WHEN SHE WALKED ONTO THE STAGE at the Frank Collymore Hall two Thursday nights ago, and took the microphone in hand and started to speak, few would have imagined that Kasheena Bishop was a “differently abled” person.
Her speech and pronunciation were clear, and she immediately made a connection with those attending that particular Gospelfest event.
And few would have thought 24-year-old Kasheena, who socially functions at the level of an early teenager, is autistic. As she ministered about the many characteristics of Jesus, during a 15-minute presentation, members of the congregation reached out, praising God for her revelations.
“He is the King of righteousness; He is the King of Ages; enduringly strong. He is eternally sincere; immortally graceful and imperially powerful. He is the loftiest idea in philosophy . . . .”
All in all, Kasheena recited close to 70 descriptions of the person and character of Jesus, without a single blunder. Between stanzas, her voice echoed: “Do you know Him?”
At the end of her presentation, for which she received a standing ovation, Kasheena pleaded with her audience to open up their hearts and “let Jesus in”.
“I was really excited about reciting at Frank Collymore Hall, because it gave me the opportunity to tell Barbadians that all things are possible with God. This is also my school motto,” the young minister said.
Kasheena’s ability to speak is nothing short of a miracle.
She spoke for the first time at the age of eight. Since she started singing onstage at the age of 12, she has never looked back.
Few may also know that Kasheena, who leads the Special Needs Ministry at the Christian Learning Clinic, which is owned and managed by Loretta Lashley, memorises every statement that she delivers with such passion when she ministers.
“People believe she is all right, especially when she is onstage and outdoors. However, when she comes home, we still have to deal with the autism. Even when it comes to doing tasks, she must be told what to do. But, put her in front of a crowd, she can perform at her best,” Lashley said.
When she was five years old, it was recommended that Kasheena (the eldest of five children born to Esther Bishop) be enrolled in a special education school. The Christian Learning Clinic at Kew Road, St Michael, fitted the bill perfectly.
At aged four, soft-spoken and kind-hearted Kasheena was still attending nursery, but was able to dress and feed herself somewhat. She had a love for humming songs. Her language skills were underdeveloped, and her social skills, significantly below that of her peers.
Her ability today to minister the Word through song, poetry and prose is directly attributed to God,” said Lashley.
“The Lord has used this same area of language and speech, turned things around, and now allows her to recall His Word.
“Her ability to perform and minister is a gift from God. She is a concordance to me when it comes to remembering things.
“Unlike before, she can now speak to people in public, and answer the telephone, something she could not do previously,” Lashley added.
In fact, Kasheena is training to become a receptionist in her school environment, and will be a teacher assistant during the centre’s first Summer Bible Vacation School for special needs students – which will run from July 5 to August 13. Currently, she helps with remedial adult Bible reading classes at the centre.
Kasheena has defied the odds by learning to recite the 22 chapters of the Book of Revelation. This she has done with the help of a CD version of this book, and reading the Bible. She also knows each book of the Bible in sequence, and “by heart”.
“I always thank God for giving me the gift of clarity of speech, after not understanding words for seven years. I live at my mentor’s home, so that I can get more time to learn God’s Word,” she said.
“I am taking time to memorise the 22 chapters of the Book of Revelation because I want to be able to tell everybody who wants to hear, what this last book of the Bible is saying to the world,” Kasheena explained.
One thing she also enjoys is street ministry, where she assists with tract distribution. Attending concerts and playing games such as volleyball are other things she loves to do.
Those seeing Kasheena onstage for the first time during Gospelfest may not be aware that she has a powerful voice. To hear her sing her renditions of Days Of Elijah; The Only Hope; and Now, Behold The Lamb – her favourite songs – might just bring you to your knees.
Kasheena might be a late starter in utterance, but there are many others who are yet to catch up with, or keep up with her, when it comes to speaking the Word fluently.
Hers is a unique ability some others might wish they possessed.
Truly, God has taken the base things of this world to confound the wise.
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