A few years ago, at the Church of Christ Caribbean Lectureship, I met some of the most friendly and sweet men and women of God — residents of the Bahamas and Caribbean. When my family couldn’t navigate our way back to the home we rented, a woman with a young son volunteered to be our driver.
Each day we were tourists – we were people among the people – learning about the history of the tiny cluster of islands called the Bahamas. From the distance, we saw the bridge named after Sydney Poitier the famous Bahamian-American actor and director. On our way back from town, we stopped off to grab fresh fruit and to learn more about local business owners.
No matter how many times we needed to be picked up or dropped off from the house we rented, Tuddie was there willing and graciously ready to serve us. Her spirit has forever imprinted its hospitality into my heart. I reached out to her a few days ago, when the wild winds of Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc on the Abaco Islands. She told me that she was safe with her, but that was two whole days. I’m praying that despite her lack of response to my last text that she and her loved ones are somewhere safe and that the waters have not overtaken too much of their neighborhood.
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your feet from being snared.” – Proverbs 3:25-26
It’s in honor of Tuddie and the lovely Bahamians who hosted us for a week that I decided to launch this local relief effort. Please click here to find the list of supplies I’m collecting by September 21st. If you’re interested in donating, email tobepraised@gmail.com for the shipping address.
If you’re interested in taking ownership of collecting the second set of donations for the shipment, please email tobepraised@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your support and participating!! Love + light!