The Brotherhood in Barbados
Barbados is a small island in the Caribbean, approximately measuring 21 miles long & 14 miles wide, but with over 80 white sandy beaches and a tropical climate, is a very popular holiday destination for people from both Europe and North America. The sea is warm and turtles can be spotted popping up amongst the waves, whilst on dry ground ‘green monkeys’ are common throughout the island. The capital, Bridgetown, is a busy hub, boasting (amongst other things) a cruise terminal, international airport, a famed cricket ground, the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Western Hemisphere….and two Christadelphian ecclesias, founded originally in the 1890’s. In fact, it is recorded that before brother Robert Roberts left England for Australia because of his poor health, he had previously been invited over to Barbados to recuperate by a Bajan brother.
Bank Hall Ecclesia meets today in their own hall near Bank Hall crossroads with the smaller Barbados South ecclesia meeting in homes. Over the last year or so, 3 longstanding respected members of Bank Hall quite suddenly fell asleep in Christ, saddening & depleting the ecclesia, but the annual visit of Brother Clive & Sister Joanne Walton from England gave them a boost, especially as it coincided with the interview and baptism of a young interested friend.
Barbados Bible School
For many years, Bank Hall Ecclesia has hosted a Bible School over the long Easter bank holiday weekend and this year, Bro Philip Weatherall from the UK had been asked to be their visiting speaker.
“We have visited Barbados a number of times previously and have interacted with the ecclesias, getting to know the brethren and sisters quite well, but this time we were going to be busier! We flew in the week before Easter and met with the ecclesia on the Sunday and Wednesday before the gathering began on the Friday. We immediately felt the loss of those members who had fallen asleep since we last visited but had a very warm welcome as always, and met our new brother Dru, as well as a good number of familiar faces! (We realized when we looked round at our beloved brothers and sisters that there were four generations of one family present, all ‘in Christ’).
We began the Bible School with a stand-alone exhortational study on “Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments”, followed by a 4-part consideration of the Epistle to the Galatians, particularly referencing the relevant events recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, as Paul’s first missionary journey resulted in the setting up of the four Galatian ecclesias. There was a mix of other talks too, plus discussion sessions. Speaking in Bank Hall can be a battle against the constant noise of passing traffic coming through open windows, along with the very welcome breeze! Many vehicles accompany their loud engines with ‘music’ reverberating on full volume, but thankfully they soon pass by and there is now good amplification in the hall with microphones for all participants! For most of the weekend, brethren & sisters from Barbados South ecclesia joined us at Bank Hall, sharing the duties and catering etc.….a good example of true fellowship! The sisters provided a very lovely Bajan Sunday lunch for us all, plus ample cold drinks and cake throughout the four-day School!
After the shock and sadness of losing three members in the space of one year, it became obvious to us that Bro Clive and Sis Jo and family had done a great job during their stay to encourage and build up the brothers and sisters on the island. The members had enjoyed their company both at the meetings and also socially, important and precious times of fellowship! Brother Jonathan Ramlochan has helped tremendously with technology in the hall, so they can connect with the Brotherhood via ‘Zoom’, but they are an isolated speck in a vast ocean and any additional company and fellowship can only come from visitors flying into the island (or hopping off a cruise ship for the day, as has happened in the past!). When we said our goodbyes, we were left with various phrases ringing in our ears: ‘Don’t forget us!’: ‘Same time next year?!’: “We need help, please pray for us’…and of course, ’God be with us till we meet again’, which we all sang together at the close of the school.”
Help!
We would appeal to those in our community who like to holiday in warmer climes to consider a trip to Barbados and in so doing, encourage our dear family in Christ there by simply paying them a visit. You will probably come away humbled and strengthened in faith!