Mission: Bahamas

The Faces of our Trip!

2007-07-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys,

Many of you remember how I was taking close-ups of your face during the trip... so I put this thing together just for fun!

I had a blast with all of you guys this past week. It was so cool to see how God worked through all of us. I so enjoyed getting to know all of you more (or for the first time!) I miss you all and can't wait to see how God uses you in the future!

Much love,
Angela :-)

Mission accomplished!

2007-07-07T15:52:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

I just awoke from a nice restful Saturday afternoon nap! I can't believe our time with each other is over, but it is - now, the reflection and thankfulness for our experiences begins. There was much accomplished during our time away, and I'm so grateful for how hard each member worked.

In talking to my girls today, I learned of a conversation that occurred one day at the girls' home. One resident commented that while they had regular visits from groups of Bahamians, and groups from the US, they had not seen such a group as ours - that included both categories. They were impressed with the obvious love and unity between our girls on the team, and those from Kingdom Life. What a great show of Christ's love to these girls, many of whom have not had great examples in their lives.

If you haven't yet heard, my bag was located! Someone apparently picked it up at the airport, thinking it was theirs. They were staying in the Royal Tower at the Atlantis, and turned it in to the Bell Captain. They contacted me, and will be shipping it to me next week! Thank God for that.

Soon, we'll have more photos on the blog, and the picture sharing will begin I'm sure!

Thanks again for being willing to share your life and time on thie Mission X team. It was a joy to serve with you.

Now, we'll be praying for the other teams yet to deploy! God bless.

Mike Gilland

The work is over - fun day is ahead...

2007-07-04T19:21:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

We are winding down on our dessert reception at the Moss' home, just down the street from our camp. What a feast night they prepared for us tonight. Back at the camp, we had: chicken wings, meat balls, crab salad, and corn! Then tonight, an incredible series of desserts, including more "guava duff," (Cedric wanted me to add what I called it the first time - "Guava Buff"...ooops) a Bahamian delicacy. They also had - CARROT CAKE! Who told them?

By God's grace, we finished a lot of work over the last three days. A neat thing happened this morning - we stopped by the paint store to get some supplies, and while there, a young 12 year old boy approached Cedric and said, "Are you the pastor?" Cedric looked at him, and couldn't believe it. His name was Shaquille, and he was a resident in the boy's home two years ago, when the last Mission X team was here! Shaquille couldn't believe that another team was here - he ran outside to greet them. Cedric marveled at God's sovereignty, that we would happen to stop there - with our team - and that he would recognize and remember our being here two years ago.

Sunday, a couple came up to testify - they joined the church a couple of months after our team left here - the result of someone passing the young wife a tract that had Kingdom Life's name on it! Fruit that remains - how good is our Lord!

Cedric gave each member a gift tonight - a shopping bag (we're going to the Straw Market in the morning, and the beach afterwards), and a map of the Bahamas. During a testimony time tonight, many young people shared about how our youth has grown together, how appreciative they were to have been a part of this team (even though a Missions trip to this island apparently has a reputation as an "easy" missions trip!) Hey - anyone that says that should have been on our construction crew, or on the paint crews!!! No doubt about it - we worked hard, much harder than our team thought it would be. But it has been GOOD.

John Watt has been much better - he worked all day today, and was able to be himself tonight.

Thanks for all your prayers. Serving Cedric and Alexine has been such a joy to my heart.

We'll be leaving soon. Not sure I'll be able to post anything else until we are home. We leave the camp Friday morning at 8:30, and we fly out at 11 AM.

God bless!

Mike G

Rainy Wednesday morning!

2007-07-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

We are having a good day, though we lost some of the morning to rain. Our construction efforts were truly washed out, but it didn't stop the girls from their interactions at the girl's home, nor the guys from doing the finish inside painting at the home for boys. We had a nice lunch, then the girls were back talking once again with the residents (under the supervision of a wonderful church member named Keva - your girls will tell you all about her - she has been amazing. Also, the outside wrought iron fence is being painted. Cedric and I took all the clothes that Metro donated to Good Samaritan Ministries shelter - you should have seen the director's face when we brought in 7 huge bags of clothes. She is the wife a pastor, and she runs the clothing house and pantry. Her words were, "These have come at just the right time..." She was amazed.

Tonight, we have the reception at the Moss'. Hey - John Watt made the trip today - he is a lot better - even had a Subway sandwich for lunch!

Take care. More later...

Mike G

It's Tuesday Night!

2007-07-03T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hey Parents,

I was able to get on to our blog site to post tonight! Here is the update from tonight!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well, we've had two great days of outreaches to the two homes - one for boys, the other for girls. Everything from interacting, playing games with the residents (the kids), painting, and building a huge carport. The details are endless - but I will give you a taste...here goes.

Sunday, I preached and led worship at the service at Kingdom Life. Afterwards, we had a fun trip at the Atlantis - what a buffet, and the aquarium there is unlike any I've ever seen. We spent all Sunday afternoon there, then went to Burger King for snacks before an earlier curfew time.

Monday - we split up in teams for the two homes. I have great video of everyone (I think!!!) doing "their thing." You'll see on our DVD what we accomplished. Rich Graham has been a delight - the man is on fire to share his faith...what a blessing to us all. Sadly, last night - John Watt started feeling bad at bed time, and awakened quite sick at his stomach at 5:30 this morning - he had to stay back and in bed all day - please pray for him, for while he is improving, he is still weak.

Today, we had more of the same - lots of painting, interactions, Jeff Hubert, Tyler Day and I are working on a construction project, several mission x team members were painting the wrought-iron fence at the girl's home. Your kids will have much to tell you about these locations.

Tonight - Cedric's wife Alexine and some ladies in the church presented us with "Bahama's Night" - fried conch, red snapper heads and tails, wild rice, plantains, and guava duff - an incredible dessert. They have lavished on us some of the greatest meals.

I'll try to write more tomorrow. We are doing well. The kids are responding, and the weather has been fantastic. Tomorrow, we'll finish our outreaches at the homes, have a dinner reception at the Moss' in the evening, then Friday is our fun day - beach in the morning, through lunch, then the straw market in the afternoon. We'll leave Friday AM at about 8:30 AM for our short ride to the airport, then an 11 AM flight home.

Thanks for praying for us, and for praying for John.

God bless you all.

Mike G

It won't be long!

2007-06-25T20:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

We're about ready to go! Be sure to keep it here in these last days! We'll put last minute items on the blog, plus this will be a great spot to reflect on our time after our Mission X trip is over.

Thanks to Ellie Pollack for all the pictures. Ang, Alli and I ran into Ellie tonight at WalMart - she had her camera, so we had our picture taken by the sunsreen display! How appropriate! Don't forget to bring plenty...and - be keeping up with your e-mails this week.

Friday morning - 9 AM - at OIA...Bahamas here we come...

Mike G

T-minus 8 days...

2007-06-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

Team members,

Are you ready to take off on our Bahamas adventure? It is almost here. Last night, I sent out to all team members a detailed schedule showing what we will be doing during each daypart of our mission. Also included is a list of important bits of information.

Be sure to note the pictures to the right sent in by Ellie, one of our team members. We certainly have a beautiful mission field awaiting us...

Cedric said that Nassau has been receiving a LOT of rain lately, so taking a rain poncho would be a good idea. Hopefully, that level of unusual rain will end by the time we get there.

You'll also want to bring paint clothes! Don't forget to pack garden gloves and safety goggles. We'll be serving by doing a lot of painting and clean up.

IMPORTANT FOR TEAM MEMBERS We've moved our orientation meeting up an hour - meet at the Bahamasair at 9 AM on Friday, departure day! Once we are all together and accounted for, we'll move on to our gate, grab coffee or food, and then we will have an important meeting.

See you soon - write me with any questions!

Mike Gilland

NEW PASSPORT INFO!

2007-06-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

I have sent out an important e-mail to all team members outlining some GREAT NEWS...be sure to read it. Bottom line for those without passports - the Bahamian Government is following similar guidelines for entry as is the US Immigration Department. READ THAT E-MAIL CAREFULLY!

Also, please know that a post on this blog and an e-mail will e sent out this week, outlining details of our daily schedule while in the Bahamas.

Finally - plan on arrving at the Bahamasair counter inside the Orlando International Airport NO LATER THAN 10 AM on departure day - June 29! We will rendezvous at the counter, then have a meeting before the trip. Please allow time for security checks!

Thanks...be sure to comment on all posts!

See you soon.

Mike Gilland

Hello from Mike G...and important PASSPORT info...

2007-06-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all doing well. Just two and a half weeks to go! We are very excited to take part in this adventure.

The Mission X trip to Haiti ends tonight - our team members are already preparing to leave...they will be arriving at about 7:30 tonight. Thanks for praying for them.

Our departure date is only 18 days away. It is important that all details be taken care of - Lisa still needs some information from some of our team members...and if you don't have a passport yet, that is getting to be a concern! In just 4 days, we will come to the two-week-til-departure date. If you don't have your passprot by Friday, you'll need to contact the State Department. I sent out a detailed e-mail to each member today, so be sure to read it carefully!

Here is a challenge to each - I'd love to hear your previous experiences on Mission X trips - add them as a comment!

Take care.

Mike Gilland

Don't forget our upcoming deadlines!

2007-05-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to say that we have some deadlines coming up, including:

May 29 - completion of online training/and the forms that go along with them. Consult Lisa Chen's e-mail that was sent out earlier...

May 31 - final payment for your trip - don't miss out!

June 13 - if you haven't received your passport by this date, VERY IMPORTANT - contact me immediately.

I'm up in Indiana right now, and I don't have great Internet service...(I'm sittting with my laptop at the library right now!) If you have any questions, call me on my cell phone...Emily at Metro Life can give that to you.

Thanks for all you're doing...don't forget to add comments, and in them, let us know your thoughts and prayers for our upcoming trip! Be sure to include your name on your comments.

God bless!

Mike Gilland
Team Leader
Bahamas07 MX

Our Blog has been UPDATED

2007-05-18T21:40:00.000-07:00

Hey - yet another bit of news for you...thanks to Angela Gilland (my daughter) - she is on our trip to Nassau as a fellow Mission X member - she has given our Blog spot a cool look. Thanks too to Jake Phillips, who set up our account. NOW - we need to hear from you. Write me at mikeg@abundantgracecc.org with your submissions...once approved, your posts will be added. And, you can add comments - but be advised - you have to sign up for a Google Blogspot account to do so (it's free!).

I've sent out an e-mail to you tonight - be sure to read it carefully, and stop by our Blog often!

In Christ,

Mike Gilland

The plan is coming together - we'd love to hear from you

2007-05-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Well, we are now under 6 weeks away from our trip to Nassau for Mission X! I hope you guys are excited!

Thanks to Jake Phillips for setting up this blog site. Here is what I would like for each of you to do...

Please take a moment, and pass along your thoughts about being selected for this Mission X team - include any prayer requests, or personal goals for the trip. If you have had previous Mission X experience, and can encourage our first-timers, please do so!

Otherwise, I'm sure that you know what to do to comment, and add your thoughts. I'll pass along more news, and even post some previous bits of info that you should have received via e-mail.

The great adventure begins on June 29! Can't wait!

in Christ,

Mike G

Bahamas!!!

2007-05-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up people! Welcome to the blog devoted to all things related to the Mission: Bahamas team. Leading up to the trip, this site will be used for, oh, many different reasons. Things we're excited about, bits of wisdom from our leader Mr. Gilland, pics, stories from previous mission trips and anything else I'm not thinking of right now (don't worry there's a post coming from Mr. Gilland that will explain more what this is all about.) During the trip, assuming we have internet access, we'll be able to use this to give updates about the trip, etc.

Well that just about covers it, a post from Mr. G comin soon!