Young people and adults in Anguilla have concluded what has been described as an influential and successful observance of Global Youth Day – an undertaking by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in and outside the island.
The observance, on Saturday, March 20, comprised two events. The first, from 9 am to 12 noon, saw seven groups of SDA members, attired in different colours, taking up positions at various locations around Anguilla. They served soup, rolls and water – as well as distributed printed materials to residents to whom they also gave encouraging words of faith and hope in these challenging times.
The groups, colours and the communities where they appeared, were as follows – Dark blue: Island Harbour at the basketball court; Green: Best Buy Supermarket East, Long Path; Mint green: The Quarter, east of the former FirstCaribean Bank; Purple: The Valley, next to Flow; Yellow: George Hill, in the area of the Anguilla Community College; Orange: Blowing Point, at the end of the Jeremiah Gumbs Highway; and Haze Yellow, West End, at Best Buy Supermarket.
The second event of the observance of Global Youth Day was a March of Witness. It began on the grounds of the Gazebo in The Valley, opposite the National Commercial bank of Anguilla; made its way along St. Mary’s Street; across Rev. Raphael Lake’s Drive; down Albert Lake’s Drive; into Coronation Avenue; and up to the People’s Market. There, at the busy marketplace, a number of individuals and groups participated in a singspiration and the delivery of a Global Youth message which attracted much attention.
Speaking just before the March of Witness, Area Coordinator for Adventist Youth, Shenique Claire Mussington, said: “We want the various communities to know that we are here for them, and it is our mission to spread the word of God. We are the hands and feet of Jesus. Earlier, we were pleased to be in the various communities providing refreshments and ministering to a number of persons.”
Senior Minister and Coordinator of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministry in Anguilla, Pastor Howard Simon, said he was delighted with the turnout of the youth and adult members of the several congregations of the church. These comprised: Mount Fortune; the New Life Company; Jirey and Shemei Tabernacles; and the Spanish Company.
“It is a marvellous day of community services,” he continued. “We have moved from the west, central and the east. Every base has been covered and folks have been delighted by the outreach in terms of the literature distributed; the water and soups – touching the communities in a very powerful way.
“These are difficult days. There is a lot of sad news all around but we have brought the good news out today. It is a ministry of Jesus touching lives and meeting needs. It is an amazing experience. The young people are elated and celebrating. The older folks are here as well – and it is just a tremendous occasion.”
