Caribbean Ministries Association Blog

God’s timing is always perfect!

Since mid-February until the end of May, God provided three teams to Eleuthera to further the construction of the missionary houses. The end of this important project is beginning to come into focus!

Truly, the work of the day to day operation of EBTC in Eleuthera could not have been accomplished without the presence and guidance of Julie Landau and a missionary couple, Shaun and Dianne Childers. Julie came to CMA after graduating from Cedarville University and then working two years and raising support. Julie has eagerly and enthusiastically been fulfilling a one-year term of service. She handles many of the responsibilities that are normally done by several missionaries. Julie carries out administrative details, disciples women on the island, and actively assists teams in ministry. I am thankful for Julie’s servant heart and her dedication to ministry.

Its a Boy!
Shaun and Dianne Childers and their four sons also arrived in February to begin a three-month stay before returning to Texas for the birth of son number five! While getting his family adjusted and oriented to Bahamian life and culture, Shaun served in construction leadership with the three aforementioned teams. Of course, he also learned a few new construction methods – Bahamian style. By the way, Dianne delivered in early May. The Childers plan to return in late July. Please pray for the shipping of household furnishings as well as their continued adjustment to their new home and culture.

Because of the departure of the Voss’s last year, I was privileged to go to Eleuthera for a number of weeks myself to orient Shaun and Julie to key contacts and procedures of the ministry and to familiarize them with suppliers and officials with whom they would need to work once I returned to the states. Like fish to water, they learned quickly.

But what to do with the absence of the Childers from April through July?? God had the answer. . . Dave and Vickie Hawkins filled the gap in Eleuthera until the end of May. Dave assisted in the two training sessions with the students during April and May. He also began making contacts with pastors on the island for future ministry. Vickie assisted Julie in the women’s Bible study. Pray for the Hawkins as they desire to live in Eleuthera and serve with CMA. Dave and Vickie have returned to the States to complete the raising of support so that they can begin their career missionary service.

It is a joy to see how God is blessing the ministry that is taking place on this sliver of an island! I truly believe God’s kingdom is being strengthened and expanded for the years ahead.

Nicaraguan Ministry with the Most's

Of course, the Bahamas no longer lays claim to the only country in which CMA is working. Shortly after returning to the States, Bonnie and I went to Nicaragua to view the Lord’s vineyard that Carl and Kathy Most help tend. Suffice to say, the opportunities are plenteous as was the dust and heat in this beautiful country! My particular reason for traveling to Nicaragua was to attend three days of meetings with Carl and several other key mission agencies working in the country. We listened to one another and learned how each mission agency could best assist the others in their particular areas of ministry. How wonderful it was to discuss with like-minded ministries ways that we could help each other as opposed to drawing territorial lines that would establish independence as opposed to interdependence. It was an incredibly God exalting time as we all agreed that there is plenty of elephant for us ants to chew on!

While Kathy and Carl have many responsibilities let me highlight a couple of them:
Kathy mentors a group of women weekly, helping them grow in their understanding of Christ and His Word. They spend the day “doing life” and sharing practical instruction of cooking, mothering, etc.

Carl disciples young people and women in an isolated village. While he is concerned about seeing their souls prosper, he is also aware that making ends meet is not easy, particularly for the ladies in this area.
This is only a slice of life for this couple. Pray for them.

A Glimpse of Life

To give you a feel of what life is like in Nicaragua, Bonnie and I had the opportunity to attend a Nicaraguan wedding in one of the poorest sections of Managua (the capitol city). The dust, heat and dirt did not stop the joy of these two young people committing to a lifetime of marriage. Like any young couple in love, they were oblivious to the elements. I believe they would have been just as oblivious had it been during the rainy season, in which case the dust would have turned to mud, and the roads would literally have become ankle-deep in sludge. From what I could tell, almost all of the houses were without electricity or running water. Donkey carts and bone weary horses pulled two-wheeled carts, hauling drums of water, which are then sold to those in this poor area. These vendors and their squeaky wheels were constantly passing by during the wedding.

Fox's on the Field

Finally, and by no means least, Brad and Alicia Fox have arrived in Eleuthera to begin their career missionary service! Brad serves as the Coordinator of Teams, a position we have very much needed to fill. Alicia assists him in this capacity, but also looks to use her skill as a nurse at EBTC and possibly helping at the local medical clinic. Brad and Alicia will also reach out to the local youth through discipleship and training, and they may even have an opportunity to go into the local schools and teach the Why KnoW Abstinence program this fall! What an opportunity that would be!

Pray for Brad and Alicia as they give themselves to the people of Eleuthera. Pray for wisdom as they adjust to this ministry assignment. And like all missionaries go through, pray for them as they experience extended separation from friends and family. This can be a difficulty that unless you have experienced it yourself, it is not easy to imagine.