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- Grand Bahama
Faced the Wrath of Hurricane Frances (Photos)
Praise
God for His deliverance! Again we were reminded that our help, deliverance
and protection is only in God, and to trust in materialism, or
individuals, is risky and detrimental. Psalm 46 unequivocally declares
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in times of
trouble." Historically, many Jews believed that God's favor was tied
to "the City of David," and thus they trusted in a city as
opposed to the God of the city. Unfortunately today, there are persons who
still make the mistake of trusting in things and their ability to protect
themselves. However, the mass devastation associated with Hurricane
Frances underscored that our only safety is in God. -
- Following Hurricane Frances, last Sabbath afternoon, officers and
pastors met for prayers of thanksgiving, to assess and to plan an approach
to the havoc brought on by Hurricane Frances. At this meeting, it was
reported that two of our church buildings, Grant’s Town and Living
Faith, were severely damaged. The others, including Bahamas Academy and
the new Early Learning Center, experienced minimal damage for which were
grateful. However, the greatest loss came to Ebenezer whose tent was
totally destroyed, notwithstanding its condition prior to Hurricane
Frances. As for members’ homes, initial reports revealed that many of
you lost shingles and in some instances experienced flooding.
On Sunday, through the courtesy of the Prime Minister, along with 3 other
church heads, I was privileged to visit with the official assessment team
of NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked
Island, Long Island and San Salvador. Fortunately, I was able to see some
of our members and get a first hand report. The losses in these islands
were similar to New Providence, with the exception of San Salvador where
residents reported significant losses. The
assessment team declared some of the homes on this island irreparable and
that others would require major repairs. Sixteen of our members were
among those adversely affected.
Also, on Sunday, several teams comprising pastors, Pathfinders,
Masterguides, counselors, Adventist men and Community Services personnel
did an initial walk-about in different sections of New Providence offering
counseling, prayers and assistance with light cleaning, in order to
resettle some residents and members.
On Monday, I accepted another invitation to travel with the Prime
Minister's assessment team to Freeport, Grand Bahama. Once we arrived at
the airport, I concluded that Grand Bahama was the worst of the islands
severely hit by Hurricane Frances. The tour to West End and Eight-Mile
Rock confirmed this view. Given what we saw, especially in West End, I had
to conclude that it was a miracle that only one life was lost in Grand
Bahama. In comparison to the destruction there, we in Nassau were greatly
spared. We are grateful that on Wednesday, Pastor Claude Brown, ADRA
leader for West Indies Union, (planned) traveled to the Bahamas for
further assessment and to share with officers and pastors some suggestions
for responding to such a disaster.
Already, the Conference's Community Services Department has purchased
water and food items to assist both members and non-members as well as
NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) and the Red Cross. Our
contribution continues in the new week. We ask that the various men's
groups of each church assist those needy members and residents within your
church community with roof repairs.- Dr. Leonard A. Johnson
It’s Back to School Again Bahamas
Academy is proud to inform its constituents that this new school 
year
will mark the beginning of the new Bahamas Academy School. Following the
lead of our Education Director, Dr. Cheryl Rolle, with the focus on "Operation
RACE", we want you to know that we are "Racing" to ensure
that our children are ahead of the class in everything they do. With this
new thrust in mind, we have expanded our subject offerings to include
Technical Drawing/Graphical Communication and Auto Mechanics.
Additionally, this year we celebrate the school's 90th anniversary as a
premier educational institution in this country. It was back in 1914 that
American missionaries, Mr. & Mrs. James Smith came to the Bahamas and
started the first Adventist church school, then housed in the Odd Fellows
Building on Meeting Street. This small beginning of 50 students has
mushroomed 90 years later into a school with three divisions with over 900
students: an Early Learning Center (catering to children aged 2-5), an
elementary division (catering to students in Grades 1-6), and a secondary
division (catering to students in Grades 7-12).
We are proud of our heritage, and we are looking forward to celebrating
our 90-year existence during the first term of this school year. Some of the
activities planned are a special anniversary assembly and birthday party for
the students on September 29, a basketball tournament during October 1-3, a
cookout on October 11 (National Heroes holiday) on the R. M. Bailey Park,
Bahamas Academy Weekend and Gala Banquet during November 19-21, and a
special Christmas program on December 12. We invite all former students and
alumni of Bahamas Academy to listen for our advertisements and plan to be a
part of these special activities and events.
Students at the secondary division can look forward to meeting five new
teachers this year: Mrs. Lavonda Smith, English Language teacher for Grades
7 and 8, Miss Etosha Rahming, Mathematics teacher for Grades 9 and 10, Mr.
John Garcia, Spanish teacher for Grades 7-12, Mr. Gordon Blake, Graphical
Communication and Auto Mechanics teacher, and Miss Larene Reynolds, Business
Education teacher for Grades 10-12. They will join twenty other teachers
eager to impart knowledge to another group of students in this New Year. At
the elementary division we are pleased to welcome Mr. Rory Major in the
Physical Education department and Ms. Tamara Burrows at Grade 2.
We are also happy to announce that the secondary division has a new
Senior Master - Mr. Winston Symonette, formerly head of the Physical
Education Department and Coach of the Bahamas Academy Stars basketball team.
Mr. Symonette brings many years of teaching experience to this position, and
we look forward to continuing the positive climate on our campus for all
students.
We are further pleased to announce that the Early Learning Center has two
additional classrooms and a cafeteria to begin this school year. Thanks
again to the members of Volunteer Bahamas Adventist (VBA) these rooms will
be ready for operation by the end of this month. As a result of this, we can
accommodate more students aged two to five and are still taking applications
for new students. We encourage parents to contact the Elementary Division at
(393-8898) to register their child. The ELC is truly shaping up and becoming
a state-of the-art building. Feel free to stop by the campus on Old Trail
Road and view our facilities.
A new feature that we are all looking forward to is the launching of the
school's new website: www.bahamasacademy.edu
on September 29. In addition to reading up-to-date information on the
school's activities and events on the Home Page, parents will be able to
keep abreast of homework and assignments given by each teacher. Teachers and
parents can further communicate on the child's progress and/or concerns via
email. Visit our website to learn more about Bahamas Academy, the school
that "touches hearts to educate minds".
As you prepare for the new school year, please note that on Monday,
September 13 - Bahamas Academy reopens at 8:50 a.m. -Lynn Smith,
Principal
New Date for Banquet The banquet in honor of Dr. Hugh and Mrs. Olga
Roach that was scheduled for September 5, 2004, will now be held on Sunday,
September 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the Radisson Cable Beach Resort. Tickets
purchased for September 5 will be honored on the new date. If you have not
purchased a ticket as yet, please do so now. Tickets will not be sold at the
door on the night of the banquet. You may obtain tickets at the Conference
Office.
!
Members of the Steering Committee for the
activities in honor of Dr. H. A. Roach will meet on Monday, September 13, at
5:30 p.m. at the Conference Office.
Today is Family Togetherness Sabbath. The theme that is being emphasized is
"Changing Lives Through Christian Intimacy." Let us do more to make
our Adventist families truly Christian families.
"Countdown to Christ Return" Bible Campaign
On Friday, August 13, 2004, under the direction of
Marva Farquharson and accompanied by Sis. Carla Ferguson of Message of Hope
Church, The Breath of Life Masterguides in training left Nassau for the Island
of Eleuthera to conduct a two-weeks crusade. On Sabbath August 14, 2004, the
group from Nassau and the brethren of the James Cistern Church took the Isand
of Eleuthera by storm. From Spanish Wells in the north to Rock Sound in the
south, they engaged in an intensive door-to-door visitation schedule.
At 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 1st, 2004, the "Countdown to
Christ’s Return" Campaign started. Night after night residents in the
community and Adventist Church members supported the meetings and listened to
amazing facts of Bible prophecies. At the end of the two weeks, on Sabbath
August 27th, the series ended, and six precious souls were
baptized. Among them was a couple from Spanish Wells.
The meetings climaxed with a singspiration, and hearts were blessed through
presentations of poetry, music and testimonies. To God be the glory! Special
thanks to Pastor Lynden Williams and his team for the support given the group.
We appeal to our brethren in Nassau to lend a helping hand for the
evangelistic program in Eleuthera. Plan a group vacation, or weekend, and go
to Eleuthera to help build up the work of the Lord. -Sis. P. Williams, BOL
INGATHERING ALERT October 25, 2004, official launch of our
Annual Ingathering Campaign. Supplies will be distributed on Sept. 25
Celebrating 50 glorious Years of Service Through
Pathfindering
We in the Bahamas
Conference will be celebrating our 50th anniversary of Pathfindering in the
Bahamas during the week of September 12 to 19, 2004. To showcase this
significant milestone, we are planning a full week of activities that will
involve young and old, Adventurers, Pathfinders, Masterguides and Adventist
Youth. We are inviting everyone to get involved in the celebrations. Our aim
is to share our faith in a meaningful way through the various activities we
will seek to share during this week.
The week will commence on Sunday, September 12 with nightly services at the
various churches: Sunday, Living Faith; Monday, Johnson Park, Tuesday,
Centreville; Wednesday, Grant’s Town; Friday, Maranatha; Sabbath a.m. at
Hillview and Sabbath p.m. at Berea. Pastor Derek Bignal our Union Youth
Director will be the speaker. Thursday, September 16, we will be hosting an
exhibition in the mall that will depict various areas of youth work such as
Pathfindering, health, evangelism outreach, camping skills, community outreach
such as our PET program, the Pathfinder Band and other areas of interest to us
and the general public. We wish to make the booths interactive so that the
various displays will be meaningful to our target audience.
We will continue our meetings on Friday evening and Saturday morning,
September 17 and 18 with joint youth services. We will be having a baptism
after the Divine Hour service on Sabbath.
Sabbath afternoon program promises to be a most dynamic, historic,
enlightening and inspiring one as we will have a salute to outstanding youth
directors and club directors of the past.
We will culminate on Sunday, September 19 with a parade and induction
service. This week promises to be a most uplifting, rewarding and informative
one. Please contact Pastor Andrew Burrows at 341-4022, Coordinator Barry Shane
Saunders at 356-8367, or Coordinator Audley Mitchell at 362-1258.
An Hour of Gospel Music at Mary Ingraham Home The ministry of music
plays a pivotal role on Sabbath evenings at the Mary Ingraham Home in
ministering to the seniors and neighbours in the area. Continuing today from
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. is the Gambier Mission SDA Choir. The ministry features
next Saturday evening the Good News Church. All persons scheduled are
requested to please contact Mr. Admiral Forbes at the home at 341-0094/5 in
advance if they are unable to keep their appointments. - J. Admiral
Forbes, Co-ordinator
New Providence SDA Church The following functions will be hosted
by the New Providence SDA Church: Ole School Night - Saturday, September 18th;
Singles Conference - November 8th - 14th, 2004.
Educators’ Association Activities Put a Pep in Your Step as the
Bahamas Seventh-day Adventist Educator's Association host its 4th annual
Prayer Breakfast. Time 8 a.m.
Date:
Sunday Sept. 12, 2004. Venue: Bahamas Tourism Training Center on Thompson
Boulevard. This event promises to be
filled with fun activities. Gifts and surprises will be the order of the day.
Come and collect your survival Kit as we move into the new school year. Free!
Free! Free! November. 6: Boat Cruise - Elmore Jacques, Public
Relations
Adventist Book Centre The Adventist Book Centre invites you to come by
and shop for all your health food needs. A full-time colporteur is now
available to come to your home or office. Should you need this service please
call 341-2429. Additionally, delicious, hot vegetarian lunches are available
daily - just another service we provide to meet your needs. Ask about the Gold
Card. -Kenny V.A. Deveaux, ABC Manager
Business Logos The Communication department is looking into the
possibility of printing a Business edition of the Logos to accommodate the
many "secular" announcements and ads that are printed in the Sabbath
edition. Let us have your views on the need for the Business Logos. Please
call Dr. Carey at 341-4021 or 324-0470.
Men’s Ministries
!
All Executive members of the Men's
Ministry are requested to meet this Sunday morning at 9 a.m. at the Living
Faith Church
!
Men's Trade Exchange show has been
postponed until further notice.
The Living Faith Church Served as a Shelter in the time of Storm.
According to Community Services Leader - Sister
Collins, who manned the Shelter, along with representatives from Social
Services, the Defense Force and Red Cross, some 31 persons found refuge. One
hundred and thirty pieces of clothing were distributed, and over four hundred
meals were served from Thursday - Sunday. While persons found physical
shelter, members also served up healthy portions of Christ’s Love which is
expected to result in additional souls for Christ in the near future.
Adventist Men’s Choir Breakfast All Adventist men choir members are
asked to attend a most important rehearsal and breakfast this Sunday morning
at 8:30 at the Living Faith Church.
Health Ministries Activities
!
Bahamas Conference and Better Living
Center Team will again hold the annual Health Extravaganza - October 28, 2004
at the marathon Mall. Focus this year will be on (Diabetes). Plan now to
attend
!
Be Healthy, Be Happy Club members are all
invited to begin group walking and exercise again at 6 o'clock this Sunday
morning at R. M. Bailey. Don't meet me there, beat me there.
SDA Cat Island Advancement Society to Meet The regular meeting of the
SDA Cat Island Advancement Society will be held tomorrow, Sunday, September
12, at 10 a.m. at the Hillview Church. All members and friends of Cat Island
are reminded to attend. - Norman Seymour
Community Services Leaders to Meet There will be an urgent meeting for
all Community Services Leaders on Monday, Sept. 13, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. at the
Centreville SDA Church. T. Basil Sturrup
Sun sets today at 7:18 p.m.
Sun sets next Sabbath at 7:14 p.m.
