On Thursday, February 13th, at 2:00 p.m., Radio Anguilla paused its regular programming to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for, and to ask God’s blessings on, its new studio equipment.
Ever since the passage of Hurricane Irma, when much of the equipment was destroyed, the station had become rather deficient to the extent that it lacked the necessary devices that would enable it to operate at optimum level.
Director of Radio Anguilla, Ms. Farah Banks, said that the blessing of the new equipment coincided with the observance of World Radio Day, and recalled that: “During Hurricane Irma we sustained a lot of damage here at Radio Anguilla. As a result, we required new equipment which was eventually ordered. When we began the process of refurbishing the western portion of the facility, though, we were half way through the work when we realized that our roof was leaking.”
She stated that due to the leaking roof the refurbishing process was halted, and attention had to be paid to roof repairs. “Only after those repairs,” she insisted, “were we able to install our new equipment and we considered that as part of our World Radio Day programme this equipment should be blessed.”
The blessing was done by Pastor Philip Gumbs of the Church of God (Holiness):
“Father, we thank you. We know that we cannot prevent the difficult moments of life. We can never prevent the storms. But what we can do is to determine whether they would stifle us and enslave us, or whether they would take us to another level so that we become better than we were before their attack.
“This is a moment when we give you thanks because this station has chosen to rise above the storm. At this moment, the equipment and the quality of service offered by this station is of a much higher level than ever before. So, Lord, for this equipment we thank you. We thank you for enabling its procurement so that listeners are able to better receive the information and enjoy the station’s programming. We thank you for the entities that have contributed to the station for acquiring this equipment.
“And so, Lord, we ask your blessings upon it. We pray that this station’s programming would inform minds and edify the spirits of those who listen to wholesome progammes. Bless the hands of those who have worked hard to make this station what it is. We pray for the protection of this equipment, and that it would be kept safe from all forms of harm.
“We are glad to be able to celebrate the new equipment and this renewed station. We ask your blessings upon the staff, the manager, and the minister responsible for this broadcasting service. And we ask that this equipment would be used to offer long, high quality service. We pray in Jesus name, Amen”.
Minister of Home Affairs and Education, Mrs. Cora Richarson-Hodge, took the occasion to give some brief remarks: “Many of us would recall how Radio Anguilla appeared in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, due to the extent of damage caused by the storm.
“However, Radio Anguilla had remained as the only radio station on air throughout the course of the hurricane, giving its listeners the information they needed. The staff has had to work in challenging and adverse conditions since then and, because of that, we can really appreciate the new equipment that we have here today. This equipment will enable the staff to do an even better job than the work which they did prior to the storm.”
She reflected on the equipment being blessed and said: “When we talk about blessing the equipment, this is not just ordinary equipment, but it should be considered as devices that feed the world. So this equipment is precious. Indeed, I am extremely happy to see it upgraded, and I am looking forward to an exciting future with this kind of radio equipment.”
On hand to witness the blessing was Anguilla Programme Manager in the Governor’s Office, Mr. Darren Forbes-Batty, as well as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Education, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barett.
In closing, Ms. Banks, the Director, took the opportunity to thank those who we influential in providing the equipment and enabling the station to be restored. They included: The Governor’s Office; the Ministry of Home Affairs; and the Ministry of Infrastructure. She also thanked the technicians, Rondie Webster and Lester Richardson who installed the equipment, as well as the station’s staff for tolerating the challenging conditions in which they were required to work over the past two years.
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
