Gay Cruise an opportunity in Cayman Islands

LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Cayman Net News
Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Dear Sir,

What an opportunity for the Cayman Islands who consider themselves Christian to witness to approx 3000 people whom God has placed on our shores.

I am so disgusted by the outpouring of negativity towards gay people visiting this island.

The statement this past week from Al Ebanks, “The Cayman Ministers Association remains opposed to the arrival of a cruise that promotes itself as gay,” Chairman Pastor Al Ebanks asserted this week to the Caymanian Compass”

Let me make myself clear that Pastor Al and the Cayman Ministers Association do not represent all Christians on this Island. I myself find it totally inconceivable that I am the only person to see this as a God-given opportunity to witness to my fellow humans. Cayman is in a unique situation in that it proclaims itself to be an island of “Christian heritage” yet I don’t see anyone caring for these people with love and tenderness.

What an opportunity God has given to this Island to witness to the people from around the world! They (tourists) arrive by the boatload every day and the only message they will receive is “you’re not welcome”. Let anyone of you toss the first stone if you yourself are without sin. God does not judge sin and place one sin above another, there is no rank among sin.

Drinking to excess, drugs, pre-marital sex, abuse, murder, Gay lifestyle… God does not condone any of these yet he was the first to sit with the tax collector and the prostitute and care for them and witness to them. 

How great would it be if the passengers onboard arrived and were welcomed and greeted with love that Christians are supposed to profess? How great would it be if at the end of the day when these tourists all sit for dinner on the ship and they would talk of how wonderful the people here are and how “Caymanians were open and willing to talk and share of their love for Christ”. How all the shopkeepers and tour operators greeted them with smiles and words of encouragement and “God bless you”. 

Who cares with what slogan/promotion the ship arrives with? Royal Caribbean “Get out there”, Carnival “The fun ship”, Princess “Escape Completely” and this week “The Gay ship”.

Do you think there aren’t gay couples on regular cruises and that no drinking or gambling has taken place and everyone on board is a perfect example of Christianity?

I’m Christian and I screw up daily, I’m not perfect and will never be perfect, I ask for forgiveness daily and bring my issues before God, move on, and with God’s grace try to do better. The hard part here is to not get to the point where you think you are better than someone else. 

When I read stories like those outbursts from the Cayman Ministers Association I feel shameful to be lumped into their Christian camp. Homosexuals visiting the island are not here to recruit new members or spread their lifestyle, they aren’t coming to visit the schools and capture your children.

Please get your head out of the sand and start dealing with issues of this century. The statements of this past week towards the gay community are offensive and make us look like hypocritical morons. I personally apologize to the local gay community (yes there is a significant gay community on-island). I love you as another human being and I pray for you every day I hope that I can be instrumental in your life and if nothing else just your friend.

Also pray for my fellow Christians whose eyes are closed and are unable to love and be an example of what Christ did while he was on this earth. I pray that God would use me as a tool when this ship arrives and that I may serve alongside him and be useful in proclaiming God’s love. 

Oh how we have failed, we’ve failed miserably. If God were here today on this Island would he have told them to go away! You’re not welcome! Or would he have thrown them a party and welcomed them with open arms. 

All rights reserved.
Andrew Van Nes