18 Apr 2016 A legacy: Remembering Bert Alexander and Dr. Jack Logan

by Sonja J. Keith

It’s been 10 years since Conway men Bert Alexander and Dr. John Louis “Jack” Logan left on a mission trip to Nicaragua and didn’t return.

Their legacy and sacrifice, giving up their lives so others could live, have not been forgotten. Their lives continue to have an impact on lives in the 501 and in Central America.

REMEMBERING

Fellowship Bible Church dedicated its Sunday morning services on April 3 to remembering members Logan and Alexander and sharing what has happened since the accident. The date marked the 10th anniversary of their deaths. Relatives of both men attended the service including Logan’s wife, Wanda, who lives in Conway; and Alexander’s wife, Karen, who now lives in South Carolina.

Fellowship Pastor Ken Wilson said the church sent a film crew to Nicaragua to capture video of the area and interview those involved in the mission work, including Garit Castillo, one of the men saved by the heroic actions of Logan and Alexander.

The crew produced a 26-minute video, shown at the church service, that tells the story of the men and their hearts for missions, the accident and what has followed. (To view the video, visit https://vimeo.com/161387195.)

“We wanted to tell the story of the accident and the intentional sacrifice they made so others could live,” Wilson said. “We feel like it’s a story worth telling.”

THE ACCIDENT

Alexander, 62, and Logan, 64, were part of a five-member mission team from Fellowship Bible Church that traveled to Central America in the spring of 2006. After completing their work as teachers at a Bible Institute, both men remained behind while the rest of the group left to return home. They planned to enjoy some fishing on the 90-mile long/45-mile wide Lake Nicaragua.

While they caught no fish, the two Americans enjoyed the fellowship with others involved in the local ministry, including a pastor, his wife and two sons. During their outing, they ventured to an island in the lake about four miles from the shore. When time arrived to leave, the group of 10 boarded a small boat that was also loaded with 200 pounds of firewood.

The group soon encountered rough waters. Castillo recalled in the video that his father told him that it was a serious situation. “A short minute later, a wave lifted us up and the boat was swamped,” he said. “The front of the boat went under the water. It was devastating. We began to fight for our lives.”

Cairo Farinas, an interpreter in the group, said the members of the group tried to grab on to the boat, which was sticking up in the air, the anchor securing it in the water, but the two sons were pushed by the waves and separated from the rest of the group. Exhausted, they tried to rest on an ice chest in the water, unable to return to the boat. Uncertain of the boys’ ability to swim, Logan and Alexander did not want them to be alone and decided to join the boys.

Separated from the rest of the group, Logan and Alexander had an idea to thread a pole through the ice chest so all four could hang on while turbulent conditions on the lake continued and the current carried them away. The men reportedly prayed and cried together as they held on.

Back at the boat, the pastor was separated from the group and floated away. As he was swallowed by a wave, his wife had a heart attack and died. Both parents perished in the accident.

After 24 hours in the water, Logan gave his watch to Castillo and told him to let his family know that he loved them. While language was a barrier, Logan told the sons that the two men were older and had lived their lives. He said they were younger and urged them to make their lives count for the Lord. “In one moment, Jack kissed me on the forehead,” Castillo said. “He told us he loved us and returned to his place on the pole. In an instance, a big wave came and he let go.”

Alexander later gave the men a message for his wife and he too let go.

The group clinging to the boat was rescued and after 48 hours of clinging to the ice chest, the two sons were found. “My brother and I owe our lives to two men,” Castillo said. “Jack and Bert gave their lives for us. I will never forget this.”

THE LEGACY

Wilson said the devastating loss of the two men could have meant the end of the mission work in Nicaragua, but just the opposite has happened. He said church members were committed to honoring the two Conway men who died as well as the Nicaraguan pastor and his wife by expanding on the mission work that they were so passionate about. “We doubled down instead of lightening up.”

At the time of the accident, there were two Bible Institutes in Nicaragua. Today, there are 15 in five different countries with an organized group leading the efforts (Bible Institute of Central America) and five full-time staff members. “None of that was in place 10 years ago,” Wilson said.

Calculating the number of ministers and church leaders who receive training through the Bible Institutes, Wilson said more than 51,000 are being impacted through the ministry. “Two men gave their lives and now 51,200 people are impacted.”

Wilson said the story of Jack Logan and Bert Alexander is an important one and it should be remembered. He added that both men inspired others by how they lived as well as how they died.

“People need to hear this story,” he said, adding that it has a message of redemption and victory. “It’s important we not forget it.”

Widows appreciative of service

Wanda Logan and Karen Alexander are comforted in knowing others are remembering their husbands, who died so others could live.

Both attended the recent service at Fellowship Bible Church held to remember Bert Alexander and Dr. John Louis “Jack” Logan. “I appreciate the church doing this in honor of Bert and Jack,” Alexander said.

While there may have been some tears, both were pleased with the service and the video that told the story of their husbands and their sacrifice.

“They did a good job,” said Logan. “It was great. I was really pleased with the service.”

Logan said she takes comfort in knowing that others have not forgotten. “It doesn’t seem possible it’s been 10 years,” she said. “He was the love of my life. I know Jack wouldn’t have taken it back if he could. He was very giving, a remarkable man.”

“He was a wonderful man,” Alexander said of her husband. “He always put God first.”