Those random encounters—you meet a stranger and the experience unfolds like it was orchestrated.
I took a day trip to the island of Anguilla, that's like a ride to Jinja from Kampala except its by boat. Anguila is a small island next to Sint Maarten in the Caribbean. As
I gazed at the island’s emerald waters and scanned the lonesome streets, Harold my tour guide and I engaged in conversation.
Anguilla has a population of about 15,000 and covers 35 square
miles. Somewhere along the way the Harold became emotional. When a man
cries in the presence of a woman he just met, one takes note. His emotional
expression caught me off guard.
It all started when I sat in the passenger seat and noticed a thick tattered book on the cars center console. I asked about the book which took up half the car. Well, not exactly half the car but the book was huge.
Harold said, “That’s the most important book in my
life.” He continued, “Yes, I gave my life to Christ 46 years ago. And that's
when I started studying the Bible. It's made all the difference. I would not be
driving here today. I would have been 6 feet under a long time ago.”
That was the beginning of conversations that ebbed and
flowed like Anguilla’s ocean waves: He was born in St. Kitts. At the age of 2
he left his mother in St. Kitts and traveled with his father to Anguilla. He
was raised by his grandparents. He didn’t see his mother again
until he was 12. His first marriage ended. His second marriage began. He has
2 children—40 and 46 years old. He sings calypso and was once a radio announcer.
God called him to serve as a minister of the gospel but he struggled for 10
years to surrender his personal plans.
Harold began to tear up as he contemplated the meagerness of his service to God. He wanted to do better, each time he strove to improve. I encouraged him to know that God sees the intent of his heart where it counts most.
We stopped by the Four Season Hotel, Anguilla's grandest hotel--it has become a tourist sight. Excellent views, breath taking emarald green waters. The high end life.
He told me he is an associate pastor of a small church of about 40 members. He handed me his phone, to listen to a sermon he preached entitled “Is it well with your soul?” A great part of the journey was spent listening to the sermon.
He touched on the prodigal son and how his father looked out for him everyday. He looked at the Shunammite woman who visited prophet Elisha concerning her dead son, confident that he would come back to life. He crowned his message with the story of Horatio G. Spafford, an American lawyer and Presbyterian church elder who after suffering several family tragedies penned the song “It is well with my Soul”.
I was reminded of the time many lonely years ago when I
suffered some personal tragedies and Jesus suggested I yeild and rest in Him. In that time, He led me to Spafford's story and the experience of complete surrender in “It is well with my Soul.”
We traveled through The Valley--Anguilla's capitol city--quiet and green.
Harold and I cried tears of gratitude and humility—moved
by Gods presence in our midst.
He played for me two of his song compositions recorded in the UK, his clear baritone ringing through the car as we drove along the quiet island streets. The songs were prayer-filled personal testimonies.
How long was the journey? How did Harold manage to unpack over 60 years of his life for me? God planned it. I asked the questions; the driver had the answers and did most of the talking.
We stopped at the Wallblake House, said to be the oldest structure on the island--the only surviving 18th century plantation home under restoration. I spent a few hours at Shoal Bay for lunch and a walk along the beach.
As my tour came to an end and we drove back to Blowing Point to catch the ferry back to Sint Maarten, Harold slowed down
and parked by the roadside.
He said God placed it on his heart to pray for me. And pray we did. I knew God had planned my day, there was no doubt.
I wouldn’t be able to pick Harold out of a line up but we accomplish God's plan for that day.
