By Pamela Kay Overbey
Each year, single adults, whether they are never married, divorced, single parents, or widowed, face the approaching holiday season with some apprehension. The reality of their singleness can cause dread of the upcoming constant reminder of the “family” gatherings or the demonstration of the “yuletide” spirit during Christmas, especially this year with the current economic crisis. The Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee and the Assembly of God, Springfield, Missouri, has jointly developed a working plan to bring holiday cheer. For the past two years, the two entities, in conjunction with CruiseXcel & Vacation Center, Ltd., has devised a way to offer single adults of all ages an opportunity to take a cruise (that once-in-a-lifetime dream). The first year we traveled to Nassau and the Bahamas. This year, November 17-21, we traveled to the Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, Mexico. Their plan is working as we had 300 the first year and 380 registered for the 2008 cruise. The 380 individuals traveled from many different states and included people from South Africa, Bahamas, England and other countries.
 |
|
Participants in the Singles Cruise |
Such was the case for the 10 people who gathered nightly at Table 156. These 10 people varied in ages from 20-something to one dear lady who was going to celebrate her 84th birthday in a few weeks. The 10 were from different states: Washington, New York, Missouri, South Dakota and Tennessee. The common denominator among the group was the fact that they were Christian singles who had experienced the divine intervention of the goodness and mercy of the Lord.
Our first night on the cruise, we shared prayer requests for family members and testimony of God’s faithfulness as Charlie led us in a prayer of blessing for the food we were about to enjoy. The second night, we complimented each other on the “formal dress” attire each one chose to wear in celebration of what is called “Captain’s Night. This night, we shared about the reality of the greatness of our God, as we observed the disappearance of land and only a vast ocean surrounding us on all sides. The individuals shared about their day on the ship, the various gems they had received from the selection of classes the leadership of the two singles ministry groups offered, and the variation of knowledge received from classes offered by the Carnival cruise lines.
On the third night of the week-long cruise, there was table discussion of the different excursions off the ship while docked at the beautiful island of Grand Cayman. Some had taken a taxi to Georgetown for shopping; others had taken a tour bus ride through the island, visiting a “Turtle Farm” and capturing a picture of a 500-pound turtle. Each one shared of their experience of getting in line to taste the varieties of the delicious rum cakes made on the island, walking on the white sand of the Seven Mile Beach, and the Post Office on Hell Road with the salvation message printed in bold letters on the side of the building.
The fourth night together, Thursday night, the conversation was about the off-shore excursions in Cozumel, Mexico. Two of the individuals, Ken and Susie, talked about their group excursion and the alligator they saw within a close proximity of their toes. Yvonne & Arlene and the other ladies talked of their day shopping and seeing the city on and off a tour bus. However, on this particular day, the author, Pamela Kay, chose to spend the day on the ship, enjoying the quietness of the day, the silence on deck, no lines in the dining areas and plenty of time to rest in the presence of the Lord while watching the uniqueness of this large vessel stay afloat in the water.
Table 156 shared with one another of the beauty of God’s creation each evening. We were blessed with a menu of good, healthy food choices that was prepared by over 450 employees who make up the ship’s galley for the food and beverage department. During an afternoon tour of the galley on Friday, we were given a grocery list for a one-week menu: 10,000 pounds of beef, 48,000 eggs, 4,000 gallons of ice cream and so much more! Can you imagine cooking for 3,000 people? Our worship services, with such talent as Sam & Roger Grandison from England, took place in the Candlelight Lounge, just across from the casino. Isn’t it amazing how God can always turn “all” things around for our good? While others were worshiping their gods, we were worshipping the one true God.
Let me introduce some of the members of Table 156 and share their personal comments. Linda from the state of Washington remarked, “Last year in 2007, the thing I remembered most was the 81-year-old woman I met. I was so blessed by her fellowship and words of wisdom. This year, I was blessed again with a Haitian roommate who enjoyed having breakfast early and sharing about the goodness of the Lord together. I look forward to seeing them again at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, only they won’t be new brothers and sisters, but faces I have already had the pleasure of meeting.” And, Susie, Cleveland, Tennessee, who serves on the International Singles Board for the Church of God. Susi stated, “It was a great way to spend the pre-Thanksgiving week—sailing on the Carnival Inspiration ship with 380 other Christian singles from around the world! This year’s pre-cruise activities began Sunday, November 16, with a dynamic service hosted by the Riverhills Church of God, Tampa, Florida. Bishop Tim Hill, First Assistant General Overseer, preached a practical message that evening about encouragers and embalmers, followed by a great altar service where many singles gathered for a special time of prayer. Afterwards, two hundred singles met in the church fellowship hall and enjoyed a Cuban feast and some get-acquainted games.” Youth Pastor Rob Harrison, North Carolina, noted that the 2008 Singles/Young Adult Cruise was a wonderful experience. He also noted that some of the things that made it so wonderful were the exquisite food, the ship, and the two ports of call: Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Rob also commented on the fact that Table 156 was privileged to have one of the young evangelists, Jason Patterson, as a part of our group.
Ken, also from the state of Washington, wants to share these comments about the cruise. “For many years, Cheri and I had talked about going on a cruise. The cruise location did not matter—being together was the most important factor. We thought we had many years ahead to plan for that special cruise; however, on April 19, 2007, our plans changed. It was on this day that Cheri, my wife, went home to be with the Lord after courageously battling cancer for 1½ years. The singles cruise gave me the opportunity to take the cruise that my wife and I had always planned on taking. I am sure that there were many others on board who may have been going through the grieving process from the loss of a loved one, a divorce or a broken relationship. Our praise and worship time with the Lord each night was a turning point for me. The Bible I had with me on the cruise belonged to my wife, Cheri. She left many special written nuggets in the margins and highlighted verses in her Bible just for me. One in particular is Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I can now move on knowing that God has a planned future for me. Many thanks to those who are responsible for the Singles Christian Cruise.”
Each of the 10 members of Table 156 were made to feel like kings and queens each evening by the genuine service of waiters and waitresses who did not realize that they were in fact serving individuals with a “royal priesthood background,” because of our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Our joy, on the final night of the cruise, was the realization that this did not have to be the last time that we would see each other because we could either meet again on another cruise, by email, telephone calls, snail mail, or in heaven!
How about you? Would you like to join this terrific group of people at Table 156 or wherever you may be assigned to meet other wonderful Christian single people who love celebrating their singleness and wholeness in Christ? Would you like the opportunity to attend informative classes during the day, while the ship cruises at a steady pace towards our destination? Would you like to enjoy an evening of worship with great worship leaders in music and the Word, after a day of feasting at breakfast, lunch and dinner (and in between if needed)? Or, would you like to meet with other singles as they participate in fun games such as Dominoes, Phase 10, UNO, Rook and good fellowship? If you want the opportunity to have your holiday transformed from a feeling of being alone to being a part of this vast “family of God,” join Table 156 and many others next year by signing up now to be a part of the 3rd Annual Singles Cruise to Jamaica, November 2-7, 2009. For information, contact Daniel & Jenny Vassell, International Singles Coordinator for the Church of God at jvassell@churchofgod.org or call Jenny at 423.478.7291. Share with your pastor or singles pastor that you want your group to experience the fun and excitement of Table 156. We invite you to join us next year so you too can write your own memory about your cruise adventure.
Pamela Kay Overbey, Executive Secretary, Women’s Ministries
Church of God International Offices, Cleveland, Tennessee