Cruise Experience

Cruizing really is the best holiday I have ever experienced and taken and I wished everyone will have a similar experience as I.

Last summer I went with my wife on this cruise holiday with the Americans celebarting their 150^th Anniversary and received great satisfaction and thrill. For those of us privileged to be there, it what an awe-inspiring journey into the magic of the Atlantic. Embarking on our journey from the Port of Miami on the Royal Caribbean – Majesty of the seas was one of the many ways the North American conference of the Church of God chose to celebrate the anniversary of it's founding. The ship itself was a breath taking spectacle, and beautiful to behold, but what was most exciting was the fellowship we shared with saints from different parts of the world and representing different facets of the church almost universal membership. We met with those whose names we have become accustomed to through the wide rage of publications, the Bible Advocate, other booklets, tracts, Sabbath lessons and those covering doctrinal issues.

The artistic flavour of each morning's devotion led by Elder Rose, was a journey into the heart and presence of God, with beautifully rendered songs, personal testimonies and encouragements from the word. Fitting messages of our journey "ship", "anchor" and "sailing" delivered with uniqueness and spirit. The various flavour of food from India, China, a journey into Caribbean delights very much a taste of paradise and the food was plentiful!

From thought provoking conversations at the dinner table each evening to socialising afterwards displayed brotherhood, the sense of family comradeship and organisation to the finest detail. There may be a chance of producing something approaching the quality of the Bahamian experience but I will need to see evidence of that. The Bahamas are an archipelago of about 700 islands and 2,400 uninhabited islets and cays lying 50 mi off the east coast of Florida. They extend for about 760 mi (1,223 km). Only about 30 of the islands are inhabited; the most important is New Providence (80 sq mi; 207 sq km), on which the capital, Nassau, is situated. Other islands include Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Cat Island, and San Salvador (or Watling's Island).The most exciting part of the journey was the invitation to join the excursion by the Bahamian church pastor led by the Pastor representing a group that only in the last two years become affiliated with the church of God. The pastor gave 49 of us a guided tour on two mini buses to his Nassau city based church where we met his wife who provided refreshments with a few members of his church and family. The atmosphere was friendly, welcoming and great fun, some of us joined in trying to open coconut with barely a stone, only a couple of us were successful in doing that.

The Bahamian Islands like all other Islands of the Caribbean Islands has a very interesting and colourful history. The records show that the Arawak Indians were the first inhabitants of the Bahamian Islands. European Explorer Christopher Columbus's first encounter with the New World was on Oct. 12, 1492, when he landed on the Bahamian island of San Salvador. However, it was the British that first built settlements on the islands in the 17th century. But not until n the early 18th century, the Bahamas were a favourite and frequented by pirates..

The Bahamas continued to be a Crown colony from 1717 until they were granted internal self-government in 1964. The islands moved toward greater autonomy in 1968 after the overwhelming victory in general elections of the Progressive Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Lynden O. Pindling, over the predominantly white United Bahamians Party. With its new mandate from the black population (85% of Bahamians), Pindling's government negotiated a new constitution with Britain under which the colony became the Commonwealth of the Bahama Islands in 1969. On July 10, 1973, the Bahamas became an independent nation

All the Islands of the Caribbean is surrounded by the deep blue Atlantic and Caribbean sea. All the Islands are enchanting and a mesmerising experience walking through the cities and towns, Walking through the narrow streets of Nassau, is no different. Swimming in the deep blue Atlantic Ocean – walking on white sandy beaches on Coco cay, on the beach barbecue organised by the ships chefs too was an unforgettable experience. Walking through the shopping areas of Key West seeing ship shoppers hunting for last minute bargains, for gifts to take home, was a sight to behold. Of course we could not resist the very large shopping mall of Miami after we exit the ship.

My hope and prayers is to wish every one of you a similar experience, which means hoping for another such cruise to be organized very soon, until…and that we all get involved to make it happen. Today I stand to attention, wishing I was there, again, hoping to receive the call, I will be ready.

Hoping the peace of the Lord and His Christ may dwell with you richly.