Being able to share God's word openly was an unbelievable experience for  eight members of the Encouraging Leaders Everyday Through Visual Arts, Talent and Education (ELEVATE) American Christian youth group that visited The Bahamas on an eight-day missionary trip to spread their ministry. The group visited Woodcock Primary School and Sandilands Primary School where they spoke to students about peer pressure, alcohol abuse, drug prevention, staying pure to themselves and God, and how to handle different situations that will come their way in life. The members of ELEVATE who range in age from 16 to 25 thought it was necessary to reach out to the primary school students now so that they have a good foundation to work with when they attain their teen years. ELEVATE, which was founded by Family Life Christian Church in San Antonio, Texas six years ago, aimed to bring together the youth of their church and help them explore their creativity and ability to influence others their age through their own testimonies, art forms and Christian beliefs. After school, the group members meet to share God's word, because they aren't allowed to meet as a group during school hours to pray. For many of the members like 19-year-old Austin Blue, coming to The Bahamas where his worship was not hindered in a school setting was a breath of fresh air. He hopes to take this new sense of encouragement with him as he continues his ministry. "We came here basically to touch lives because it's something that we do back home as well. My experience so far has been great. It's amazing to see how on fire for God kids here are," said Blue.  "It's humbling to be here.  It was life-changing and I really want to take home memories and see how I can incorporate it in my life back home. You see we aren't allowed to openly praise God and worship in school so it's refreshing to be able to do it at a school, on the street ... anywhere you want here.  It's great to see that, and it makes me more appreciative to be a Christian." The experience of coming to a country where God is openly worshipped and children are free to express themselves spiritually was an eye-opener for 20-year-old Aebonee Odom, one she says she will never forget. "It is good to see people who can freely lift their voices and aren't made to feel ashamed to say 'Thank you God for what you have done in my life'.  There is no punishment for your belief. Back in the U.S. you can get suspended from school for a certain amount of time if you start a prayer group at school. It's mind-blowing and makes you more appreciative of what's out there," said Odom. '"It was especially good to see how happy and lively the kids are. They want to be a part of the worship while back home, kids do whatever they feel and often aren't inspired to follow Christ. It's also interesting to see the cultural difference in terms of attitude and respect that kids have for their elders over here compared to back home," said Odom. Fellow group member Alexis Hall said visiting The Bahamas was perfect for her to share God's message and speak out on topics that young people encounter daily in a different culture and environment. Through the primary school visits, Hall says her main focus was to let young people know that it's okay to follow God and His teachings, and still be a cool teen even if your friends don't feel the same way. Getting to see the island of New Providence and experience the culture was also an important aspect of the trip for some of the members, especially Alfred Blue.  He said being able to see the country for what it was by walking through the communities and meeting everyday people in their own environment and not only in books, over the Internet or through the eyes of a tourist is what he appreciated the most about the trip. Being open to learning new things and ways to handle life was something that 18-year-old Josh Greene and 16-year-old Brandon Lavender say they learnt on the visit. They were glad to be able to share their experiences and learn about those of others so they can share the new experience with others. Being able to be herself and share her fire for the Lord was a major incentive for 16-year-old Jada Spruiell who also participated in the creative mission trip to The Bahamas. "At school I may not be able to pray out loud but I always try during quiet time to do so anyway.  I am glad to be somewhere that is different and praising God is not a crime.  I feel it's important to express yourself and not worry that one person in our country says we shouldn't do this thing so I feel it's important for us to still say why should we not? Coming here is really encouraging and helps me see it is possible to have a whole country where it's okay to have a freedom of speech and religion that isn't restricted. There is just a whole (lot) of things going on, tsunamis, tornadoes, earthquakes that are happening a lot more often now that I feel is because the people will not praise God.  The Bible says if the people will not cry out, then the rocks will, so that's what's happening. We need to get back to openly praising God and it's great to see that it is still here in The Bahamas. The people here cry out in the morning, in the evening, before eating, all the time. It's great to stand up for God and see what He can do for you because you do.  It's amazing to see a whole nation dedicated to this." The six-member group with their two chaperones, Pastor Vee Blue and Shameka Moore, hope to return to The Bahamas in the near future to share more of their creative testimony and meet more people with interesting stories to tell. They intend to share their experience with others and continue to make a difference in their nation starting with their own communities.

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