It has been a relatively challenging 2020 for many, due to the escalating negative impact on the economy and untimely passing of thousands brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the rest of the world experiences skyrocketing cases of the virus and increasing number of deaths, Anguilla rested peacefully for several months, sheltered in place and enjoyed the security of closed borders. Anguilla, however, was not spared. With tourism being our main industry, our economy was dealt a devastating blow as our borders remained closed for seven months. Many families experienced economic hardship as employment went south due to the inactivity of our tourism industry. The Seventh-day Adventist Church during this period, sprang into action and set in motion a plan to mitigate the challenges experienced. Two stimulus packages were distributed. In August 2020, forty-two families received a financial contribution, as well as a food basket, from the concerted efforts of the North Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists – with Headquarters in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands – and Pastor Howard Simon and the members of District One, comprising Mount Fortune and New Life congregations.
More recently, on Sunday, December 6, 2020 twenty-seven families were blessed with food baskets, compliment of the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventists Community Services Department. God loves us so much. He continues to bless us and He beckons us to also love (support) one another (John 13:34).
As we enter into the holiday season, a time when focus is given to the birth of Christ our Savior, the Seventh-day Adventist Church takes this opportunity to wish all a blessed and Christ-centred holiday and a very prosperous, healthy and safe 2021.
– Contributed
