“It was a distinct honor and blessing to help provide sustainable solutions to practical community needs and to touch the hearts of so many people with God’s love,” said Pastor McPherson, who noted that Miles Ahead volunteers were equally blessed by the warm reception they received as they delivered evangelistic, social and economic contributions to the country.

While thousands of Caymanians attended the two-day festival at Grand Harbor, the Do Something World Campaign began months ago for Grand Cayman and will continue to affect the island. Rather than conduct a single event, the Do Something World campaign’s goal is to establish a culture of service that will impact the country for Christ. Consequently, the Miles Ahead team meets months in advance with local leaders to establish a timeline before and after the event for service projects that directly address the country’s needs. For the Cayman Islands, these projects began in March.

On Saturday, March 24, 173 Caymanian volunteers kicked off the Do Something World campaign with a bang at the Health Services Authority/George Town Hospital. The team completed 630 hours of volunteer service. In addition to painting curbs and landscaping, the Cayman team beautified the hospital’s Healing Garden. Volunteers painted a mural and landscaped to create an environment where patients can receive treatment outside of their hospital room. One of the highlights for volunteer and Director of Medicine, Dr. Greg Hoeksema was being able to witness the Healing Garden used for a cancer patient’s chemotherapy session.

“The patient would typically have to sit in her room for hours to receive her treatment. Instead, she got to be outside, listen to the birds chirp, and enjoy the new mural that was painted. Ultimately, we hope that this area will help patients with their healing process.” said Dr. Hoeksema.

The following week, a team of 211 volunteers completed 734 hours of service at the Frances Bodden Girls home. The home serves as a refuge for girls that have been placed in the foster care system and it recently experienced a fire that caused interior damage. The team landscaped and helped with beautification projects. While each of the projects are created to enhance the community, they often have an impact that is beyond what was planned. For Kizzie, a 16-year-old that lives at the Bodden Home, the Do Something World campaign had an eternal effect.

“I did the service project the week before at the hospital and made many new friends. It meant a lot to me when those new friends showed up the following week and served at my home. I’m thankful that God gave me life so that I can share with other teens that we can change Cayman,” shared Kizzie.

The spirit of serving continued on May 7, when 90 volunteers from San Diego arrived to join the efforts of the Cayman volunteers. The group was divided into teams, Sports, Medical, Evangelism, Deaf, Prison, and Construction, each with the goal to use their skills as a platform to share Christ. They used activities, testimonies, and skits to present the Gospel. Throughout the week, the team saw over 700 people come to Christ. In addition to the outreaches, several of the San Diego volunteers equipped the Cayman leaders with principles that they have used to establish their ministries, thus helping ensure that ministry will continue long after the San Diego group is gone.

One of the highlights for the San Diego group was the Construction Team’s project at John A. Cumber school. The school was experiencing overcrowding in classrooms and was not able to do anything about it because of budget cutbacks. With the help of the Do Something World campaign, the volunteers were able to conduct a classroom expansion project worth $1.5 million (US), which extended several classrooms to create 3,500 square feet. The volunteers were able to make major headway during their week of service and the overall project will be completed in June.

The work of the Cayman volunteers and Miles Ahead team through the Do Something World campaign did not go unnoticed. Throughout the week, several Grand Cayman dignitaries including the Premier, Governor, Police Commissioner, and Minister of Education visited the different projects to see the contributions the volunteers were making. All of them were thankful for the work of the volunteers.

“I often say that the volunteer groups in this country do work that our government cannot afford to pay for. The churches do work that our government cannot afford to pay for … and I am happy that many have joined in this Do Something Cayman program,” he added, recognizing the motivating spirit of Do Something World. “Government just cannot pay for this type of goodwill,” Cayman Premier McKeeva Bush concluded.

The Do Something World campaign is not meant to be a stand-alone event. Rather, it is to establish a spirit of community service that impacts individuals and the community for Christ. Miles Ahead is committed to not only enhancing the quality of life in Cayman, but also sustaining the volunteer efforts well after the US staff and volunteers are gone. There are two more service projects that have already been planned for May 22 at John A. Cumber School and May 29 at George Town School. Miles Ahead’s Do Something World Director will continue to work alongside Cayman leadership to oversee and document these initiatives. Hopefully, the energy that was at the Do Something World festival will continue to spur the people of Grand Cayman to continue to serve each other and their country for Christ.

Festival: Friday Photos | Saturday Photos | Stats

As the week progressed, we continually experienced feelings that spanned all emotions. We missed our families that were still at home praying for us. We began each day with excitement and nervous anticipation. We experienced great joy when hearts were broken and lives were changed, and we had our hearts broken by the stories and prayer requests we received from the children and adults alike. We shared the highs and lows with each other and grew closer together, sisters and brother in Christ. It was a bonding experience.

We came to give, but as the scriptures foretold, we received ten fold. What we take with us is immeasurable. I personally learned and grew, not only from the children, but also through each of my teammates. They all taught me something, about themselves, about me, and about God and his wondrous love. My teammates have been servants of the Lord and servants to each other. They allowed me to serve and to be served. From the simple things like helping someone with a drink of fixing their plate, to a hand on the shoulder, a hug, and prayers of encouragement during those times when our tank was on empty.

This has been my second mission for God. Through my first mission, God taught me to hear his voice, loud and clear like the spoken word. He showed me that he is omnipresent in ways that defy words. This time He gave me passion. He spoke to my heart, and told me how He died for me in a very personal way some 2000 years ago.

Today we head for home tired and drained, excited to be returning to our families and friends. We are better for being here. God has done amazing things in and through each of us.

Last Saturday morning, we went out to see the sting rays and the Deaf group came with us. It was fun and the best part of it was the young Deaf lady got saved! She is filled with questions and is hungry for God’s Word! We will use videophone often to help her grow spiritually with God and of course to answer more of her questions! Hahaha

Saturday evening was the last night of being with the Deaf group. During the day, I asked one of the Deaf man name Charles to take me to Maude’s house. She is Deaf and has two hearing children. Charles and the other Deaf kept saying she is not home because all the windows are closed and there is no car. They told me yesterday and again today. However it was bothering me and I had deep desire to just stop by her home and try to knock her door and see if her hearing children would answer the door. God was really putting that burden on my heart. Finally, after the last visit with the Deaf and was on the way to the Festival, I again told Charlie to please just stop by the house and see. We did and sure enough the Deaf mom and her two hearing children were home! The mom was sick and didn’t feel good for the past two days, please pray for her, but…. I had to drag her older daughter who is 20 years old to go. Guess my aggressive pays it off after all; she finally gave in and went with us.  That night at the festival, the first altar call, the daughter came forward and got saved!! Praise the Lord! Then the other Deaf mom with the Deaf husband’s two children got saved! They are 9 and 6 years old, and so precious! Please pray that God will pour his blessings to this Deaf family J

One other Christian family, hearing mom who signs and a deaf daughter, who is the future generation for the Cayman Islands because both mom and dad sign, the Deaf daughter is a smart young lady who has a lot of potential in her to lead the Deaf Community. I took the opportunity to explain about trinity in depth, and making sure she understand who Christ really is, not just to pray and follow her family’s tradition. She prayed with me and rededicated herself to the Lord. I am blessed that God gave me the opportunity to really explain about Christ, and the bible in depth to make sure she has the foundation of her faith.

We arrived home safely last night. I am looking forward to share more stories about what God has been doing at the Cayman Islands God bless you and thank you again for your prayers, donations and your finance support. This would not have happen without you all being part of our team!

More Festival Photos

• Additional Saturday pics
  
• Friday May 14 highlights
• Additional Friday pics

Video: Campaign and festival recap

Pro BMX rider, Jon Greer said, “This is an amazing park and an amazing opportunity to share Christ with the crowd through our demos and testimonies. We were so excited to be a part of the Do Something World event.”

In spite of the intense heat, the team performed six demos throughout the two-day festival. 360s, frontside grinds, and kickflips all were used for one purpose-to share Christ. After each demo, the team would share their testimonies and the Gospel with the crowd. The team recognizes that God has given them the ability to ride and they are committed to using it to impact the skate/bike culture as well as the many youth that look up to them.

This is not just a one-time Do Something World event for these skaters and bikers. Some of them were a part of a 2008 Jamaica event in Montego Bay, also presented by Miles Ahead. Each of them are committed to doing something in their community throughout the year. Leading Bible studies, building skate ramps in their yards, speaking at youth events, the team takes every opportunity to use the platform God has given them through their skating and biking abilities to reach others for Christ.

For Steve and Rod James, the leaders of the Skate Ministry at the Rock Church, the Do Something World Cayman festival was an extension of what they were already doing in San Diego. The James brothers led the Sports Team throughout the week in Cayman. Each day, the Sports Team would conduct skateboarding, volleyball, basketball, and soccer clinics at local schools. Over the course of the week, they visited twelve schools, spoke to about 1200 students, and saw over 250 come to Christ! They would share their testimonies with the students and teach them the character qualities necessary to be a successful athlete.

Professional skateboarder, Steve James shared, “I am looking forward to using the talent God has given me as a skateboarder as a platform to share Christ with the students. Whether it’s at a school assembly or at the Black Pearl skate park, I want to take what I am doing through the Skate Ministry in San Diego and share it with the Cayman youth pastors so that kids all over the world can come to know Christ.”

At George Hicks School, one of the coaches asked them to speak to the toughest gym class. He explained to them that the students consistently have discipline issues and have no home structure. The Sports Team was not originally scheduled to go to the school, but they made time because of the coach’s request. In addition to sharing his testimony, Steve James shared about the discipline necessary to be an athlete and a student. The team saw 26 kids come to Christ at George Hicks.

From demos to clinics, the Do Something World Festival demo team and Sports team used their talents to make the Gospel come to life for the people of Grand Cayman.

Do Something World Festival

• Campaign recap video
• Festival photos (Friday)
• Festival photos (Saturday) coming…
  

More Festival Photos

• Saturday May 15 highlights
• Friday May 14 highlights
• Additional Friday pics

Video: Campaign and festival recap

More Festival Photos

• Friday May 14 highlights
• Saturday May 15 highlights
• Additional Saturday pics

Video: Campaign and festival recap

Aerial feats, death-defying stunts, energetic music, and a life-changing message. Friday marked the start of the Do Something World festival. During the day, on-lookers watched in awe as professional BMX, FMX, and skateboarders performed tricks and shared their testimonies with the crowd. The energy and enthusiasm continued as Dominic Bali and Papa San performed throughout the evening. The night concluded with Pastor Miles McPherson sharing the Gospel, and a Papa San send off.

More Festival Photos

• Additional Friday pics
• Saturday May 15 highlights
• Additional Saturday pics

Video: Campaign and festival recap