Bahamas

Bahamas
Address 3009 David Dr, Columbia, MO 65202 - Phone 573-474-7155 - Fax 573-474-6898 - E-mail Volunteers in Mission

These projects are organized by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). To learn more about specific projects please contact:

Hatchet Bay Community Center-A church is being renovated into a community center. All of the inside work is left to be done including installing a kitchen.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Camp Symonette. Dormitory style rooms with bunk beds, a shared bathroom. Each gender has their own side to the dorm.

FOOD: Be prepared to conserve all resources, especially water! Bottled water will be provided for drinking. There are Conservations Regulations that your team needs to view prior to arrival. Visit www.methodisthabitat.org to learn more about these regulations. Meals are served in the dining hall. Lunch and Dinner are included in the price of your package. Teams will be assigned kitchen duty and will prepare their own lunch daily. A local cook prepares dinner each night and volunteers will be responsible for the clean up. The dining hall can also be used for worship services, Bible study, and other fellowship activities.

PACKING LIST: The camp has most general construction tools. If your project requires special tools, equipment, or materials, they may ask that you bring those with you. Consult with Methodist Habitat staff using the information listed above. If you do bring your own tools and want to donate them at the end of your week of service they would gladly receive them and put them to good use.

Please bring a Twin Set of Sheets and Bath/Beach Towels to use while you are staying in the camp. Remember to bring at least 2 cans of bug spray per person (Products with Deet keep mosquitoes away; Skin-so-soft works for the sand fleas), sunscreen, long pants for working, dress clothes for church services (suits are not required), and a sweatshirt or jacket if you plan to come during winter months. We have compiled a comprehensive Packing List, which can be downloaded from the web sight www.methodisthabitat.org. Please leave valuables at home. Our facility is safe but we ask this to ensure no problems occur.

SIGHT SEEING: Beautiful beaches surround the camp! Volunteers can hike or drive 3 miles north to take in the beauty of The Cliffs. There are also many options for swimming and snorkeling (please bring your own equipment) within the community. There are several stores within a 15-minute walk of the camp, including a variety store, fruit/vegetable stand, and small grocery store.

During your stay you will have one full day of site seeing available. Methodist Habitat staff will assist you in planning excursions. The cost of fuel is figured into your overall weekly cost so please be prepared to pay extra for other costs associated with recreation. Prices are much higher in the Bahamas than in the US. The money exchange is considered equal in the Bahamas. US currency is accepted in all establishments. ATM's are located in Governors Harbor (20 minutes South).

Total cost per person is $500. This includes lunch, dinner, housing, and transportation on island, administration cost, and building materials.

There is a $100 registration fee--non-refundable, per group to be sent in with completed application listing 3 possible dates for camp reservations. The application can be found at www.methodisthabitat.org.

Health forms, personnel information forms, registration forms, packing lists, wish lists, etc. can also be found on the Methodist Habitat web sight.

For more information on teams to the Bahamas, please contact the Major Project Leader, Lucinda Kenagy:

INTRODUCING LUCINDA: My husband, a local Pastor, and I are from a small rural church. We were looking for an adventure type of mission trip for the senior high youth of our church. While searching the Internet, Pastor Bill Kenagy found the Methodist Habitat from Eleuthera Bahamas web sight and began a multi-year planning and fund raising extravaganza. He took 3 adult sponsors and 14 youth on our first out of country mission trip in June of 2006. I then followed up with a scouting mission trip during December 2006 to plan our June 2007 mission trip. I traveled with 5 other missioners from the South East Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.

Bill and I have quickly grown to love the island, their way of "NO PROBLEM'S Mon!" and her people. This has become our mission of the heart. We are planning multiple missions that will span into the future. I have termed our mission "Heart to Heart" for we are taking our teams from the Heart of the US to the Heart of Eleuthera.

Each of the mission trips will be unique unto itself. Each team will get to work with some of the most wonderful and loving people you will ever meet. And each sight will prove to be just as wondrous. From the communities that have open bays such as Hatchet Bay and Gregory Town to the sea side communities like James Cistern. Each one has its own beauties and needs. The work may be hard and tiring, but the end result is well worth it. These people will take a hold of your heart and light a new fire for missions and the Word of Christ with in you.

Be prepared to receive and give lots of hugs and love. You will never meet a more appreciative group of people. This mission field is a great way to get your feet wet and try out new venues for giving. Come join us; leave the stress and hectic pace of the US behind and give a small amount of time, talents, and your gifts to a community/island that will give you much more in return.