Winter update from Sunny Bocachica

  I can't give you and accurate description by words of what Bocachica is like, but when you experience it in person it becomes real.

We just shared 5 days with a group from our church in NC. Three men came here for the first time.

January 2015 Antioch team

I think one of the things I appreciate most about short term mission trips is that it gives those who come here an idea of how to pray for those who live here.

As soon as we walk off the boat and enter into the garbage filled banks onto the rugged streets that are not paved but washed away from the falls rain. It fills their minds with awareness of how this community lives. To the houses made of wood that are being eaten away by termites to the houses that have charm. This community therefore becomes meaningful by what they experience and see.
We are thankful to have the team come and interact in the community and spend time with those who live here.

My neighbors right down my street. Making mud pies! :)

I can tell you about not having power, but it isn't until you have dealt with the stuffiness of an enclosed room on a tropical island at night; do you understand what many on this island experience often. The team got to experience this the first night they stayed.

I can try and convey the struggle the island has with lack of clean water in so many ways. It's once you hear personal testimonies of a families struggle that you can begin to understand the need here. We are now in 2015 and most of the island still drinks contaminated water.

A very common way to bathe here on the island. Notice the yellow jug beside the mom. After they are done bathing she will fill the jug and take it home and use it for  drinking, cooking, and washing laundry.

Thankful Antioch sent funds to make 3 filters for families in need!

I can write blogs about the lack of parental supervision/involvement there is here, but until you see kids as young as one and a half walk around alone, or you see a 12 year old losing patience with her small child due to being a child herself does it really stick with you.

The little boy in the dirt is sad to hear the word NO!

I am thankful for the many discussions we had with the team concerning topics like this. Just the time to talk about such topics gave Nate and I encouragement.

Our team also spent an afternoon encouraging those who would like to know more about homeschooling. This was a blessing to all involved. I am excited to know parents are seeing things they are not happy with and desiring a change.

I can tell you in many ways the churches here are trying all they can to reach those who are lost here on the island but they still need help. Mature Christians are needed here. The cycle needs to change and we need to encourage dads and moms to have an active role in their children's lives. To share the importance of family to those who live here. To teach the word of the Lord with our kids.With out examples of this it takes more time to get basic things accomplished.

Mark with Mau the translater. We are always excited to have Mark preach and the people here look forward to it as well! 

The church was full!

We are thankful that Antioch sees a need for our family to be here ministering to this community.

So we thank Antioch Community Church for coming all time to work with us, To love the people we love. To share in what we do daily. We couldn't do it with out their support. We look forward to the next time they come!

We welcome and encourage you to come and experience the life here.

If you want to support a project in Bocachica, here are our plans for the near future.
  Build a house for missionary family Luis and Adriana: $6000.00
  Sponsor a filter for a family: $65.00
  Sound system for weekly movie nights:$1000.00

We want to have the house finished this spring so that Luis and his family can have space of their own. They are living in the apartment at our house, and it is a little small for a family to use as a house. Luis wants to work here long term, so if you like to invest in locals that are working in the community this is a great place to put that investment.

Send checks to:
Antioch Community Church
P.O. Box 40
Elon, NC. 27244
with the specified use in the memo line, or click on the "Pay Pal" button at the top of the page

Blessings,
Tara