In February of 2020 I took my family on a Disney Cruise that would take us to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island.
As we were about to dock in Nassau, my son shouted in excitement, “Dad! Look over there! I see your Mason symbol!” I looked out the window, and there it was, like a beacon shining a Masonic light over the entire port area, welcoming travels such as myself, letting us know that we have brothers in the Bahamas to help, aid, and assist should we need it. I decided that I needed to visit this Lodge while our ship was docked.
I exited the ship and made my way towards the Lodge. My excitement building with every street I crossed. When I finally reached the Lodge, to my dismay, it was closed. Locked up tight by two large metal gates bearing the square and compass of my amazing fraternity. I then realized that I had a limited amount of time to find a way into this Lodge before my ship left the port.
As I was looking through the gates to see if there may be any contact information that might help me begin my search for a way into the Lodge, I heard a voice from behind me ask, “are you one of them?” I turned to see who it was asking me this question. The man then looked at me and saw the square and compass on my shirt and hat. He then replied, “you’re are one of them.” I asked who he was referring to, and he pointed at the Lodge gates. I told him I was, and asked if he knew how I could gain entrance into the Lodge. He told me that he did not know, and quickly left. I found this interesting that he referred to me as, “one of them.”
I then walked over to a small shop to the right of the gates to ask if the shop owner rented the retail space from the Lodge. When I walked in, the sales associate looked right at me, approached me and asked, “are you one of them?” I assumed at that moment that she noticed the square and compass on my shirt and hat. I told her that I was, and proceeded to ask my question. She said that the shop did rent the space, but she was not able to help with a contact from the Lodge. I thanked her, and left feeling somewhat defeated.
I took no more than five steps out of the shop when I heard, “Hey! I like that hat you’re wearing!” I looked over in the direction where I heard the voice coming from. There stood a man with a big smile on his face. I waited a second to see if he was going to ask if I was “one of them.” But he did not. He said again, “I like that hat. Can I have it?” I thanked him for the complement, and with a smile on my face, politely told him no. I then asked if he knew anything about the Lodge. He smiled and said, “I do my brother. Would you like to see it?” He then reached out his hand to identify himself as my brother. I could not believe it! What were the chances? I found a brother on the streets of the Bahamas who could help me get into the Lodge! He told me that he did not have the keys to the gates, but knew of a brother not too far from where we were standing who would be able to help. He pointed down the street from where we were standing and said, “go down this road two blocks, and turn right. Walk down until you see the sign for an eye doctor. Walk in, and tell the attendant that you would like to speak with brother Hall.” The man then smiled, shook my hand, and left.
What a cryptic way to get my attention, and point me in the right direction. I felt like I was in a movie, following clues to reach my destination.
I did as my brother instructed me. When I arrived at the eye doctor’s office, I said to the attendant, “I am here to see brother Hall.” The attendant instructed me to wait in the sitting area, and told me she would return. I waited for about twenty minutes, then a man emerged from the back room of the office, and walked straight towards me. He noticed my shirt and hat, smiled and said with a hand shake, “I am brother Randall Hall. How can I help you my brother?” I introduced myself to brother Randall, told him I was visiting from the United States, and asked if it would be possible to see the Lodge. I also made it a point to let him know that I was short on time because my ship would be leaving the dock area soon. He looked over at the office attendant and said, “I will be back.” We then walked out the door and headed toward the Lodge. Along the way, he told me about his Masonic journey, and the history of the Lodge.
When we arrived, he opened the gates, and we began the Lodge tour. It was amazing. The Lodge had three levels. It was built to be able to hold three Masonic degrees simultaneously. It also had a large banquet area where another event could be held while the degrees where being performed. Brother Hall also informed me that the Scottish Rite and York Rite both met at this same location as well. While we were in the Blue Lodge, brother Hall asked if I would like a picture sitting in the East. How could I say no to that?
Unfortunately, after the picture I realized that my time was running out. I thanked brother Hall for taking the time to show me the Lodge, and asked if he could take me to the street so that I could make my way back to the ship. We exited the building, and he thanked me for taking the time to find him. We shook hands and parted ways.
As I was crossing the street, I heard a familiar voice say, “I see you found your way to brother Hall.” I looked over, and there was the brother who did not identify himself the first time we met. I told him that I did, and thanked him for his help. He then proceeded to tell me that he was hungry a looking to get something to eat. I smiled, handed him some cash and said, “It is my pleasure to help a worth brother in distress.” He smiled back with gratitude, thanked me, and then went on his way.
I made it back to the ship just in time. I was excited to tell my family all about my adventure. The one thing that I was not able to do while I was out on my journey was call my wife to tell her I was ok, and that I was safe with one of my brothers. This was because my phone did not work in the Bahamas. I located my wife and kids on the ship with excitement in my voice, and ready to tell my tale. Unfortunately, my wife was not too happy with me being gone in another country so long without any word of my wellbeing. I apologized and said, “But, I have a great story to tell you!” To which she replied, “I have some words for you as well!” But that’s a conversation not fit for this publication.
Izzy De Jesus, PM
Glen Park Lodge #732
Valparaiso, IN
