International Day of Service "Hearts and Hands 2015"

Advertising Our November 7th Event at the Church

Greetings from Bonaire!

November 7th, 2015 was the church sponsored International Day of Service "Hearts and Hands 2015" in the Caribbean Area.

Several months ago, instruction from the Area leaders of the Church, encouraged the Branches and other church units to find a project as soon as possible and invite members, family friends, and others to join with us in a worthwhile Community Project. It was also suggested to involve others by teaming up with other groups or churches.  As the deadline approached and was only several weeks away and there was still no decision on what to do, we, Elder Vander Veur and I, realized that we needed to become very involved and get things going for our Branch's project!

First we asked a Congregation of Protestants whose historical church is situated in the town's main square, Wilhelmina Plaza. The building's paint was peeling, the yard was full of weeds and the whole place looked unkempt and messy. It was in serious need of help . We offered to join with their congregation and spruce things up.

After a visit with the government representative of the church, we learned that the church had lost it's government funding and that a committee would have to be asked about our offer.  After several email communications that received no response, we realized we needed to start looking for another opportunity to serve!

Finally it was suggested the Amas Ball Field, where the Branch has played soft ball a few times, was really in rough shape and could use a cleanup. It was a mess! Garbage everywhere, broken bottles, the fence was broken down, the backstop was falling apart, and a big pile of limbs, dirt and debris. 

 

Homemade emergency backstop!

At some time a bulldozer created a pile of dirt and trash.  The wind added more debris!

Play Ball? Note fence and trash.

Where is the garbage can?!

It was decided, we'll go with the old ballpark.

First we went to the head of Parks and Recreation at the government because the fence was down so we asked for wire to stretch and repair the fence. We explained that we didn't have money but we were willing and hard working. After several emails and talking in person, with no help...they talked nice but no action... we decided to take the matter into our own hands.

We went to the biggest hardware store on the island Kooyman - kind of like Home Depot - and asked for wire, gloves, and pliers. They were very kind, helpful and generous.

We talked to the local garbage company Selibon and asked for garbage bags. They gave us a dumpster, garbage bags and hand sanitizer for all!

Angel Mejia, whose wife and children are members of the branch, is in construction and agreed to come and help stretch the fence.

Then we needed to get the word out so more people would come and help so we went to the most popular radio station and Aimed Ayubi offered to interview Elder VV on the radio. "Live 99.9 FM" gave him a 3 minute interview in Dutch to tell his story and ask for help.

Even though nobody from the community came to help, we had 3 little boys who also play on the ball field and 22 members and missionaries from the Branch. 

After our effort...fence up again...and clean as a whistle!

Now that is better!

We filled the donated Dumpster to the top!

WOW! That looks Great...no trash against the fence!

Now...Let's Play Ball!

A man from the EXTRA newspaper, one of the most read newspapers on the island, had heard Elder VV on the radio spot and decided to come over for some photos of our project and a brief interview.  On November 9th, Djaluna (Tuesday) we were in the paper (on page 38)! A big headline, a brief article and 6 photos of some of our workers.  Cool!

We fed everybody with watermelon, apples, sandwiches, cookies and punch. All in all it was a successful experience and a worthwhile service project for the members to participate in.

Angel Mejia and President Brian Albus

The whole group

Thanks to one and all

All set for the next ball game!

Elder VV and I had a good experience talking to people in the community and making more people aware of the church's presence here on Bonaire.

We learned valuable lessons - it can't hurt to ask, people are nicer than they look, when nothing happens or they say "no" ...oh well, and we are braver than we thought!

We made the news!