Scores of children were presented with school supplies at the Mount Fortune Seventh Day Adventist Church on Saturday 26th August, 2023, as the church observed its annual Education Day, under the theme “Order My Steps”.
Assistant Education Leader, Sis. Marcia Hodge said: “It is our pleasure each year to campaign on behalf of the community’s children in gathering these school items and presenting them for the new school year. We all know that children look forward to receiving new school supplies; all of us were once children too.”
“It is our desire to reach out to these children by not just supplying them with new school items, from year to year,” she said, “but to help instill within them, along with their parents, a love for the things of God and a knowledge of His son, Jesus Christ.”
A stirring sermon entitled “Order My Steps in Your Word” was delivered by Sis. Michelle Simon, especially for the benefit of the students. It portrayed the experience of Jacob in the scriptures, who had deceived his brother, Esau, by falsely identifying himself as Esau before his blind father. As a result, Jacob defrauded Esau of the blessing which he was entitled to receive from his father.
Because of Jacob’s deception he was forced to run away in order to escape his brother’s anger and aggression. It was only after several futile attempts at appeasing Esau, that Jacob was finally able to assuage his brother’s fury and gain his forgiveness. This was an appropriate lesson on deception, retribution and gracious forgiveness particularly for the children.
While Sis. Marcia Hodge and her team wish to thank all who contributed to the back-to-school effort, they want to especially express thanks to Sis. Alma Gumbs, Bro. Algernon and Sis. Maria Webster, Sis. Greta Vanterpool and Bro. Luis.
“In addition,” Sister Marcia said, “I want to say a hearty thanks to Mr. Kerry Harrigan and Mr. Raymond Victorine of the company Best Taxi in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. An appreciative ‘thank you’ is extended to Pastor Orville Fleming in Atlanta as well.”
The Mount Fortune congregation also extends sincere thanks to Assistant Education Leader, Sis. Marcia Hodge, who did, in fact, spearhead, arrange, and moderate this year’s event. Thanks also to Sisters Mary Smith and Janet Lake for their teamwork in helping to put the Education Day programme together.
