Doug - Day 5

We woke up this morning knowing it was going to be a long day. After our group’s morning worship at the church we had breakfast and began VBS. Once again Jeff led the silly songs and was hilarious, and Anna and Holly led the VBS songs and did great, and all of the members of our group sang and played along while the kids enjoyed worship. Today we were teaching on salvation and introducing the plan of salvation to the kids. Jeff did a phenomenal job with our group, helping one of the kids in our group come to Christ!
After VBS we went back to the Parks and Rec. center and worked on our painting job. We have it almost completely done! We’re going back tomorrow to do some touch work around the trim, but our group is filled with hard workers making this building a piece of cake. It really was awesome to see how eager everyone was to help, and how as soon as someone would finish the job they were doing, they were immediately asking what else needed to be done, and what else they could do.
Following that we drove back to the campsite, threw on out bathing suits and went out to the beach for a quick swim before church. We had a blast all hanging out in the ocean just relaxing and spending time with each other, even if it wasn’t for very long. Peter was selected from the group to go get a coconut for us, from a nearby tree. We all watched from the water as he walked up on the beach and over to the tree. He stood there for a minute and we were all waiting on him to climb up, until he reached down and picked up a stick that had to have been twenty feet tall, and after several swings he finally got the coconut down. It was hilarious/awesome.
After the swim we all got quick showers changed and went to church. We led the service there once again, and it was…hilarious. John had a phenomenal sermon, and Jared did a great job with his testimony, Jeff and I however had a little more trouble leading the songs. Who was at fault is unknown, but the fact is that Jeff and I were on one rhythm together, and the congregation was on a couple different rhythms…so it was awful. Jeff and I, as well as many other members from our group were doing all that we could do keep from laughing hysterically.
We had another great meeting on the beach, but this one was a little bit sad, as we had to say goodbye to Jeff. Jeff was an incredible help and support on this trip. His enthusiasm and willingness to serve was unbelievable, and he never seemed to let that energy level down. He will surely be missed by the kids here on the island, and I know I speak for everyone in the group when I say we will miss him as well.