This year is all most gone.

Just looking back at just these last three months. I am overwhelmed by all that has been going on in this world. It might be because now I have cable TV too. I have not had cable since 1997. So now I get to see all the junk that has been going on. Before I us to just watch ZNS. That is the main TV station here, that you can pick up with rabbit ears. I still watch their news each and every night to make sure I am informed. It really is neat to watch them and you will never hear about the world itself. You only hear about the islands and all that has been going on here.
I remember when Wilma (hurricane) came through here. I only heard about the damage that happen on Great Bahama island. There was over 200 homes were flooded and the cementers the caskets were floating in the ocean. The reason was the cementers are right along the ocean. One day I was talking with Mark Walace here and he asked me if I saw all that was going on in Fort Lauderdale,Fl. I said no. I went to the computer and was over whelmed by all the discussion. There were roofs blown off and they haven't had electric for over a week of so. It really was eye opener on all that was going on in the world and all I knew was, what has been happening here, in the Bahamas. Someday I wish I didn't have cable just for that one reason. That is a choice I have, I know how to turn it off or even on some days.

May be you see the waves.

A day at the beach.

Yesterday was a day to just chill. The reason was, most Bahamians had the day off. The reason for that is Saturday was Boxing day. While is a holiday here. So most people had to work on Saturday. So the government told us that Monday would be our day off, Boxing Day. It was a beautiful day. It started out with Olivia, Kevin and myself feeding the animals at ALC. Then we talked about doing something. Kevin has been asking to go to the beach since Christmas Day. So we decide to take the whole gang. I am sorry but my spelling is pretty bad, so I am not going to try to spell out their names. On the way out to the beach, we stopped by KFC and got a large bucket of chicken and fixings. So when we got to the beach we sat in the back of the truck and ate. Then we went out to the beach. The waves were over whelming. I am sorry I didn't take any pictures of them. We got into the water and first it was COLD. After a little time we were okay tempure way. But the waves started crashing in. A guy came up to me and told me that yesterday, someone broke their leg out here. The reason the waves. So we tried to be careful. But they did over power us a couple of times. I even got worried about the kids getting hurt. We stayed out there for about hour or so. Then came to shore and sat down. Then Olivia said let us go for a walk. Which we did. We walked down to the end of the beach and really enjoyed the clam of the waves there. There is a cove and the waves don't come into there. We saw this wave runner and took some pictures on it. Walked back to our area before and every one wanted to go back into the water again. It really was fun. But we all ended up with sand every where. You understand what I am saying every where.

This was a day at Cabbage Beach, really was rough out there.

A day they call Boxing Day.

The day after Christmas is Boxing Day. During this day we have a chance to help out our neighbors and other homes. They have been doing this now for 13 years or maybe even more. But Calvary Bible invites these different homes, that really don't have the money or the funds to have a great meal. They were served turkey and ham and some chicken too. Plus all the fixings. The people of Calvary do all the cooking and even buy things out of their own pockets. If you saw last weeks blog, you can see this church is really trying to work along side the neighbors and like I said before. We had people from the older folks home's, children orphan's homes too. Plus our neighbors came out too. They started setting up tables back on Wednesday. Then Saturday morning we all got there by 9:00am. I pretty much did what I was told, mop floors and move pop from there to here. It was a full day for pretty much all of us. Kevin, Olivia and myself worked and did more work. Around 2:30pm I told them both let us get going. While driving home Olivia was trying to take a nap. We were shot for the day. I got home and crashed.

Yesterday was our day to feed others. Calvary Bible has been doing this for 13 years.

God has given me so much.

Yes He has, Friday morning I picked up Olivia and Kevin. We went to Calvary Bible first and had a chance to sing some Christmas Carols and hear some folks share on what they believe Christmas is all about.
Then while leaving to take them home. I asked what were their plains for the rest of the day. Olivia said, nothing was planned out for her day. Then I asked Kevin, he said he's is a kid and why would he have any plans. So we all drove over to the Wonll's home. They live in Coral Harbor. Got there and sat and talked a little. While eating lunch I had a chance to talk with one of their sons. Micheal, he is in COB, collage here. He wants to be a video game maker. Then after eating we all went down to Ralph's boat. You can see all of us being on his boat. He just wanted to go down and start up the engines. They have not been started for a while now. Miss Preice got into the boat. She was not to sure about that. But she did it. Ralph tried to start the engines. Batteries were dead. God is so good to me. That morning I saw our Battery charger in Sean's office. So I just threw it in the back of my truck. I was going to put it back into my maintenance trailer Monday morning. So while looking at his batteries, I asked Ralph if he had a charger? He said no. Then I remember I did. I told him to leave them on charge over night. The batteries should be in good shape by morning. I took Olivia and Kevin home.
I went home for a hour or so. Just to take a small nap. Mean while I sat and watched Miracle On 34th Street. (the newest one)
I left and got to Pastor Jerry and Barbara Sayer's home around 5:30 pm, you can see the sun set picture. (beautiful) We sat around and talked for a while and had a great turkey dinner. Then just kept on talking about all kinds of things. I left there and came home and thanked the Lord for a great day and all He has given me today.

This was my Christmas, lunch., Wonll"s (spelling could be wrong).

Yes we have come to the end of the year.

This was last night, Festival of Ligths.

This was my bus load of people.

Yes this project called Micah went very well.

I had a chance to be with a group of people that really wanted to get out and do this right. We got dropped off and started walking down the this street called Burial Ground Corner. The pictures really don't show how bad some of these people live. But I didn't want any one to be hurt by showing their homes off. I came up to this house that had a fence around it. I called out, I have a gift you you. She shouted back go away. I said I really wanted to give her this bag of food. She tells me no. Then she ask me are you a Jehovah Witness? I thought she was telling me that she was one. But I said I still want to give her this bag. She ask me again, are you a Jehovah Witness? I told her no. She came to her door and open it up and said she would love to get some food. I handed her the bag and she said how much can I have. I told her the whole bag is hers. She almost cried. I leave her and told her the church we were from. She said I know that church. Mean while the rest of my group did pretty much the same. They knocked on doors and they to ask if they were Jehovah Witness? I found out that this place has been ran over by them and people just don't want to deal with them any more. To me that is a sad witness. My prayer was that they receive the bag, just enjoy the gift. I came back to the guys and pretty much every one was talking about how much fun this was and how the people really enjoy our company. I know down the road Pastor Lee wants to do more for this area and I really think it should go well.

This is a map of the area we covered.

These are some of the pictures of Micah Project.

This is my friend Veda.

What happen last night.

It was a good time to get together with the Single's. Now just to let you know not all of the people just go to Calvary Bible. We have been having them come from other Churches on this island too. Pretty much any one is invited, only ting is you need to be single. It really is neat to see all of my friends come out and just enjoy a great meal and fellowship. Last night we even had the honour of Mark and Kim and Adam with us. These two meet at out Single's about 6 years ago. They got married and had Adam this last year.
The food was great too. You know you can have sea food steak and even pizza at this place. I walked away pretty full myself. I even felt to full, at the end. We all walked around a little and I took some pictures of us. Then near the end of the evening. The girls wanted to sit and listen to this guy named Big Man,(sorry I didn't get his name) or something like that. I should have taken his picture too, but I didn't. Veda is our main leader over seeing our group, we gave her a couple of gifts to let her know how we love her. She is the one that puts all these tings together. You can see the pictures above. First one is Veda, the next is the girls sitting around and listening to this guy sing. The evening was fun. I am so blessed to have friends, they even blessed me with a nice gifts too.

Last night was our Christmas dinner get together, Single's.

It is good to have family.

I want to say thank you to all of you out there.

Yes today is my birthday. Kids I just can not believe that I am 58 years old today. Yes 58 years old. I really am trying to get it in my mind that I am 58 years old today. The reason I say that is, where did those years go? My mind think younger than that. BUT I can tell you this, my body knows that.
I was just reflecting on my life last night. I have been very blessed to have a great family and all my friends. So now is another day to bring glory to His name and I pray that you do too. It is by His GRACE and love that I am still here on this earth. Now you can look at it this way too. If He really does love me. He would have taking me out of the picture a while back. BUT I know I still have tings to do and work for HIM. So I just wanted to stop by to say thank you for your wishes and specially your PRAYERS. That is what I live on each day while still here on earth. Prayers work and I thank HIM for that. Please keep in touch and I would love to hear from you soon.

My e mail address is toms@alcbahamas.org

Twas the night before Christmas

HE LIVED ALL ALONE,IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,AND TO SEE JUST WHO,IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,NOT EVEN A TREE.NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,A SOBER THOUGHT,CAME THROUGH MY MIND.FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,SILENT, ALONE,CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,THE ROOM IN DISORDER,NOT HOW I PICTURED,
AN ENGLISH SOLDIER.WAS THIS THE HERO,OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,THE FLOOR FOR A BED?I REALISED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,HOW MANY LAY ALONE,ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVEN IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,A TEAR TO MY EYE,I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,I CONTINUED TO WEEP.I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,SO SILENT AND STILL,AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR,SO WILLING TO FIGHT
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
This poem was written by an English Peacekeeping soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable
PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what