A Trip Down Memory Lane
CELEBRATING FATHERS
Janice S. Ramkissoon
29th June 2010
IN MY ADULT YEARS:
Reverend Mr. Elroy Patrick, pastor of the C.O.G.I.C. Community House of 1a
Rev. Patrick, along with his leaders and the rest of the body, has been such a blessing in my life. Elder Clarke and Deacon Reid have been very instrumental in helping me to grow spiritually and I am indeed grateful for their presence in my life. God is so amazing that He caters for my every need. When I'm not brave enough to ask my pastor certain questions, I can turn to Elder Clarke or Deacon Reid for such guidance. Likewise, there are times I need to say something and don't quite know how to say it to any of them, then the opportunity would present itself where I'm able to verbalize my thoughts in the presence of all three of them and get different pieces of advice.
I also look at the way the men in our church treat their children and thank God that I am surrounded by men I can admire. Some of these men extend their parental roles to others not born of their lineage but found it fit to care for these children as their own (whether temporary or long-term) and that in itself has helped with my healing where parental neglect is concerned. I am so blessed being part of this family of saints.
I previously had a negative picture of our men, based on past-experience and the media. I built a wall around me where no other man would be able to hurt me again. This wall started dismantling brick by brick, as soon as I became part of this fellowship (whilst under the leadership of our former pastor, Adrian George).
Pastor Adrian George:
With the dismantling of this wall, I felt exposed but I was also happy to finally be able to prove the media wrong in the image they promote of men in our society. I was indeed grateful that God saw it fit to have Pastor George remain with the fellowship so that I could be exposed to his teachings and fatherly advice before he moved on to his next calling. As pastor George prepared to leave, I went into grieving—everyone I believe God placed in my path to guide me has left and now having finally found a place where my family and I could fellowship, the leader was about to leave. I figured something must be wrong with me why people are always leaving [constantly dealing with abandonment]. I could not understand it until later but God had used that situation to help me detach myself from individuals I looked up to and connect to Him—the true source of love. A process of disconnection started to take place as I re-connected to the love of my heavenly Father. Pastor George’s leaving represented a time of closure [of letting go of the way I dealt with things in the past] and new beginnings for me.
Larry Lilly, a special friend and a father who understands the
journey I’ve been on. I can turn to him for advice if I need. His
writing encourages me and I recently received an encouraging
letter from him, letting me know that he and his wife, prays for
me on a daily basis. You can connect with Larry via his daily
journal. Visit his website to find out more.
Thomas Kittrell, a man of God, who claims me as his
own ‘Internet daughter’, adopted into the family by choice. He
writes and emails to keep in touch and assures me of his
prayers for me and my family. Before we found a place of
worship where we could transfer our membership, he provided
us with spiritual guidance and encouraged us to find a place to
fellowship where the presence of God was evident, a.s.a.p.
Reverend Mr. Geoffry Rumble,
us. I always felt that I had a place of refuge there. He would
give me words of advice (often over tea and biscuits c/o of the
lovely Mrs Brenda Rumble) that would later see me making
some major changes in my life. However, it was one of his
sermons that made the most impact on me “Are you saved
and comfortable or Saved to Serve?” I was comfortable
and happy with it. But after that sermon, I had to do some soul-
searching and when I came up short of where God wanted me
to be I had to make some changes in my life. I decided to
utilize my gifts for the Glory of God and Write2shine.com is one
of the vehicle I use to do this. From this initial step, God has
been opening up many doors to share His love with others.
Today I am still on that journey as I aim to reach higher heights
in the Lord.
Mr. Milton Grant,
Milton and his wife (the late Inez Grant) took my husband and I under their wings as we prepared to enter our life of togetherness. They counseled us prior to our marriage and were always there for us when we needed their guidance. They welcomed us into their home and made us feel part of the family. Today, I see
Fatherhood| Feast for Fathers | Men of Honour | What Fathers Say| What Kids Say| From A Counsellor's Perspective| Thanks For the Memory
