Many of us enjoyed watching Steve Carrell in Evan Almighty. This modern adaptation of the story of Noah tells how one man, one family can help change the world. That change comes in the form of one A.R.K at a time (Acts of Random Kindness). This summer, a New Jersey Family changed our world in the Bahamas with their random act of Kindness.
How one New Jersey Family brought glory to God and 800 pounds of Baseball supplies to the Bahamas.
Didier Mukendi, a faithful disciple in Central NJ came to the Bahamas with Horacio Piccininno and a small team of believers to serve earlier in the spring. Their plan was to serve in Nassau. They served and gave generously at the All Saints Camp (A community dedicated to those infected with HIV and their families) and at a Elderly Home and at our Saturday Academy practical Math class. Their service inspired the Nassau Disciples and our HOPE worldwide Bahamas team.
In an effort to help them better understand the Bahamas and our efforts, Horacio visited the Church in Freeport, Bahamas. Didier and Horacio visited the Church in Exuma. The Churches on both Islands were greatly encouraged by their warmth and sincerity. While in Exuma, Didier saw Exuma’s only baseball field and learned that most children have little to no baseball equipment. This moved him and the spark of a random act of kindness was kindled.
Didier returned home and put together a plan. His son Nico had been playing baseball all his life and so they had used equipment they could donate. But they also knew other baseball families who had used equipment as well. Nico’s talent as a baseball player and the Mukendi family reputation provided the perfect opportunity ask the community to help. In only one Saturday afternoon, over 800 pounds of great quality used and new baseball equipment was donated! They collected 60 baseball gloves, 37 baseball caps, 50 pairs of socks, 67 pairs of cleats, 16 equipment bags, 42 batting helmets, 10 catchers masks, 17 chest protectors,10 pairs of shin guards, 129 bats, 20 batting gloves, 58 baseball pants, 35 shirts, 2 score books,1 batting tee and a set of bases.
God moved powerfully as the equipment was shipped and thanks to the Bahamian Ministry of Finance, it cleared duty free.
What was equally encouraging for us, was to see Didier and his Son Nico serve in Exuma for our Inaugural week in August. They gave to us and we were able to give to them. It was amazing to see father and son grow closer to God and each other through a week of service. At our farewell event, they expressed deep love and respect for each other, and shed tears (manly tears of course!). Each one of them crediting the other for the collection of the Baseball Equipment. This triumph did not come overnight, but was the product of many years of a family investing in their children and their sporting interests. It came after many years of transmitting the Christian values of giving and serving. In the few minutes of sharing between these two men and that of many other NJ families that came to serve, we saw the power of a carefully orchestrated efforts on God’s part to show us his heart. God also had been working a plan on the Bahamian side as well.
The Exuma Church Leader, Ed Beneby himself a sports coach had already built great community relationships. He had been working with a small local League that includes members of the Royal Bahamian Police Force. It was so encouraging for all to see the the Baseball equipment get cleared duty free and then be transported by the Police to serve the youth in partnership with the Exuma church and HOPE worldwide Bahamas & Central Jersey Chapters. God used this time to touch the community on so many levels. The Directors of the Exuma Foundation were so impressed with the effort, that they offered for the supplies to be stored there for free. They also commented with admiration, that they could not define us. They asked were we a church or a charity. Yes, we are both. They further commented on the service and generosity of such a diverse multi ethnic group. Observing that it was such a stark to the often ego driven religiosity that characterize much of Bahamian “Christian” efforts.
By sharing this with you, we are no way seeking to glorify ourselves or our limited efforts but it speaks to the power of unity and simple acts of service and their ability to communicate the gospel without words. This week of service has brought glory to God and provided the Exuma Church and The HOPE program with a sterling reputation as true servants of God. It would not be as grand if not for one family and their random act of kindness. We encourage you to use what God has given you to change the world, one act of random kindness at a time.