And let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart. Then, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all men and especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6: Verses 9 and 10.
I HAVE A VERY big question to ask this week: does it pay to be good to or do good for others, especially your relatives, family and friends? I think the answer is blowing in the wind. And you can write or call me, because you may not want to give your answer in public. Do let me know how you feel.
I am sure that there are people out there who are suffering as a result of the good they have done for others, especially for those who have borrowed from the Student Revolving Loan Fund.
We are seeing it with those loan guarantors since the Ministry of Education placed advertisements with the names of those students who have refused to repay.
One such guarantor is a 53-year-old who is quoted in the DAILY NATION as saying that in future he will never sign for anyone, and I quote: “I am not paying back. She lived a lifetime, studied twice, married, divorced and returned to the island. They expect that by putting the names in the paper, they will turn up and pay. That girl is dishonest. I will never sign again for anyone not even my mother and I am not paying one . . . cent.”
Such behaviour does not encourage people to stand as guarantor to anyone because some students have proved to be very dishonest. As for me, there are three things that nobody can ever borrow from me and they are my wife, my money and my car. Do not think about it.
When it comes to money, I will tell you to meet me by the Bank of Nova Scotia on Broad Street and I will introduce you to the loans officer, because when they need the loan (money) from you, they are like lambs and after they have received it, they then hide from you and even stop speaking to you.
To me it is better to lose a friendship than to lose one’s money. Something has to be done with those delinquent students, because you just cannot keep looking for new money to put into the fund all the time. I wonder if those students mistook the loan for a deal of gift. I hope not.
To all delinquent students, please repay the loan so that others can be helped. Don’t be selfish, think about others and those who have helped you before.
100th birthday
Congratulations to Canon Ivor Jones, who celebrated his 100th birthday on Wednesday. May he continue to celebrate many more birthdays.
Day of prayer
The Barbados Mothers’ Union Day of Prayer will this year take the form of an old-fashioned excursion tomorrow.
Buses will leave Queen’s Park at 9:30 a.m. for Mass at the St Augustine Church before stops at St Luke and St Philip for a brief history of each church, then on to the King George V Memorial Park for a rally of songs and testimonies and concluding with evensong at Holy Trinity Anglican Church.
Concerts
The St Peter Church Army will be holding its annual concert on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the church.
The St John Church Army will hold its annual concert on September 25, at the church, from 4 p.m. It will feature the Barbados Defence Force Band and other artistes.
Missionary meeting
The St Philip Moravian Fellowship annual missionary meeting takes place on Sunday, September 18, at 4 p.m. at the Princess Margaret Secondary School Hall.
Fulnec concert
The Fulnec Moravian Church Youth Fellowship, Watts Village, St George holds a back-to-school concert tomorrow at 6 p.m. Guest artistes include the Moravian Disciples, Erica Forte, and the Warrior Chorale.
Patronal festival
The St Cyprian Anglican Church will hold its patronal festival next week with the theme: Living Out Christ In Our Community.
On Sunday, sung Eucharist and procession will be held at 8 a.m. with the preacher Rev. Merlene Lucas. At 6 p.m. will be a choral evening programme.
Next Tuesday and Thursday there will be services at 7:30 p.m. and on Friday a youth service will be at 7 p.m.
Panel conversation
The Church of God at Chapman Street is hosting a panel conversation on Wednesday at 7 p.m. on The Silent Scream – Has the Church Played a Critical Role in the Detecting and Dismantling the Scourge of Child Abuse?
Panellists include Senator Harcourt Husbands, Corey Worrell, Faith Marshall-Harris and Rev. David Coulthrust.
