BMH says ,“Tanks, Tanks a whole lot!” to Emily Bagwell and Leia Suska as they head back home

Kenrick Pearce, Emily Bagwell and Leia Suska repair a damaged roof.

Bahamas Methodist Habitat and Eleuthera are glad that these two young women got plenty of sand in their shoes because they will be greatly missed and we will all celebrate when we hear the sweet words, “We soon reach!” But do not let the amount of sand in their shoes fool you, these ladies worked hard while volunteering for Bahamas Methodist Habitat!

Over the past year and a half, Bahamas Methodist Habitat (BMH) and the community of James’ Cistern were blessed by the selfless acts of service that Emily Bagwell and Leia Suska committed to at Camp Symonette. But their service did not stop back there in the bush of JC. The two long term Volunteers not only served on Eleuthera but also Nassau, Cat and Andros islands with volunteer teams, and Great Inagua and Grand Turk, TCI in disaster response after Hurricane Ike in September of 2008.

Many days you could find Emily and Leia working diligently at Camp Symonette getting ready for volunteer teams or school groups that were coming to experience the beauty of Eleuthera and the wonderful people that awaited their arrival. Emily’s Camp Manager responsibilities included: setting up meals for groups, landscape management, merchandise, programming and ensuring an overall positive and life altering experience for BMH volunteers and campers. Her new claim to fame though is her title of “Tile Laying Rookie of the Year”. Kenrick Pearce, BMH Construction Coordinator, only had to show her once how to lay tile and keep straight lines…and she never looked back. You can admire her work at Camp Symonette and throughout the Bahamas.

Emily was also very involved in the James’ Cistern Wesley Methodist Church, which fueled her passion for her next step in life, which is Wesley Methodist Seminary in Washington, D.C. Her original plan was to volunteer with BMH for six months and then begin seminary but she deferred her enrollment for a year to take advantage of the opportunity God had given her to serve in the Bahamas. Emily states that, “Working with Bahamas Methodist Habitat opened my eyes to the power of living in a community. The sense of community and deep relationships in the Bahamas challenges me to intentionally live and work with those around me." She was definitely loved and will be missed by many in the JC community but knows that she will always be welcomed with open arms back home in JC.

Leia Suska played a vital role in the BMH ministry as the Volunteer Coordinator. Her efforts to set up systems of success for BMH streamlined much of their work. She helped build their new website, restructured volunteer recruitment systems and took on the administrative assistants role with great joy and success. Leia also assisted with volunteer teams as they served throughout the Bahamas and worked along side many teams by nailing shingles, hanging drywall, laying tile and painting. Her passion for serving others even made her change her career path. When asked about her future plans she responded, “I don't want to have a normal job anymore... instead, I want to do mission or volunteer work for the rest of my life…and I have decided to go to Nursing School and start in August!” Leia made many great relationships while here in the Bahamas and that has also shaped her life back in the States. “I have a whole new appreciation for taking time to build lasting relationships with people because of my time in the Bahamas.”

BMH Director, Abraham McIntyre, stated, “The passion and energy that Emily and Leia poured into BMH, the Bahamas and on Grand Turk were unparalleled. Late nights on roofs, early mornings in the kitchen…it didn’t matter, they were always ready and willing to do what needed to be done to make the ministry the best it could be. On behalf of the Bahamas Conference of the Methodist Church and Bahamas Methodist Habitat, even though it is not enough to express how grateful we are, we say Thank You Emily and Leia for the past year and a half of service that you volunteered with BMH!”

Long Term Volunteers are needed at BMH on a revolving year round basis. They are looking for local Bahamians to serve with them as they grow the ministry throughout the Bahamas. Please contact them if you or someone you know is interested in joining this very worthwhile ministry.

Website: www.MethodistHabitat.org
Phone: Abraham McIntyre, Director at 242-422-9318
Email: MethodistHabitat@gmail.com