March, 2025 | Sailing For The Son

A Bit of Street Ministry?

On our way back from The Bahamas this year we spent some time in St. Augustine with our good friends John and Michele.

I have always enjoyed strolling around the St. Augustine Historic District. (Think shopping, chocolate, people watching, ice cream, repeat.) However, this year it’s difficult for me because both of my knees are crying out for total knee replacements. Anyway, this setback meant more sitting on benches and less walking around. One morning a woman appeared from around the corner and stopped near where Michele and I were chatting. She looked like she needed a friend so I asked her to join us. As it turns out, this woman was simply walking around, thinking through some issues, and attempting to make some hard decisions about her next steps in life. She told us that she is alone now and that making big decisions alone is difficult for her. Michele and I shared that we are Christians; therefore we are never alone-Jesus is always with us.

We spent time listening, telling her about Jesus and how we can stand on His promises. We pointed her to a local, Bible believing church and women’s Bible Study where she can find fellowship. Michele and I prayed for her and she left us looking a little brighter.

After she walked on, John sent me the picture he took and said something about “street ministry”. I had never thought of myself as a street minister, although it does seem like I find myself chatting people up, sharing some Biblical encouragement, and praying for people way more than might be ‘normal’. And, man, look at my face in that picture-I was praying hard for this sweet lady! Hmmm, maybe I am more of a street minister than I thought…

Friends for Sammy Seagull

I like to fly way, way up high and see what can see.

I wonder if those three grandchildren would like to fly with me.

They run and hop and jump and play, they throw a ball and swim.

They swing very high, up to the sky and climb out on a limb.

I’m thinking they might come with me to explore the highest heights.

But mom says, “No, the children run and play, but they cannot take flight.”

So off I go to find a friend, someone good and kind and fun.

I’ll fly far and wide and here and there, searching everywhere under the sun.

The first I see is a pelican. Could this big bird be my friend?

I see him fly high in the sky, then dive right through the wind.

It hurts my head to watch the dive, simply to catch a fish.

I smile and nod while I fly on, seeking a less scary way to get my wish.

Next I see a pigeon; he is walking near the ocean.

Maybe he can swim or fly, but he’s walking in slow motion!

I have never seen an Ibis before, snowy white with orange legs and beak.

This pretty bird with lots of friends is one I’d like to meet.

Of all the birds I’ve seen today, and some I’ve heard about-

We can be friends and swim and fly, but there’s more I can’t live without.

So everyday I’ll soar above, watching those three grandchildren that I so dearly love.

Joyful Friendships

Bill and I spent January 2025 in and around Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas. We are forever thankful for our time with John and Michele. They have been with us during some of our best and some of our worst sailing adventures. “Worst” referencing my seasickness episodes, fatigue during long crossings, and likely more hard stuff that my mind has blocked out! “Best” referring to the many hours of exploring God’s creation together with awe and admiration, their wise counsel, and taxiing us in their lightening-fast dinghy when they could easily have left us in the dust! We thank God for their friendship.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad and rejoice in it. Psalm 118:24

Tony and Anne joined us this year for a week at Green Turtle Cay. They are such a sweet couple-like a breath of fresh air. Anne is a little more quiet in her joy and happiness; Tony is full out revelry, excitement and wonder! It is simply not possible to miss Tony’s delight in what God has made and put before us. And that makes me smile every time I see them.

For instance, this is what this beautiful beach looked like before Tony:

And this is what it looks like with Tony:

As Scripture records in Psalm 27:9, “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul”. Thanks, Anne and Tony for being our friends and joining us in our adventures.

Pizza Party, Purpose, and Potential

February and March 2024 found us volunteering at the Grand Bahama Children’s Home again. We arrived later than we had in earlier years and were so happy to see that the garden was doing fantastic! Some of the tomatoes and greens that we planted last year had come up again on their own, and were already being harvested! The children were enjoying fresh tomatoes, lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli. (Note for the future; the cook said the children don’t like bok choy!)

This year we had some new volunteers with us and they brought talent. You know-knowledge and skills! Stefano was professionally trained by Home Depot and Marilyn owns an organic farm in New Hampshire with her husband. Lynden owns his own farm on Grand Bahama specializing in fruit trees. While Bill and I, and the other volunteers, are willing workers, the mastery offered by Stefano, Marilyn and Lynden can’t be overstated.

True story, and totally typical Bahamian: Marilyn and I met Lynden Saunders’ wife (while we were ordering chocolate at Bootleg Chocolate), she told us we should go to the farmer’s market that morning to meet her husband. While chatting up Lynden, Marilyn bought two fruit trees (avocado and soursop) from him to plant at the Grand Bahama Children’s Home. Lynden then insisted on meeting us at the Children’s Home to dig the holes for the trees. Lynden spent two hours of his own time jackhammering the holes and teaching us how to use banana leaves to nourish the little trees.

The gathering together of all these people, from three different countries and varied backgrounds, to labor joyfully under the hot sun reminds me of God’s Word: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. Ephesians 2:10

Unfortunately, the funding for Grand Bahamas Children’s Home does not provide for a hot meal for the children on Fridays and Saturdays, so we like to provide a pizza party or two every year while we are there. This year’s party was so much fun. Unbeknown to us, our friend Al had been keeping a secret. We know he is fun, can play several musical instruments, and has a great singing voice. However; we did not know that he is an accomplished yo-yo aficionado! So we brought to the party pizza, soda, Susie’s homemade chocolate chip cookies, and Al’s One Man Band and Yo-Yo Show! Three hours of food, fun and games were enjoyed by all. It had been awhile since I had seen a rousing game tug of war. And now Bill knows that any attempt to win a foot race against elementary school boys ends in a pulled muscle!

The Bahamas is predominately a Christian nation. The mission of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home is to provide a safe, secure and comfortable place for abandoned, abused and neglected children to feel safe and protected. And I am thankful that June, the director, is ensuring that these children experience the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, ensuring that they will rise to their potential.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Sammy Seagull

Where am I going, where did I come from?
Did I walk here, or swim here, or fly here or run?

This beach looks too big, and my legs are so small.
Surely I didn’t walk here, and I can’t run at all.

I’m sure this ocean is deep and too scary for me.
I never could swim. I didn’t get here by sea.

My feet are fine, and my body feels light.
I could lift my wings, but am I ready for flight?

Boldly I face the breeze, and I soar up above.
Looking down I can see those cute grandkids, whom I dearly love!