GIVE OF YOUR BEST

THE men and women of the Barbados Regiment and Barbados Defence Force (BDF) have been encouraged to continue along the path of giving good service to their nation and the region.

Delivering the sermon at the Barbados Regiment’s Colours to Church service, which took place at the St. Matthias Anglican Church yesterday, Reverend Esther Willoughby, who thanked God for the birth of the Regiment 70 years ago, called on the members to follow Jesus’ model of serving by example.

She stressed during the service, which was also attended by Acting Prime Minister Richard Sealy, among other officials, that serving people requires the sacrifice of time and personal desires, even when the persons being ministered to do not measure up to expectations.

“We cannot deny the great assistance rendered to our Caribbean brothers and sisters who suffered the ravages of storms and hurricanes. Our Government facilitated the officers in carrying out their duties.

"The rank and file stepped up to the plate, and made Barbados proud.

“Their service is not only at the regional level, but also locally, as evidenced by the assistance rendered to the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church in August through December of 2017. For this, I express appreciation to Chief of Staff Glyne Grannum and the Commanding Officer of the Barbados Regiment, Major Wendy Yearwood,” she said.

Reverend Willoughby, who is also the Assistant Chaplain to the BDF, said another exceptional example of the men and women of the Force demonstrating good service was shown on Friday.

She explained that though some officers were openly grieving after losing one of their own, Troy Akeil Small, who became the island’s third road fatality for 2018 when he died in a single-vehicle accident along Oistins Road around 2 a.m. on Friday, those being deployed on an overseas assignment that same day, still prepared to leave the island.

“There were some soldiers that were now being deployed to I think it was Antigua, that same very day. And they were grieving, they were hurting, and they said to me, ‘We still have to go.’ ...Even though they were grieving and they were crying, today they are in Antigua, or Barbuda. That is what you call service,” she said.

Reverend Willoughby said people must ask themselves whether they are serving by example. She reminded that Jesus gave good service everywhere he travelled, as he healed the sick, ministered to the depressed, fed the hungry and embraced children, noting that he did not molest them as is experienced by some children.

Jesus also enhanced the status of women in that culture, she said.

“Is there a child or are there children in your community who you can help, thus ensuring that they are not taken advantage of? Today, many young people are left on their own and have lost their way. Are there ways in which you can mentor some of these young people so that they are brought back on track, thus giving them hope for a brighter future?

“The first lesson, which was read from the Book of Deuteronomy Chapter 15, communicated God’s instruction to the children of Israel on reaching their new home – the Promised Land. They were to assist the poor and needy,” Reverend Willoughby said.

Following the service, Acting Prime Minister Sealy took the salute outside the church as troops marched passed on their way to the BDF’s Garrison Headquarters. (AH)