On August 14, 2001, twelve members of FUMC led by Roxana Bowgen, Founder and President of VOC, Inc. left for the Island of Abaco and arrived at Marsh Harbor to help in the rebuilding effort of the northern part of the island, which had been devastated by Hurricane Floyd in September of 1999.

Daily the team was transported 30 miles to the job site by school bus. Because of the major destruction to the islands infrastructure, many parts of the island had no potable water. The team had to carry drinkable supplies to the jobsite. Each day tools were loaded on the bus in the morning at unloaded at the end of the day. Careful daily planning was required to ensure that the appropriate tools were taken for that days job.

The team spackled, painted, did carpentry work, landscaped, tiled, put down flooring and performed various other jobs to complete three homes that had been started by previous teams.

All the materials were provided by the local Project Coordinator in the Bahamas. The team contributed funds toward the purchase of the building materials. The volunteers level of skills ranged from experienced contractors to first timers.

It took a hearty group of individuals to work in the 90+ degree weather. The workers had to access an electricity supply about 200 yards away and tap into a water source of a nearby building to accomplish their tasks.

Despite the challenges of the environment, the group successfully completed the refurbishing of three homes in seven days!

BAHAMAS , ABACO ISLAND Visit them at: www.crossroadumc.org/missions/bahamas.htm