BASSETERRE St. Kitts, January 13th 2012 - ON SUNDAY January 8th, 2012, a dream was realised when a large new standby generator was formally handed over to the Wesley Methodist Church thereby giving the congregation a “second chance” to have electricity and to continue their service to God uninterrupted when power outages occur.
The dream began back in 2008 when Sister Rhoda Archibald, as she describes it, felt called by God to start a seed fund to go towards purchasing a generator for the Church.
It was triggered she said by the seven and half percent increase in salary of civil servants which occurred then. She felt moved to make a contribution of $300.00 then and has been making a contribution every single month to keep her seed growing.
At the time, the end seemed to be way in the distance, but she persisted.
As the saying goes in religious circles, the seed was fed and watered by God’s Almighty Hand. This came in the form of an extremely generous donation ($15 000 US) from Brother Desmond Roberts, who on a visit home was worshiping at ‘Wesley” when a power outage occurred.
The congregation was convinced that this was evidence of God moving “in a mysterious way, his wonders to perform.” Mr. Michael Morton of TDC generously assigned members of his staff, Curtis James and Don Boncamper, to oversee the building of the housing unit for the generator and the running of the lines to all the buildings in the Methodist compound.
The Church Steward, Mr Arthurlyn Belle expressed thanks on behalf of the Church to the many generous friends who gave freely of their time or gave concessionary rates or service to expedite the completion of the product.
Those coming in for high praise for their contribution were Mr. Michael Morton, TDC and staff; Mr. Denzil Crooke and Delisle Walwyn & Co. Ltd who assisted in freight and transportation of equipment; Rock and Dirt Company for assisting in the building of the housing unit; Windsor University; Sol Gases, who gave 500 gallons of diesel free of charge, and others who lent their skills like Patrick White, electrician and Sunil Baley.
Some of the contributors worshipped at the nine o’clock Service where they were formally thanked and received cards of appreciation. Later at the site of the standby generator in the Methodist ‘schoolyard’, they expressed how pleased they were to be associated with the project.
Visionary and sower of the seed, Sister Rhoda Archibald thanked God for guiding her towards the initiation of the project and referenced that the oak tree, the biggest of trees started from a tiny seed – as did this project. She encouraged all to do what God tells them to do for much good will come of it.
Chief Donor, Brother Desmond Roberts was also present and expressed how pleased he was to have been able to donate. He was regarded literally as a “godsend” in the realization of the dream.
The dedication and handing over generated good feelings all around. The Superintendent Minister Dr. Rev. Wycherly Gumbs again expressed appreciation to all involved after which the Doxology was sung, thereby bringing to a close this very satisfactory and pleasing occasion.
