Fly-In & Help Out, the Best Yet!
The whole thing started with what was thought to be a “random” wedding reception conversation between Steve Merritt of Raleigh, North Carolina, and a little lady from Kalamzoo, Michigan. However, we now know that God had been orchestrating it for quite a while and look where it has brought us. What has it turned into? None other than the Fourth Biannual Bahamas Habitat Fly-In & Help Out Event.
The event that has brought over 75 private pilots, volunteers and planes to Camp Symonette, James’ Cistern, Eleuthera over the past two years to not only serve persons that are in need of emergency home repair but also to experience a new way of living and sharing life.
This year volunteers shared God’s love through physical acts such as framing a roof, weather proofing a home by hanging siding and painting, remodeling a bathroom, building kitchen cabinets, tiling floors and even building some new furniture for Camp Symonette. More importantly though the volunteers were able to interact with the families they were serving, community members that joined them for dinner, during an excursion trip to Current and Harbour Island and at the Saturday night concert held at James Cistern Wesley Methodist Church.
Cameron King, a recent graduate of Auburn University, shared that, “A major way that I am able to see the Kingdom is when cultures cross (socially, economically, racially, etc.) and watching the interactions among the [Fly-In] group and the community was one beautiful aspect of the weekend.”
On Thursday afternoon, 10 private planes and 27 volunteers met once again at the Tiki Hut at Ft. Pierce, Florida International Airport. There they made their final plans for their hour and a half flight to Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera with help from the Fly-In & Help Out Logistics Manager, Steve Merritt. Each plane was packed full with willing volunteer labor and much needed tools and supplies for the sub-standard homes that awaited their assistance on the beautiful island Eleuthera.
Friday morning brought a beautiful sunrise and a full day of service. Four work teams headed out into three surrounding settlements. The first stop was Charley John’s home in James’ Cistern which needed new siding to stop further deterioration from time and sea spray. The crew of six made quick work of hanging the new T1-11 siding and window trim. They were also able to put a final coat of paint on the home that made it look beautiful. The next team headed north 8 miles to the Hatchet Bay Community Center where they installed kitchen cabinets.
Two teams were in Governor’s Harbour which is 12 miles south of Camp and the Capital of the Eleuthera. There they tiled Ms. Brenda Lee Petty’s bathroom and painted the exterior of her home. The second team took on framing Ms. Berta Pinder’s new roof. This was probably the most exciting home because of the condition that the Pinder family currently lives in. The hope that this new roof represents is amazing.
Mrs. Pinder told the volunteers, “Y’all are doing a real good job on the roof…a real good job!” The last team stayed at Camp and constructed brand new Adirondack chairs that are perfect to relax in after a hard days work, tiled the Camp’s new office space and staff housing facility as well two volunteers, that are mechanics, worked on the Camp’s truck transmission. Everyone had plenty of worthwhile tasks to accomplish. Susan Meeker, who had come to the March ‘09 Fly-In, stated with tears in her eyes, “I am so pleased to see the progress on Mrs. Pinder’s home, last year there was nothing and this year the roof was built.”
The volunteers were then treated to an amazing meal prepared by the world famous chef, Mr. Billy Stubbs. The evening was capped off with a informative program given by the Bahamas Methodist Habitat staff and their special guest Mr. Martin Gaitor, past BMH Construction Coordinator. Mr. Gaitor shared stories from his 14 years serving with BMH and the struggles that the ministry went through to get off the ground but also of the successes and lives that have been changed because of the ministry.
The Rev. Dr. Godfrey Bethel, BMH Chairman, and Mr. Ken Culmer, BMH Treasurer, on behalf of the BMH Board of Directors, presented two plaques in appreciation for Bahamas Habitat’s US 501(c)3 continued support of Bahamas Methodist Habitat. A letter from the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church (BCMC) President, The Rev. Bill Higgs, was also presented to Bahamas Habitat and the Fly-In and Help Out Volunteers for their willingness to serve those in need in the Bahamas.
Saturday morning was just as busy with things to do but the BMH staff used a variety of opportunities to mix things up. The work teams went back out to complete their jobs during the morning then headed out on two separate adventures. One crew took off in the bus to enjoy lunch and the afternoon on Harbour Island; they rented golf carts, walked on the pink sand beaches and enjoyed the beauty of the small tourist destination.
The other half of the group loaded up in their planes and flew to MacDuff’s Resort on Norman’s Cay, Exuma. The adventure started when the directions were given … “Go south down the island to Rock Sound and turn right...”, this was overheard but will not be directed at anyone specifically. Right Mr. Outstanding? There were a few wrong turns reported but everyone had a great trip and returned home safely. The pilots and passengers were amazed by the azure and electric blue colored waters and the beauty of the sky during their afternoon excursion.
After another wonderful dinner from Mr. Billy Stubbs the whole crew went to the James’ Cistern Wesley Methodist Church for a night of signing. Freddie Ferguson, Congregational Board Chairperson/BMH Board Member, and Vonia Roach, Choir Director, put together an incredible experience for the Fly-In volunteers and local community members. Performer’s included the James’ Cistern Methodist Youth Choir, Brenda Lee Petty, Kevin Joseph, Freddie Ferguson, Olga Bowles, Abraham McIntyre, Jim Marshall and even the Vice President of the BCMC Mrs. Elmena Bethell got in on the action.
One volunteer shared after the concert that she came to volunteer for person’s that she thought had nothing but after the concert she shared, “I was blown away by how talented everyone was and I realized how wrong I was in my perceptions“. The concert was very well done but the sharing of a cultural experience really helped change people’s hearts.
Sunday morning included breakfast, packing, cleaning up Camp and a worship service at the brand new Outdoor Chapel. The Chapel was recently built by a group called Patmos which is a reality discipleship ministry based out of the Adventure Learning Centre in Nassau. The group read scripture, sang songs and shared how God had opened their eyes over the weekend. Alex Coley of Jacksonville, FL expressed his gratitude towards BMH that he and his 12 year old son A.J., who have little to no construction skill (or so they thought) could be sitting in their reclining chairs at home on Wednesday night, not knowing what the Fly-In was all about, and then Friday morning be out on a job site building a roof.
Alex said that, “BMH is set up in the perfect way to not only support financially but also physically, even if you don’t know how to swing a hammer“. A.J., then jokingly shared, “My dad’s only power tools are his cell phone, check book and computer.” This was truly a weekend of diverse talents. From Alex and A.J. to master tilers and mechanics, all skill levels were welcomed and put to good use.
After worship it was time to head back to Governor’s Harbour airport for 10:00 am flights back home to North Carolina, Virgina, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. The volunteers left with a new appreciation for the real Bahamas, the homes they live in, the planes they fly in and the new friends that they were able to meet, serve and share with while they were on Eleuthera. As the pilots flew off into the Northern Sky they thanked the BMH staff over the airwaves by saying, “Thanks for the great weekend and we’ll see you real soon“.
If you would like more information on the next Fly-In and Help Out or how you can get more involved, make sure you are registered on our fly-in page at: http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/?page_id=7. Also, subscribe to our news blog at: http://www.bahamashabitat.org/wordpress/?page_id=180
To inquire further please email: info@bahamashabitat.org. We are seeking pilots that want to fly for our next event in November 2009.