Introduction

From February 22 to March 9, 2001 a mission team from Bon Air Baptist Church, Richmond, VA traveled to Toco, Trinidad to assist in the construction of a Baptist Church. The trip was one of many International Mission Board volunteer mission projects assigned to Southern Baptist Churches.  The team was comprised of members of Bon Air Baptist Church, as well as members of other churches.  The Mission Trip was divided into two 1-week projects and the volunteers comprised three work teams. Team Alpha were members who worked during the first week. They were; Ernie and Lou O'Boyle, Bev Ware, Tom and Sara Holland and Jane Winbish.  Team Omega were members who worked the second week.  They were; Mike and Becky Newton, Chip and Linda Almarode, Steven Melton, Mike McBride, Billy Croxton, West Cobb and Glenn Travis.  In addition, there were 6 brave members who worked both weeks - affectionately called Team Idiot.  They were Jim Travis (Team Leader),  Bubba Waters, Bruce Hampton, Tim Coppedge and Bruce and Georgia Cobbs.

The project was an outreach ministry of two missionary couples who minister to the African Group People of Trinidad and Tobago. The missionaries are Hal and Brenda Hostetler and John and Evelyn Pruitt. Hal is  the Team Leader for the African People Group Team. Brenda, his wife, is a faithful supporter and helper. She is also the Treasurer for the Trinidad and Tobago Field Operational Group. They both work with the United Baptist Choir (a group composed of believers from all over Trinidad).  John and Evelyn work with churches in Tobago and Trinidad in the area of Evangelism and coordinated our project with Jeremiah Charles, who is the pastor of the church we are building.

Jeremiah and his wife, Pamela administer the church. I had the chance to speak to Jeremiah at lunch one day and found that he is a fascinating man. The word of God speaks through him and he is so full of joy and peace. He is 54 years old and grew up in Toco. He has been a Pastor for the last 10 years. Father of 4 (2 girls, 2 boys) and grandfather. He is also the postman, a ham operator and the treasurer of a local credit union. He also knows everybody in town… 

You can reach the Pruitt's at;
John & Evelyn Pruitt
Home: 7 Roystonea Dr., Penco Gardens
Chaguanas, Trinidad, West Indies
Mail: P O Box 488, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Phone: 868-665-6941
jepruitt@carib-link.net
A-Team Web: http://www.ilovejesus.com/missions/ttbaptist/index.shtml

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