On Saturday, November 14th, the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church was the scene of welcome and worship for the Anguilla Diabetes Association. A modest contingent of the Association’s members, including nurses, nutritionists and caregivers, attended the Sabbath morning service to highlight the culmination of activities for Diabetes Week 2020.
Apart from a rich selection of inspiring worship songs, directed by the church’s praise team, other special songs and presentations, as well as the sermon, were tailored to accent the work and mission of the Diabetes Association.
One of the Church’s Trustees, Mrs. Felicia Hill, heartily greeted the delegates saying: “We are always excited when members of the public take the time out to worship with us. Whether you are simply visiting, or you have selected to be among us as a place of worship, we are indeed delighted to have you with us.”
She continued: “We do not want you to leave here unless you know what we are about. We are about pointing people to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in a relationship with God. This church, through Jesus, is a spiritual hospital. Jesus heals the wounded soul and he soothes the broken hearted. We are about serving people, and everyone who walks through our doors is important. We are also about good health and wellness. So as you promote health amidst the condition of diabetes, today, we extend to you all a cordial welcome.”
Seated among the special group of visitors was the Hon. Minister of Health, Premier Ellis L. Webster. Pastor Howard Simon acknowledged his presence and accorded him an honourable welcome.
The Association’s President, Mrs. Elenita Harrigan, then spoke on behalf of the group: “We are very happy to be with you this morning!” she exclaimed. “Every year, the Association observes World Diabetes Day, and since today, November 14th, is indeed World Diabetes Day, we are wearing blue outfits in honour of our mission. We meet on the last Monday of each month at the Old Valley Boys School, and we extend to you an invitation to join us.” She explained that not all members of the Association are diabetic, but anyone who attends the monthly meetings can benefit from the knowledge of caring for their loved ones who may be affected by diabetes now or in the future.
In response to the President’s remarks, Pastor Simon commented: “I want to say a special welcome to this group. They are very dear to my heart. When we served in the BVI, my wife worked with the Association there.” On a personal note, he reflected: “Both of my parents were diabetic, and they both died as a result. So I suppose that there is a certain necessity imposed upon me not to carry that legacy any further,” he mused.
The Association’s Former President, Nurse. Dana Ruan, took the podium to recognise three outstanding nurses who dedicated their life’s work to caring for diabetic patients. First, she noted: “The international theme for Diabetes Day is: ‘The Nurse and Diabetes’. Here in Anguilla we have devised a sub-theme which is: ‘Nurses do Make a Difference”’. In that vein, she recognised three nurses, namely: Nurse Alicia Brooks, Nurse Marvella Richardson and Nurse Lynette Rogers (posthumously). Nurse Lynette was represented by her niece, Gina Brooks. Nurse Dana highly complimented them for a life of service that was selfless, dedicated and devoted to the noble cause of nursing, especially in the area of diabetes.
Following a brief address of encouragement to the Association, by the Hon. Premier Webster, navy blue bags containing tokens of appreciation were distributed to the Association members, after which the Advent Men’s Ensemble (AME) rendered a special song entitled “He Will Carry You”, dedicated to the visiting group.
The Pastor’s sermon, with reference from Luke 10: 25-37, conveyed the message of who one’s neighbour really is. The scripture related an account which Jesus gave of a traveler, trekking from Jerusalem to Jericho, who had been attacked while on his treacherous journey. The poor man was beaten and left for dead. Two religious Jewish men —
one after the other — passed the suffering victim by and rendered him absolutely no aid. But, finally, there came a man from Samaria, one who would, under normal conditions, discriminate against this dying man. However, he loving showed him compassion as he treated his wounds, lifted him upon his donkey, and took him to a hospice for the required care. Jesus’ intent was to teach who our neighour is — the one who reaches out with aid in time of need.
In essence, the Pastor stated that there were three things that Jesus wants us to glean from this story. “The first thing,” he pointed out, “is that we should pass no one by, as the Priest and the Levite did. The church should pass no one by. Likewise, the Diabetes Association should pass no one by, either. Secondly, Jesus teaches that we must serve selflessly every one that we can, in every way that we can, for as long as we can. As a church we must always seek to serve the Lord by serving others. Similarly, the Diabetes Association must be always involved in selfless service to all for as long as they can. And thirdly, by not passing by those who are in need, but rather by ministering to their needs, we can become good neighbours to others as the Lord would have us to be.”
In closing, Pastor Simon admonished: “May God help us today as we seek to be good neighbours on earth, so that together one day we would be resident neighbours in Heaven.”
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
