August Town residents claim prayer and godliness for 2021
Published:Saturday | January 2, 2021 | 12:11 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Last year brought about several changes in the lives of residents of August Town in St Andrew, and some of them are looking to 2021 with expectations of a closer walk with God and the elimination of violence in the community.
Dahlia Stephens was seated with friends at her gate when The Gleaner visited the community on New Year’s Eve and was not happy that she would not be able to ring in the New Year in church as is customary, due to the pandemic.
“We are going to do it like from about 5 o’clock up to before the curfew start. After that, I will be in my bed,” she said.
“My plan for the new year is just to live and serve God. As you see, the pandemic – or COVID-19 – cause everything to go down. It nah get better, it a go get worse, but all we have to do is keep wi self how we must keep,” Stephens added.
Hellen Harrison, who said she is an elder sister of late broadcaster Dorraine Samuels, was spotted heading home with what appeared to be care packages.
“I am sick with pressure, so I can’t go to church. I have to distance myself. I have bronchitis and pneumonia so I just went to accept these at the church and head home,” the elderly woman told The Gleaner, adding that she will celebrate her 75th birthday on January 27.
“I am looking forward to it – the new year and my birthday. For the new year, I want to keep up my health and strength and to pray more. I want to pray for those who are not Christians. That is my desire,” Harrison said.
Even the youth wanted to see more love and godly happenings in the community.
Tevin Willis, 14, told The Gleaner that the community had lost several citizens to violence in 2020, something which bothers him.
“A lot of people died[from violence] even though we had COVID. It would be good to have more godly messages in the community of August Town,” said Willis. “I am not a Christian, but I am thinking to become one; 2021 may be the year.”