly after many more feeble braids by Mandy. He's getting it done by a true Bahamian!! Well we shall go and chill for now. Hope all is well in the UK and weather is bearable, we had mini tropical storm again today so pray for good weather for All Saints AIDs community over next few days.
God Bless and Speak soon
Mandy

Revised programme for Nassau

This is the revised programme for the time so far and what's to come whilst in Nassau.

Wed 6th Aug: 10am Govenor General-His Excellency Mr Arthur D. Hanna
Afternoon:Visit to Bay Street
Evening Meal: Rhodes Methodist Church

Thurs 7th Aug: 9am: Ministry of Tourism talks.
Lunch: Ministy treated us to Buffet at Seaside.
Afternoon: Guided Coach Tour

Fri 8th Aug: Ministry of Tourism guided tour of Atlantis, Paradise Island.
Afternoon: Picnic on cabbage beach and sun, sea and sand as a treat.
Evening: Radio interviews for Family Vibes with Rev.d Emily Demeritte. Tom and Katy-1st Impressions of Bahamas. Rae, Chris and Tim-Liverpool church. Mandy, Caitlin and Al-Youth Exchange.

Sat 9th Aug: Slavery Museum and Pirate Museum
Tea: take out Pizza

Sun 10th Aug: 7am: Wesley Methodist Church-Al preaching and recording for radio programme.
9am: Heritage of Redeeming Love- Al Preaching
11am: Coke Memorial Methodist Church
Rhodes Methodist Church
Providence Methodist Church
(team dividing up between churches)
6.30pm Open Air Youth Service-team with local youths conducting service includes testimonies (Ruth and Mandy), Drama (Caitlin, Chris and Roo). Prayers (Rae and Tim), Readings (Katy and Tom). Local youths are singing and continuity.
Evening: Games with locals.

Mon 11th Aug: Morning: All Saints AIDs Community.
Afternoon: Half team at Thrift Shop/others rest period.

Tues 12th Aug:Morning: All Saints AIDs Community.
Afternoon: Half team at Thrift Shop/others rest period.

Wed 13th Aug: 8am Sailing on Bohengy to North Eleuthera. Looking at preaching history of area. Includes walking tour.

Thurs 14th Aug: Morning: All Saint AIDs Community
Afternoon: AIDs Secretariat and AIDs hospital.

Fri 15th Aug: 11am: Guided tour of Houses of Parliament.
Afternoon: Preperation for Vacation Bible School.
Evening: Packing to move to Andros

Sat 16th Aug: 8am: Fast Ferry to Andros.

Ministry of Tourism - wow what a day!

So today we had a touristy day with the Ministry for Tourism. Had various presentations from corperate package deals to the film commision (particularly loved the photos of Pirates of the Caribbean cast!!) Really interesting facts, figures etc.

After an amazing buffet at Crystal Palace buffet restaurant (chocolate cake very much enjoyed), we had a bus tour of the Island of Nassau, taking in the major resorts, and a fort overlooking the whole island - expect amazing piccies on our return.

Another great meal at Rhodes Memorial and plotting plans for tomorrow!

Ruthy

Boy it is hot!

Thankfully we arrived intact, only one piece of luggage missing (and it was a leaders), and we all know where Ruth keeps her mobile!!

As soon as you walk out of the air con. you realise how hot it is.

We ate tea at the church; snapper fish and peas and rice before moving to our home stays. After nearly 24 hours of travelling and little sleep everyone was ready for bed.

The accommodation is great and everyone seems to be really happy with their home stays, though it may take longer for everyone to get used to a lack of air con. at night.

The group met the Governor General today. It was my first time of meeting a head of state and I'm pleased that everyone behaved themselves impeccably. It was a gentle, down to earth guy sharing his words of wisdom with the group. We were aware of his influence on the Bahamas constitution and the raising the education standards of this small nation.

We've just been down the main tourist street in Nassau (Bay Street) and half the team are still there. Be prepared for gifts of straw bags, wooden animals and teeshirts.

Following 1 John 3:1 the team has been given the task of finding people of God in Bay Street.

All the best and keep in touch

The team would like to wish all friends and family a safe and happy month while we are away.
we ask for your continued prayers and know that we will be praying for you while we are away also.
The team prays that all those known to us have a happy, healthy month and that you keep in touch now and again. Email is by far the cheapest option!! We will have some limited access to emails when we update the blog. If you wish to leave general message for team or remark on the team blog (please don't comment on spelling :p ) then you can leave a comment in reply to each post and the team can access them.

All the best and see you in 30days

the Team

Final Preparations

Wow! We're nearly ready.

After another frantic day getting paper work in order the Lowe family have finally had chance to do that last bit of shopping, tropical trousers, emergency dental repair kit, gifts for our hosts. It's been really busy but we're just about there now.

Please continue to pray for us. Just over 48 hours before we leave home at 4 in the morning.

Al