By PATRICK MCGREGOR

Senior Freeport News Reporter

pmcgregor@nasguard.com

Dozens of island visitors are working to exemplify the expression 'brotherly love' as they surrender their summer vacation to assist total strangers.

A group of 72 high school students and adult leaders from Connecticut, USA, made their presence felt in the Pinder's Point community as they renovated, cleaned and repaired homes and properties throughout the area.

Additionally, members of the group hosted a mini camp for the area children at The Church of The Good Shepherd.

Ken McGarry, Director of Ministries at Wilton Congregational Church in Connecticut, and leader of the group of six-dozen, told The Freeport News that they are enjoying playing with the local children and helping in the community.

McGarry, who noted that this visit marked his first to the island, described the response from the members of the southern community as "wonderful."

"It's wonderful to be able to share with the island culturally," he said. "To get to know the people and to let them get to know us. It's been a great experience."

With regard to work in the community, much effort went into the renovation of small, wooden houses in a village-like setting just opposite the Church of the Good Shepherd. The volunteers plastered the exterior, repairs roofs and cleaned the yard.

According to McGarry, although many of the residents in that area do not own the homes, they were happy to have them repaired.

"They've been very, very happy to see leaky roofs be made not to leak, and to see their quality of life improve because of the gifts of our kids," he said.

The group is scheduled to leave the island this morning, and according to director McGarry, his objective at the end of the day was to see the volunteers get the opportunity to serve Christ through serving others.

"Expecting nothing in return," he added. "Just to serve and help out."

The visit is a result of efforts headed by Island Encounter Ministries, through which, with the assistance of local pastors, the building materials are purchased.

"I know that God is blessing Island Encounter, the work they are doing and blessing the people of Grand Bahama through them," he said.

Among the volunteer workers and contractors at the work site was Pastor Godfrey Green of the First Pentecostal Church of God, a church in the neighbouring Hunter's community. Green said he is also trying to help in the community.

"It's an ongoing project for the summer, at least until August," the pastor said. "It's great because most of them (the volunteers) don't know and I have to supervise them. They're in a learning process too and they're enjoying it."

Green said these efforts speak well for the worldwide Christian community and extended the challenge to the Bahamian Christian Community to join the efforts.

"I wish that, now, our people through the Bahamas would take hold and follow suit," he said.