Pat & Christine Lanyon
 47 Long Hill Street
 East, Hartford, CT 06108

[May 14,1998]

Dear Friends,
 God has just greatly blessed us as we took a trip to Nassau, Bahamas. This is where I served
God 12 years ago. [from 1974 until 1986] It was a great joy to see those I once worked with. We were invited to come
to Nassau almost a year ago, but we didn’t have the freedom to come at that time. We stayed
with a former roommate of mine. Cheryl [Hoogendorn] now is married and has 5 children (ages 18mo.-10yrs.).
We were a house full, but all went well. We sought to help her family in every way we could.
They needed to be encouraged after the many trials they have faced.

==April 20-25: I fell backwards on my head in some spilled milk. I had headaches and nausea
for the week.

==April 28: We flew in a small plane to Newark. It was bumpy all the way. I rejoiced to be on
land. We had two more flights to go. A delay in flights resulted in a nice free meal at the airport.
(We got a good deal on our tickets and I had been told there would be no meals. )
 Pastor Johnson ,who works in customs at the airport, met us and walked us through customs.
This was a double blessing as I had three suitcases full of gifts to give.

==April 29: Mrs. Lightbourne came by our house with her family. She was a great encouragement
to me when I served in Providenciales. I taught her daughter at that time. Her daughter is now a
teenager with a sweet spirit. We exchanged gifts.
 We attended Gospel Light Baptist Church that night. What a joy it was to see the dear church
folks I love. Some expressed thanks to me for encouraging them and giving them Source of Light
Bible lessons. One lady came up to me and thanked me for leading her to trust in Jesus as her
Saviour.
 After church Pastor Johnson took us out for a Bahamian meal. Everyone enjoyed it.

==April 30: We visited Nassau Christian Academy. It was good to see 5 people on staff that I
knew well. Two gave us generous love gifts which helped with expenses.
 We then went to see Donna Adams (Pastor Dave Adam- New Testament Church). Donna has
cancer of the bone and weighs 69 lb. I used to work with Donna with Bible Clubs in the public school.
We sang to her and shared Scripture. What a blessing to be with Donna and encourage her. (I
was able to visit Donna two more times in the hospital before leaving the island.)
 We took the kids to a private beach. My husband and the children went in the water. A former
N.C.A. student recognized Cheryl and myself as teachers of N.C. A. He let everyone in our group
have a free ride on his ski jet. Thanks to Wayne Moss.
 We went to the store to buy milk ($4.00) and saw another student from the school.
 That evening the ladies of Gospel Light brought a Bahamian meal and stayed for a time of
fellowship.Mr. Hoogendoorn (our host) shared some songs that he wrote.

==May 1: We enjoyed a fellowship meeting at Gospel Light.
 Debbie Rolle, whom I met through my Bible lessons, called the house.

==May 2: We went to see two ladies that I tried to reach for Christ when I lived on the island.
 We exchanged gifts. I had driven these two ladies to visit our church in the past.
 Pastor Johnson then drove us to see his mother -in-law. We drove a few blocks on
and also saw Mr. & Mrs. Styies. This older couple were a great encouragement to me when I
worked with Baptist Bible. (There are problems in the church which caused them to leave.)
 We then went to see Barbara Williams’ parents. Barbara now lives in Connecticut.
Her dad is dying of cancer. He was not home, But Pastor Johnson is going to try to reach him.
 Don & Cheryl then took us to an amazing attraction. It was even free. We went to a
hotel called Atlantis. They had an underground cave with glass on two walls so that people
could watch fish. They also had fish above in tanks. We saw many kinds of fish. We then took
the children to the far end of the beach to play. They had a nice time.

==May 3: We visited Berean Baptist for the morning service. Pastor Johnson was
invited to speak there and it is the church our hosts attend. The leader that morning
was Bro. Crizor, Who also once attended N.C.A.
 On the way home we passed Baptist Bible. There were two elderly ladies that I
know well, standing out front. We stopped and I said hello. I asked about a deaf girl
who still writes to me. Someone helped me find her. We rejoiced.
 My husband preached that night at Gospel Lighthouse.
 We found out that one man in the church wrote a tract on the Trinity and had it put
in the two Bahamian newspapers which covers all the Bahamas. This is to refute the Jehovah
Witnesses. It cost $3,000. The Bahamians are very dedicated to our Lord.
They took up a love offering too for us. With other personal gifts given, it was equal to the cost of half
our trip.

==May 4:Barbara Sweeting came over. She taught at N.C.A. I took care of her 6 children once
when she went to Canada with her husband for two weeks.
 Rina Collins came over. She also taught at N.C.A.. She is now married to a Bahamian.

==May 5: Pastor Dave Adams took us out to eat. He shared how God amazingly provided
for Donna’ care. Even the other patients in a cancer clinic in Mexico gave money for Donna’s
needs. (We saw the parents of students I taught there at Wendy’s).
 We walked over to a store to meet Debbie Roll who took my Bible lessons long ago.
She continues on for the Lord.

== May6: Pastor Johnson’s mother-in law took us to the airport. He then met us at the airport.
We flew to Miami in a small yellow plane decorated with palm trees. We had extended lay overs
and had to spend the night at Newark. At 1AM the girl at the desk had compassion on us and
gave us a reservation at a Hilton Hotel (25 minutes away). All planes had problems due to weather.
We were thankful for a free dinner (midnight) and breakfast. We came home the next morning.

==May God bless and encourage you. Please pray for my husband who is still not sleeping
like he should.
 Love in Christ,
 From Pat, Chris, David, & Joseph Lanyon

May 14, 1998
— cpl date edited June 4, 2017; text copy 24i6