After devastating earthquake…

DEEP ANGUISH: Divisional Commander Major Sinous Theodore who arrived long before the start of service, and who has relatives unaccounted for, is plunged deep in thought.

MANY Guyanese, on Sunday, joined Divisional Leaders and officers of the local Salvation Army (S.A.), most of whom are Haitians, at holiness meetings in various corps worship centres across this country, to pray for the people of Haiti.

Since the news of the earthquake that left about 200,000 dead and several thousands more injured and/or unaccounted for, a pall of gloom has continued to overhang the Georgetown S.A. headquarters.

Divisional Leaders, Majors Sinous and Marie Theodore and their officers, remain troubled and continue to offer prayers. But, despite the anguish, they daily execute their spiritual and humanitarian programmes, for the benefit of the local population.

Captain Joan Thomas delivers the sermon

Sunday’s service, at Citadel Headquarters, South Road and Alexander Street, Georgetown, was attended only by Mr. Theodore, as his wife, devastated by the tragic occurrence in their homeland, fell ill.

Major Theodore did not preach the sermon but offered special prayers for Haitians while the service was superintended by Haitian Captain Vilece Thomas, whose wife, Captain Joan Thomas, sermonised on ‘Time to Forgive’.

The moving two-hour programme saw the congregation praying fervently that God would give the people of Haiti strength to bear their loss and overcome.

After the initial singing of ‘The Storm is Over’, the gathering prayed for just about everything that is needed and relevant to the Haitian people at this time.

Following the service, Major Sinous Theodore and Captain Vilece Thomas- both of whom were overwhelmed with grief, discuss the situation in Haiti.

Thanking the global community, including Guyana, for the prompt response and compassionate outpouring of love, the church also thanked the volunteers and other rescue workers who are putting their lives on the line to help.

The worshippers also remembered veterans from the Women’s Home League who celebrated birthdays and, in acknowledgement of President Barack Obama’s great outpouring of love and humanitarian assistance to the people of Haiti, sang lustily the traditional ‘Happy Birthday’ song, for the anniversary of America’s First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, celebrated Sunday.

The massive quake struck Haiti on January 12, causing catastrophic damage inside and around the capital city, Port-au-Prince.