The first Sabbath of the New Year, 4 January, was the day Judith Asare brought a group of children to sing to and worship with founding Head Teacher of the Harper Bell Seventh-day Adventist School in Birmingham, Frank Castellino. These five youngsters, all former pupils of the Harper Bell School who graduated two years ago, are now in their second year of secondary education. Most of them were meeting 'Uncle Frank' for the first time.
They brought a breath of lively youthfulness and laughter into the care home where Frank resides. They sang some of Frank's favourite hymns, Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, interspersed with lively hand-clapping choruses and songs. We read a selection of Psalms together and short testimonies were given by the adults present − Judith Asare, Audrey Ogundere and Antonia Castellino. Frank spoke words of encouragement to the children and thanked them for their joyful singing, reminding them that they were joining with the angels in heaven in singing joyful praises to God.
At the end of our little service of praise each child shook hands with Frank and said a few words of appreciation to him:
Caleb: "Thank you for allowing us to come and for what you have done before for us."
Joshua: "Thank you for allowing us to come to your house and for us to be able to sing and for being happy with us."
Brenda: "Thank you for being Head Teacher of Harper Bell and for making it a good school as it is today. Thank you for allowing us to come to your home."
Kieannha: "Thank you Uncle Frank for letting us worship with you today. It was a pleasure. God bless you."
Kwame: "Thank you for allowing us to be here. And on behalf of Harper Bell thank you for your service and for making the school a success."
What a wonderful testimony from these youngsters, and what a credit they are to their parents, former teachers and all who have led and trained them in their young Christian lives up to now. What a witness also to their Lord as they show their love for Him by being willing to love and serve others.
Jesus ministered to the sick when He walked this earth performing many of His miracles of healing on the Sabbath. We may not be able to heal, but we can minister to those who are sick or disabled and no longer able to get to church to worship and fellowship with their brothers and sisters. In doing so we continue the work of our Lord Jesus.
Frank and I want to thank them for giving so willingly and cheerfully of their time and talents in this way. We also thank our dear Sister Judith Asare for organising this initiative. Judith is part of the Area 5 Prayer Team and as such, part of her ministry is training these young children in serving and ministering to others.
May they all be blessed as they continue to serve their Lord in this way.
