Bahamas Team - Dale

All Saints Blessings

First, I would like to give all praise and glory to the Lord, Who’s love and care we were blessed to witness first hand this past week. 

I want to also thank all of you for your gracious support and prayers for our travels.

You need to know this morning that GOD IS GOOD, and His people are strong, and His love still endures. Amen!

“All Saints Camp” in Nassau Bahamas first began as a leper colony. It is now an AIDS/HIV camp that houses about 20 or so residents that are either HIV positive or suffer from some other sever infirmity.  

The residents at All Saints are completely quarantined from the general population. They have little more than a 6x8 room with a small bed and very well wore clothes on their backs. Yet, they possess the most unbelievable spirit, and sense of worth that I have ever seen. They would never ask for anything, for they know with certainty that the Lord provides for their needs Our very presence there is undisputable proof.     

Our team was there with a large youth group from the Cincinnati area. Together, we worked to start the rebuilding of the camp, board by board, so that each resident will, eventually, have clean, sound housing with sewage and running water.

But, even more important, we were there to minister. We were there to talk, to listen, to pray, to laugh and cry with the residents. These are real people, God’s children, no different than you and I save for their afflictions.      

This was a PEOPLE first mission trip with a building secondary. Many of the youth helped to feed and groom the patients. Some cannot eat or drink on their own. Many are incontinent and require assistance. Some are blind and lame. We spent some time each day talking with them and listen to their stories and getting to know them and them, us.

It was a delight each morning to see Patrick, a stroke victim, waiting at the top of the hill for our arrival with a big smile and his loving charm. Even though he could barely speak, it was very obvious that nothing would suit him more than to grab a hammer and dive in, but his bent and broken body would not allow it.       

Vincent is blind, a stoke victim and has AIDS, but is also a strong man of God. I have heard few give a more moving testimony.

As you can see from the slides and photos, if it were not for Next Step Ministries the residents of All Saints would have even less. It is our prayer this day that these pictures and our testimonies might in some way allow all of you to see the need, and to understand that YOU can make a difference in people’s lives. Yes, you can! But!!!  Yes…. there is a but. But we can only make a difference by getting up and stepping out of the comfort that we are so used to. And putting our faith into action.  This is your call.

Will you answer?

Thank you! God bless.

   

Dale Hammond

Bahamas Team