One Evening I received a phone call from a sister asking me to help her follow-up contacts on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean. While I wasn’t able to go immediately, a window of opportunity did open up and I was able to go in the fall of the year. With flight booked, travel plans in place and a list of Bible contacts in hand (given by my sister), I proceeded, trusting in the Lord’s promise, “I will always be with you.”
I finally arrived at Antigua late at night. I breathed a sigh of relief as I boarded a taxi heading for my place of abode, assuming the driver would know where it was. He did not. We continued along hills, valleys, narrow roads and alleys inquiring from the local people who directed us to a beautiful white top of a hill know as “The Christadelphians.” There lived a beautiful Sis. Juliana with her lovely son, Aaron. They were still up awaiting my arrival and welcomed me with open arms.
Early the next day, I wasted no time in working the phones, getting in touch with the contacts I’d been given. Then came the second phase of personal contacts combined with knocking on doors giving out Bible Basics, etc., to those who would listen and engage me in discussion. I did this on my way to meet the contacts whom I hoped to talk with personally.
With leaflets in hand, my face became a familiar sight as I blended with the local people whose trust and confidence I seemed to have gained. There was much opportunity to discuss scripture in all kinds of situations — and I was eager to deepen my own understanding of the word.
However, there is a consistent problem in Antigua in that we have no brothers, only sisters, resident on the island. As a result, many local people draw their own conclusions and say we are a cult of some type. Brother, are you able to explain the scriptures and enjoy personal preaching? If you are, we need you in Antigua. Sisters cannot do it alone; we need that Brother figure who will draw a special kind of attention.
A visit to Barbados
Having some time left, I decided to travel to Barbados where I had done some door-knocking in the past. I concentrated on an area around an ecclesial hall. The interest, eagerness and friendliness of the people were the same as the last time I was in Barbados. I was taken off guard by the interest and my leaflets ran out, leaving me to write my email address on pieces of paper.
Unlike Antigua, the people of Barbados are well aware of the Christadelphians. At every second house, I was invited to come in and discuss the truth. There were also some negative remarks such as, “Your church is not growing.” On my short visit, I met a lady while waiting for the bus, another on the bus and yet another at my hotel who either were in the truth or had long association with us but have since left, together with their families.
My stay on Antigua and Barbados was a source of encouragement, satisfaction and fulfillment. Yet I feel a sense of discouragement about the situation in Antigua as the efforts there of myself and many others are of little value without a brother there.
Value of personal contact
My own concept of preaching is the personal touch, making eye contact and observing the body language of people to discern their interest and find the ones who are truly interested. In the past, this is the way the gospel was preached in many ages and situations so it is our duty and responsibility to confront people with that same gospel message, hopefully causing them to stop in their tracks and listen.
Finally, brothers, if you can, please heed the call for help in Antigua where the opportunity is great. Preaching takes time and effort, but in the end we are helping to fulfill the will of the Lord for “this gospel shall be preached in all the world, and then shall the end be.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One