Local Man Uses Metal Working Business to Fund Mission Trips

When Austin Berkhimer started Cross Cove Metal Works, he was using it as a "go-between for what God had for me next." Berkhimer didn't realize at the time that his business – both the profits and the flexibility – would set up his next step perfectly.

Berkhimer spends half of the year in the Cove completing metal working orders and attending trade, craft and vendor shows. The other six months, Berkhimer travels to Barbuda for mission work.

Starting off

In high school, Berkhimer took Tom Ritchey's agriculture classes, which introduced him to metalworking.

"I found out I had quite a knack for it, and I really enjoyed doing it," said Berkhimer.

Berkhimer attended Triangle Tech in DuBois, studying specialized technology with a focus in welding.

After a brief stint of welding at Curry Supply, Berkhimer moved on to work in custom fabrication in Huntingdon. Though Berkhimer enjoyed his 1 and a half to 2 years there, he found that sitting behind a desk and doing little things was not enough.

"I learned that monotony is my enemy," said Berkhimer.

During this time, Berkhimer was searching for his purpose. He filled his evenings by being a youth leader.

After leaving this job at the beginning of the summer of 2019, Berkhimer saw an advertisement for a plasma cutter table. Heeding some encouragement from his father, Berkhimer purchased it and began doing freelance work.

"It was a career-changing and life-changing decision," said Berkhimer.

The call

With his newly flexible schedule, Berkhimer took the opportunity to go on a mission trip through his church at the time, Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church. Berkhimer had experience with mission trips, as he had previously made several trips to Haiti.

"Mission work offers a real change of pace and perspective," said Berkhimer. "In February of 2020, I was needing God to show me something. When I'm serving, I feel the closest to God."

Though Berkhimer was originally supposed to go back to Haiti, circumstances changed and the new destination for the 10-day mission trip was Barbuda.

Immediately upon arriving, Berkhimer knew his life was changed. The 62-square-mile island was what he was looking for.

"My heart was gripped," said Berkhimer. "I fell in love with the island and the people. I left in tears at the end of the trip."

A week after returning to the Cove, COVID hit, and Berkhimer was unable to return.

Bonnie Floyd Ministries

During his first trip to Barbuda, Berkhimer met Bonnie and Don Floyd of Bonnie Floyd Ministries.

Bonnie started her ministry after her parents, while traveling the world, were murdered off the island of Barbuda in 1994. After spending time in Barbuda and Antigua for the trial, Bonnie began mission work on the island.

"She was ministering to the island of the people who murdered her parents," said Berkhimer. "To this day, when she meets new people and tells them who she is, they apologize to her."

Bonnie and her husband Don were the first responders to Barbuda after Hurricane Irma hit in 2017. They were staying on Antigua and were ready to help aid Barbuda after the hurricane subsided.

"The eye of the storm engulfed Barbuda," said Berkhimer. "They were the first boat over after it ended."

When Berkhimer met Bonnie and Don, he told them he wanted to return to Barbuda as soon as he could. At the beginning of COVID, he reached out to Bonnie and asked her to call him when they were allowed to reenter the island.

Open doors

The call came during the summer of 2020.

"I think it was just a courtesy call," said Berkhimer. "But my instant decision was yes."

Since then, Berkhimer has been a part of Bonnie and Don's team. They haven't made a trip to Barbuda without Berkhimer since he first set foot on the island.

"I'm like their number three guy," said Berkhimer.

Last summer was the first time the ministry could accept teams of volunteers, which Berkhimer helped lead.

Berkhimer continues to push his return dates back every time he visits Barbuda. He's hoping in the future to stay well into October.

"I had to sacrifice a lot here at home, but I gained an entire island," said Berkhimer.

Plans and projects

Together, with other volunteers, Berkhimer and the Floyds help the island and around 1,300 citizens in many ways. Since Hurricane Irma, there is still a lot of rebuilding to be done.

"Many people are still living in tents," said Berkhimer.

Volunteers help with restoring homes, including work in kitchens and bathrooms. The United Nations installed small, well-built houses in Barbuda.

"These houses are shells," said Berkhimer. "People can't move in because there's nothing inside. No counter tops, sometimes no septic tanks."

Among the many future plans for Barbuda, the team is working on building two schools – a women's vocational school and a facility containing a multiple bay garage to teach skills like working on cars, boat, plumbing and electrical.

A library should also be opening this summer. Volunteers have been collecting books through book drives.

Bonnie's assistant's 8-year-old daughter was visiting Barbuda once and discovered that the children did not have a playground.

"She said, 'This is unacceptable,' and she started holding lemonade stands to help buy a playground for the elementary school," said Berkhimer.

Another huge project to be worked on this summer is getting a hospital on the island. Barbuda was the recipient of a Project C.U.R.E. container. This nonprofit sends "40-foot, cargo containers carrying between $350,000 – $400,000 worth of donated medical supplies and equipment to under-resourced hospitals, clinics, and community health centers in developing countries," according to their website.

Berkhimer and other volunteers will be getting the hospital ready before the equipment comes. Currently, people on Barbuda have to travel to Antigua for medical attention. Many cannot afford to do this.

"The doctor at the hospital said if they could simply draw blood, they'd be able to save lives," said Berkhimer.

A nonprofit that refurbishes old school park equipment is helping to supply a playground.

There is a project in motion for fencing installation. Hurricane Irma ripped many fences out. Goats, lambs and donkeys run wild and eat crops before they can be harvested. Installing fences will prevent these animals from getting in, allowing crops to grow.

Overgrowing, however, is a different issue after the hurricane. Clearing overgrown vegetation is one of the many projects Barbudans participate in.

"We like to involve them in projects," said Berkhimer. "There's pride and ownership placed when they help, and that helps with the hopelessness."

The citizens also help with the work inside the homes, which is where Berkhimer sees the religious aspect of the mission work.

"We work on the insides of people's homes and the insides of people's hearts," said Berkhimer. "There's a lot of restoration going on."

Cove support

Though mission work in Barbuda receives support from all over the world, the largest faction is right here.

"The biggest supporter is the Cove," said Berkhimer.

One couple from the Cove donated seeds to the garden and gates project.

Berkhimer will be leaving to his next trip to Barbuda on March 28. Before then, he is working on his ministry in the Cove. He is helping people get ready for their first trip to Barbuda and acting as a liaison for Bonnie Floyd Ministries. He is now part of Synogo 31st Street House of Worship in Altoona.

Instead of sending out letters to ask for financial support for his trips, as many do, Berkhimer does his metal working in his 6 months at home.

"I want to grow my business and serve my customers, but the business is not the most important thing to me anymore," said Berkhimer.

Berkhimer said he has had little to no trouble with customers respecting his time away.

"The customers' understanding gives me freedom to serve without my mind elsewhere," said Berkhimer.

The past few weeks, Berkhimer has been filling a sea container with shelving, tools and other resources that will not be available on the island.

Berkhimer currently plans to spend a few weeks in Barbuda, make a trip to Florida to see his family, then return from June to September or October. He will return home for the winter, then next year, he hopes to take the trip back down by mid-February.

Those who are interested in following Berkhimer and the Floyds on their journey to Barbuda should follow Bonnie Floyd Ministries on Facebook or Instagram or go to http://www.bonniefloyd.com.